Archive for the Magazines Category


Yuri Anime: Asagao to Kase-san OVA (あさがおと加瀬さん)

July 15th, 2018

Deep breath……. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

Many thanks to YNN Senior Kase-san Correspondent Verso S for help in obtaining a copy of the Blu-ray, which is still being sold only at theaters in Japan where the OVA is showing. Once again, the Yuri Network is pure awesome. ^_^

Despite being titled Asagao to Kase-san (あさがおと加瀬さん), the story begins after the events of the first manga volume. The story begins with Obentou to Kase-san, as Yamada and Kase-san have been dating since spring…

…my eyes widened as I realized that the entire OVA takes place after “There is a girl, she likes another girl, they like each other, the end.” I cannot impress upon you all enough what a meaningful statement that is for a Yuri Anime. This is not the same girl-meets-girl story we have seen and read over and over. It’s true that this OVA follows a well-worn path, but this time, the path has been set with beautifully animated paving stones and lined with all the flowers we’ve come to love – hydrangeas, and pansies and, of course, morning glories. And lilies. ^_^

Yamada and Kase-san have been dating for a while, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things that need to be dealt with. Jealousy and self-esteem, sexual attraction, and possessiveness all get a moment or two in the spotlight, but in 58 minutes, the one thing that really was sidelined was fanservice. Service that existed in the manga was stripped out for this anime, which suited me just fine. It was such a pleasure and a visceral relief that we could enjoy a Yuri romance with the all the truly sexy and appealing things about love and attraction, without any of the tiresome visual cues that sad people replace for love and attraction. There were kisses, and when Kase-san kisses Yamada’s wrist, I was like, now this was written by someone who has actually had a relationship. 

Again, I ask you to consider the choices made here – this was a Yuri romance anime not made for the lowest common denominator. Not one scene, not one decision was a shrugging consideration that we have to rely on the creepy, the sexually immature, the dysfunctional or unimaginative viewer for success. While the Kase-san series is itself a nice, sweet and realistic young love story, this OVA is a masterwork of polite middle fingers to people who can’t watch Yuri without needing sloppy kisses, and unhappy faces.

Voice acting was, as it has been, top-notch. Takahashi Minami as Yamada and Sakura Ayane as Kase-san were excellent and their version of the ED was adorable.

It feels redundant, but let me also note that the animation was delightful and gorgeous and amusing in turn. This series has no grand sweeping epic moments, but every scene was lovingly handled by people who cared, and it shows.

The Kase-san series has done some amazing things – it didn’t die after the magazine it ran in folded, it got a theatrical release for the OVA, (making it a OTA, I guess,) it found a new magazine home, it’s *still* in some theaters in Japan and it has a JP Blu-Ray with English subtitles. The story has been cute since the first chapter, but the business acumen and hard work behind it on the part of Takashima Hiromi-sensei, the folks at Shinsokan Pubishing and Pony Canyon leave me breathless. This is case study quality. This is an outstanding work on every level, including all the ones we never see, like directing and editing.

When the DVD becomes available from Japan through regular sales routes, I will provide a link, I promise. And if you were one of the fortunate to see this at AnimeExpo last week, let us know what you think in the comments. In the meantime, 2018 has 5 months left in which to beat this for the number 1 slot on the top 10 list. I await the competition with baited breath.

Ratings:

Art – 10
Story – 10
Character – 10
Service – 1 on principal only (Although I could make a case for that wrist kiss being service for a different group)
Yuri – 10

Overall – 10

It was…perfect.  Just perfect. Thank you to everyone who worked on it.

I’m told that the premier at AnimeExpo included a video of staff talking about their efforts in getting this OVA made. And I’ve seen all the videos of the voice cast talking about the series. And I really appreciate the efforts of Pony Canyon staff and the support and belief in this series showed by Shinsokan Publishing. But when I think of Kase-san, I think of Takshima-sensei and her assistants grinding away in her room, never giving up on this series and keeping it going no matter what. She deserves every success she receives.





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime August 2018 ( コミック百合姫2018年8月号)

July 1st, 2018

Another excellent volume of Monthly Comic Yuri Hime, August 2018 (コミック百合姫2018年8月号) begins with  a new anime announcement…for, predictably, a series I don’t follow. I want to address why this seems to be the norm for me. Let’s talk about the “lowest common denominator,” for second. When we apply this mathematical term in qualitative analysis, as we are doing here, “common,” is used as in “the broadest appeal.” And “lowest” means the bar at which the most people, the most broadly, will find something to like. 

There are certain trends in anime, specifically, that exist to maximize both the audience who will be interest and minimize the time and money that go into making a production. Simplified character art, limited backgrounds, small ensemble casts, and simple storylines tend to make for a good anime. Physical comedy appeal broadly and, of course, every genre has tropes that any reader would expect.

One of the things you’ll see least in anime is manga that runs in women’s magazines. Think about why that might be. Fewer action or blunt comedy series. A lot of people talking, complicated emotional scenarios…jousei manga are made of the kind of material that is used for television series. Anime tends to look for wacky rather than witty, action-packed, rather than dramatic, and loud public displays of emotionality, rather than more contemplative scenes. And I prefer the laterto the former. I can say with confidence that 2DK, GPen, Mezamashitokei would make a slow anime to watch, as we see scene after scene of people inside their heads, churning over emotional complexity. ^_^ So, instead we get wacky, jumpy, grabby, bouncy and cry-y stuff as anime. Which, while it maximizes everything for the production company, leaves me less than compelled. I don’t hold it against Ichijinsha that they have announced Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maoirita! as  an anime. I’m just hoping that something I like gets made into an anime or live drama one day. ^_^

Speaking of Ohsaw Yayoi’s 2DK, GPen, Mezamashitokei, Kaede and Nanami have returned home and Kaede is stressing over having kissed her roommate on the train, while trying to pretend everything is normal. Thank heavens for Koyuki who has fucking had it with these two. ^_^

Miman’s “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” is cruising for a climactic bruising. Hime wasn’t a particularly interesting character, but both Kanako and Sumika are. I think they will make a good couple, once we work through all the stuff that stands between them.

Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatte iru is a ridiculously cute story about two teachers who are, as of yesterday, dating, and their colleague’s reactions, by Ohi Pikachi. I particularly liked the scene where the school chairman was told and say, “Nice! You’re both young. Have some fun.” ^_^ 

“Oya ga Urusai no de Kouhai to Gizoukekkonshitemita” by Kodama Naoko slams into a confrontation with the annoying parents and, quite probably a happy ending. This looks to be a one-volume over and done story, but I really needed it after her last story.

I love “ROID,” by Shiroshi. I’m a sucker for stories about the nature of humanity as seen through the eyes of an android. 

Hisakawa Haru’s “Yurikkon ~ Girls Wedding Omnibus” offers us a unlikely story with an unlikely ending, but that’s okay, not every chapter has to make sense. ^_^ Next up, pop idols.

“Zenbu Anata wo Tabetai” by Tanaka Rin plumbs the depths of despair and cancer, for an unusual, unrealistic story.

In neji’s “Prisontown e Youkoso” Meari and Akari have a confrontation that ends with mutual confessions. The story is set to continue, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes, now that they are a proper couple.

And, predictably, in “Takane no Hana ha Usotuski desu” Yukiho realizes that she’s made a mistake trying to drive Meguru away.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

As I said, a really strong volume. The September volume is available in a couple of weeks!

 

 





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime July 2018 (コミック百合姫2018年7月号)

June 21st, 2018

The July issue of Comic Yuri Hime was so good, I read it twice. I’m following more stories and liking them more than I have in some time.

Hisona’s “Goodbye Dystopia” remains the standout series for me, although it turns away sharply from the apparently abandoned, overgrown (post-apocalyptic) world it had inhabited to a thriving town, a mall, shopping for shoes and an Internet Cafe. It was so stark a change that it took me aback quite a bit and I had to reread it to make sure I was not imagining it. ^_^ So, they are doing walkabout in our world, then?

“ROID” by Shiroshi was poignant, as Anna encounters a used and abused robot and helps him, only to have him rebel against the First Law of Robotics and force her to save his abusive master from certain death. Anna has to confront the needs of self-willed AI beings and the limitations of being built, rather than born. I fucking love this story.

“Yurikkon” by Hisakawa Haru follows the two little girls from the end of the last chapter through their mother’s divorces, reunion and eventually marriage, and the not-sisterly love that they feel for one another. The next story will follow someone returning home from abroad hoping to pick up where they left off.

I still have no idea at all what “Prison Town e Youkoso” by neji is actually about, but I’m happy wansdeing the strets with Akari, who seems as puzzled to be there as I am.

“Kimi ha Shoujo” ended suddenly, strangely and incongruously, with a shift into the future and the city, dragging the entire story with it. I’m sorry that that Nanatsufuji didn’t have time or means to give it a better ending.

Hamuro Kei’s “Tsurezure Biyori” was a nice episode in a young couple’s life, rather than a dramatic moment.

And, among the one-shot,s was a story by Tanaka Rin, whose work I haven’t see since 2012! I was unsurprised to see it was a creepy Yuricest story. That’s what she does. ^_^; While Usui Shio’s “Jewel of You” tells a story of unrequited love that becomes requited. Classic stuff. ^_^;

Ratings:

Overall – 9

The August issue of Comic Yuri Hime has hit shelves and I am heading right to the next chapter of “2DK Pen, Mezamashitokei!” ^_^





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime, June 2018 (コミック百合姫2018年6月号)

June 4th, 2018

I cannot explain to you the feeling of wonder I got, when I picked up Comic Yuri Hime, June 2018 (コミック百合姫2018年6月号), knowing that, for the first time since it has begun publication in 2003, I will read and enjoy more stories than I don’t. That’s rare for me with any magazine. I’ve always maintained that if I really like 2 stories and mostly like a few others, a magazine is worth continuing. To have a magazine with so many enjoyable stories is rare, and for that magazine to be a Yuri magazine is a miracle.

I absolutely adore the nothing that is “Goodbye Dystopia” by Hisona. We know nothing of the characters, nothing of their world. We can guess very little about them, as well. And yet we travel along with them through a ruined, but beautiful, landscape. I could read this for volumes.

I feel bad that I no longer trust Kodama Naoko-sense, but after the extended horror of NTR, the reality is, that I don’t. Nonetheless, “Oya ga Urusai no de Sempai (♀) to Gizoukekkonshitemita.” may be worthy of my trust. A woman who is clearly in love with her roommate and sempai, wants to help her stop the demands for marriage meetups from sempai’s parents. She proposes that they visit sempai’s parents and tell then that they are in a partnership. Yes, the plot is awful and eyerolly and yes, it’s ridiculously clear that the sempai will eventually have to fall for her kouhai, blah blah blah, but I kind of liked the idea that the Shibuya Partnership certificate was presented as a marriage certificate…like it’s meant to be seen as. The parents’ reaction was bad, the story is a comedy and I’ll never trust the author again, so I’m still on the fence. We’ll see.

“Shiori no Sagasu page-tachi” by Kumosususme has had it’s big reveal, thus resolving any confusion or tension in the plot. I have no idea where it might go now.

Still like Shiroshi’s “Roid” and looking forward to more.

This chapter of “2DK, GPen, Mezamashitokei” will clearly be the end of of Volume 7…and what a chapter it was! Aois’ wedding at last. Nanami asks Kaede if she recognizes any of the folks at their table from school, Kaede says she has no idea who the other people are. Nanami glowers, thinking that Aoi has put them at a table of her ex-girlfriends…and gets even darker when she realizes the other women are current girlfriends.(-_-);

I have no fucking clue what or why Prison Town exists or how anyone, (most especially Akari) got there, but I’m still happy to read “Prisontown e Youkoso!” by neji.

Nanatsufuji’s “Kimi ha Shoujo” actually makes me quite uncomfortable. But I’m still reading this story about a passionate affair between a young woman and an older woman in a sheltered town.

And Ameno’s “Takane no Hana ha Usotuski desu” also about a relationship between a a younger woman and an older one is equally as uncomfortable, but for different reasons. And yet, I am still reading.

The bouquet has been tossed and caught in “Yurikkon” by Hisakawa Haru, and Hinako comes home to her lover Mizuki, asking “Why haven’t we thought about getting married?” Mizuki exclaims, “Get married?” and Hinako is forced to rethink their entire relationship. But we can see that Mizuki’s reaction to basically everything is to question it and eventually she and Hinako choose a traditional Shinto service for their own celebration. Watching this are two women, holding the hands of two children, who ask the children if they’d rather see their mothers marry in a western or Japanese ceremony. The torch has been passed.

There were other stories both read and unread in this volume, but I’m going to have to say I am really like the current crop. So many grown up women, some same-sex marriage, some kissing, living together (or as Pearl might say, “a little death and birth thrown in!”).

Ratings:

Overall – I’m going with 9. It was that good. Different feels, styles, tones. I like it.

The July issue is sitting on my to-read pile. I look forward to it!





Rakuen Le Paradis Magazine, Volume 26 (楽園 Le Paradis)

May 10th, 2018

I am pleased as punch to note that not only is Hakusensha’s Rakuen Le Paradis (楽園 Le Paradis) magazine is including Yuri again (still), they seem to have recommitted to it.

In Volume 26 of Rakuen Le Paradis we have a new comic called “Praparat” by Shigasawa Kaya about a class outsider who has a chance to become more popular, but who comes to a unexpected conclusion about herself.

“Junsui Adolescence” by Kazuma Kowo lets us revisit a series from the early 2000s which originally ran in what was then Yuri Hime magazine.

And, best of all, this month’s chapter of “14-sai no Koi” by Mizutani Fuuka, follows Shiki Aoi, one of Tanaka Kanata’s classmates who has a painful one-sided crush on her. Aoi finally breaks down to the school doctor, only to glimpse a vision of her own life in 7 years if she doesn’t find a way to grow. She comes back to the doctor and ends up comforting her. This chapter was incredibly touching and sad.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

Next issue, Volume 27, will see a return of Nakamura Aasumiko’s “Mejirobana no Saku.” Guess I’m getting this magazine again, regularly. ^_^;