Archive for the Comic Yuri Hime Category


Comic Yuri Hime April 2021 ( コミック百合姫2021年4月号)

April 11th, 2021

Comic Yuri Hime April 2021 ( コミック百合姫2021年4月号) has some wonderful things in it. But first, we’ll be saying goodbye to “Hayama-sensei to Ternao-sensei ha Tsukiatteriru.” Having gotten as married as a same-sex couple can get in modern-day Japan, surrounded by their friends (including a new, kid of obvious, couple among them) and family, Saki and Asuka are off for a wedding night together. When you ask people to describe this series, they almost always tell you how adorable it is. Which is totally true, but also this is pretty much one chapter of explicit sex after the other and how delightful is it that it is both at the same time with nothing being lost or compromised on either side.  Ohi-sensei deserves some kind of award for that, alone.

Aki confronts a former band member and her feelings in this chapter of Takashima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau.”

Rae’s protagonist power finally shows in “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou desu.” She and Misha are invited to be part of the Academy Knights. Rae’s fantasy of swooping in to save Claire is perfection. Aonoshit-sensei completely nailed it. Coming up, we’ll meet Relaire!

 This year, I definitely see a turn towards more adult content, sadly without a lessening of  stories apparently about toddlers, based on the art. Oh well. There are a good half dozen continuing series I’m still greedily reading every month. And still any number of stories I avoid. But overall, I’m once again delighted by the variety. Now we need some mystery and hey, maybe a sports drama. That would be cool. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 7

Actually an 8, but I’m said about losing Asuka and Saki. :-(

I guess we’ll see what will fill the space shortly, when I pick up the May 2021 issue next week!





Comic Yuri Hime, March 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年3月号)

March 4th, 2021

I’m still very much enjoying the time-leap cover novel for Comic Yuri Hime, March 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年3月号), with the exception of the font size, which is genuinely stressful. I wouldn’t mind so much if I though for one second the font size would be larger if/when it was collected, but I know from experience that not only won’t they increase the size, they’ll probably choose a font color that makes it harder to read.

The editorial staff at Comic Yuri Hime is obviously uninterested in accessibility. For this reason alone, if/when this cover novel is released as a collected volume, I will seek to purchase it digitally, so I can actually read it more than a paragraph at a time. ^_^

Can I be honest about “Citrus +?” I have no idea why it exists. Nothing actually happens. Mei’s refusal to be happy at any time, for any reason, has now taken on Miltonian proportions. This months she goes to a festival and kisses Yuzu without even a slight lessening of her pout. What a joy to be around she must be.

Thankfully for me, I have “Watashi no Oshi ga Akuyaku Reijou.” by inori, illustrated by hanagata, in which we have reached the conversation. I was genuinely impressed with the art which gave Rae a much more complicated expression and scene than the novel. Yes, she’s smiling as she speaks, but here, we can see that there is also some pain and loneliness associated with the knowledge that she is gay – this will come back again as we learn more about her in the second novel. The deeper this story goes into itself, the better it gets. I love the slow careful pacing here, which isn’t hustling past this key point, just to get to flashier plot points.

Mark me amazed that the story in “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” is still managing to be engaging even as the main climax thus far just hangs there, unresolved. The gang is at a resort to take pictures and Hime is struggling hard with conflicting emotions about Mitsuki, while also trying to be cool rooming with her. A group trip to the bath is about to test all of them.

Usui Shio’s “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkon Shitemite” is pushing and prodding and poking at both Kurumi and Ruriko’s idea of their relationship in interesting ways. This chapter was quite good. I’m honestly expecting this to be licensed by Seven Seas if Usui-sensei’s other series does well.

And speaking of the other series, “Kaketa Tsuki to Doughnuts” is moving into new territory completely, as Subaru forces Asahi to reassess what she wants from life and whether it might include Hinako. I’m feeling bad for Fuuka, but she’s turning out to be a really good person.

There were a number of other stories I read, of course, and a few I did not. I’m comfortable with very much liking about half the magazine and side-eyeing about a quarter of it. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

Next issue is going to be sad, as we say goodbye to “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteriru.” That was a lot of fun.  The April issue of Comic Yuri Hime is out and sitting on my to-read pile, in fact. (T_T)

At least I have more “Watashi no Oshi ga Akuyaku Reijou.” to come! Yay! Gonna love this series to distraction until something new and amazing pries it out of my hands. ^_^





Comic Yuri Hime February 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年2月号)

January 31st, 2021

Comic Yuri Hime, February 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年2月号) was a bonanza of delight. 

Starting with the new cover novel, which is a fascinating little science fiction story, in which two young women are communicating across time – I really enjoy this story, but deeply resent that it is crammed into a ridiculously small type size. (The worst thing is knowing that if they published it in a volume as a novella, Ichijinsha probably wouldn’t make the type size any larger. ^_^;) But it is charming so far.

“Watashi no Oshi ha Akujyaku Reijou” follows the LN pretty closely, so this chapter we get to watch former game-loving otaku Rae screw with the Princes and Claire. ^_^

Usui Shio’s “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkon Shitemita” and, later “Kaketa Tsuki to Doughnuts” provide life lessons on the different kinds of shapes affection and relationships take.

In “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” by Miman, Hime and Mitsuki are past the wailing, but not yet at a place where they are communicating. But they are getting closer.

I could not stop smiling at this chapter of “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru” as we see them start a whole new chapter of their relationship…as wife and wife.

Tons of other great continuing stories in this volume, too, including  “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau, “Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai,”  “Odoriba ni Skirt ga Naru”. “Kudan Folklore,” appears to be jumping straight to the conclusion, so if you’re reading the VN, you may wish to skip it.

Ratings for the stuff I’m reading. The stuff I’m not reading is in many cases distressing enough to me that it would be points off.

Ratings:

Overall – 9

Overall, a fantastic issue (for the stuff I’m reading), with enough to keep anyone entertained, whatever you’re looking for. Unless it’s a sports story. Those still seem to be on short supply. /sad face/ With all the sports series we’ve seen in the last couple of years, I’m guessing that gaying up the Olympics is not looked upon favorably. Shame, seems like a perfect time to do a sports Yuri between competitors at a major international sporting competition to me, but what do I know. /eyroll/ Instead, we’re all getting married these days. Which I guess is also a kind of competition. ^_^

The March issue is on shelves and waiting for me the store, but a storm this week means it’s going to have to wait a while longer.





Comic Yuri Hime, January 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年1月号)

January 15th, 2021

The cover of Comic Yuri Hime, January 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年1月号) begins a new Yuri cover story. Where 2020’s cover story was art-focused, with few words that just gave context to the image, this year we have separate stand-alone short stories in a ridiculously small type size that forces me to use a magnifying glass to be able to read it. It is a vaguely time-wimey story that uses a desk as a point of contact between young women in different times. The stories are by Ren Hanna, with quirky illustrations by Kesshin. If it were in 12-point type I’d probably be enjoying it. ^_^

This issue starts off with a new concept  manga from Usui Shio. In “Onna to Tomodachi Kekkonshitemita” Sera is an freelance writer who needs a good idea to write about. She pitches an article on same-sex marriage. Her best friend Ruriko (who is pretty obviously is in love with Sera,) volunteers. And so Sera and Ruriko get married, I trust Usui-sensei completely to do a good job with this story and so far (I just read the next installment yesterday) I’m not going to be disappointed.

Also in the “not a disappointment” category is Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayaku Youni Koi wo Utau” in which watching Yori continues to be a delight. AND it looks like we’re getting an actual post-they like each other arc! Whoo! You can also enjoy this story in English as Whisper Me A Love Song. It’s charming.

Kakaze’s “Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai” is moving past it’s initial pitch and Sakurai and Honda are finding themselves having experiences neither of them would have been able to imagine previously.

“Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata,”by Yuama is taking a deeply emotional turn, but I’m rooting for things to move past the obvious conflict here.

And wow, do I actually have no idea at all where – if anywhere, “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” by Miman is going. Holy crap. This arc has lead everyone to saying stuff they mean. I’m not sure I have ever read this many chapters of, “you need to hear this.” I love it.

“Hello Melancholic” has now officially ended. I am going to miss it, honestly. Minato’s journey hit me in all the right places. /sniff/

Usui Shio is gunning for my favorite author of 2021, with some breathtakingly real chapters for “Kaketa Tsuki to Doughnuts.” I swear to all the gods, if people keep having actual conversations in manga, I’m gonna die of happiness.

SPEAKING of conversations, Ohi Pikachi’s “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru” was a-ma-zing. Asuka confronts her family with whom she has a very bad relationship…and her being with a woman is only another brick in that wall, until Saki helps her face herself and her parents. Next on to Saki’s family. We already know how her sister feels, so this one ought to go well. ^_^

This issue also includes a chapter of a serialized novel (in slightly larger typeface than the cover,) about a girl who admire idols so much, she wants to become one. It’s not a bad opening gambit for what it a pretty worn trope already.

And, finally, Inui Ayu-sensei details the happy times she spends with her girfriend in her autobiographical comic. This time, they go out to breakfast, because why not? ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

There continues to be series I am not following, and those I am, that I have not mentioned. In my opinion, this was an excellent first volume of the year, with a lot of stuff for many different fans. Including those who are inexplicably still reading “Yuru Yuri.” Why? Seriously. The continuing existence of that series bewilders me.

 





Comic Yuri Hime December 2020 ( コミック百合姫2020年12月号)

December 8th, 2020

The final issue cover for this year by Rolua, is beautiful and poignant….and sadly relevant in this year of the plague, as the characters are released at last from the confines of this life, with a prominent “Memento Mori: And Two Borders Disappeared” across the cover, in case we didn’t get the point. ^_^;  Beautifully drawn, thoughtfully conceived and touching, this is still one of my very favorite cover art-novellas this magazine has ever had. What an amazing way to begin at the end, for Comic Yuri Hime December 2020 ( コミック百合姫2020年12月号)

The major series ending in this issue is tMnR’s series “Tatoe to Todokanukeda Toshitemo,” which…ended. After all the angst, it wraps up with a big old handwave. I’ll allow it. ^_^

I’m still impressed by the adaption of SukeraSparo’s VN “Kudan Folklore” and I’m sorry that Ohsawa Yayoi’s “Hello Melancholic!” looks to be heading for a climax next month, but I’ve really enjoyed the ride. ^_^

Some of my favorite ongoing series are Takashima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau” which just continues to be sweet as can be, even as we are getting a set-up for some kind of conflict, Hanagata’s “Watashi no Oshi ha Akujaku Reijou” and I like “Odoriba ni sukaato ga aNru” by Utatane Yu. A couple of the one-shots this volume are also interesting, at least visually.

A decent end of year volume. 2020 definitely was a great year for Yuri overall, and for Comic Yuri Hime, in general.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

The January 2021 volume is already and out and content wise, it’s starting the new year with a bang!