Archive for the Magazines Category


Rakuen Le Paradis 29 (楽園 Le Paradis)

March 25th, 2019

Rakuen Le Paradis 29 (楽園 Le Paradis) officially launches Nakamura Asumiko’s “Mejirobana no Saku” as a regular series. Having made a name for herself fund raising for a festive  Christmas tree, formerly almost-outcast Ruby now finds herself in the confusing position of being popular. 

What is far worse is that any intimacy she and Steph shared over the winter break is gone and Steph appears to be comfortable with deflecting Ruby’s attempts at friendship. In a fit of pique after Steph is publicly unkind to her, Ruby tell the older girl to never come near her again. 

Until Ruby learns that she is being removed from this school, where she has finally carved out a place for herself. Her mother admits she simply doesn’t have the money to keep her there, now that she’s divorced Ruby’s wealthy father. The headmistress makes an offer – if Ruby can hit a certain mark on the entrance exam, she will be eligible for a scholarship. Ruby, whose grades are middling takes up the challenge and heads to Steph’s room. “Teach me Latin,” she tells the other girl, when the door opens.

So that was a chunky 32 pages of this fraught and emotional girl’s love at a private school story.

The only other Yuri in this issue is in, somewhat surprisingly, “14-sai no Koi” in which we once again turn to look at like from Kanata’s classmate Shiki Aoi’s persepctive and her unrequited love for Kanata. Aoi is able to confide in the school doctor and have a brief moment of satisfaction as Kanata cries in her arms. That Kanata is cryng about being in love with her boyfriend is beside the point.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

I’m pleased that there are still Yuri stories in this magazine, because I might never read it otherwise. And it’s always interesting. Nakamura Asumiko’s Maiden Railways is now available in English from Denpa Books, and it too, contains a Yuri story.





Yuri Manga: Galette Meets, Issue 3 (ガレットmeets3)

March 15th, 2019

The third Galette Meets, the doujinshi put out by the folks at Galette Works, is a pretty healthy body of Yuri work.

With 8 stories for 120 pages, some by artists we know and love and others by new folks whose names we don’t yet know, it’s a great way to dip your toes into a wider range of stories featuring the emotional range of women. There’s sweet here and ugly and mean, and kind and romantic all dealt with by varying artists in different ways.

Ogawa Masumi’s story about a toxic relationship was the standout story for me, as it takes a dark path through bullying, and using sex as a weapon, and the extremes of love and lust in a chaotic few pages.

Galette Meets 3 is available in Print and on Kindle from Amazon JP and on US Kindle (in Japanese). It’s not (yet, maybe?) available on Global Bookwalker. 

Ratings: 

Overall – 8

Galette Meets 3.5 will be available in print at the end of this month – which is an interesting little thing, because in the end of Galette Meets 3, it says that the next one will be, naturally 4, and yet, here is 3.5. with 90 pages of content. I’ll be interested to see what “a little sexy and more sweet” stories we’ll get this time. 





Yuri Manga: Philia to Eros no Aida, Volume 1 (ピリアーとエロスのあいだ)

March 8th, 2019

Welcome to the end of “vaguely dissatisfying week” here on Okazu. ^_^ Today we’re wrapping up the week by taking a look at a manga by an artist I like, for a magazine I like,with a series I just have not been able to like.

Philia to Eros no Aida, Volume 1 (ピリアーとエロスのあいだ) by Yorita Miyuki, runs in Galette (ガレット) magazine. This volume is one of the second round of Galette Works collected releases, following Kurumi and Nikaido, a couple that I wish I could be rooting for.

When we meet them, Kurumi still has an interest in a guy, Mishima, but Nikaido is there for her. And Nikaido’s emotional support helps Kurumi  good about herself, which becomes affection towards Nikaido, even though she’s still kind of interested in the guy. Nikaido doesn’t seem to mind, even if her other friends do. Her gentle, persistent “being there” for Kurumi is their bond and Kurumi convinces herself, at least a bit, that she likes Nikaido back.

I don’t see this relationship ending well. If it does, it’ll just be annoying. I’m with Hibiki, Nikaido’s friend who is incensed over this relationship, going so far as to punch Kurumi for having the nerve to pretend to care for Nikaido while pining over Mishima.

Ratings:

Art – nice
Story – argh
Characters – ergh
Yuri – ugh
Service – nah

Overall – 6, but I really wish it was higher.

I’ve enjoyed Yorita’s doujinshi over the years, but like Hibiki, this relationship makes my teeth grind.





Yuri Manga: Galette Meets, Issue 2 (ガレットMeets)

March 1st, 2019

One of the ways artists in Japan build up their professional chops is through doujinshi. Because these self-published or small press books must be completed to deadline and have print runs and sales that can be measured, the comic markets at which they are sold make a very useful proving ground for amateur creators – and a healthy space for self-expression for professionals whose creations must conform to editorial guidance, house style and magazine popularity.

It makes a lot of sense, then that Galette magazine encourages submission of Yuri doujinshi artists for both the quarterly magazine and it’s own doujinshi publication Galette Meets. Galette Meets, Issue 2 (ガレットMeets) is, like Issue 1, all one-shot stories that the editors think are “Just a tad sexy and a little more sweet.”

In my opinion, Issue 2 is much stronger on both art and story than Issue 1. My personal favorite is by Miura Kozumi, a story about a work romance in which the cool, cosmpolitan and apparently worldly sempai who likes women has….no experience with women and is a complete uke in bed, in “Takamine-sempai and Nonchan.” Workplace romance is a popular theme, and so is casual acquaintance, which feels comfortable for this short.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

I like the idea of a Galette having a small proving ground, so to speak, providing other artists a venue for a publication credit.

Galette Meets, Issue 2 is no longer available in print outside Japan, but you can still get it digitally on JP Kindle, US Kindle (in Japanese) and Bookwalker (also in Japanese.)





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime March 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年3月号)

February 27th, 2019

Today’s review is dedicated to all the Okazu Patrons with especial thanks to our newest Okazu no Miko, Pauline! Your support makes this, and all our reviews, possible!

Kodama Naoko-sensei’s newest series, “Uminekosou Days” gets off to a bang in Comic Yuri Hime, March 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年3月号) and almost immediately settles into territory that makes me, personally, feel very uncomfortable. I have to just assume that Kodama-sensei’s and my areas of interest and ickiness are just not in sync. ^_^; Setting that aside, the plot follows a morose woman who is looking to start a new life after her best friend and boyfriend have had an affair and are now getting married. She’s escaped to a seaside town to become a teacher and immediately becomes involved with a female truck driver and her “family.” One the one hand I am glad to see a story about women and children. On the other hand, I really am not at all interested in children, so this one is going to alternately annoy and freak me out.

Hanimi’s story about love and cookies was adorable, Kanoko and Hime go on a “date” in “Yuri is My Job!” and despite Chibana’s concern, I think we’re still heading towards a crisis with Kanoko. I hope not, but…that girl is not stable.

“Luminous Blue” by Iwami Kiyoko is taking a turn into the unexpected, but Ohi Pikachi’s “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsuiatteiru” stays just where we like it, in predictably grin-making cuteness.

Yuama’s “Ikemensugi desu, Shiki Semapai!” is developing a romance. Until now it’s not really been anything but admiration on Hana’s part.

“Scarlet” by Yuino Chiri turns uglier, as Iris may have just sacrificed her life for Feine.

Hisakawa Haru’s “Yurikon” wraps up all the married couple’s stories. I’m kind of sad that this particular fantasy didn’t get a third book.

And in Hisona’s “Goodbye Dystopia” Mizuki and Asami’s probably ex, Uzuki, have an awkward, but expository conversation, while Asami visits the ruins of her past.

Hime Cafe interviews Takemiya Jin-sensei, and new stories will begin next issue.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

I don’t want to become complacent or anything, but for now Comic Yuri Hime looks strong and has enough going on that I like, that I’m sort of relaxing as a I read. ^_^ The April 2019 issue is already out, so get ready to find out if annoyed and freaked out by Kodama-sensei is going to be the new standard, again. ^_^