Archive for the Yuri Manga Category


Kininatteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta, Volume 4 (気になってる人が男じゃなかった)

April 2nd, 2026

On a vivid green background, a woman with dark hair in a sleeveless top holds the cords to earphone in the ears of a woman with lighter, longer, wavy hair,, as they lean in close to one another. While Volume 4 of Kininatteru Hito Ga Otoko Janakatta, Volume 4 (気になってる人が男じゃなかった) was one of the most-anticipated manga to arrive in my house, it’s also something that both my wife and I are following online, so we are more or less tuning in, rather than seeing it “finally.”

Volume 4 finishes the “prom” arc, in which Mitsuki and Aya finally give up any pretense of “maybe.” If you haven’t been following along on any of Arai-sensei’s social feeds, then all I want to say about this is…it’s a good kiss. ^_^

And then the story turns towards life after high school with short, but critical time slip after graduation. Again, if you haven’t been keeping up, you’ll get to see a much more masc-presenting Mitsuki who is working on her music with a band, and Aya who has committed to a career in translation. Joe makes a huge decision for himself, as well. 

In many ways the second half of this volume is a wholly new story, about two young adults building their new adult lives and their relationship. Old friends are still part of those lives, but new people are joining the cast as well. 

I’m going to re-read this volume at least once more in Japanese and will be looking forward to it when Yen puts it out in English. There’s no release date at time of writing, but I’m hoping for it in early summer. 

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters  – 9
Service – There’s a valid argument about the prom outfits as service. But as for salaciousness, 0
Yuri – 10

Overall – 9





Galette No. 37 (ガレットNo.37)

March 27th, 2026

Two women embrace. We see the back of the head of a woman with collar-length light brown hair. We can see part of the face of a woman in a hoodie with darker brown hair and glasses, as she holds the other woman tightly.Happy 10th anniversary to Galette magazine! Galette No. 37  (ガレットNo.37) begins their 10th year in business and is filled with exactly the kind of independent Yuri manga, stories and art that makes this magazine such a treasure.

The print issue comes with a mini clearfile for the lead story by Hakamada Mera. “Akuyaku Reijou ha Tenseishitara Yurisakka ni Natteshimashita”. This is, exactly as the title suggests, about a villainess who has been reborn into our world. When invited to a get-together for artists, she is confronted with  her idol…who is the very woman who killed her in her former life.  ^_^ I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes!

Inui Ayu’s story about an escort and client falling in love, “Koi ni Shitaku naina” continues to be cute. Momo is feeling her feelings for Ren very much and has no idea what to do with them. 

In an important moment, Ririko has Rikako over to meet her doll, Mimi and it goes about as well as could be imagined in “Otome no Shinden”!

In “Me ga Au, Sono Saki e” a girl find that being online doesn’t mean having friends…but also making friends isn’t impossible.

Continuing series include, “Kanojo no Kuchizuke, Kansensuru Libido,” ” Torokeru Heya no Naka,” “Himistu no Recipe” and a collection of 140 character stories and essays. The final pages are filled with happy 10th anniversary cards by magazine contributors. 

There is a unique joy in being able to enjoy Galette magazine. Knowing that young Yuri artists and writers will grow up with an independent, creator-owned option for Yuri, as well as the more traditional publisher-driven routes makes me incredibly happy for the future of Yuri. That this independent venture has thrived for 10 years speaks to the perseverance of the creators and management team, but also to the support of the fans who help this magazine thrive. 

Once again, happy birthday to everyone at Galette!

Overall – 10

The Kickstarter for Galette Vol. 5 Special EN Edition has 4 days to go and is very close to that final stretch goal! Let’s get it over the line, shall we?





Comic Yuri Hime, April 2026 (コミック百合姫2026年4月号)

March 20th, 2026

A deep, chocolately brown cover of a girl cheerfully buried under a pile of hats, which threaten to fall on the mostly-obscured person behind her.Comic Yuri Hime, April 2026 (コミック百合姫2026年4月号) begins with a deep, chocolately brown cover of a girl  cheerfuly buried under a pile of hats. The gloved woman behind her looks as if she is trying to ward the inevitable collapse off. 

So, now that we have 4 issues in hand, we see that this is not a story on the cover, per se, but a series of clothing, make-up, hair-related scenarios, in which one girl is in the front, being managed by another (obscured) woman behind. Chiriko’s covers are striking and colorful, but not necessarily meaningful.

The book begins with a newcomer, Usami Miki’s tale of finding joy in dystopia, “Zangai Shoujo, Kirakirana Sekai no Soko” whics has the English translation, “wreckage, maiden, sparkle at the bottom of the world.”  

Lorelei gets their big break in Takeshima Eku’s “Sasaybig-time Sasakuyouni Koi wo Utau”! A big record label (Queen Records, hint hint) has discovered their videos…do they want to go pro? Shiho knows what she wants, but are the others on board? Hajime agrees, but questions what her goals are.

In ” Tayutau Koi no Chirisai ni,” our protagonists go on their first date, but have no idea how money or tickets work? Kind of threw me out of the story there.

Ikuta Hana’s “Hone ni Negai o, Hoshi ni Horoi o” Aoi and Mashiro begin to go through Akane’s things, lancing the wound that binds them both.

“Kimi no Seinandakara, Sekinin o Totte you ne” Reina and Suichan continue their progression from paid escort and client to girlfriends.

Tsumugi Meme’s “Hina-chan ga Iketeru nara” continues to be creepy as fuck, as Hina-chanan, apparently returned from the dead after years, and who has not aged, is angry that Ku-chan has gotten her period, first, leaving Hina behind.

“Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” takes a long look at Mitsuki who, IMHO, is neurodivergent, and the struggles she has at school reading other people’s intent. As she has to decide what she wants to do with her future, the quesion looms havily for her. Hime offers her a safe haven. 

inori. and Aonoshimo offer up an emotional chapter of “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijo.” Rei, demoralized and defeated, finds unexpected allies in her quest to free Claire.

Koharu and Minato get deep into “oshi-katsu” and idol fandom in “Koharu to Minato”, which will be out in English in April as Koharu and Minato: Happy Life with My Girlfriend, Volume 1!

Ayster and Oto-toi bring us another weirdly compelling editor motivates low-energy manga artist in “Haru no Uzumibi.”

And interestingly, Kubara Yuuko’s “Film ni Saku Yurinohana o Atsumete Kimi ni Okuritai”, comic essay takes a look at the explicitly lesbian movie Carol, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt. This movie  was brilliantly acted and directed and is, IMHO, a must-watch.

I am reading and enjoying close to half the work in this magazine right now, which is an outstanding amount for me and any magazine. And many of the most popular series aren’t in my wheelhouse, so there is really something for just about everyone. ^_^

Ratings: 

Overall – 8

The May issue is out now in Japan!





Threads of Me and You

March 18th, 2026

Two women wearing kimonos and holding flowers that complement the other's outer coat look at each other.One with short black hair wears a blue and white kimono an golden outer jacket, holds a purple flower. The other women with longer light brown hair pulled u into a bun at the neck wears a sunflower pattern kimono, and purple outer coat while holding sunflowers.by Patricia Baxter,  Guest Reviewer

Threads of Me and You is the newest yuri manga series from Ayu Inui, the author of If We Leave on the Dot. Like her previous series, this is a manga focused on the lives of two women who are already well established in their respective careers, meeting, growing closer, learning more about themselves, and falling in love along the way. One of the major differences between the two series is that Threads of Me and You focuses on women meeting and connecting through fashion and self-expression, centered around wearing kimonos.

Yui Nanjou is a twenty-eight year old office worker who dislikes being seen as “cute” by others, and wishes that she could look more mature. At a local restaurant she meets Mizuho Shiiba, a woman her own age who is typically seen wearing a kimono while working, with a mature and refined air about her that Yui can’t help but admire. After an impromptu conversation, Mizuho agrees to teach Yui how to wear a kimono, which marks the beginning of their friendship.

One of this series’ greatest strengths is how it showcases Yui’s character arc, as she slowly but surely begins to undergo a journey of self-reflection, which helps her learn about herself and how she wants to be perceived. This also includes unlearning heteronormative assumptions about romance and relationships that she had internalized. Her journey of learning to love herself, Mizuho, and kimonos, are all entwined together and feel natural, and seeing everything come together in the end was a joy to read.

Unfortunately, Mizuho does not get the same amount of depth and character development as Yui, which is a shame because she was clearly shown throughout the series as having her own struggles and insecurities. Unlike Yui, who is undermined because she looks cute, Mizuho finds people have high expectations of her since she appears “mature”, when in reality she has trouble with directions, even to familiar places, and gets easily distracted by her interests. This could have been an interesting setup for a sapphic romance with an implied neurodivergent love interest, but the series, and Mizuho’s struggles, are wrapped up very quickly for the sake of a satisfying conclusion.

Despite these snags, the positives of the series, such as Yui’s character growth and seeing various women pursuing their passions, make it a worthwhile read.

Ratings: 

Art – 7.5
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Service – 0
Yuri – 4

Overall – 8 

Threads of Me and You is available to buy or rent as twelve individual chapters exclusively on Renta! and each chapter costs $1 USD each.

 




Not So Shoujo Love Story, Volume 3

March 13th, 2026

In front of a page made from panels, showing valentine chocolates piled high on a desk, with an extremely pointy-chinned boy holding a rose, with a hold in his head where the background is ripped and an SD character of a blonde, making a silly face breaking through, a girl with short hair wearing a red knit scarf falls through the air, dropping boxes of chocolates and flowers, as that same background rips while she tries to grab it for support. Once again we are given a brilliantly fourth-wall breaking cover for Not So Shoujo Love Story, Volume 3 by Curryuku. Hanna literally rips through an image of alien, but inexplicably charismatic, Hansum, while Rei trips as the stereotypical background of a shoujo manga Valentine’s Day rips beneath her hands. The fact that such a gag-filled manga takes time to layer in symbolism in the cover is 10 out of 10

In Volume 2, Rei and Hanna both began to understand a very little bit about each other’s lives. Here in Volume 3 the powder keg of Valentine’s Day in high school sets them both on an inexorable path towards one another. 

As with previous volumes, there are endless riff on the tropes of shoujo manga, and homages to other media. Hansum’s Tuxedo Kamen moment is on point. Within this, there is a touching story about two lonely girls and all the absolute weirdos around them.  I’d say for every eye-rolling gag, there is at least one that made me chuckle.

By the end of this volume Rei has softened up a bit and is trying to not only understand Hanna more, but has begun to make other friends, something she is still unused to. The fact that she and Susan now speak of something other than Hanna is a huge step forward. Hanna, still trying hard to communicate her feelings to Rei, is starting to get through Rei’s walls. 

Again, Viz Media Originals is doing a fantastic, full-color, job with this manga. Cutuku’s art and writing is great and of course, we’re all rooting for Rei and Hanna.

Ratings: 

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Service – Nope
Yuri – 8

Overall – 8

As a paean to the stupidity of high school, the tropes of shoujo manga and the joy of Yuri romance, Not So Shoujo Love Story continues to be a very fun read.