Archive for the Magazines Category


Yuri Manga: Cotton Candy

April 11th, 2019

Hamano Ringo’s Cotton Candy was the first of the Galette collected volumes to be printed. I feel a little bad that it’s taken me this long to get around to it because, like it’s name, it’s very sweet.

There’s nothing objectionable at all, about the collection but for me the stand out story is the first, the titular “Cotton Candy.” This three-part story follows two girls who share a commute to school. They don’t really talk much, but after one has a run-in with a male schoolmate, and is rescued by the other, they become friendly. Mii often goes to a local coffee shop to talk over her experiences and feelings with the owner, Bun-chan.The older woman is a good confidant and helps Mii figure out how she feels about Hinako, as those feeling amble past friendship into attraction. More importantly, Bun-chan tell Mii that she, too was in the same position, because she likes women. This opens Mii-chan’s eyes and she is able, after some initial hesitation, to make her feelings known. When it turns out that they are returned, Mii brings her new girlfriend to the coffee shop to meet Bun-chan.

For what I think are obvious reasons, I really like this story. ^_^ Adult role models show young people that they are not outliers, not weird, not alone. There is nothing I want to see more of in Yuri than this…not even a sports series. ^_^

Hamano-sensei’s art is old-school cute without being moe. Lots of cute kids and bright smiles, school settings and sweets. It’s all kind of innocent and…nice.

Ratings:

Art – 8 It’s definitely old-school and I like it
Story – 7 School life
Characters – 8 Likable and cute
Service – Not really. 1 but on principle only – the most service-y thing in the book is a filler image of two girls in their pjs.
Yuri – 7 First love, crushes, exactly what you’d expect

Overall – 8

Again, like the confection it’s named after, it’s not filling, but the memory of sweetness lingers.





Yuri Manga: Galette, No. 9 (ガレット)

March 27th, 2019

Galette, No. 9 (ガレット) is just such a genuinely lovely book, that it took me a long time to read it because I kept paging through it admiring the actual thing itself. Every issue the cover illustration by pen just enchants me.

There a quite a few color pages; inside cover, photos and illustrations, including two absolutely charming pieces, of a lovely white lily themed piano duet 2-page spread by  Murasaki Noa (I’m probably wrong on the family name and welcome correction on  that) and Kabocha’s joyful fireworks illustration. These made a terrific mid-issue break.

This issue includes Petit Galette and a comic from the Galette Meets series, in addition ongoing stories from Morishima Akiko, Morita Miyuki, Yatosaki,  Haru Amano Shuninta and others, as well as one-shots by a number of other regular contributors.

It’s a strong line-up, with a nice variety of art, although the story lines have seemed to settle back into school life more often than not. Nonetheless in my opinion, Galette is always well-worth the money I’ve spent supporting and purchasing it. This one I was pleased as punch to be able to buy at Comitia this winter, which just made it that much better. ^_^ I believe in Galette so much, in fact, that I’ve upgraded my support on the Fantia crowdfunding page for the magazine. I quite like the Gold course, as it provides me with PDF versions of the magazine and Meets. (Sorry, Erin, we won’t be next to each other in the credits anymore. :-( )

Ratings

Overall-9

As always, Galette is available digitally on JP Kindle and US Kindle. Volume 8 is available at the end of this month on Bookwalker.

 





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime April 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年4月号)

March 26th, 2019

Comic Yuri Hime April 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年4月号) begins with a new story by Takeshima Eku, “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau” about a girl falling for an aloof schoolmate who rocks out on the guitar. Whether or not I will like it  remains to be seen, but this is a strong opening chapter with great visuals.

“Citrus+” begins this issue and May did, actually, look moderately less miserable, so that’s an improvement!

Let me be really honest with you, I’m reading this magazine for two stories right now. I read them and then go back to the beginning and see if anything else was good. The first of these is “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru,” which is like a balm to my soul. In this issue, we explore the positives and negatives of hickeys. This series is so charming and goofball lovey-dovey I can barely stand it. ^_^

Yuama’s “Ikemensugi Shiki-sempai” is not one of the two I rest my subscription upon, but it is lovely. Shiki’s earnestness is adorable.

“Uminekosou Days” had less breast jokes than typical and along with what seems to be an obvious adult romance brewing in the background, we are introduced to a school life romance in the foreground.

“Tsurezure Biyori” was, as always, sweet and kind of fluffy and life-y.

“Watashi no Yuri ha  Shigoto desu!” added a new complicating factor to Hime and Yano’s relationship. Because of course it did. ^_^;

The other series upon which my subscription rests, Hisona’s “Goodbye Dystopia,” did something I did not expect; it’s making Mizuki confront Asami’s past, which is poking her all over about her own. I always like the time-less/place-lessness of this story.

And, as always there are many other series I am reading, but not commenting upon or, simply not reading. Another solid issue and a perfect story-before-bedtime read. 

Ratings:

Overall – 8

The May issue is available and waiting for me at the bookstore. ^_^ Auugh, monthly I cannot cope with you!





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.