Yuri Manga: R.O.D. – Read or Dream, Volume 4 (Part 1)

November 9th, 2005

This last volume of Read or Dream reads like a “Who’s Who” of the R.O.D. universe…well, this version of the universe, that is. I’ll be doing this in two parts, because there’s a lot to tell, Yuri and otherwise, and because I’m pressed for time.

Because I cannot help myself, let me remind you that the various R.O.D.-verse are as follows:

1) Read or Die – Novels in which Yomiko and a youthful Nenene have adventures and Yomiko falls in love with her mentor/sempai/predecessor, Donny.

2) ROD – Read or Die – A three-episode OVA in which Yomiko meets, falls for, and loses Nancy Makuhara, aka Miss Deep. Strong Yuri component and a great soundtrack.

3) ROD – 4-volume manga set in which Yomiko meets a youthful Nenene, and embarks upon adventures mostly having to do with her quest to find Donny. These have been licensed and should be appearing sometime in 2006 in English. Unfortunately for us, they are not terribly good, or Yuri.

4) ROD the TV – A 26-episode TV series in which Yomiko, Nenene, now adult, Nancy AND three new Paper Masters all fight off evil and save the day. Last year this series made my Top Ten List because it was simply excellent. Lots of Yuri, lots of action, good music, great plot and fantastic, characters.

5) R.O.D. – Read or Dream – the most recent spin on the ROD-verse has 4 volumes. Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3 have all been reviewed previously. Which brings us to the current, and final, volume.

As with the TV series, the protagonist of the Read or Die manga is Anita. In this version, there does not appear to be a Nenene, and the famous author the three sisters have been protecting is Hishiishi Hisami, aka Hisa-chan.

In the first chapter of this volume, Hisa-chan is suffering from a crisis. Her books are popular, but girls her age and older dismiss them as being for children. She desperately wants to write a more adult story, but completely jams up when she realizes that she has no idea what it is like to kiss someone. Michelle steps in by directing a scene between Anita, dressed as a schoolboy, and Hisa-chan. They get *very* close to kissing, after pages of painful Yuri service buildup, when Hisa’s manager puts a stop to it all.

Chapter 25 begins with an irate manager letting the three sisters know exactly how much she dislikes them, but as Hisa seems to like them, they’ve been brought to Japan to watch over her. But Hisa’s a little down, because she’s still blocked. Anita takes her out on a date to cheer her up: the usual amusement park and fast food later, Hisa’s feeling better. But as they pass a book store, some girls diss Hisa’s book and she gets blue all over again. Anita starts to defend Hisa, who embraces her from behind and tells Anita that it’s okay, she has to learn to make her books more real on her own. But they go off hand in hand, and we’re convinced that this Yuri feeling isn’t just service.

The next chapter starts with more Yuri silliness, as Anita learns that Hisa has received a love letter! She’s obsessed with it, and jealous, but isn’t sure how to handle it. Anita decides to find the “criminal”. After a while, Anita asks Hisa about the letter and Hisa says that it’s not good – their both girls after all and…Anita is forced to admit that she didn’t write it and she, um, didn’t mean that. Shocked, embarrassed (and a bit disappointed, we think) Hisa faints. Anita scoops her up and brings her to the doctor’s office, where she learns that some nasty guy who is always rude to everyone is the love letter writer!

Anita brings the letter to the manager’s attention in the next chapter. She proceeds to throw a fit, because the last thing in the world she wants is Hisa’s genius being upset by a guy. Manager-san calls on some thugs who intimidate the kid who sent the letter…only it wasn’t him. Of course, if you’ve watched the TV series, you know who the letter-writer is, Hisa’s friend for forever, the bratty kid whose name escapes me. But he comes up and finds Anita, leads her to the library where Hisa is sitting with an upperclassman and looking a little besotted. Both Anita and brat are bummed by this. Later walking home with Hisa, Anita learns that she’s anxious about a book signing the upperclassman wanted her to do at the school festival. They hold hands and go home together.

Next chapter, Hisa finds the fortitude to go through with the book signing at the school festival – and, it turns out that the upperclassman wasn’t hitting on Anita at all – he pretty much just wanted her to sign a book for his kid sister who admires her. Phew. But the kid who *does* like Hisa, confesses…and she tells him that she’s sorry, but… Hisa goes off to find Anita and asks her to dance at the fire.

Yay, happy Yuri ending for Hisa and Anita. ^_^ 

Posted in R.O.D., Read or Dream, Yuri Manga | 4 Comments »


Yuri Manga: Yuri Monogatari 3 available in the November Previews

November 7th, 2005

Run right over to your local comic or hobby shop and pick up the November issue of Diamons Comic’s Previews, then fill out that order form and order your copy of ALC Publishing’s 100% yuri manga anthology, Yuri Monogatari 3.

Remember, Yuri Monogatari is *still* the only all-yuri anthology in English in the world. In this issue, you’ll find stories of lesbian life and love by Hiromi Nishikawa, Beth Malone, Sergio Aviles, Akiko Morishima and Althea Keaton, as well as art by Rica Takashima and Kelli Nicely. It’s 128 pages of pure yuri. If you don’t have a local comic shop, then consider going through Comic Fusion – they take orders and have great customer service. Or, you can always order directly – and get a nice discount off retail price – on the Yuricon Shop.

To those of you who have already purchased a copy – many thanks for your support – ALC and Yuricon couldn’t do it without you!

Posted in ALC Publishing, Yuri Manga, Yuri Monogatari | No Comments »


Yuri Anime: Autumn 2005 Season

November 5th, 2005

It’s that time again – the new anime season has arrived. We’re a few weeks into it, so I thought I’d give a few quick overviews of what I’m watching and why I think it has yuri potental:

Aria – I went over it only yesterday, but here’s the short version. Beautful girls practice piloting gondolas on a terraformed Mars. Many fun things happen in which the girls are either beautiful or cute. Yuri potential: Watch Akira and Alicia, and Akari and Alice.

Jigoku Shoujo – Hell Girl, Ai Enma, comes armed with big eyes, Noto Mamiko’s (Shimako in Marimite) voice and a retinue of three: gorgeous woman, pretty boy, old man. People with grudges can condemn their tormentors to hell, but will also have to go there when they die. Yuri potential: None at the moment, but on the principal that this anime has basically ripped off Vampire Princess Miyu, I’ll bet it does, eventually.

Mai Otome – A fantasy riff using the character’s from last year’s Mai Hime. Different heroine, completely different world, same lesbian couples. Shizuru is even cooler this time than before. Yuri potential: Practically anyone, but keep your eyes closely on Shizuru and Natsuki, Chie and anyone she comes in contact with, and maybe even Arika and Nina. Otomes can’t be with guys – poor Akane is doomed…again.

Blood+ – Different from both movie and manga, this Saya is a decent kid just trying to figure out who she is. Tragedy is sure to follow her. Lots of violence, not as much blood as you’d expect. Pretty excellent graphics and an overall cool factor, if only we could lose the goth “Look! I’m in a vampire anime” guy. Yuri potential: Saya’s best friend Kaori and she are *very* snuggly in the first episode. Kaori will probably be left behind, but you never know.

Not much, I know, but perhaps other things will pop up. Keep an eye out for Kashimashi Girl Meets Girl this winter, too.  ^_^

Posted in Mai Otome, Yuri Anime | 1 Comment »


Yuri Anime: Aria

November 4th, 2005

Aria the anime is well underway and there are some excellent things about it – and also some less excellent things. But it is *definitely* worth watching.

As I’ve mentioned in my various reviews, Aria as a manga is not about anything in particular, it’s just about being in the moment. The storyline is always that, around an given corner an adventure, or a moment of breathtaking beauty can be waiting for you to discover it.

Aria the anime is more about the people and less about the place. In the manga the canals of Neo-Venezia are narrow, echoing the real Venice, while in the anime, the girls ply their gondolas on broad seas and wide rivers, rather than claustrophobic canals. The advantage is, of course, that wide stretches of blue are way easier to animate than crowded populated areas. :-) It’s pleasant enough to see, and easy on the eyes, but sort of makes the point of gondolas seems silly – who needs tours of nothing?

The focus on the characters in the anime is different from the manga – but its a nice difference. We’re introduced to a new character, a young girl named Ai, to explian the letters that Akari is always writing. And we’re introduced to Alice very early on in the series. Alice’s personality is “niced” a bit. In the manga she remained grumpy way longer – but I suppose a short anime wouldn’t have time for two grumpy characters, and Akira is overwhelming. She totally wins on grumpy.

They’ve simplified the characters a bit – Akari is always simple, Aika survives as the most complex, but Akira and Alicia are rendered a bit, to be one-line machines. Here’s hoping we get to see them fluffed up a bit. Alicia *does* get moments of uber-cool which are lovely and serve to notch up the yuri a tad. But the voice acting is good and Minogawa Junko is perfect as Akira.

The number one thing about this anime that makes it worth watching is the art. Clean, favoring pastels and a hand-done water colour looks, it’s not *quite* as sublime as Yokohama Shopping Log, but it’s in the same general region of your brain. The “ahhhh” region. And the music fits the art perfectly.

In terms of Yuri, well, it’s mostly Yuri goggles, but really, you just cannot see Akira and Alicia together without seeing the vibe between them. And Aika’s open admiration and desire to snuggle with Alicia, (which Akari and Aika both call “rabu-rabu”, lovey-dovey) isn’t played down at all. In fact, it’s quite open. Aika’s all bummed because she wanted to sleep with Alicia, but had to settle for Akari. So it’s not like we see Alicia leaving Akira naked in bed or anything….but you know she did and got back to Aria Company before the girls woke up, which is why Akira asks, “When did you get here?” when she arrives. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 7
Music – 7
Yuri – 4

Overall – 8

As I say, definitely worth watching. No mecha, no rape, just nice.

Posted in Aria, Yuri Anime | 1 Comment »


Yuri Manga: Yuri Hime, Volume 2 (Part 2)

November 2nd, 2005

Yay! Another chance to gush about the wonderful Yuri anthology Yuri Hime!

We left off after the stellar chapter by Morinaga Milk. That’s a pretty hard act to follow, so as we’re sitting there, all smiley and afterglow-y from that, we jump right into the one other series that matches it punch for punch, “Strawberry Shake Sweet” the love comedy by Hayashiya Shizuru. You may remember that Julia was “forced” to stay the night with Ran, because of worries that the young idol-to-be was being stalked. This chapter opens up with Julia’s worst nightmare and greatest desire…sharing a bed with Ran. In fact, they did not start off by sharing a bed. Ran, ever the sweetie, gave Julia her bed and she took a futon on the floor. Only, late at night after a trip to the bathroom, Ran didn’t think about it and got right back into her bed. With Julia. Who hasn’t slept a wink as a result. ^_^

As they leave the apartment, they encounter the stalker – who turns out to be freelance photographer Sera Mutski, and she is very interested in Ran. Sera asks Saeki if she can photograph Ran – she’s *just* the person they were looking for. Immediately Julia is suspicious – no nude photos, she insists, even as she fantasizes about that very thing.

Saeki is excited – this is Ran’s big chance to debut and she sets up the session. Julia is, however, still very suspicious and rightly so, because there seems to be something up… In the meantime, Ran is dressed up to look either super-cool, or like a 1982 music video, whichever way you want to look at it. And she’s very lonely without Julia…. Tune in next time!

I forgot to mention – this volume also includes fanart of all the continuing series, which is really cute. ^_^

Another fantastic story from Volume 1, “Voice” is continued in “Voiceful”. Bashful Kanae is still overwhelmed every time she’s with her beloved Hina, the singing star. But Hina is a very down to earth person and just wants to have a little fun. Hina confesses that she’s only 17, but never been to school, so she’s never worn a school uniform…and Kanae looks awfully cute in her’s…hey, wait a minute! Hina drags Kanae off to the bathroom to switch clothes, but is dragged away by a call from her manager almost immediately.

Hina dutifully goes off to record, but her heart’s just not in it – she wants to be with Kanae, and runs off to tell her so. Hina asks Kanae if she likes her music – and Kanae responds that she loves it, that she loves it so much…and Hina smiles, thinking that she can go back and record now with all her heart, if Kanae likes it. This story is to be continued, which makes me extremely happy!

The fractured all-female fairytale this time is Rapunzel, in which the witch is damn sexy and the Prince/ss is kinda cute and if I were Rapunzel, I’d just choose both and alternate. ^_^

Yuri book reviews are followed by more color pages that intro a odd, but kind of fun story called “Sekai ni Itsudake no Atabana”. Honestly have no clue what it means and haven’t had time to figure it out.

Hana and Yuki are having a little light “relations” in the classroom when cute/innocent Haru walks in on them. She appears to be clueless…but isn’t. And when she walks in on Hana *again* this time with a different student, Haru comments that she wishes Hana wouldn’t do stuff like this at school – it causes rumors. ^_^

Haru, after some cute pouting gives in to Hana, but just then an alien pops in and steals Haru! No, seriously. She’s a little older looking and had mad magic usin’ skillz, which all of a sudden Hana is able to match! Lo and behold, Hana, too, is a whatever it was and she just sort of forgot. Haru forgives her and they both remember a past experience that they kind of dropped from their collective memories. In the end, they are lovey-dovey, except at school, because Haru doesn’t want any weird rumors. ^_^

Next up is this installment of “Hatsukoi Shimai” in which something actually happens! Chika, depressed about being rebuffed by Haruna has let her grades slip. Cleverly Akiho (who is the only intelligent creature in the school, as far as I can tell) sets it up that Haruna becomes Chika’s tutor. This is good for both of them – they are now spending quality time together in the library every day, laughing and studying (while poor tortured Akiho is forced to watch them be giggly at each other,) and Chika’s grades go up. They go up so much, in fact, that after the mid-terms, Chika is accused of cheating and asked to take a re-test. This is all from the original Drama CD, in case you care. However, the class president, a pinchy-faced jerk named Teshigawara is not. And SHE accuses Chika of cheating – even though she is perfectly aware that Chika has been studying every day with Haruna. It’s kind of instantly apparent that Tshigawara has some kind of problem with Haruna – either she’s jealous or doesn’t like her, but we don’t know which yet.

More interesting to me is another scene not on the CD. Akiho and Haruna are at home and Akiho mentions that recently, since she started to hang out with Chika, Haruna has been very cheerful – like she used to be. Haruna agrees, that she was a little over-serious, and thinks back to a few years earlier when she apparently have a very close relationship with a sempai…oh-ho, a new plot twist!

Anyway, we leave poor Chika being confronted by the Teshigawara gang and Akiho and Haruna wondering why she hasn’t shown up at the library. Cliffhanger! Tune in next…oh, wait. I used that one already.

Okay, you know how I harp endlessly about the “Koi Shimai” Drama CDs? And how I go on and on about how great they were, but you haven’t heard them, so nyah nyah? *Well*! The next entry in this volume made me so jealous that I was jumping up and down with jealousy. Nyah nyah, indeed.

Akiko Morishima, you may remember, drew a lovely Yuricon in Tokyo report for the last volume. In this volume, she reports on a recording session of the NEXT Drama CD, “Hatsukoi Shimai” which stars not only the sexy Romi Park as Touko-sensei, but a host of other great seiyuu from very, very Yuri series. Including Tsutako from Marimite. :-) And they’ve added Miyu and Kirika, the missing other cover girls from Yuri Shimai and Yuri Hime, so it’s a whole new story – not just a redo of the original ones. Even better, it looks like Touko-sensei and Akiho are still paired! Yay! I cannot *wait* to get a copy of this. I will move heaven and hell to get one. When it becomes available, do rush off to get it – it’s too cool not to have.

And I’m very, very jealous, Akiko-san. You got to meet the seiyuu. Argh! Jealous, jealous….

Moving on – “The unfamous country’s song of love” is a silly story of a cry-baby ninja and the princess she loves. As children, the princess could hear the ninja girl crying, even when she couldn’t see her. Now, the princess is going to get married and go to another country. The ninja has promised to be with her forever, but she is told that she cannot come. In order to keep the ninja from following, the princess fires her, but on the way to the wedding, her retinue is attacked. The ninja appears from nowhere to save the day, then disappears once again. But on the day of the wedding, everyone can hear someone crying, even though they cannot see anyone. While everyone interprets it as an unlucky sign, the princess knows that she’s very lucky indeed to have such a devoted protector.

There’s more general fanart in the back of the book – which I enjoy every time, because it’s not particularly good – just fans drawing Yuri couples. It all makes me happy.

And that brings us to the end of this truly excellent Yuri anthology. With maybe one or two stories that would score 6 or so, I think the rest of the book is easily an 8 and in some cases 9.

Overall, if you like Yuri manga, a copy of Yuri Hime, Volume 2 is a must-have. You can click the picture above to order it on Amazon JP – it’s linked.

Posted in Comic Yuri Hime, Yuri Manga | 1 Comment »