Éclair rouge Anata no Hibiku Yuri Anthology (エクレア rouge あなたに響く百合アンソロジー) is the fourth Yuri anthology of the Éclair, series, the first of which, Éclair: A Girls’ Love Anthology That Resonates in Your Heart has been translated into English by Yen Press.

Back in the day, when I was first collecting Yuri manga, anthologies just like this one – often based around a specific series – were a mainstay of “Yuri” in manga stores. Since there were no Yuri magazines, or series that were overtly and explicitly Yuri genre material, artists who drew Yuri doujinshi would gather their work together and publish them in anthology form. Some of the very first original work I purchased by the first generation of top Yuri artists were included in anthologies like these. Now we’re into a second and third generation of Yuri artists and many of the newer contributors have never worked in a world that didn’t have Yuri as it’s own genre, with magazines of its own. How amazing is that?

What hasn’t changed is the utility of Yuri anthologies as a proving ground for younger Yuri artists, with anchor stories by more established ones (often the same ones who were contributors in those long-ago anthologies! Because that was only like ten or fifteen years ago, not seventy or anything!)

Here in Éclair rouge we see contributions by many well-known names. Canno and Nakatani Nio, of course, and Itou Hachi and some old doujinshi names: Kitao Taki, U35, Amano Shuninta, Morsihima Akiko and Hirao Auri all have contributed stories. And we’re seeing some newer names from other anthologies and magazines, Kabocha, Hiroichi, Musshu, Yuikawa Kazuno Fumio Fumi, etc.

It’s a bit like a walk around the Yuri section of a doujinshi show. Many of the stories take place at school or involves teens, but a few break out of this mold or shift themselves into a slightly different moldy trope. ^_^

My favorite story of this collection is more of a “what might have been” called “Hajimesmashite, Hisashiburi,” subtitled in English “Nice to Meet You, Long Time No See,” about two inseparable friends who were just on the cusp of being more, when they went separate ways. Reunited by chance, the one gets to see the amazing person her friend has become,  but they don’t get together. It wasn’t really bittersweet, just one of those moments where a timeline diverges and years later, you look back and see the alternate you that might have been.

I also quite liked “Legend to Shijin to Watashi” which was a complicated and delightful and goofy office romance story by Kitao Taki.

Morishima Akiko’s story, “Kanojo no Button no Hazusu Toki” is worth mentioning, as well, as it’s about two adults whose relationship hasn’t become sexual, because one of them is adamant that she never been seen naked. Rikako wonders if Miyu is trans, or has scars, but is content to let Miyu set the pace on their relationship. Rikako’s not concerned, but would like to make love with Miyu. but she won’t pressure her in any way. When they start talking living together, Miyu is sure that she’ll be rejected by Rikako for this reason, but Rikako proves that her love for Miyu is more than physical attraction. Miyu finally feels comfortable sharing herself completely with Rikako. I wanted to mention this story because when Rikako is wondering why Miyu is so hesitant, and she considers that her lover might be trans, her response to that thought is to convince Miyu that she is loved for herself. I thought that was a nice touch. Morishima-sensei had pointed this out to me when I commented last spring that Yuri had a lot of room to grow and making it more trans-inclusive was one of those areas.

Ratings: 

Overall – 8

All in all, probably the best of the Éclair anthologies so far, with some excellent art and good stories for your money.