Archive for the Yuri Manga Category


Yuri Manga: Air Master

November 17th, 2003

Air Master is a decidedly Seinen series about a former gymnastics star turned street fighter. Don’t look for complexities of plot here, kids – the fights *are* the plot. Despite the silliness of the basic story, I cannot recommend Air Master enough to anyone who doesn’t mind sheer mindless violence and some explicit sexual situations, not all of which are pleasant.

Aikawa Maki, aka “Air Master” is a 16-year old transfer student to Tomato Girl’s High School. She’s befriended by Yuu, Michiru, Renge and Mina at a local game center. Yuu, a kogal, picks a fight with two guys who are gaping at Mina’s enormously oversise breasts, and ends up on the ground, beaten and bloody. Renge, an immature, repulsive whelp, can only cry, but Maki steps up and beats the heck out of the guys – securing her a place in street fighter history, and four lifelong friends.

Each of the girls is a blast, with perhaps, the exception of Renge who is *so* horrible and repulsive, that she becomes funny in an appalling way. Yuu is, as I mentioned, a kogal, and proudf of it, while Michiru is a pretty normal, responsible girl and Yuu’s best friend. Mina is described as a “real live rich girl.” She goes to a different school than the others, but has been Yuu’s friend since childhood. Almost immediately, Mina takes a liking to Maki, but after Maki saves her from the mashers…Mina’s like turns into a crush, which quickly escalates into full-blown love and lust. (Some of the most fun scenes are those where Mina indulges in fantasizing about what she’d do with Maki if she had a chance.) Maki eventually comes to return both emotions, but don’t expect it to be played for anything but giggles and fanservice – this is a *really* seinnen manga.

There is a surprising amount of genuine character development, considering the point of the manga is the fighting, and with the exception of one really awful character, everyone is pretty likeable – Maki’s opponents tend become her allies after she defeats them, in fine old fighting manga tradition.

The biggest downside is the art, which is REALLY bad. But the story and characters more than make up for it, IMHO. 19 issues are currently available, as is a 27-episode anime (which I’ll review next month), so don’t hesitate – go find a Kinokuniya or other manga store or click the picture above for the Amazon JP page, and order Air Master today! You’ll be glad you did.

Ratings:

Story- 8
Art – 2
Characters – 10

Overall – 8





Yuricon News and new Yuri Manga!

June 19th, 2003

Yuricon ga owatta!

Well, it’s all over, except for the odd cleanup (and getting all these damn boxes out of my house!) but I don’t have my con report yet. Today’s entry is an advertisement for ALC Publishing’s second shoujoai manga title:

Rica ‘tte Kanji!? is now onsale!

Rica written by Yuricon 2003 Guest of Honor Rica Takashima, tells the tale of a delightful young Rica, come to Tokyo for the first time. We follow Rica as she makes new friends, explores the Nichoume and falls in love. Rica is a funny, charming tale and should not be missed by any fan of shoujoai manga.

Rica ‘tte Kanji!? is available online at the Yuricon Shop. Look for it at the Anime Castle, store in NY, as well!

Next time: Con Chair’s Report





Yuricon News: ALC Presents Yuri Manga Anthology Yuri Monogatari 1

April 13th, 2003

ALC Publishing and Yuricon are proud to present Yuri Monogatari

Yuri Monogatari is the first-ever English-language original shoujoai and yuri manga, now available through preorder on the
Yuricon Goodies page.

Yuri Monogatari, or “Lily Tales” is a compilation of 9 original shoujoai and yuri stories from talented artists and writers from all over the globe, making it a truly international work of art.

The publication has over 120 pages of stories – ranging from coming out, to exploration, love, comedy, tragedy and sex. Each artist and writer has brought something special to the publication and we’re very pround to be able to offer it through Paypal for only $10.00.

Order your copy of Yuri Monogatari now, because, while it’s cliched, supplies really *are* limited, so get yours today!!





Yuri Manga : The New Hana no Asuka-gumi

March 25th, 2003

Fabulous Manga Alert!

Okay, here’s the dish…an incredible manga series is being resurrected and I want you all to run out and look for it!

Hana no Asuka-gumi is an 18-year old manga series, about girl gangs and unresolved sexual tension and the yakuza and other ridiculous things that are true and it’s simply spectacular. I recommend it highly for many reasons: the clothes (Asuka…sigh), the story (Yohko…sigh), the uniforms (Kazuga…sigh), the characters (Hime…sigh), the conspiracy, the bizarro Hibari-sama organization….

But the cool news is – there’s a new version out! Yes, Hana no Asuka-gumi 2003 is here! It’s running in the seasonal specials of Asuka magazine. Check out the mangaka’s site for some of the character designs. The intro shows, in this order: Miko; Hime; Asuka and; Kaze.

Click Asuka 2003 with the numbers in our numbers, for an info page.That page has two cameras at the bottom – if you click those, you get sketches from the manga. The banner on the top leads you to a Flash Animation with more previews! (And note the domain of the Flash, I thought it was funny…)

This manga has something for everyone who is a shoujoai/yuri fan – Asuka is the center of more frustrated physical attraction than Bittany Spears. LOL

For some really creepy fun (that doesn’t work entirely on my browser, but may on yours) click the fourth link on the Asuka page (The page is actually called the Zenchuu Ura, after Hibari-sama’s organization,) the Hibari SS. This gives you another flash opening that stars “Shuu” one of the Hibari SS. (“SS” stands for something like “Planning Council” nothing to do with Nazi troops, so don’t get freaked.) Shuu is always creepy, even in the comic…this link appears to lead you to some kind of quiz, but I can’t get the characters to work for me. I’ll let you know if I can figure out what it says!

You can still sometimes find the original Asuka at used manga stores – and at least one lucky dog will be receiving the first few issues as a Yuricon 2003 Contest Prize! (Speaking of which – only 5 days left for submissions to 3 of the Contests…get your submissions in now!)

Last Asuka note for today – I have one fanfic up for this series. In Mourningtells the tale of Asuka’s experience with the Hibari-sama organization, from an outsider’s point of view. I think it works – you’ll have to tell me what *you* think.

Anyway, enjoy the previews and I hope I’ll be joined by all of you in one big happy Asuka fandom shortly. LOL

Next time, the Tokyo Journal continued….promise!