Archive for the Yuri Manga Category


Sheep Princess in Wolf’s Clothing, Volume 5

March 21st, 2025

The cover of 'Sheep Princess in Wolf's Clothing' volume 5. Aki is holding Momo, they are both in wedding dresses. by Luce, Staff Writer

I’m Luce, lover of cute things and books with happy endings! Currently tackling my tsundoku problem, I’m trying to balance the book dragon and book worm parts of my soul. I love reading… I just love buying books too, and that takes far less time!

In the four previous volumes, we got to know Aki, a Wolfa butler, and Momo, a Sheepa princess. Through various trials, they’ve gotten together, but Momo had just realised that Aki never actually said that she loves her!

Sheep Princess in Wolf’s Clothing, Volume 5 puts us straight back into that revelation – should Momo ask her? But what if she says that she doesn’t love her? Meanwhile, Aki talks to Princess Kunya on this topic. After resolving their issues, the queen spots them kissing! How will she react – can they even continue their relationship, when Momo is still getting marriage proposals?

I really liked Princess Kunya pointing out that different species have different ways of expressing love and affection to each other, and what is incredibly intimate to one group may not mean as much to others. It’s quite clear to us that Aki is obsessed, but without saying the words, it leaves Momo concerned that Aki is just following orders. It’s a good message! You might think you’re saying something loud and clear, but is that message getting through?

I laughed quite a lot when it’s shown that gay runs in the family – I shouldn’t be surprised in this manga, which has one singular male character with lines, who only vaguely appears in the last two volumes. It was nice to see the comparison between the reality for most people in their situation, and the fantasy of Aki and Momo. Royals don’t always get what they want with relationships, and if they do, they tend to have to give up a lot to get it. We see that in real life – although on the other hand, particularly in history, they often do get what they want, even if the other party isn’t interested. In fiction, arranged marriage is either a) horror and to be avoided or b) the start to a romance. It was nice to see the third, probably most realistic option for most people in arranged marriages – rather than love, you hope to get on with them. It was a remarkably pragmatic take, considering the utter fantastical nature of the series in general.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Yuri fantasy romance without a wedding! I will admit it felt like a fitting end to this nice little series, wrapping it up neatly and leaving us to imagine the rest of their future together, along with a brief glance at the other pairs established (and establishing) along the way. The mangaka states that they might post extra bits on Twitter (obligatory reminder to move over to Bluesky!), though I haven’t gone searching, and I wouldn’t be able to read them regardless.

Oh, and as I guessed, the service quotient went up.

Ratings:

Story: 6
Art: 8 (fluffy as always! The clothing is done really nicely, too)
Service: 7
Yuri: 9, it’s almost a yuritopia

Overall: 7

I’m a little sad this is ending, but it’s not a deep enough story to have gone on for much longer. Recommended for those looking for a fluffy Yuri that doesn’t ignore the fact that sex exists, but also doesn’t ignore reality completely. Tolerating animal ears is a must.





Wicked Spot, Volume 1 / ウィキッドスポット

March 20th, 2025

On a vivid yellow background, a woman with wild pink hair in hot pink and black, sits cross-legged, manicured long nails visible on her hand, smiling broadly with fangs showing and an intense look in her green eyes as looks a us.Sal Jiang’s newest manga, Wicked Spot, Volume 1 (ウィキッドスポット) is a classic case of a story beginning in one place and ending way far away from there in many different ways. I love it. ^_^

This begins with a bunch of witch hunters up in the mountains, in a dark, terrifying cave, streaming about their hunt for the unknown. When the unknown pops up to say hi, they pass out from fear, leaving witch Sadako, who has grown up up hidden away from humanity, alone with a cell phone. Fascinated by humans as Sada is, she finally leaves her people and walks into town, using her powers to grab clothes, food, drink, and followers online. Now, she is an influencer.

Hana, a woman with unusual strength and trauma about being called a “witch” as a form of rejection, is 100% a fan of Sadako’s, until she announcas to the world that she is, in actual fact, a witch. Hana goes from super fan to anti in seconds. Sadako tracks her down to see what the deal is.

And then they are both kidnapped by the “Sabbat,” a council of witches and dumped in the one place on this planet witches aren’t uncommon. They have no idea where they are, but, my friends, I was married only a little bit away from that very statue. In fact, our dinner afterwards, was in the same plaza.  So when they awake in Salem, Massachusetts, right in front of the Bewitched statue featuring Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, I smiled. It also makes me smile that this is not the first time the series Bewitched has appeared here on Okazu as a reference!

Ratings:

Art – 8 sometimes beautiful, other times messy
Characters – 8 Yes, this kind of off the wall, please
Story – 9 Awesome so far
Service – Cute clothes are about it
Yuri – Could go any way right now, but I trust

Overall – 8

What will become of Sadako and Hanako? I don’t know and can’t guess and I’m excited about that! Go! Go! Sal Jiang! Write a story that completely does stuff I can’t predict. I love it.





Honey Latte Girl

March 17th, 2025

A woman with light brown hair, pulled into a ponytail wearing a grey blouse smiles gently off camera. The English words "Honey Latte Girl" in large yellow neon-light font .Sometimes you just need an adorable coffee shop story and, in Honey Latte Girl, an English translation of Inui Ayu and Inu Ha Sakana’s doujinshi from YURI HUB on Bookwalker JP, that’s exactly what you get.  

Our protagonist is a barista who watches over her customers with care. One customer, in particular – a woman who seems stressed and very tight in her routine. This customer orders the exact same thing every day. One day, the customer comes in, looking very out of sorts, so the barista suggest something new and soothing.

Of course, this story goes exactly where one might expect – they begin talking, the customer starts to open up and try new things, they fall in love, the end. ^_^ It’s short and perfect, no bitterness left on the palate. And some days, that’s all you really want – something slight too sweet. ^_^

YURI HUB imprint is run by a bunch of folks associated with the ANCHOR rainbow port tokyo cafe and Yuri Times. The translation is fine and it’s nice to see them bringing Yuri doujinshi to the English-speaking audience!

Ratings:

Art – 7 Inui Ayu’s style is cute, a bit soppy and YMMV
Story – 8 Perfect for jangly days as a sweet treat
Characters – We barely meet them, but nice
Yuri – 9
Service – 0

Overall – 8

Everything was perfect, except…while the *words* honey latte sound very nice, the idea of the drink sounds not so good. ^_^





This Monster Wants To Eat Me, Volume 3

March 14th, 2025

Two girls in white sailor-stye Japanese school uniforms with black piping. One, with long hair embraces the other while smiling broadly. The girl being embraces seems pensive as they stand before a colorful sunset sky.By Volume 3 of This Monster Wants To Eat Me, we understand the tensions between Hinako, a young woman who lost everything before she knew she had anything, and a Japanese mermaid so dedicated to protecting her in order to one day eat her, that she opposes Hinako’s only friend, Miko.

This volume is an ordeal for Miko, whose true nature and her friendship with Hinako is put to the test. Miko’s reaction is to sacrifice something important, to assuage Shiori’s doubt….and ensure Shiori must become more responsible for Hinako’s well-being.

Then the story becomes an ordeal for Hinako, who is taken by Shiori to the beach…where the dark loss of her family haunts Hinako even more uncomfortably than usual.

Shiroi smiles all the time, and says she wants Hinako to maybe find some happiness, but is this the way to do it? It’s hard to understand Shiori’s motivation at this point. We will, eventually, but right now, we’re more like Miko, wondering what the agenda is here.

Sae Naekawa’s story is always just on the edge of discomfort. We don’t know what feels wrong, or why, but we are made uncomfortable by Hinako’s discomfort. Even though we can see that she is well-protected, there is always something dark under the surface, waiting. Caleb Cook’s translation of Shiori, especially, is exceptional. Nothing she says is “wrong”, per se, but it’s not quite right, either. The house style for Yen’s translation of sound effects means that Bianca Pistillo’ work is good, but not given room to be oustanding. Nonetheless, I want you to really *look* at the first page and see that the same sound effect fills the trees and the oceans and follows the girls as they walk in a brilliantly subtle atmospheric moment.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8 Still ominous and compelling
Characters – 8 The more we know, the less we know
Service – Blood. Violence. Monsters. Secrets. More Monsters.
Yuri – Miko is possessive, Shiori is infatuating and infatuated

Overall – 8

I continue to love this series, and look forward to every volume, whether in Japanese or English. But I very much thank Yen Press for this review copy!





Watashi no Blue Garnet, Volume 1 (私のブルーガーネット)

March 13th, 2025

A woman with collar length brown hair in an orange blouse, embraces a taller woman in a light blue button-down blouse from behind.

Akiyama Haru is a name we’re quite familiar with here on Okazu. Creator of the excellent series Octave, she has participated in many a Yuri anthology and had a few other works, as well. I was excited to see she had a new Yuri series starting up last year and finally have a chance to tell you about Watashi no Blue Garnet, Volume 1 (私のブルーガーネット).

Kon is a young woman, several years out of college, who has been unable to secure a job. Her mother is worried about her, but not at all sympathetic, haranguing her to find a job or a man.

As Kon leaves yet another interview, she is stopped on the street by a beautiful woman named Ai. Ai and Kon, in this case are both words for shades of blue, 紺, navy blue and 藍, indigo.  When Ai realizes she has mistaken Kon for someone else, they talk a bit, then part. Kon does not get the job – again – but is contacted by one of the interviewers about another position, by which he means he wants to have sex with her. Kon walk out on him, understandably upset. He follows, predictably blaming her for his failure to be a decent human. When he starts to yell at Kon, Ai comes up the street and tells him off.

Later, we follow Ai, who works at a hostess club, when she sees someone and runs away from him. As she runs, she comes across Kon once again. Ai can’t go back to work, since she ran off, and has nowhere to go, as she lives in a work dorm, so Kon, in a chance moment, asks Ai to stay over her place.

Ai admits to Kon that she stopped her, because she reminded her of her ex…and that the man she ran from was her ex’s husband. Together, the two of them embark on a journey, ostensibly to find Ai’s ex, but it becomes clear to us, and to Kon, that this is a journey to herself. Even, so, we see that the ex, Kaede, is not gone in any significant way and is also traveling, although what she is looking for, we don’t know.

I wasn’t sure about the premise as “you remind me of my ex” is, IMHO, a terrible pick-up line. ^_^ Both Ai and Kon have issues, the kind of trauma we all carry around, and Kon’s mother is absolutely ignoring her daughter as she is, for the daughter she imagines she wants. I read Kon as neurodivergent, with a mother who cares, but only as long as she’s “normal” and doing expected things, but your interpretation may vary. Additionally, Kon is suddenly finding herself attracted to a woman, something she has never considered as she struggles to be what her mother expects. When she tells Ai that she likes her, it is a big step into the unknown.

Shockingly, I like both Kon and Ai. Akiyama is not afraid of ending a story with the primary couple not together, so I don’t want to say “I hope they get together,” since that might not be the best outcome for them. I do hope they find themselves in a better place in their lives by the end. More importantly, I love the idea of a bildungsroman for these two. We need have journeys into the unknown future of themselves for adult women!

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – Not really
Yuri – 8

It’s great to have a new series by Akiyama-sensei. I’ll definitely check back in and see what has become of them in Volume 2, as the series is continuing in Melody magazine (メロディ).