Comic Yuri Hime May 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年5月号)’s cover story lets us enjoy the sensation of time travel and sharing crepes. Sincerely, this is a lovely story and I want to scream when I read it because it’s in 6 point type, for pity’s sake!

This issue was exceptionally good (for me ^_^) as it has a one-shot by Ohsawa Yayoi (yay!), “Sono hi, Night Date nanode” about an astronomy enthusiast who changes a web designer’s life. Absolutely charming on multiple levels. More like this please!

This chapter of “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou” gives a teeny glimpse of Relaire, who, okay, yes, water slimes can be cute. ^_^

Usui Shio gets to really plumb the depths of adult emotions in both “Kaketa Tsuki to Donuts” and “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkonshitemita.” I really need to talk about the latter one day, because I think it’s doing itself a disservice if it heads towards romance. I think there is and ought to be a place for platonic intimacy-based family structure in this world.

But the story I want to focus on today is “Futari Escape” by Taguchi Shouichi. It’s been pretty goofy so far and not really “Yuri” but, like “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkonshitemita” works well as a story about two adult women who are a family without romance or physical intimacy. However, this chapter was just a lot of fun as “sempai” decides to buy a child’s food-preparation toy, in this case a hamburger maker. It’s so fun and nostalgic for them both, they end up buying a whole range of food prep toys, including a few that seem awfully unlikely. ^_^

When I was a child of course we also had these kind of toys, but they were never for real food, only sweets. I had an Easy Bake Oven, as most girls of my generation had. My sister was give a tootsie roll maker that I’m pretty sure I was the only one who used. I’ve had a fondness for flavored tootsie rolls since. (Lemon was the best, my sister preferred cherry.) Of course some folks had shaved ice or cotton candy machines (I bought a kitchen version of the latter as an adult, in fact. ^_^) So while we didn’t have kiddy kebob makers or takoyaki or jagariko makers, I can totally see the appeal. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

As always, this magazine had more series I read and like than mentioned here, and others I do not. And, as usual, “Semelparous” is still utterly, insultingly ridiculous.

The June issue is on shelves now! I look forward to “meeting” Relaire.

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, 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.

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.