Yuri Manga

We have some new items on the Yuricon Store! (One of my stretch goals for Okazu in the future is to hire someone to help me keep up on this. There is *so* much Yuri coming out now, I can barely manage it. ^_^)

Tsurezure Biyori, Volume 3 (徒然日和), the final volume of this pleasant series of 4 girls living their lives.

Mizuno to Chayama, Volume 1 ( 水野と茶山)  by Nishio Yuhta, creator of After Hours, which is a small-town Yuri Romeo and Juliet of a sort.

In Tsukiatte Agetemo Iikana, Volume 3,  (付き合ってあげてもいいかな), Miwa and Saeko continue to work on building a relationship with opposing personalities.

Just yesterday Seven Seas announced the license of Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru as The Gym Teacher and the School Nurse Are Dating! which is slated for a September 2020 release.

In honor of the second volume of Mikanuji’s Fuzoroi no Renri manga ( here’s my review of Volume 1) being released, Fuchigami Mai and Aiba Aina have recorded a voiced promotional video. Check out Comic Natalie to see it. It’s quite nice.

Creator of Sasamekikoto/Whispered Words, Ikeda Takashi will be starting a new Yuri manga on Comic Boost online in January. Yuri Navi has the report on Futari ha Daitai Konna Kanji (ふたりはだいたいこんなかんじ).

Mai Okafuji announced the launch of her new Yuri series on Shodensha’s online Manga Jam, Forget Me Not (フォーゲット・ミー・ノット).

Comic Walker has launched SQ Kimi no Namae kara Hajimaru (SQ 君の名前から始まる). What makes this very interesting is that it is a Japanese digital release of a Chinese Yuri comic that ran on Weibo from creator 壇九 (TANJIU). I think this is very interesting.
 

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Yuri Doujinshi

Lilyka has the official English release of Yuunagi Marbled, a doujinshi put out by Momono Moto, which I reviewed in 2017. This was one of the very first Galette Works publications, which gives me hope that we’ll see more in the future. Lilyka is Digital Manga Publishing’s Yuri doujinshi imprint. When you purchase with them, you are given multiple formats to choose from for your download of the file.

Yuri Anime

Via Senior YNN Correspondent Eric P, Sentai Filmworks has picked up the Maria Watches Over Us Complete Collection  on Blu-ray which includes all 4 seasons of the anime and all the shorts. The set is up for pre-order! If you missed getting this series from RightStuf, this is a great chance to have it all in one streamlined set.

Yuri Game

Via translator Meru on Twitter, SukeraSomero, the English-language arm of SukeraSparo announced a new Yuri Game – OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos. As you might expect, I will not be playing this, so if you do and would like to do a review for Okazu, please feel free to contact us!

Other News

@animaltextures on Twitter posted a really interesting thread about Rune Naitō, one of the pioneers of “kawaii” art and animal mascots in Japan who was also an artist for the gay magazine Barazoku.

Mary Borsellino took on the topic of happy endingd in queer lit and why they are so important for Writers Victoria. In Defence of Happy Endings is 60% introspection and 40% extrapolation and worth a gander.

On Anime Feminist, Kris Avila writes about something I have attempted to address here multiple times. Predictably, the comments about my comment make the wrong point. The author prefaces this very excellent article with a supposition that is – only the face of it – incorrect. They then ignore that supposition. When I pointed it out, people tell me that that is not relevant, which is absolutely true, only, I’m not the one who said it. Avila did. Sheesh.  ^_^ Anyway, aside from that one phrase,“Queering” Heteronormativity: Biological essentialism in genderbending manga is a very good read.

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Yuri Manga

It’s here! Volume 1 of The Rose of Versailles is getting a super-limited release in selected US Kinokuniya stores on December 17, and more general release on January 28, 2020. Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 are already available for pre-order. Want to see what it looks like? I posted a short video on Twitter. ^_^ It’s a real beauty. I’m so very proud of what we accomplished with this definitive release of a long-awaited book.

The Yuri Network News report is made possible by Okazu Patrons. Your support funds reviews, interviews, news and helps pay writers. As little as $5/month can make a huge difference!

Yuri Doujinshi

Lilyka, DMP’s licensed translated Yuri doujinshi store, has a free special offer! They are offering a free 2-story download, SHWD 1st Anniversary. The download comes in multiple formats, and are short side stories to this action tale of beefy women who hunt down anti-human weapons called Dynamis.  I admit, I quite like SHWD.

ANN’s Jennifer Sherman reports on Iridori launching non-erotic doujinshi line, one of which is Yuri. Sherman writes, “Witness the silly shenanigans of Sachiko as she finds all manner of ways to milk as much money out of her girlfriend, Miho, as possible!” in “Of Girls, Love and Money.”

The collaboration known as Yuricon has just released a new issue. Yuricon Tabemono to Joshiben (ユリコン 食べ物と女子編) with four of my fave Yuri artists out there: Kitao Taki, Seta Seta, Takemiya Jin and Riru. I must own this, but won’t be back to Japan until next summer. Yuri and food is the future I want.

Yuri Events

I’m pleased to announce that my panel was accepted to the next Mechademia conference in Kyoto, May 29-June 1, 2020! I’m pretty stoked (and nervous as heck) about this. I’ll be joined by James Welker and Verena Maser, as we talk about Yuri crossing borders. That will be the perfect endcap to any 100 Years of Yuri festivities and a whole new challenge for me, as I have never before presented at an academic conference.

Yuri Visual Novel

Studio Élan is teasing a new story with this “news report.” So far I’ve really felt that their work is worth taking a look at. I wish I like VNs more than I do, because theirs are really well done. Keep your eyes peeled for a new Yuri VN from them in days to come.

Yuri Light Novels

A hashtag has appeared on JP Twitter – Make Yuri Light Novels Popular #ラノベの百合流行れ which I find really fantastic, because it really shows what we’re struggling with in regards to Yuri content. Many of the LNs suggested are, frankly, terrible, often with the most tenuous connection to Yuri. ^_^; But at least I learned about  Hito no Jidai ha Owatta Keredo, Soredemo Onaka ha Herimaasuka? (ヒトの時代は終わったけれど、それでもお腹は減りますか?) in which they eat tank meat and poisonous mushrooms. Is it Yuri? I doubt it, but I might read it anyway. ^_^ I’m reading an LN right now that is so utterly dreadful I doubt I’ll be able to fully describe how limited it supposes the imaginations of it readers are.  In any case the hashtag has a lot of leads if LNs are your boom. Thanks to Frog-kun for the heads up on this!

Other News

For a limited time only, 25% off the ‘100 Years of Yuri’ t-shirt design on the Yuricon Store. Classic tee comes in 16 color choices! Other styles available, too. Use the code: OUTFITS25

Via YNN Correspondent, Alice D, Thai Yuri artist Ratana Satis has opened an online store where all her books and goods are now available for purchase! I’ve reviewed several of her works here and think she is exceptionally talented.

Kim Morrison over at ANN had a very good review of Fragtime, which basically said the same thing I said – the anime ignores any of the potential interesting psychological drama for obsession with underwear.

Grab your DVR controls, because Steven Universe Future is premiering tonight at 8PM Eastern US time on Cartoon Network! (I still owe you a review of the Movie, too.) Check out this promo video on Youtube.

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! Write me with any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them on my YNN podcast, when I revive it this winter!

Yuri Manga

While most retailers are browbeating you into buying things for other people, I’m here gently reminding that you should also consider getting some things for yourself! Especially as your friends and family might not understand what you want. ^_^; To that end, tomorrow I’ll be doing a few pre-holiday season Okazu Lucky Boxes. Most will be Premium Boxes which means media and books, and Yuri goods and doujinshi and candy from Japan, as well as the usual assortment of utter crap from a variety of sources. (People give me things. I buy things. I find things. You know…the usual.)

We’ve also put a bunch of new and very exciting items on the Yuricon Store!

Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Volume 8 is out in Japan and has now surpassed a million copies in print! Via Comic Natalie, creator Nakatani Nio has drawn a picture to celebrate this milestone. Also on the Yuricon Store is the pre-order for the English edition of Bloom Into You: Regarding Saeki Sayaka, Volume 1, the first of the light novel series following the Student Council Vice President in her early years. I’ve reviewed this book in Japanese and liked it best for perfectly capturing Sayaka’s voice.

Also super exciting, we’ve listed The Conditions of Paradise, an English-language edition of Rakuen no Jouken, by Morishima Akiko. I’m excited to see one of my favorite older one-shot manga brought over.

Less super exciting, but still pretty pleasant, is Ikemen-sugi desu Shiki-sempai!, Volume 2  (イケメンすぎです紫葵先パイ! ) a first love story I find to be quite nice.

And for those who loved the first volume, we have lesbian sex worker anthology sequel Rezu Fuuzoku Anthology Repeater / レズ風俗アンソロジー リピー.

LGBTQ News

Via YNN Correspondent Yeo, ShipperinJapan on Twitter has receipts that anime Hoshiai no Sora (Stars Align) has a discussion about trans rights, trans lives, names and pronouns with empathy. This great conversation is captured in two parts on their twitter feed. I commented that in 1994, seeing Haruka and Michiru as a couple on TV was so meaningful…and in 2019, Maki’s conversation with Yuu is just as powerful. Progress, my friends, looks like this. It’s small, incremental and lays the groundwork for the next step. Do not let anyone tell you that these issues don’t exist in Japan.

The fine folks at the Comics Beat have put together Gift Guide: 50 queer comics for everyone on your list, which I have bookmarked and will be buying myself presents from for months to come. A number of these have been read and reviewed here, many others have not, so definitely take a look.

Yuri Anime

The fourth Promotional Video for Oshi ga Budokan Ittekuretara Shinu is available and weirdly…it looks better than the manga?! I live in hope.

ANN’s Alex Mateo reports that Funimation has added Puella Magi Madoka Magica to their streaming catalog.

AnimEigo is releasing the new Gunsmith Cats OVA Explosive Edition for general distribution after their successful kickstarter.

Victoria Davis interviews Anime Voice Actor Morgan Berry on Her Lead Role in Lesbian Love Story Kase-san and Morning Glories for The Mary Sue. Berry says she identifies as genderfluid, which I found interesting. I haven’t gotten the Sentai edition, but if someone has watched the dub and would like to review it, please feel free to contact me!

Yuri Game

SukeraSparo’s Yuri Game Kundan Folklore (クダンノフォークロア) is being released as a smartphone game for JP phones on iOS and Android.

Other News

I’m not running to read this, but if anyone picks up Yurizuki no Danshikoukousei no Hanashi (百合好きの男子高校生の話) a comedic Twitter comic about about high school boys who love Yuri, feel free to pitch a review. At least let us know what you think.

Sara Century on Syfy takes a look at the early days of female characters in the Thor comics in When Women Came To Asgard.

Here’s a fun thing to end with Comic Walker has climbed on the Yuribu train! Check out their digital selection at Yuri KuRaBu, i.e.,Yuri Club. (百合倶楽部).

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! Write me with any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them on my YNN podcast, when I revive it this winter!

Yuri Manga

We’ve added a couple of new titles to the Yuricon Store!

Galette No. 12 (ガレット) is hitting shelves this week and the cover, illustrated by pen, is just lovely.

The fifth anthology in the Éclair series, Éclair orange – Anata ni Hibiku Yuri Anthology (エクレア orange あなたに響く百合アンソロジー) also makes it to Japanese bookstores this week.  This one features a new story by Bloom Into You creator Nakatani Nio.

Speaking of Nakatani Nio…the final volume of Yagate Kimi ni Naru is being released this week in Japan. Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Volume 8  (やがて君になる). Now I’m just killing time until that third Sayaka novel. ^_^

I’m currently reading Yuri to Koe to Kaze Matoi (百合と声と風纏い) about a girl who has no real idea what love means…until she falls for a mysterious woman with a motorcycle who helps her out on a rainy day.

Now that I’m done with events and traveling for a little while, I’ll play catch up on the Store and get some more stuff up!

I’ve just gotten a glimpse of the Udon edition of The Rose of Versailles, Volume 1 and …it’s breathtaking. I expect to have it in my hands this week and I will stop everything and review it immediately. In the meantime, pre-order it, you will not be disappointed.

Lilies Anthology Volume 8: Nodding Lily is now available in print and digital on a number of formats!

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LGBTQ News

Via Cartoon Network’s Twitter account, Steven Universe Future has a premier date! I’ll keep saying this – this cartoon is the only thing standing between me and a complete breakdown since November 2016. Around my house every night we take two episodes before bed. ^_^

Be Gay, Do Comics is a queer comics anthology; 250 pages of queer history, memoir and satire from amazing political cartoon website, The Nib.

Avery Kaplan takes a look at Queerness in Naoko Kodama’s manga I Married My Best Friend To Shut My Parents Up.

Now You Know, an animated history of 200 years of LGBTQ history and rights is narrated by Wanda Sykes.

This Renault car ad is the best lesbian movie of 2019. ^_^

Yuri Podcast

I was a guest this week on Anime News Network’s ANNCast. Zac Bertschy and I talk Yuri and queer representation in Revolutionary Girl Erica (and the comments drop down to Queen’s Blade as a good Yuri in under two pages, so you can see exactly what Zac is talking about very clearly. I was trying to be kind, but guys..seriously…Queen’s Blade is not good representation. )

Yuri Events

Folks in the Shinjuku area on March 1, should plan on attending the 20OL Expo, a doujinshi market focusing on Yuri romances in the workplace.

I’m very pleased (and proud!) to announce that our panel: Transporting Yuri Across Borders has been accepted to the Mechademia conference in Kyoto in May 30-June 1, 2020. Myself, James Welker and Verena Maser will be presenting papers about “challenges and opportunities in the evolution and transformation of yuri as it has been transported across chronological, geographic and linguistic borders.” Sounds cool, right? Now we have to, y’know, write the papers! I’ve been using the Nanowrimo energy of the month to push myself and have gotten a third of the way through the thing.

Interestingly, a whole new section of my paper opened up with my desire to create a new word for Yuri fans. We’ve gotten first-hand testimony from Rica Takashima that Itoh Bungaku-sensei meant to specifically coin a phrase for lesbians when he chose Yurizoku and I’ve done some primary research this week of currently used terms. Yuri is a common genre term now, but there is no clear pre-eminent word for Yuri fan. Yurizuki has been suggested, but it’s no more common than anything else, having been primarily promoted on Twitter through the efforts of two bots who RTed it an average of 5 times a day in 2013-2015.  So a bunch of us are now working with 百合人-Yurijin…although predictably there’s already valid discussion about pronunciation and calling it Yuribito…but as I was typing this I realized why I don’t care for that. Yuribito describes a single person’s identity or role within a society. I’m thinking of us all as “the Yuri people,”so Yurijin it is for me.  (Leaving Yurizoku still for lesbians, as opposed to anyone who likes Yuri the genre.) I’ve been among those who shape how we talk about this genre for 20 years now and I love how we’ve pushed and prodded it towards a broader vision of inclusivity. ^_^ This conversation will evolve, undoubtedly. Who knows what we’ll call it in another 20 years! Isn’t language fascinating? 

Other News

Here’s a fun interview with Laurie Halse Anderson, creator of Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed on rebooting Diana’s origin story through a real world lens.

Here’s a funny story to wrap up. Reed Pop, having whiffed twice at creating an anime festival at NYCC is trying again over at Emerald City Comic Con with Pop Asia. Why. Seriously.

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! Write me with any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them on my YNN podcast, when I revive it this winter!

Special thanks to all of our Okazu Patrons on Patreon, who make this report possible!

Yuri Events

Next weekend, catch the 100 Years of Yuri presentation at Anime NYC, Friday, November 15, at 3PM at Javits Convention Center, Room 1E17. I’ll also participating in the Great Debate with Guest Zack Davisson at 6PM! Watch us argue passionately about things that do not matter. ^_^

It is not the last chance to hear about 100 Years of Yuri, though – you can still contact me with an invite to be on your podcast, at your school or convention!

Comiket is approaching in Japan and circles are announcing their participation. Twitter is a great place to track those announcements. You can use #コミケ97 as a link for all posts regarding the event or check out my Yuri Resources List on Twitter for folks to follow.

Sexiled author Ameco Kaeruda has announced on Twitter that she’ll be contributing to a ComiketYuri anthology called DSD Project. If anyone of you is going to be there and can get it for me, please let me know, as I won’t be able to make it myself.

LGBTQ Comics

You remember I was at FIT Diversity ComicCon a few weeks ago? It was *awesome* and while there I got to talk to the amazing Alison Wilgus about her comic Chronin (which I have, of course reviewed. Read my thoughts on Volume 1 and Volume 2 here on Okazu.) Our chat on her queer time-travel, crossdressing historical samurai epic has been published on the Comics Beat. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed doing it!

The emotional climax of Shimanami Tasogare is upon us. Volume 4 is available for pre-order.

Via Yuri Times on Twitter, Saburouta’s Citrus+, Volume 1 is going on sale digitally in 7 countries on the same day and Argentina just slightly early (because of distribution schedules.) However I feel about the content of that series, this is a groundbreaking moment. You can get this digital release on Kindle or Bookwalker Global. The print volume will be out in English in February 2020 from Seven Seas.

Rafael Antonio Pineda on ANN reports on Nagata Kabi’s newest manga about her worsening mental and physical health. Genjitsu Touhi Shitetara Boroboro ni Natta Hanashi (現実逃避してたらボロボロになった話) is available this week in Japan.

Kyra Kupetsky posted an adorable romance comic between a middle-aged woman and the woman telemarketer who calls her in “This is She” on her Twitter feed. Read and enjoy!

Yuri Anime

The Bloom Into You Premium Blu-Ray box set from Section 23 has been added to the Yuricon Store. You know this is the holiday present you want. ^_^

The Fragtime OVA will be premiering at Anime NYC on Saturday, November 16 at 1:30 to 3:00 PM in 1E13 with guest voice actress Miku Ito and producer Yusuke Terada.

ANN’s Egan Loo has the news that Revue Starlight will get two films in 2020, one is a compilation and the other will be new content.

Other News

Via Out magazine, actress Lucy Liu has been painting beautiful lesbian erotic and romantic paintings for years. Just one more thing to like about her.

Via Anime Herald‘s Seth Green on Twitter (one of my compatriots on the Comixology manga panel at NYCC October 2019) here is a fun Yuri-ish music video from Sheena Ringo and Hikaru Utada.

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! Write me with any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them on my YNN podcast, when I revive it this winter!

Special thanks to all of our Okazu Patrons on Patreon, who make this report possible!