Yuri Manga

We have some new items on the Yuricon Store!

December is going to see loads of Yuri riches, beginning with Tamifull’s How Do We Relationship, Volume 2 from Viz.  Volume 5 of the same series is just out in Japan, with Tsukiatte Agetemo Iikana, Volume 5 (付き合ってあげてもいいかな ), but if you’re reading the EN edition, do not read the summary of V5! Huge spoilers. ^_^;

Inui Ayu’s office romance Teiji ni Ageretara, Volume 4 ( 定時にあがれたら) continues as Kaori and Kayoko celebrate their 1st anniversary together.

Hero-san to Moto Onna Kanbu-san, Volume 3 (ヒーローさんと元女幹部さん) continues the tale of hero Rapid Rabbit’s love affair with a former middle manager for the bad guys.

Naoko Kodama’s Days of Love at Seagull Villa, Volume 1 has a November release in English, while the series has wrapped up in Japan with Umineko Bessou days, (海猫荘 days) Volume 3.

Kaketa Tsuki to Donuts creator, Usui Shio, will be starting up a new series in monthly Yuri magazine Comic Yuri Hime, Onna Tomodachi to Kekkon Shitemita, according to ANN’s Crystalynn Hodgkins. This should not be confused Tanaka Yuuki’s Shonen Jump Plus one-shot webcomic, Tomodachi Kekkon. Usui’s series Donuts Under a Crescent Moon,is slated for a 2021 release from Seven Seas.

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Anime News

Via Senior YNN Correspondent Eric P., Diskotek’s new releases for Devilman Lady and Battle Athletes (TV series *and* OVA on Blu-Ray!) are up for pre-order. Justin Sevakis has been tweeting about these and it’s interesting to read about the process from the inside. I’m really looking forward to seeing Devilman Lady. These will be getting December releases as well.

Kim Morrisey at ANN lets us know that Shiraishi Jougi, creator of Wandering Witch: The Journeys of Elaina has asked the animation staff to not upskirt the character. I hope more creators request this, because as an industry, animation is far too comfortable with what is – at absolute minimum – a pervasive form of sexual harassment. I’d really like to see it shamed out of existence because it is fucking creepy to upskirt. The anime is streaming on Hulu. Yen Press publishes the Light Novels, Square Enix is publishing the manga.

ANN’s Alex Mateo want us to know that a new extended trailer for Sailor Moon Eternal is now out. This is the first of two movies that will cover the “Dream” arc. of the manga. It’s not my favorite arc, but there’s still some good stuff to look forward to. For one thing, it looks honestly really well animated. This will also be the first time the Inners’ power up includes the spirits of their planetary castles, which I’m actually really excited about. (Nerd!) Naomi Watanabe as Zirconia is a great choice, but I feel like we’re all owed a redo of the first two seasons of Crystal with Kon Chikai in the director’s seat, because she is absolutely killing it.

Can we declare a “curse” on the first two seasons, since they’ve kind of been screwed over twice now? ^_^;

RetroCrushTV is streaming – free and legally – Dear Brother (Oniisama e) based on the manga by Riyoko Ikeda, directed by Osamu Dezaki. I’m going to keep reminding you of this until you have all watched it. This should be assigned homework for any Yuri 101 course. In fact, one could do an entire class on it. Monique Thomas and Steve Jones cover some of this vast territory in their review on ANN, Does Dear Brother Still Hold Up?

Yuri Light Novels

Via Senior YNN Correspondent, Sean G. J-Novel Club has announced the license – and new translation – of GL Bunko’s Girls Kingdom 1 written by Nayo with art by Shio Sakura. Part 1 is available on the J-Novel website as a preview. I reviewed this novel back in 2018, when GL Bunko did their own translation. I’m really liking Shio-san’s revised art on this current crop of webnovels-turned-LNs.

J-Novel Club has also announced a December release date for Otherside Picnic, Volume 4. This link leads to the Kindle edition. It will also be available on Global Bookwalker.

Yuri Games

Via Senior YNN Correspondent Louise P, we have Thirsty Sword Lesbians Tabletop RPG by April Kit Walsh. This Kickstarter has one of the most compelling video pitches I’ve ever seen and if I played games, they’d definitely have my money! With 26 days to go in their campaign, they blown past their initial goal almost 4x over.

Other News

My brain got five times bigger, listening to Third Impact Anime Podcast’s Interview with Anime Scholar Helen McCarthy. Helen is my idol and anytime I have a chance to learn from her, I take it. I hope you will, too.

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Yuri Anime

There’s a bunch of Yuri-ish anime hitting streaming services right now.

Assault Lily Bouquet is streaming on Funimation. I’ve watched the first episode. We will be getting a guest review to cover it. ^_^;

Adachi and Shimamura is definitely not cutting out the alien character, heavens knows why.

Devilman Lady and Battle Athletes will be released in on New Year’s Eve by Discotek. Alex Mateo has the scoop on ANN. These were anime when service involved women who didn’t look like blobs, but they still have plenty of service.

The Hollywood Reporter says that a Lumberjanes cartoon is in the works at HBO Max. Woot!

Yuri Manga

Viz Media announces the release of Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution, 20th anniversary manga.

J-Novel Club announced more of Ajiichi’s I Love Yuri and I Got Bodyswapped With a Fujoshi! on their website.

YNN Senior Correspondent Eric P. wants you to know that Kabi Nagata’s My Alcoholic Escape From Reality is available for pre-order. We should be seeing that released this winter.

Via Comic Natalie, Kukkorose no Hime Kishi to nari, Yuri Shoukan de Hataraku koto ni Narimashita (くっ殺せの姫騎士となり、百合娼館で働くことになりました。)  is about to be serialized in Monthly KiSSCA magazine which, when you go to the website do not be surprised is a nude-tone bikini level above a skin mag. You’ll be able to read a sample chapter in Japanese on the site, when it starts. This follows a man who is murdered, who finds himself in the body of a woman in another world who is given the choice to either become a knight or to work in a lesbian brothel, so chooses both. The Comic Natalie write up calls it a “transsexual story,” and you can see some character designs… and I’m sure we’re all expecting it to be high quality after all that. ^_^

Webcomics

Via Yurimother, we have a a couple of new Yuri webcomics to read!

Magical Girl Academe is now Live on Webtoon Canvas. 

Soulmate is being serialized on Tapas.

Yuri Light Novel

Once again, via Eric P., Sexiled: My Sexist Party Leader Kicked Me Out, So I Teamed Up With a Mythical Sorceress, Volume 2 is now out in print. This LN is by Ameco Kaeruda with art by Shio Sakura.

This week saw the release of the digital version of A Lily Booms in Another World, also by Ameco Kaeruda with art by Shio Sakura. I stayed up late last night to read it, and I can’t wait to review it!

J-Novel Club has also given us a December release date for Otherworld Picnic, Volume 4.

Also via Eric, Roll Over and Die! I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!  print edition is up for pre-order with a late October release.

Yuri Visual Novels

Via YNN Correspondent Michaelangelo H. we have a couple of Yuri VN suggestions with short reviews to boot!

Video Panel News

New York Comic Con’s online Metaverse had guests we all know well, Utena director Kunihiko Ikuhara  accompanied by Utena manga artist, Chiho Saito, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Revolutionary Girl Utena! Check out the panel. It ran 9AM EDT this morning, but you’ll be able to see the replay on Youtube.

The Metaverse also spawned this fab manga chat between Comic Beat‘s Heidi MacDonald, Brigid Alverson, Debe Aoki, Johanna Draper Carlson nd myself this past week. Check that out on Youtube!

I’m about to guest on a special Japanese animation edition of the Journey Show, the Hugo Award winning science fiction blog, that traces, day by day, the scientific and science fiction history of the 20th century! Registration is free and it gives you a chance to watch playback later. I have no idea what it’ll be like, so  check it out. Watch me fumble on a topic I became an expert last weekend. ^_^

If you’re not sick of me yet, I’ve made my most recent video for Yuri Studio public, with captions and notes. Some recommendations from me. ^_^

Other News

Take a few moments and read this amazing compilation, The 100 Most Influential Sequences that Shaped Animation, on Vulture. It was a spectacular effort on the part of the panel such great reading ans watching.

If you’re into My Next Life As a Villainess, check out the squishy pillow choices, for one that is filled with memories of Katarina and the women who admire and desire her on Crunchyroll News.

Become a YNN Correspondent by reporting any Yuri-related news with your name and an email I can reply to – thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network! Special thanks to Okazu Patrons for being an important part of the Okazu family. I couldn’t do it without you!

Yuri Manga

We have some new items on the Yuricon Store!

Naoko Kodama’s new series, Days of Love at Seagull Villa, Volume 1. When Mayumi leaves her old life behind, she has no idea what she’ll find. This comes out in print in November!

Éclair Rouge: A Girls’ Love Anthology That Resonates in Your Heart, the fourth volume of the Éclair anthology series, is now available from Yen Press. The English language edition does not have the Itou Hachi story that was included in the Japanese volume. If that’s a hill you’re ready to die on, you’re going it alone without me. I feel no loss. We can argue about slippery slopes, censorship and the difference between a drawing and a person in the comments.

Creator of Sasamekikoto, Ikeda Takashi’s new slice of life drama about two adult women living together, Futari ha Daitai Konna Kanji (ふたりはだいたいこんなかんじ ). At a glance, it appears to be a semi-realistic story about semi-closeted women.

Ajiichi’s Dekisokonai Hime-tachi, Volume 4 (できそこないの姫君たち) continues the story of Kurokawa and Fujishiro, who were complete opposites, but have somehow found themselves attracted to one another. This series is out in English, as well, Failed Princesses. Volume 2 hit shelves last week from Seven Seas.

I’m really digging Mei Ren’s story about two people unlikely to have ever met, Yuri to Koe to Kaze Matoi ( 百合と声と風纏い). Volume 3 is on shelves and on the Store.

New from GALETTE WORKS, is Hamano Ringo’s Sora-iro Melancholic, Volume 1. (空色メランコリック) This is the story of Bun-chan, who told Mii in Hamano’s Cotton Candy, that she had liked another girl in school. Continuity!

Canno’s new three-way love relationship, Goukaku Tame no! Yasashi Sankaku Kakei Nyuumon, Volume 1 (合格のための！ やさしい三角関係入門) is interesting, and I’m not at all sure where it’s headed. At the moment it looks more like a love triangle, than a poly relationship, but I have hope.

Via YNN Correspondent CW,  online Comic-Action has the newest work by Nagata Kabi, Meisou Senshi ・Nagata Kabi(迷走戦士・永田カビ) which begins with Hitori Kekkonshiki (一人結婚式) in Japanese. In keeping with her previous essay titles, this would be “My Solo Marriage Ceremony.” I’ve only had a chance to read chapter 1, but I’m really interested where this will take her – and us!

Via Yuri Navi, Kenkyuu-tou no Mayonaka Gohan, a story of midnight snacks and Yuri, sounds like it may be my new favorite thing. Natsukawa Moko’s story is described as a “heartwarming Yuri gourmet” manga. I’m in.

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Yuri-ish Anime

Funimation is now streaming Assault Lily Bouquet, which looks like 100% tease and playing around with Yuri tropes with no actual Yuri. But it could be fun if you have no expectations.

Not-Yuri, but check out Makoto’s look in this visual of the Inner Senshi in their casual digs from Sailor Moon Eternal. ^_^ Thanks to Crunchyroll’s Komatsu-san for the details!

Carlos Cordoniga from Crunchyoll has a lovely article, Why PreCure’s Good, Colorful Optimism is So Welcome. I’ve been watching Kira Kira Pretty Cure Ala Mode, and I have to say, I’m 100% in on colorful optimism right now. I am done with gritty and dark. (This particular season has a reasonably well-established Yuri couple, as well, so hang tight for a review.)

Events

YNN Correspondent Megan wants everyone to know that there is an Nakamura Asumiko 20th anniversary exhibition at the Ikebukuro Parco (again! While am not there. *again*, argh) until October 12. This will include some work from the upcoming Seven Seas release A White Rose in Bloom. I have reviewed the first volume of Meijirobana no Saku here on Okazu.. Click the link for a 3-D tour of the exhibit. It’s pretty impressive.

Other News

Via YNN Correspondent Verso S, we have this fab article on the top K-pop Girls groups, as voted by Korean queer women. We’ve had some fun checking their music out. I just happened to have wandered on to Monster by Red Velvet, so I was in sympatico with these women’s choices. The wife likes Blackpink (and thumbs up on the Lara Croft vibe on that photo,) but we both think the #6, Cosmic Girls have the best photo of the bunch. ^_^ “We are predictable,” the wife notes.

Not-Yuri, but I really am glad that Seven Seas has licensed Kageki Shoujo The Curtain Rises. Translator Jocelyne Allen and I were kvelling about this tale of a girl who want to be the otokoyaku top star in a Takarazuka-esque troupe, some years ago. I’m delighted you’ll be able to read it. ^_^

The Harvey Awards has induced Tezuka Osamu into their Hall of Fame. Rafael Antonio Pineda has the details on ANN, including a list of manga that have won Harvey Awards!

Crunchyroll’s Daniel Dockey interviews author and speaker Matt Alt about What Makes Anime So Appealing.

On a totally person note, if you follow me on social, you’ll know that in 2018 my website “Worldshaking” Fanfic was lost when my webhost imploded. I had most of the files (a few had to be recovered on Internet Archive, when I was unable to get a final site update.) I transferred the domain, but for various reasons just never got the site back up until now! Finally, after a total rebuild I can welcome you back to “Worldshaking” Fanfic. I’ve also manged to add all my new original work. To celebrate, I’m going to be working on a brand-new not-an-isekai Yuri webnovel. To get chapters early, become an Okazu Patron! I’ll be sharing the cast of characters shortly. ^_^

Become a YNN Correspondent by reporting any Yuri-related news with your name and an email I can reply to – thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network! Special thanks to Okazu Patrons for being an important part of the Okazu family. I couldn’t do it without you!

Yuri Manga

The OASG reports that free previews for the 20th Anniversary Revolutionary Girl Utena manga, After the Revolution, is available on Viz.com. Here’s something to pay attention to…letterer Sara Linsley notes that she “did all the sound effects by hand, trying to recreate the original style as closely as possible.” Let her (and VIz!) know you appreciate her efforts!

Our Teachers are Dating, by Pikachi Ohi is out from Seven Seas! (Review to come shortly.) I hope you will find this version of Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteru, Volume 1 (羽山先生と寺野先生は付き合っている ) as delightful as I do.

Days of Love at Seagull Villa Vol. 1 by Naoko Kodama is now available for pre-order, as well.

Yuri Visual Novels

Studio Élan announced the release of Highway Blossoms: Next Exit, a new chapter for for the Highway Blossoms characters. Right now you can get it for 15% off on Steam or Itchi.io. Highway Blossoms had the honor of being only the second VN I’ve ever made it all the way through, and I hope to have a guest review of it, soonish. ^_^

I’m always open to pitches for reviews of VNs as I just don’t have the time or attention to commit to them. If you know of a good Yuri VN that you’d like to review, please check out our Submission Guidelines. Reviews are paid, with the help of our Okazu Patrons!

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Yuri Anime

TBS offers up Adachi to Shimamura anime promotional videos from Shimamura’s point of view, voiced by Ito Miku and from Adachi’s point of view, voiced by Kito Akari.

Digital Queer Comics

Via YNN Senior Correspondent Louise, take a look at Open Mats, a comic about queers and Karate. ^_^

Lilyka is selling a limited number of signed original artworks by one of their creators, Ruri Hazuki, so if you’re a fan of her Shakaijin Yuri series, take a look. Some customization is available, but Hazuki-sensei will be choosing the characters she’ll draw.

Here’s a fun idea! Galette Online is offering up work by various creators for free, and making it possible for you to purchase an Amazon JP gift card to send them in thanks. It’s a pretty concrete way to show your support for your favorite artists!

I don’t know when I’ve ever going to get around to this, but I’m going to *have* to read Hoshjii Nanaoku’ Girls Love of the Dead  (ガールズラブ・オブ・ザ・デッド) “comic novel” series, with illustrations by Morishima Akiko. I mean, really. It’s available on Bookwalker Global and Amazon JP Kindle.

Free on BookWalker Global right now (in Japanese) is issue 1 of U-temo’s Yuri-ota ni Yuri ha Gohattou Desu!? {百合オタに百合はご法度です!? 分冊版) about a Yuri Otaku who finds herself at private girls’ school! Goofy fun.

Comic-Days has chapter one of  Tsujiichi’s  Dramatic Doll (ドラマティック・ドール) up online for free in Japanese.

Other News

Nicki “Yurimother” Bauman has written a fantastic opinion piece for ANN on How Bloom Into You Defies and Reinforces Yuri Tropes. It’s worth a read. I agree completely with her points, of course. ^_^ Since Volume 1, I’d been cautioning people from identifying Yuu as aromantic, when clearly this *was a Yuri romance.* And I also so strongly agree that its strength is in Sayaka’s story and the fact that a positive, established adult lesbian couple exists as a role model for not only Sayaka, but eventually Yuu and Touko. Take a look and giver her some support and feedback.

Creative team CLAMP is doing a collaboration and lottery to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Choo Sum Lee has the details on ANN.

From our friends at Unseen Japan, “The Takarazuka Music School is working to abolish a set of unwritten and abusive “traditions” after discovering several years ago that juniors were losing sleep b/c seniors were forcing them to keep voluminous notes on cleaning & other school activities.” This comes after decades of harsh hazing-like behavior towards junior students, as reported in pretty much everything ever written about the school.

Become a YNN Correspondent by reporting any Yuri-related news with your name and an email I can reply to – thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network! Special thanks to Okazu Patrons for being an important part of the Okazu family. I couldn’t do it without you!

Yuri Manga

We have some new items on the Yuricon Store!

Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto Desu! Volume 7 (私の百合はお仕事です!) Miman’s Yuri-themed cafe drama is still moving along, as Hime and Mitsuki struggle to understand one another and, probably, themselves.

Yurizukushi no Kyoushitsu, Volume 1 (ゆりづくしの教室) by Shiime is an exploration of Yuri couples tropes, all together in one rowdy classroom.

Haruki Hiroki’s Watashi Igai Jinrui Zennin Yuri, Volume 2 (私以外人類全員百合 ) wraps up this science fiction story in which a straight girl ends up in a world where everyone is in a Yuri coupling. Here’s where you can find Volume 1.

Via Comic Natalie we have word of  a Yuri school comedy which sounds like it might actually be funny, Yuri ni Hasamarete, Esper (百合に挟まれて、エスパー) by Suruga Kiryuu in Ultra Jump magazine. It’s about a girl who can read minds, who can’t not be aware of her friends’ secret relationship and passionate feelings for one another. I have always thought that ESP would be a horrid burden. ^_^

ANN’s Crystalynn Hodgkin reports the news that tMnR’s Tatoe Todokanu Ito da toshitemo, licensed by Kodansha as If I Could Reach You, will come to a climax in the December issue of Comic Yuri Hime, on sale in October.

Galette Meets 12 has gone out by PDF to all backers at their crowdfunding page, ガレット＠Fantia (ガレットワークス).

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Yuri Anime

Massive news from Diskotek as they pick up the license for a bunch of Yuri fandom faves, including Rose of Versailles, Project A-ko (making them the first company since CPM/U.S. Manga Corps to put that out in a physical format), Battle Athletes, and happiest of all, Devilman Lady. Rafael Antonio Pineda gives you the scoop on ANN.

All of these titles have been reviewed here on Okazu in our first 20 years of existence and all are exceptional for one reason or another. But, I cannot stress this enough – Go Nagai’s Devilman Lady is an extraordinary Yuri anime, with a star voice Japanese cast. It is one of my favorite anime of all time. I’m very excited to see it come out again in time for it’s 20th anniversary. I’m only a little sad that they aren’t waiting for the 20th anniversary remastered set next year, but this is still going to be worth having. 

My thanks to YNN Correspondent Shannon and a pile of other folks for sharing this news with us!

Brian Ruh has written up a great early review of Takako Shimura’s Happy Go Lucky Days anime for ANN which he streamed on Asian Pop-Up Cinema.

Otherside Picnic has a new, extended trailer. Crystalyn Hodgkins has details on ANN. I think it’s going to make a good visual media. We’ll be seeing it for ourselves in the new year.

Fragtime Blu-Ray is out now from Section 23 at pretty bargain price.

LGBTQ Comics

UK publisher ShortBox on Twitter announces a slate of new comics that include “lesbian space adventures and lesbian earth adventures.” ^_^

Other News

Megan on Twitter is stoked to noted that the upcoming anime Requiem for the Rose King, is “ the 2nd anime with a trans protagonist (after Wandering Son)? And the first with an intersex protag.” I know nothing about this series, and while a BL-adjacent harem isn’t going to be for me, some of you might enjoy it!

We were pretty stoked to hear that Naomi Watanabe will be voicing Zirconia in the new Sailor Moon Eternal movies. Daryl Harding has the story on Crunchyroll News.

Become a YNN Correspondent by reporting any Yuri-related news with your name and an email I can reply to – thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network! Special thanks to Okazu Patrons for being an important part of the Okazu family. I couldn’t do it without you!