Yuri Manga: Yuri Shimai 4

August 4th, 2004

Yuri Shimai has just released the fourth issue and at first glance, it may be the best one so far. In fact, there are so many things worth noting, I’ll probably do this is two entries. Right off the top, there is much less lolicon than usual – in general there is a *slighty* older feel to the stories. It isn’t much, but I’ll take it!

(Let me just stop here and recommend that, if you are purchasing Yuri Shimai, take the time to fill out the opinion card that comes inside. It’s not a bad thing for them to know that they have a western audience, and our opinions are at least as interesting as anyone else’s.)

So, the new issue begins with a 32-page, with color, manga adaptation of Koi Shimai, a name which might ring a bell or two if you read this blog regularly. Koi Shimai is the name of the original CD Drama put out by the publisher of Yuri Shimai. If you remember from my past reviews, Koi Shimai is the story of Chika and Haruna – how they meet and fall in love, face trials and tribulations (which consist of lots of twisted ankles, scraped knees and one seductive teacher.) In this manga adaptation, the same story is retold, but there’s some significant rewriting from the Drama CD, which gives both the characters and story a little more depth. I’m looking forward to seeing how things turn out – in the manga version Haruna is not at *all* the same person she is in the drama CD. Instead of being insipid and passive, she has become aloof and cold, so Chika will have a much harder time getting through her barriers.

Another interesting thing to note about Koi Shimai is that the artist and writer are the same ones who are doing the manga adaptation of Maria-sama ga Miteru – so the style of the story and art are very familiar.

Following closely upon the heels of Koi Shimai is the most recent chapter of that wacky love comedy, Strawberry Shake. Teen idol Julia is no closer to admitting her feelings for Ran-chan, and now the story has expanded into a love polygon – only it’s not shy and sexy Ran-chan that everyone is fighting over, it’s the uptight manager, Sawaki. This issue was, as usual, quite silly, but as long as Julia has no competition for Ran everyone is, IMHO, welcome to fight over the manager. ^_^ And it’s kind of a funny complication, because it is the manger who is effectively keeping Julia and Ran apart.

One of the more amusing things about Strawberry Shake is the “all the girls are in love with each other” quality of the story. Julia loves Ran, who loves her back, and the hair stylist and assistant manager are both in love with the manager, while the other girl idol is in love with the hair stylist…and the random visual girl-band members are two couples. The story is very reminiscent of Kat William’s work, partially from the wackiness, and partially from the complex of intertwining relationships. The same could be said, of course, about Koi Shimai, where all the characters have some relationship with or impact upon the primary relations…and even more so about Morinaga Milk’s ongoing lesbian high school saga.

And, on that note, I’m going to cover the next entry into that saga next time. Tune back in to hear more on the new Yuri Shimai!

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Yuri Manga: Yuri Monogatari 2

August 3rd, 2004

Well, Otakon is over for another year. It’s amazingly fun spending all day in the Dealer’s Room, watching the con walk by. I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to know that ALC Publishing nearly sold out of what manga we brought in three wild, wild days. ^_^

I want to thank all the folks who stopped by – old friends and new – who supported us by buying our manga, getting hugs, stickers, autographs, etc. and generally being the best part of the con. Next year should be even more fun and I promise that I’ll try and get a Yuri panel set up for once. ^_^

Since ALC’s newest Yuri manga premiered last weekend at the East Coast’s largest anime con, I think it’s ony fair to review it first, before I move onto all the other great swag I have to talk about, including a huge shipment from Japan of tons of new Yuri. But first things first.

Yuri Monogatari 2 is ALC Publishing’s second all-Yuri original English-language anthology. In other words – not a translation. The seven stories in this wonderful manga were created especially for this publication, including a wonderfully funny new story by Rica Takashima, author of Rica ‘tte Kanji, our first Japanese translation.

While Yuri Monogatari is by no means perfect, it is still a pretty darn excellent book and well worth your time and money, even if I do say it myself. And I do. Where else are you going to find original Yuri manga in English? Huh? ^_^

This new volume contains seven stories, written and drawn by people from five different countries: Belgium, Canada, Finland, Japan, and the USA. This gives every story a unique characteristic and completely different look and feel. While one story may not appeal to you, there is sure to be something for nearly everyone…

Here’s a quicky synopsis of the stories:

“Joe’s Haircut” – Funny stuff happens when gay girl Joe gets her long locks lopped. When four different girls hit on Joe after the haircut, she’s definitely thinking that too much of a good thing is too much, period. Big, grinny, happy ending for this one

“Toast” – A quirky scifi parody of being sucked into an alternate universe. You never knew what kind of stuff went on in your kitchen appliances…cool girl-gets-girl ending.

“Obenkyo Shinasai” – College student Grace spends more time fantasizing about her lover Miki than studying for her chem exam. This story is hysterical…and pretty hardcore, as Grace fantasizes some *interesting* things happening to Miki. Happy ending, but bad grades on the exam. ^_^

“Passing” – A sort of coming out story. I won’t blow the secret, but the art is really lovely and the girl gets the girl. ^_^

“Short Wish List” – Another parody, this time of action/fantasy stories. The magic genie of the toasters will grant wishes and the wishes aren’t what you think. Happy ending with lots of chocolate.

“Flora” – Angsty, poetic, reflective look at love versus lust. No happy ending, but some seriously beautiful sex.

“Night Out” – Girl meets girl, girl does girl and then the real story begins. A sweet and funny look at relationships. Girl has girl all along.

So there you go. Seven really fun stories, each one with a different focus and art style, characterization and story. And all Yuri, all the time.

And last, but not least, the Ratings:

Art, Character, Story, Plot – all variable depending on the story, as with any anthology. Yuri – 10.

This book is 100% Yuri, through and through. I hope you’ll pick up a copy and see for yourself!

Now that I’ve reviewed the newest Yuri manga from here in the West, I’ll start reviewing some of the fantastic new Yuri coming from Japan!

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Yuricon News: New Yuri Manga at Otakon!

July 29th, 2004

Well, it’s that time again, and a bunch of folks from Yuricon and ALC Publishing will be at Otakon in Baltimore this coming weekend.

And we have very exciting news for this Otakon, because we’re premiering our brand-new, all-yuri, all-original, English-language manga anthology, Yuri Monogatari!

You can get it at the Planet Anime booth in the Otakon Dealer’s Room exclusively for the con. Afterward, you can stop by the Yuricon Shop and get a copy through our good friends at Anime Castle.

Yuri Monogatari has over 140 pages of truly wonderful art and stories, and it’s all-Yuri, all the time. And if you’re at Otakon, bring your copy over to the Anime Next and Yuricon table, and Cover Artist Kelli Nicely will autograph it for you. :-) We’ll also have all our ALC yuri manga, and some random classic yuri and Yuricon goodies for sale. I hope you’ll make a point to come by (look for “Anime Next” on the DR map) and say hello and chat about yuri and shoujoai.

When I get back, I’ll give you a nice detailed review of Yuri Monogatari and lots of other yuri goodies.

I’ll see you at Otakon!

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Yuri Manga – Yuri Anime: Cutey Honey

July 22nd, 2004

What’s that, you say? Cutey Honey has no Yuri? Well, you are both right…and wrong. This is, after all, Go Nagai’s baby, and hence, *will* have implicit, mild Yuri.

Let me back up. I was given a copy of the original Cutey Honey collection, circa 1985, from Rica Takashima, who was cleaning out her closets and thought, “A-ha! Here’s a desperate gaijin who loves crap! I’ll give it to her!” And she as right – I love crap…and I have a house in America, not a small apartment in Tokyo, so I can coexist with far more crap than she. She told me that Cutey Honey was her first favorite manga, because she was the first anime/manga superheroine not to need a man at all – that she’s totally independent and that throughout the series, she saves girls from various threats repeatedly. In effect, the perfect heroine for a young, Japanese babydyke.

And so I received the manga for Cutey Honey. Upon initial review, there is some mild akogare, as Cutey Honey is assigned to a private girls’ school to protect the innocent lambs from their troublesome, and occasionally lascivious, teachers (including the female ones.) Honey’s schtick is a full-frontal nude transformation, so there is alot of nudity, Honey’s and the other girls’, because, like I said, this is Go Nagai. The adoration the rescued girls have for Honey is sweet and really not terribly sexual, except as it’s frequently expressed while both parties are naked, it adds to the Yuri ambiance. ^_^

I also have a volume of the New Cutey Honey manga, which ran in 2002 or so, and that is quite a bit darker and more adult. The art has become more sophisticated, there’s a lot more blood, but less Yuri. I think as Go Nagai has aged, he’s decided that blood sells better than sex, because all his newer stuff is darker and violent. I keep meaning to look for more of this series to see whether there’s the usual implied Yuri, but it keeps slipping my mind.

BUT, last night I indulged in a spot of watching Cutey Honey Essential Collection, Episode 2 gave me *just* what I was hoping for – an evil S&M-type ojousama baddy, named the “Jewel Princess,” with too little clothes and a pretty girl fixation, who wanted to posses Honey’s body in a decidedly not nice way. :-) To my delight, when Honey transforms, she does so with these words, “You may call your self a Princess, but…” [insert nude henshin, while Erica grins like a moron, because she knows what’s coming next] “…but you can call me *Queen.*” At which I clap my hands in delight, because Honey has transformed into her “S&M Queen” form. And when the Jewel Princess *also* claps her hands and says, “Oh! Now I *really* want this one!” it just made my day. ^_^

So, of course, Honey defeats the evil princess – which is a terrible shame – and delivers a kiss to the peach-fuzzed cheek of the young lad who is the hero of the show, but I, and all other Yuri fans, know that there will be more than one evil Princess lurking out there who wants to possess Honey. ^_^

So, okay, this series is NOT a “yuri” show. It does have moments, and occasional whole episodes of big Yuri fun…and the manga has lots of naked girls hugging.

The “Yuri goggle” rating on Cutey Honey: Anime – 7; Manga – 6

And, before I go, let us not forget that a new live-action Cutey Honey movie has just been made. It looks not *quite* as awful as the live action Kekkou Kamen, but you know I’m going to have to see it one day.  It pairs Honey up with “seemingly cold policewoman Natsuko Aki” and you what *that* means, right? ^_^

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Yuri Anime: Maria-sama ga Miteru – Haru

July 20th, 2004

mgsmhA few things occured to me as I watched the first three episodes of Maria-sama ga Miteru – Haru. This series really deserves a careful rewatching of the first season. There are many things which make a lot more sense the second time around – and many more clues to the characters’ natures that weren’t immediately obvious upon the first viewing, when we were focused on getting the sense of the words.

But I’ll save all that for another day. Right now, I just want to linger lovingly over the beginning of the new Marimite season.

The first episode is a flashback to the previous New Year’s day, where we see Yumi and Sachiko still feeling each other out as soeur. The story line shows how much Sei has become part of Yumi’s life – in my opinion Sei is acting more as sempai to Yumi than anyone else, including either of her grand soeur. The underlying theme is that Yumi learns – from an outside, if not entirely unbiased source, Kashiwagi – that Sachiko really seems to enjoy being with her. If we recall, in the Rosa Canina arc, Yumi was still unsure *how* to be with Sachiko, so this is one more step in the development of their relationship. The Valentine’s day “date” was another – allowing Yumi to take control for a little while. The story is meant to set the tone for the season – that was then, now it’s spring, and we’re all ready to move on, but before we do…

The second episode gives us some insight into Eriko – a hitherto mysterious and aloof personality. We learn two key things about her – she’s impulsive and she likes things she perceives as unusual. We also learn, incidentally, that she’s the straightest girl in the cast. In the beginning, she muses that she doesn’t want to go to college, and when Yumi suggests she enter the workforce, she’s surprised by the idea because all she really wants is to be married. She then rejoices in being compared to a dinosaur, (but not for the obvious reasons, which was kind of funny.) My take-away from this episode is that Eriko is far more flaky than we could have possibly known. But her choice of Rei as soeur makes a bit more sense now. LOL

The third episode deals with the imminent departure of the current Rosas. This is a big step for the story and it’ll take up at least two episodes…but it’s inevitable and necessary for the characters, especially Shimako and Yumi, to develop. In the third episode, Sei takes advantage of Yumi’s earnest nature and tells her that it’s traditional for the petite souer to hold a talent show for the departing Rosas. (I am unconvinced, but the ploy works – Yumi is not as cynical as I am.) The key factor is that for once, Yumi – in public and everything – relaxes a little, and as a result, so does Sachiko. I think this is a HUGE factor in allowing Sei and Youko to leave with no regrets.

The next episode looks like it’s going to be a big emotion-fest as we say goodbye to the old Rosas. I’m looking forward to seeing Yumi step up to become Rosa Chinensis en bouton, and even more to watch Shimako meet Noriko. I am sad that we have spent so little time, relatively, with Youko, but this series is always forward-looking and I too, have no regrets about the departure of the Rosas. (Although I hope that the series continues and we do get as far as the trip to Italy and the reappearance of Rosa Canina and Sei.)

As for aesthetics, if anything I think the opening and closing credits are improved – the lyrics for “Pastel Pure,” the OP, are lovely and appropriately sung by our Yuri goggle favorite, the Ali Project. The closing credit images up the Yuri quotient considerably. I defy *anyone* to tell me that the image of Shimako and Noriko isn’t hot. ^_^

All in all, top scores for Maria-sama ga Miteru – Haru. Characters, story, music, Yuri and overall are still strong ‘9’s across the board.

This series is a definite keeper and a worthy poster child for Yuri fans everywhere.

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