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. ^_^

The Yuri + Kanojo anthologies from Fusion Comics has been a fascinating mashup of first-person visual story telling and ultra-short narrative creation that has, in general, piqued my interest.

If you recall from previous volumes, the premise is a series of two or three short 4-6 page stories that follow a character through their relationships with us, from a first person perspective. A First Person Yuri, if you will. We don’t get spoken lines usually, but we are allowed to see our hands, some of our body, have the occasional goofy face indicating mood in a thought bubble and sundry noises or other means of expression. I’ve especially enjoyed when the stories leave school behind and cover adults and even (gasp!) older women.

Yuri + Kanojo – Tomodachi ha Kinou Made – (百合+カノジョ-友達は昨日まで-) takes a even more radical approach, with stories of senior relationships. But, before that, it brushes upon the weird and wacky, with a section devoted to unusual stories – gentlewoman thief, mermaid, witch and the like. The second section returns to “Episode of Usual” with characters in school, but even here these characters are characters. I particular liked bodybuilder Jinguji Reika. Put a pin in that name, she’ll be back. (No spoilers, readers, just wait for it.) And of course I liked Kagami Yukina, whose only desire in life was to be our butler. The third section is titled “Global” with equally as rare characters from far off exotic places like Brazil, China, England, Korea. The final section is the After Forty section, this time with relationships that last a lifetime. Particularly charming were the three-parters that covered decades of a couple’s life together.

Of the several Yuri + Kanojo volumes so far, I enjoyed this one most, clearly because of the whimsicality and also the lack of children. Really, after all these years and so many, many, many school romances, I just really don’t much care for stories about middle-schoolers. ^_^;

Ratings:

Art, story, characters are all variable, since it is an anthology.

Overall – 9

If you’re on the fence about the Yuri + Kanojo series, I’d definitely recommend this one, at the very least.

While we’re on Yuri anthologies(!), it seems a great time to 1) mention that there’s a new Yuri + Kanojo anthlogy out and, without having actually read any of it except the first story, it’s already my favorite of the series, Yuri + Kanojo Tomodachi ha Kinou Made (百合+カノジョ-友達は昨日まで-) and, 2) talk about yet another Yuri anthology set in adult life, this one from Yuri Hime Comics, starring many of your favorite artists, Chocolat Shakaijin Yuri Anthology ( ショコラ 社会人百合アンソロジー).

This is a “who’s who”of Yuri manga right now, with contribitutions by Kodama Naoko, Ohsawa Yayoi (whose story, in which a newer employee falls for “2DK, GPen, Mezamashitokei”s Ryuuko (of course.) I quite enjoyed the color page story in the first couple of pages by Kishi Torajirou about a late-night office talk that goes raunchy pretty quickly.

Stories by Pikachi, Tokwotsumu, Takemiya Jin, Momono Moto and others explore any number of not-always office not-always romances.

In yet another sign or me getting old, I’m really starting to enjoy the not-really romances. ^_^ Those moments that don’t work out are more appealing Weird, huh? Most of the stories have a happy ending, but there’s a nice balance of art style and story-telling here. ‘

Ratings: 

Overall – 8

Like other anthologies, Chocolat is a great way to get a number of perspectives on a scenario.