Yuri Anthologies are all the rage. This is not hyperbole. In recent days, both Ichijinsha and Kadokawa have announced multiple thematic Yuri anthologies. So many that I’m scrambling to get them all on the Yuricon Store!

Today I’m looking at one of the “working life” anthologies from Kadokawa, Anata no Soba ni Iru to Watashi ha Shakaiin Yuri Anthology (あなたの側にいると私は 社会人百合アンソロジー).

This is a pretty chunky 270+ pages of a variable variety of stories about adult women. Of all of them, my favorite was the second in the book, irua’s “Best Dishes” which I award top marks for both style and content. It is a simple story, told in the margins of itself about a chef and a food critic. It’s the best kind of story for an anthology – nicely drawn, intense feelings in a short one-shot.

There are names we’re familiar with here on Okazu; Seta Seta, Hisakawa Haru, Mikan Uji, Kururkuruhime and a host we don’t yet know. I quite like this collection, but for one complaint. I really do not care for the cover image. It’s just…not very good. I so rarely complain about art, but really, this is just subpar for a Kadokawa book.

Ratings:

Overall – 7

I’m sure you’ve thought (or perhaps said outloud) that you wished some of these anthologies would be localized for an English language audience. Well, you’re in luck. Yen Press is putting out a different adult life Yuri anthology in June, Whenever Our Eyes Meet…A Woman’s Love Anthology which is an English language edition of Anoko to Me ga Autabi Watashi ha Shakaiin Yuri Anthology (あの娘と目が合うたび私は 社会人百合アンソロジー) which I reviewed last spring. So give that one a try!

Looking back on my old Okazu posts, this is the first series-specific anthology I have reviewed here since Maria’s Wink in 2008, and that was not an official work, but a doujinshi anthology. Which makes Yagate Kimi ni Naru Koushiki Comic Anthology (やがて君になる 公式コミックアンソロジー) the first series anthology on Okazu in 11 years and the first official comic anthology…ever. We’ve come a long way in those 11 years. For one thing, let’s think about the fact that this is an official comic collection! With stories by some professional names,with a message by the original creator of the series. That’s pretty damn cool.

A number of the stories stood out for me, but when I tell you about which one, you’ll laugh, because I’m completely predictable. ^_^

I very much enjoyed Canno’s story, which followed Sayaka and Touko on a “date.” Cue lot of good Sayaka internal monologue and insight. Fukuyama Akira’s look at Yuu and Koyomi’s relationship was also absolutely delightful. No one at all would be surprised that I like Fumio Fumi’s story, which gave me a chance to admire Touko in tux, while Sayaka played musumeyaku in frilly dress.

But you have got to know that the entire time I was reading it I was thinking “There had better be a story about Riko and MIyako,” the adult lesbian couple. Ultimately there was, and I genuinely enjoyed Hiroichi’s look at their relationship. It felt completely honest and as that’s the quality I look to them most for in the series, it was nice to see it reflected here, as well. 

Ratings:

Overall – 9

Everything is variable, because it’s an anthology, obviously, but the stories are consistent with the characters we know and like which is refreshing, and the art was all good, even if there are specific styles one doesn’t care for. 

If you are a fan of Yagate Kimi ni Naru, I definitely think this official comic anthology is worth your time and money.

Yuri + Kanojo – Kossori Kisushite ( 百合+カノジョ -こっそりキスして-) is the fifth of this whimsical Yuri anthology series. It’s quite charming. ^_^

This volume take a moment to revisit characters and relationships from the previous four volumes, so the anthology has the feel of checking in with old friends and seeing how they are doing. ^_^

Like earlier volumes, every chapter is presented from a first-person perspective, so we are the one being addressed in each chapter….and being seduced, snuggled, asked to marry and impressed with the biceps of our bodybuilding lover, and so on. 

The specific quirk of this volume is “regional” stories with accents and locations that are meant to reflect specific localities in Japan. Along with these regional stories, there sections for old friends, specific jobs and a few overseas stories as well. 

Ratings:

Overall  – 8

I am finding these particularly fun to read before bed. Short, mostly sweet, with a chapter or two per character leaves me with a very positive feeling as I head off to sleep. ^_^