With today’s review, I am caught up with Galette magazine! Galette No. 34 (ガレット) was a wonderful issue, which made me just that much happier. 

In no particular order, I really enjoyed,Nehohariko22’s “Torokeru Heya no Naka”which is a ridiculous story and a ridiculous premise, but I like it anyway, as a girl let’s classmate crash at her place because she doesn’t want to lose contact with her, and the guest finds that her classmate is actually a popular and successful writer or erotica. This story is also featured on the mini-clearfile that came with this volume and Mimi’s Owari Sazanami,” about two friends suddenly really realize how they feel about one another.

Kitta Izumi and Momono Moto’s “Liberty” is back! With a time skip. It works, honestly. The story had gotten caught in a corner with itself and skipping forward a couple of years frees it up to end with joy. I wholly approve.

Morinago Milk came in with “Himitsu no Recipe” bring us just about to or to the end of the second volume (I’m too lazy to check) and “Watashi no Kawaii Neko-chan” in which chronic anxiety is still the major plot point, but still Reina is now addressing her hypersomnia, so it’s time for Yuna to, hopefully, build her business. 

Yorita Miyuki’s “Houkenshitsu no Ano Onna” has done a 180, as we learn that Tsukino-sensei has been watching Yukino-sensei all this time.

Sakuraya Yukino offers her continuing maid story, and Nakato Nui’s not-creepy doll, but still creepy doll story continues, as well. Inui Ayu gets a center color page for her story about a girl who contracts with a cool, masculine woman for a “date,” in order to try and get used to the idea of dating a boy, but she falls hard. The pages of this volume are filled with the 140 character stories, and another novelette chapter and Yuri’kko Research column, celebrations of Galette‘s 8th anniversary and the English-language volumes, for a very satisfying 34th issue. 

I never less than thrilled that this magazine has survived this long and I look forward to another year of creator-owned, crowd-funded Yuri fun with the folks at Galette WORKS. 

Ratings: 

Overall – 9

You know what this means, right? I am caught up! Volume 34 is in my to-read pile as a digital file and will eventually be on the way as a print volume. Phew.

The physical edition of Galette, No. 33 (ガレット) includes a small clearfile with art by Nekohariko22 of the characters in her new series, “Torokeru Heya no Naka.” A young woman is so unwilling to lose the presence of an emotionally distant classmate she admires, that when told the girl was leaving school, offers her a place to stay. Immediately her mind wanders to other things that might happen between them.

“Houkenshitsu no Ano Onna” by Yorita Miyuki, finally turns to relly look at that woman in the infirmary. Her life has not been idyllic. Tsukino-sensei lost her parents while in school. Rumors about her were comon. She’s always had her eye on Yukino-sensei, however…

In Yamada Toriko’s “That Girl – Day In the Life,” the secret thoughts of our protagonist Chidori are not sunshine and lolipops. She finds herself looking for someone everywhere she is. Like looking for just the right outfit, she knows, when she comes home to the woman she loves…this is the one.

Morinaga Milk’s “Watashi no Kawaii Neko-chan” Rena is once again sure that she is holding Yuna back, but wants to go home and tell her parents about them. Will Yuna come? (Of course she will, but not without agonizing…)

Miho’s story was the winner for me. A new teacher comes to school and Itsuki is sure that she won’t be remembered…but she is. This story was incredibly sweet, as short as it was.

Morinaga Milk’s “Himitsu no Recipe” come to the close of the summer camp arc, about 2/3 through Volume 2 of the series.

“Start no Soko e” by Miim follows the story of a woman who is surprised to learn that the woman she and her friend encountered on the street is actually her friend’s ex-girlfriend, and that her friend is in love with her.

Hituji offers an “odd couple” story of a good student who wishes to be more free, like Nakazato, who somehow doesn’t seem to care about what people thing.

“Mitsumeru Sakini” gives us a classic girl finding herself looking differently at another girl…but actually telling her that she’s cute is a good start. ^_^

This volume gives us the end of the short story, “Gomen ne, aisteru,” more 140 character stories, and one illustrated story. And of course color art by the creators.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

This was a particularly good volume. It feels like Galette has weathered a(nother) storm and is back into peaceful waters, growing their creator list again. If the world can just stop blowing up for a few issues, that would be great. I look forward to another great year of this creator-owned, crowdfunded Yuri manga magazine!

Since the third English language Galette magazine kickstarter has successfully launched and is working it’s way toward the 4th(!) stretch goal, I thought it a good idea to sit down with the very lovely Galette Magazine 02, Special English Edition.

To begin with, both the slipcover and the cover on the magazine are two of my favorite pieces by pen, whose art I find to be absolutely my aesthetic. Adult, atmospheric and intimate work on this cover art.

The book is, well, book-ended, by collected art works from the principle creators, illustrating their stories.

“Fluffy Fuzzy Dreamy” by Mera Hakamada is a school romance centered on a first year being noticed by her crush, and flailing cutely.

We get a full three chapters of “That Woman In The Infirmary,” Miyuki Yorita. I’d like to note this splendid translation in this story, from the title to “Drabzawa,” which probably no teen would actually say, but I think it a perfect choice.

Chapters of “Liberty” by Izumi Kitta x Moto Momono really get into how Maki is besotted and not at all really capable of coping with Liz’s personality. You gotta love Maki’s friend, hysterical at poor Maki, being played by a sexy singer. Boo fucking hoo. ^_^

Two chapters of “[Sky blue melancholic]” by Ringo Hamano, in which Bun turns out to be a very relatable character, Ichinose is clueless and annoying and the “annoying” Kiko-sempai turns out to be a decent person.

A majority of stories here are from the perspective of the less-cool, less-popular, less-powerful character, as they are swept up by the cool/popular character. I’d love to see the story from the other side, but I bet it seems super creepy. ^_^  Thinking about that, I guess that is exactly why I like aneido’s “Oh My God! Yes, I Am Your God.” so much. It is a perspective flip and, as the protagonist is not a child, but a grifter, we allow them to be a seducer with ill intent.

One chapter each from Nekohariko 22 and Haru Yatosaki, moving their stories forward a step.

The final pages, in classic manga magazine colored pages (a touch that is sure to delight anyone who reads shoujo manga magazines) Milk Morinaga presents a “GIRL FRIENDS” animal-ear alt universe story.

These seven artists kept Galette going through COVID, and they are still at it, pushing Galette forward into transational fandom. I am so very glad that you all have a chance to enjoy Galette as I have been and to help make it successful!

Ratings:

Overall – 9

Issue 3 Kickstarter is on now, and has blown past the third stretch goal with a bit more than a week to go!