Onaji Tokoro De Nemuru Made Matte (同じ所で眠るまで待って)

January 26th, 2023

On a bright yellow background a blonde woman lays over a dark-haired woman, their faces close. They wear t-shirts and underwear and are pressed close, on a diagonal across the cover, their heads lower than their legs. Text an images around them make the cover very busy. The text reads in black in Japanese 同じ所で眠るまで待って, in white in English, Wait Until I Sleep In the Same Place With You and small black letters onajitokorode nemurumadematte. Also in black characters on the cover is the creator's name, Aki60.When I originally read Mizuno to Chayama, (水野と茶山) the thing that struck me, not in a positive way, was the lack of joy or humor or happiness. The only emotion that series instilled in me was relief. When I re-read it in English, it didn’t hit me as hard, but again, my primary emotion was relief that Chayama managed to get out alive at all and that she and Mizuno might be okay.

I say all this because Onaji Tokoro De Nemuru Made Matte (同じ所で眠るまで待って) feels a lot like a Mizuno to Chayama in which one of the principals absolutely refuses to be bound by society’s opinions. As a result, the conclusion felt less like a relief and more like joy.

Leah is…well, she’s a really nice girl, honestly, that everyone in town has something terrible to say about. She’s in a gang, she sells her body, her mom’s in with the Yakuza. The kids in her class are horrible and the adults not better at all. But Leah doesn’t care…that much. She refuses to have her joy in life destroyed by the petty jerks around her. All she really wants is to talk to Shouko. She met Shouko when she was young, and very hungry and her mother who is not well, was not able to care for her. Now she cares for her mother.

Shouko is the star of the school. Her family is famous as a celeb mill. Shouko is already famous as an actor and…whatever her family needs. She hates it, but what is she supposed to do about it? She avoids Leah because she does not want to be reminded of the child she was and Leah’s happiness makes her more aware of her misery.

Of course things do not stay this way. Leah gains an ally in her class and eventually wear Shouko’s walls down. When Shouko finally confronts the lie that has made her miserable all these years, Leah is there. Leah lets her go. Shouko finds herself somewhere far away from her family and Leah follows. They are reunited happily.

There’s a lot of dark here. Old wounds that need to be reopened to heal, a lot of terrible, petty people being terrible, but Leah floats through this story, almost untouchable. You have faith that she will be able to help Shouko, if only the other girl would take her hand…and then she does and she does.

The art is loose and not particularly pretty throughout most of the book which makes the final chapter an extra pleasure. But I want to note that the cover design is a lot. White letters and black letters on yellow, with hats, and candy and scrollwork and dots and stars and then the main characters. Phew. It’s a bit of a headache. I don’t hate it, but I can’t look at it directly, either. ^_^

There is one thing very much of interest in the book design – this series ran in Wings magazine and has been sold under the Hirari imprint. It’s been 8 years since Pure Yuri Anthology Hirari was canceled as a magazine, but it’s legacy lives on. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7, but Leah carries it to 8
Characters – same as above
Service – 1 There’s a pervasive creepiness about Shouko’s family
Yuri – 6

Overall – Solid 7

If you enjoyed Mizuno to Chayama but wished it was a little less violent, you’ll probably enjoy Onaji Tokoro De Nemuru Made Matte. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for more work from Aki60.

Posted in Yuri Manga | No Comments »


Run Away With Me Girl, Volume 1

January 25th, 2023

With the blue sky as a background, we look up at two young women in what can be understood as wedding dresses.. One with flowers in her light brown hair touches the lips and cheek of the other, with dark hair and glasses. "Run Away With Me Girl," and "Battan" are in black, handwriting font letters, The number 1 in black is surrounded by a circle of words that reads "Run Away With Me Girl," in a smaller type.by Matt Rolf, Guest Reviewer

Welcome to another exciting Guest Review on Wednesday on Okazu!  Today we welcome a new reviewer, Matt Rolf with a look at an intense new series. Let’s give him a warm Okazu welcome and don’t forget to leave a kind word on the comments for him! Matt, the floor is yours….

Creating art that deals with abusive relationships in queer contexts is challenging. The cultural canon contains a long list of works where queers get what they deserve for being gay.  Likewise, queer relationships often exist in spaces between gay and straight, without clear distinctions or categories that allow the participants an easy way to figure things out. Run Away With Me Girl, Volume 1, by Battan, begins by tackling both these fraught topics, and the results are rocky. Content Warning: Domestic Violence.

Midori and Makimura formed a close romantic relationship in high school. They split up at graduation because Midori thought they had outgrown their girlish relationship. Ten years on, Maki is single and still wants to be with Midori, while Midori is engaged to a man. When the two women meet by chance before Midori’s wedding, they rekindle their friendship. The first volume of Run Away With Me Girl contains the first six of sixteen episodes in Maki and Midori’s story.

Both of Midori’s relationships, the one with her fiancé Tonoike, and the one with Maki, are not what one would call healthy. Midori herself has an outlook of self-doubt, and struggles to reconcile her identity and desires with society’s expectations. Some panels explore Tonoike and Maki’s individual backgrounds and experiences, but Midori’s struggle is at the core of the story. The themes of the book become increasingly dark as the novel goes on, culminating in an indefensible act.

The character artwork is detailed and attractive, appropriately contrasted with mostly sparse backgrounds. The economy of the artwork is not intrusive, and several panels are fully rendered in a beautiful way. Battan has done very well with the most important parts of the visuals, and the result is pleasing to look at.

This book is definitely yuri, but the relationships depicted are difficult and may not be enjoyable for the reader to return to later. Maki is clear-eyed in her love for Midori, and that’s where the clarity ends. Fan service is light: there are a few panels of kissing and holding hands, with some panels of Midori naked. The drawings of Midori are more about vulnerability than titillation.

The focus of the book is on the fairly realistic portrayal of an imperfect set of adults navigating unhealthy relationships that may or may not be worth the effort. Readers who can relate to these experiences may find it difficult to finish the book. The story is well told and gives the reader food for thought after they put down the book. I suspect these characters have a lot more to go through before they find their resolution.

Final Verdict: A book you keep on your shelf because it’s good, but don’t read much because it’s hard. This series is published by Kodansha Comics, with translation by Kevin Steinbach and lettering by Jennifer Skarupa,  

Ratings

Art – 7
Story 8 – +3 for undertaking a challenging narrative, +2 for mostly succeeding, -2 for there’s a reason the narrative is challenging.
Characters – 5 Given the meat of the story, the characters are a little underdeveloped.
Service – 3
Yuri – 8

Overall – 8

Erica here: Thanks Matt, I appreciate you taking a look at this series for us!

 
 
Posted in English Manga, Guest Review, Matt Rolf, Yuri Manga | 3 Comments »


Whisper Me A Love Song, Volume 6

January 23rd, 2023

On a white cover, two girls in grey Japanese school uniforms. The taller of the two with wild, long black hair, embraces the shorter, with light brown hair from behind. In black and orange lettering, Whisper Me A Love Song, a white number 6 in a guitar pick shaped lozenge, Eku Takeshima in orange letters. Reddish orange cosmos bloom in the background.In most high school manga, summer is a time for our protagonists to go to the beach or pool, and make beautiful memories. For Himari, this summer will be the busiest of her life. Somehow she has become the manager of Lorelei, the greatest rivals Yori-sempai’s band, SS Girls, has.

Luckily, Himari is not as much in a pickle as that sounds, since the members of Lorelei are not only treating her well, but teaching her useful skills. Himari is able to offer some promotional suggestions, as well. Honestly…she’s thriving.

Himari finally asks Shiho what the deal with her leaving SS Girls is, and she is invited on an outing as a response. What could the big secret be? It’s not so much a secret, as a teenage unused to processing complicated feelings of /spoilers/.

There’s only one problem. Himari’s time with Yori-sempai has been slashed to pieces and she’s worried that too much distance between Yori and she might hurt their relationship. Yori is putting a brave and generous face on, but it’s killing her with jealousy. Yori admits that, and they affirm their feelings for one another. Yori’s plans for a first kiss don’t pan out, but at a summer festival, they finally get the time to just talk and be together and have the romantic kiss they deserve on a giant two-page spread. Yay for beautiful summer memories!

When they are caught in a sudden summer deluge, they end up at Yori’s house. As the volume ends, Yori contemplates what it will mean to having her girlfriend overnight. I admit, watch Yori stress about being attracted to Himari is a kinda cute. I think I get why Aki teases her all the time. ^_^

I know I keep saying this, but I really do love this manga. It’s sweet and genuine and has feels without manipulation or creeping. I love Takeshima-sensei’s art, and the “timing” of her page layouts. The characters are universally likable (even Shiho, sometimes.) I cannot wait for this anime and just really hope the animation team does it right. _^ Certainly, I can say with enthusiasm, that Kodansha handles this manga beautifully. Kebin Steinbach gives all the characters their own voice…you can really hear Himari and Yori and Shiho….beautiful lettering from Jennifer Skarupa, Tiff Joshua TJ Ferrentini’s editing gives it that final polish and once again Matthew Akuginow’s cover is just a lovely thing, with a great contrast between the smooth gloss and textured finish. All around, a fantastic edition.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – 0
Yuri – 8

Overall – 9

Volume 7 will bring the great reveal of Shiho’s dark secret, out in English this June from Kodansha!

Posted in English Manga, Whisper Me A Love Song, Yuri Manga | 1 Comment »


Comic Yuri Hime February 2023 (コミック百合姫2023年2月号)

January 22nd, 2023

A girl wearing a navy blue Japanese school uniform and white school bag, faces away from us, looking across a train crossing at two girls in the same uniform, walking toward her, smiling and waving. The gate is up, but she does not appear to be moving.Mebachi’s cover story continues, this time with the addition of a young woman with a beat-poem-esque inner monologue, as she sees the two from last volume. Will she reach her destination? Would it be better if she never did? We’ll have to wait and find out. Somehow I felt this appropriate for the cover of Comic Yuri Hime February 2023 (コミック百合姫2023年2月号.) I’m still recovering from the explosion of color and texture on last year’s issues and this palate and design seem so stark in contrast. It’s not at all bad, it’s just very different.

Rae and Claire have reached Euclid, Rae and Misha’s hometown, in this chapter of “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou.” They meet Hans, a local businessman, so we see a side of Rae’s life we had not previously seen…even if Claire cannot see it, yet. And they run into Dole, who makes some harsh arguments against addressing poverty. Their vacation is off to a rocky start!

Chinese-esque fantasy about  death doula and her bodyguard starts to develop in “Kono You de Ichiban Sutekina Owarikata.” I hope this series develops a plot, now that we have the basic outline. What I want to see from Yuri manga in this magazine now is a bold approach to story-telling. They are two girls who live together…less of why and more of and then what happens?

“Haduki’s Osoto Gohan” is an idea in search of a hook. Clearly Yuri and food work well and camping is pretty hot, but just doing another Yuru Camp, isn’t gonna cut it, so we meet Fuuka who has just moved out in order to start her adult life. But her dreams of serving delicious food to her family and friends are not met, because her apartment – most especially the kitchen – is small, now her family is not nearby and she has no friends. In an amazing coincidence she wins a huge box of meat at the store. Upon arriving home, Fuuka encounters her neighbor Yomogi, who mostly camps in the garden of the apartment building. Now she has a friend and food, but the kitchen is still small. But since Yomogi is a relative of the landlord, she’s allowed to cook outside…and so, a camping-at-home-Yuri-food-manga is born. One hopes that it will be less convenient in the Yuri than it was on the setup, but it seems unlikely. Don’t get me wrong. I love Yuri and food stories, this just seemed a tad lazy.

Big doings in “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkon Shitemita”by Usui Shio! Rio has gotten a job and Ruriko told Kurumi that she likes her. Kurumi’s clued in now that this is more than just friends like, maybe this is a step forward for her?

Also big things happening in “Odoriba Skirt ni Naru”  – the first contest toward the Quadrille is upon them. Michiru and Kiki are *ready* and Kiki’s former partner, Shion, and Kiki have a long talk about the past.  The results surprise everyone, and now the stakes are higher. Michiru and Kiki are starting to notice how cute each other are, and thinking about feelings they hadn’t had before.

One of the new columns in the back is called “Design Yuri Hime.” It’s talking about the various looks the magazine has had over the year. I also learn that Nakamura Seitaro, the founding editor of Yuri Hime, is back in the Editor-in-Chief seat, now that Umezama Kanako has left for Alphalopolis. But this issue was about one of my favorite design changes, the year when they began to include the cover novels. The first one was by Fukami Makoto, with art by Kazuaki (whose art I still really like) and cover design by BALCOLONY. This still is one of my favorite years of cover art. ^_^ The story was messy and not Fukami’s best work. The whole year was collected into a book called GIRL’S UPRISING, which I reviewed in 2016, even though it was the 2011 cover. I am going to try and read these columns, because the year-long themed covers are a joy. I might not like every year, but I love the idea behind it.

And Muromaki’s column about overseas Yuri fandom is, for obvious reasons, very interesting. I’ll be really interested to see the results of their poll (I assume it was for the column.) My own Yuri Fandom polls results will be my 5000th post here on Okazu, which should be….this week! Keep an eye out for both.

A lot of the new stories are not appealing to me so far this year, several for the art and at least one about cyber-harassment and a few continuing series that aren’t my thing. I think the magazine is striking a balance between slice-of life and adult content, but I still would really like to see some honest action or scifi stories. And sports. I cannot understand why this magazine almost never runs a sports story? It seems much more likely to fall in love with a teammate than a person camping in your yard or who wants you to record their final statement.  Ah well. ^_^

What I do like here, I like a lot. I just want more of that! ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 7

The March Issue hit shelves in Japan last week (so, for one brief second I am caught up…hah!).

 

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Yuri Network News – (百合ネットワークニュース) – January 20, 2022

January 21st, 2023

A blue silhouette of a girl with a white flower in her hair, embracing the earth. Blue block letters read YNN Yuri Network News. Art by Lissa P. For Okazu.

Yuricon 2023

We are off to an amazing start for Yuricon 2023. The first discussion video will be recorded this week, as will my “Opening Ceremonies” video. (This will be posted when our new mascot art is completed. I am an otaku, after all and have ideas.)

We have almost a dozen confirmed panels/ presentations/discussions lined up so far and another half dozen proposals, but the Internet is nearly infinite and hope you will fill out the Application form to talk about your Yuri obsession, whether it be a series, or a character or a subgenre that really drew you in. Or, maybe you want to talk about art of fanfic or a Light Novel series that changed your life. Making Space for folks and different perspectives is a key concept for this event. 

Don’t self-censor – Apply to run a Yuricon 2023 panel or do a presentation today! We want to know all about your Yuri. All panels will be recorded and shared on Youtube, but I am hoping to do at least one livestream event in Q3. ^_^

 

Yuri Manga

New items up on the Yuricon Store! I’m about halfway in clearing out the backlog of stuff to get up. ^_^

The Summer You Were There, Volume 2 his shelves last month in English from Seven Seas.

The print volume of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou is up for pre-order for a May release.

Takeshima Eku’s Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau, Volume 7, in which we learn the Truth(TM) about Shiho.

Mejirobana Saku, Volume 3 (メジロバナの咲く) by Nakamura Asumiko continues her first Yuri title with what happens after Ruby manages to stay in school.

This is a 2020 Yuri rom-com, Lily Triangle, (リリィ・トライアングル) by the creator of Futari Monologue.

Ichijinsha has a new anthology out this week, Cosplay Yuri Ecchi Anthology (コスプレ百合えっちアンソロジー).

And, while you’re getting Qualia The Purple Light Novel, you should know that there is also a manga for it. Seven Seas will release the Qualia The Purple Complete Manga Collection  in June of this year.

 

 

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Polish fan group Yuri Daily on Facebook has written a review of 2007 doujinshi Manga Carmilla Girls Only, collection. This collection was created by Carmilla magazine, a Japanese lesbian magazine that ran in the mid-2000s which featured 18+manga, club news and stories and sex-forward lesbian media. There are some 3rd-party sellers on Amazon JP with copies to sell, if you’re interested. I reviewed an issue of Carmilla almost 20 years ago here on Okazu. It wasn’t for me at all, but it might be for you.

Vincisblog has reviewed all three volume of the German Edition of Goumoto’s Yuri manga, Umi to Yoru, out as Night and Sea from Taschebuch in Germany. Start with their review of Volume 1.

 

Yuri Anime

Birdie Wing is on the short list for “Best Original Animation” Crunchyroll award and the official account on Twitter is asking you to help them win! And now, so am I.  These are the worst awards voting ever, because we can stuff the ballot box meaning that whatever is most popular wins. So let’s do this thing. ^_^

Not-Yuri, but of interest and looking mighty fine, the Sailor Cosmos trailer dropped this week, with our first look at the Three Lights/Sailor Starlights and the haunting notes of ‘Search For Your Love!” Rafael Antonio Pineda has the details on ANN.

Steve Jones and Christopher Farris take a look at the new season of Isekai anime and determine that The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady is worth watching. Line of the review is Chris’ “…Anis having more personality and face game in her pinky finger than 90% of the potato-tagonists of seasonal isekai shovelware combined.” Outstanding.

 

 

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Yuri Live Action

Again via Yuri Daily, Ohsawa Yayoi’s short Takeout Dekimasuka? will be getting a stage adaptation! This will have 6 performances, March 10 through 12 at Performing Gallery & Cafe Ezorabako. The comic upon which this play is based was part of her 2DK, GPen Aftertime Short Story Collection from 2021.

If sapphic content from other than Japan interests you, I highly recommend you follow douqi on Twitter and check out their list of Asian WLW Dramas list.

ANN’s Rafael Antonio Pined has the news that the Live-Action If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die Film Opens on May 12.

 

Yuri Visual Novels

Studio Élan has  key visuals from their upcoming project, Summer At The End Of The Universe up on their official Twitter account.

YNN Correspondent Patricia B. (who just reviewed 77 Oleander Avenue Ghost House Investigation this week on Okazu) wants you to know about a number of sapphic VNs:

First up is Super Lesbian Animal RPG by ponett, which is exactly what it sounds like: an RPG with anthropomorphic characters and sapphic leads. On top of the main cast entirely being comprised of sapphic women, including transgender women, the majority of the surrounding cast is also very queer. I found it to be a very fun and well-made role-playing game, full of heart, humour, and a good challenge for those familiar with the genre. This game can be purchased on either Steam or itch.io.

The second is The Elevator Game with Catgirls by NoBreadStudio. This is a horror visual novel with point-and-click adventure elements. You play as Asahi, who is trying to find her girlfriend, Kirin, who went missing after attempting a ritual known as the “Elevator Game”. And yes, Asahi and Kirin are both catgirls. This game can be purchased on Steam or itch.io:

The third and final game is Margo by ygretz. It is a short, laid-back, if slightly melancholic, point-and-click adventure game about a day in the life of a young woman named Margo. The game is free, but there are ways to support the developer on the store pages. This game can be purchased on Steam or itch.io:

 

Yuri Prose Collections

Yuri Hakaarashi (百合墓荒らし) is a Yuri short story collection by Tougen Natsuo.

Joining the pack is Yuri Short Story Collection wiz (百合小説コレクション wiz) a collection of stories by 8 writers.

Along with Zerogoh magazine and the Yuri Hime/Pixiv/Hayakawa Literary Yuri contest (of which I reviewed Volume 1, read and disliked Volume 2, so never reviewed and am currently reading Volume 3, and selected shorts from the Volume 4 are running in Comic Yuri Hime this year,) Yuri writers and readers have some options these days!

 

Other News

Joanna Cayanan on ANN notes that Taguchi Shoichi, the creator of Yuri travel/food/hangin’ around manga Futari Escape, is looking for some assistants!

 

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Posted in Yuri Network News | No Comments »