Otherside Picnic Manga, Volume 1, Guest Review by Sandy F.

September 8th, 2021

Happy day! Not only is it  Guest Review Wednesday here on Okazu, we have a brand new reviewer! Today  we welcome Sandy, who is taking a look at Otherside Picnic, Volume 1 manga, out now from Square Enix! I know you’ll give him a warm welcome. Take it away, Sandy!

I am a huge fan of Iori Miyazawa’s Otherside Picnic series of novels. I enjoy following the adventures of Kamikoshi Sorawo and Nishina Toriko as together they explore the wonders and terrors of the Otherside. And at the same time, they also explore the wonders and terrors of human connection with one another.

When I heard that the novels were bring adapted into a manga, I was so excited that even though I can’t read Japanese, I bought the Japanese editions hoping that at least I would enjoy the artwork…which I did. When I finally got my hands on the English translation, it was worth the wait.

Like the novels, Sorawo is our guide to the Otherside. We are given glimpses of her story as text and artwork combine to introduce us to Sorawo’s first journeys into the Otherside where she will encounter the enthralling Toriko. This will lead into their shared experiences of the Otherside; experiences that will change them both.

For example, I particularly appreciated the depiction of the Wriggler also known as the Kune-kune. Not just the Wriggler itself, but how it acts as the path that will draw Sorawo’s deeper into the world of the Otherside and how this impacts her and Toriko. With this artwork I certainly feel that I am being given a glimpse of the Otherside and its mysteries, but not in such a way where I understand everything.

Overall, the artwork and the dialogue between the characters complimented my vision of these people and the Otherside that Iori Miyazawa had created so vividly in the novels. There are moments of the terror that creeps up on you from the Wriggler and the Eight-Foot-Tall Lady. And then there is the wary banter between Sorawo and Toriko as they take their first steps in learning about one another and helping us to understand what brings them into this world.

As well as the banter, through Sorawo’s internal monologue we are introduced to Sorawo’s emerging and complicated feelings about Toriko. Feelings shaped by Sorawo’s response to the nature of Toriko’s quest to find the mysterious Uruma Satsuki, as Sorawo wonders, what are Toriko’s expectations of her?

There are a couple of minor issues, such as the artwork was sometimes a bit cutesy for my taste. I appreciated the work of the translator, though I did miss some of the colourful British words and phrases used in the novel. There is also a bonus original story that gives us some interesting insights into Kozakura and the nature of her relationship with Uruma Satsuki and Toriko.

Ratings
Story – 9
Character – 7
Service – 4
Yuri – 5
Overall – 9

All in all, I thoroughly recommend reading this manga, but don’t forget the novel!

Erica here: Thank you Sandy! I’ve got this on my to-read list and am looking forward to it even more, now. ^_^ Thanks for whetting out taste for more Otherside Picnic.

Posted in English Manga, Otherside Picnic, Yuri Manga | 3 Comments »


The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me

September 7th, 2021

Marika idolizes a “normal” life. Meet a guy, get married, have children…the usual. So when she wakes up to find that she is suddenly in a world in which there are no men, and all the people around her normalize relationships between women, she..freaks out. One classmate, Lily, says she believes her, and offers to pretend to be Marika’s beard as she figures out what happens. The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me by Hiroki Haruse is half science fiction and half shoujo-ish romance.

The main thing about this series is that it has actually got some great moments, but almost every one of them is sandwiched between thick layers of “D…d…d…date!?” and surprise kiss and rain fevers and, and, and. As I read, I remembered why I had read the Japanese chapters online and just never managed to pick up the series, Watashi Igai Jinrui Zennin Yuri (私以外人類全員百合) in Japanese. It wasn’t bad, but it just never quite managed to be great.

The science fiction just happens to be exactly the same plot as something else I’m reading, which is not surprising as humanity is pretty obviously an extinction event on this planet; but, the flight of fancy for this protecting earth somehow is lost in the physical gags. The romance here is inevitable and the story takes no chances with the ending. I mean, obviously I probably would have enjoyed a more explorative approach to an all-female planet, but this story is not that. It’s a rom-com wearing a lab coat.

Before you think I hated this, (I did not) let me talk about the thing it did get right. Marika’s perspective of “normal” is put into stark light at the beginning of the book, as she is thrust into a world where “normal” is just not within her operating parameters. But that is not what makes her question her own interpretation, nor is it really her relationship with Lily that changes her perspective. Simply by seeing, and living in, a society that has different norms opens her to the idea that her own idea of “normal” is a construct. And that, in a nutshell, is a message I can get behind. Seeing how other people live changes you. Our “normal” is not universal.

I would say that I enjoyed and eyerolled this self-contained 2-in-1 volume in equal measure. I’m ready for “being shocked at the concept of going out on a date” to drop out of manga for anyone over 12 or so, and, as this manga ran on Kadokawa’s Shounen Ace plus service, I’m willing to let it go here, (that also explains the “wow what big boobs!” that happens every other chapter,) but still done with it, as a whole. It’s a date, not a commitment; you’re getting a bubble tea, not a wedding ring. 

Both art and writing were loose and flexible, with occasional flashes of something great. Eleanor Summers had to make sense of a lot of vaguely-formulated theoretical concepts, so props for the translator. Lettering by Erin Hickman was quite good, with a lot of translucent word balloons which allow us to see the background, but also be able to read the text clearly.  Fine job from the team at Yen Press.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 7
Service – 4 Mostly comments about Marika’s chest. But a fair amount of that.
Yuri – 8

Overall – 7

For a no-stress science fiction about love and the end of the world as we know it, check out The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me by Hiroki Haruse. Out now as a 2-in-1 omnibus from Yen Press. 

Thanks very much to Yen Press for the review copy!

Posted in English Manga, Yuri Manga | 2 Comments »


Yuri Network News – (百合ネットワークニュース) – September 4, 2021

September 4th, 2021

Yuri Manga

The Bloom Into You Anthology, Volume 1 is hitting shelves this month from Seven Seas. This was a great addition to any Bloom Into You fan’s collection.

Via YuriMother, I Love Yuri and Got Body Swapped With a Fujoshi!, Volume 4 is out on digital devices. Let me know if this is indeed a “thrilling final volume.”  ^_^

Ajiichi’s school life drama, Failed Princesses, Volume 4 is on shelves now! Should you wish to be lightly spoiled, I have reviewed this book in Japanese here on Okazu.

Otherside Picnic, Volume 1 manga from Square Enix is on shelves now! I really liked the art when I read volume 1 in Japanese. Gonna have to grab a copy of this. Square Enix doesn’t participate on Bookwalker, but you can get this in digital through Kindle, or print at Amazon, RightStuf or a retailer near you.

 

Via Yuri Navi, we have news of Mao to Yuri, a harem love comedy interactive Yuri manga. Demons and Humans have been fighting and to heal the scars, the Demon Ruler (female) will have to take a human wife. It’s like Gay Bachelorette, the Isekai. ^_^ You can read the first 3 chapters in Japanese on NicoNico.

 

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Yuri Light Novel

Girls Kingdom, Volume 4 has arrived on your digital device from J-Novel Club and, we are assured by reviewer Sean Gaffney, that it is worth reading.

Brazil’s NewPOP Editora announces the Portuguese-language version of inori-sensei’s series, Me Apaixonei pela Vilã! Pre-orders are going strong, as it was #1 in Graphic Novels category on Amazon BR as I write this. Just to be clear, this is Volume 1 of the Light Novel, not the manga.

 

Yuri Visual Novel

Yuri Navi has details, summary and voice cast of Watashi-tachi no Marriage ①  (私たちマリアージュ①) a new Yuri VN coming to Steam next Spring. It appears to be a mystical fantasy involving the zodiac, a goddess and a corporate spy at a private girls’ school.

 

Yuri Anime

Funimation is, for the first time, streaming Burst Angel anime. I implore you to watch this so you will understand my joke about Sei-who-is-not-named-Beth. The story makes little sense, but I have retconned it in my head to having been fun enough with a fair dollop of service. I do have two killer figurines of Jo and Meg from it. Check out Alex Mateo’s article on ANN for more details!

 

Other News

This week, Twitter was aflame with the images of the new Aquatope of White Sand figurine by FNEX, available for pre-orders “soon,” at the Akihabara GAMERS store, which, naturally, has a Aquatope display and special goods through September 12. It is quite beautiful with, stunning detail. Check out the Hobby Japan article for closeup visuals. YNN Correspondent Megan points out Kukuru’s baby book among the coral and I also see Fuuka’s suitcase and a microphone.

The Shinjuku Marui will host a Futaribeya pop-up shop from Sept 24 – October 8. Yuri Navi reports that it will feature goods with series art by creator Yukiko. Since the art is the Yuriest thing about the series, this seems like fun. ^_^

I’m posting this because I have a theory and this news sort of bears it out. Go Nagai is launching a new manga – he’s taking on Tezuka’s Barbara. I’ve always said that if Tezuka is the God of Manga, then Nagai is Manga’s Creepy Uncle. But, privately, I have always felt that what Nagai was actually doing was taking every genre/idea Tezuka did and trying to one-up him. ^_^ Anyway, check out Alex Mateo’s article on ANN and decide for yourself.

Speaking of Tezuka, Megan D, the Renaissance Josei, has written this fantastic article about The Story of Animerama, Tezuka’s visionary project that effectively destroyed MushiPro and created works that wouldn’t be appreciate for another 40 years, like Belladonna of Sadness, which is streaming on TubiTV. I highly recommend this for your afternoon reading.

Via YNN Correspondents Patricia and Megan, Gengoroh Tagame’s most recent serialized manga, Bokura no Shikisai (僕らの色彩), has been licensed by Pantheon as Our Colors, as a three-in-one volume, available next spring.

 

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Posted in Yuri Network News | 2 Comments »


Cocoon Entwined, Volume 3

September 3rd, 2021

When I reviewed this volume in Japanese, I noted that at last, two of the three participants in this love triangle are aware of the fact. But, as strands of hair are cut, braided, tied and woven, the cocoon becomes ever more claustrophobic.

As I re-read Cocoon Entwined, Volume 3 in English, I think I was premature to assume that Hana is looking towards Youko as salvation. She is, finally, looking at Youko, but she’s also looking past Youko at something – someone – else.

For the first time in this series, we see Hana outside the school with her family. She’s really suffering at playing the school Prince, but how does one explain to a family member that light-hearted jests cut like razors? Hana spends this book running, and even when Youko finds her to bring her back, she’s still looking for an escape route.

I half-jokingly refer to Hana as “this manga’s Sei,” and it seems pretty likely that there is some homage there. But both personality and treatment of Hana and Sei are different enough that it’s only a joke. Hana is doing her duty as Prince, but it’s eating at her. And that is what intrigues me, as it does, apparently, Youko. Can Youko be prince to an unwilling prince or will she fail to save her from herself? Tune into Volume 4 of Cocoon, Entwined, which will hit shelves in December of this year.

I adore the cover of this book. It’s everything about this series in one image. Great work by Hara-sensei. Amanda Haley is lifting some heavy weight in the translation. The story and language are simple…but no, they aren’t really. This school is full of ghosts and they walk around built into the clothes, the buildings, the traditions and the ever-present hair. Erin Hickman’s lettering is clean and easy to read which leaves the art plenty of room to do the work it needs to do.

Ratings:

Art – Outstanding
Characters – 8
Story – 7
Service – N/A
Yuri – 7 One side of the triangle is filled in

Overall – 8

Cocoon Entwined is captivating and beautiful, more as a psychological horror series than a school romance. I continue to be surprised at how much I really enjoy this series.

Thanks very much to Yen Press for the review copy!

Posted in English Manga | 1 Comment »


Aisarete mo Iindayo, Volume 1 ( 愛されてもいいんだよ)

September 2nd, 2021

In Amano Shuninta’s Aisarete mo Iindayo, Volume 1 ( 愛されてもいいんだよ) we meet Kimura Rin, an office worker who is being sexually harassed by a superior at work. She has no allies among the women in the office, and the harassment is exactly on the line that some men think is being friendly, but is not that, at all.  As she cries alone in the bathroom of the restaurant where her group is having their after-work drinks, Rin encounter Ryou, who thinks she needs to fight back. Ryou tells Rin that she is a lesbian sex worker for ‘Yuritopia’ and tells her how much it costs. Rin takes her up on it, and that experience changes everything.

Rin quits her job and decides to become a sex worker. There’s a lot to learn and of course that learning curve is the story. She sleeps with a Yuritopia sempai and it just serves to highlight how out of her depth she is. Even Ryou turns out to be not what she seems, as the cast at Yuritopia seem kind of cliqueish and not at all kind. Which, I will admit, bothered me quite a bit (and  didn’t make the Yuritopia manager look good. She was nice, but if her employees are jerks, then, uh…something’s not okay.)

Eventually, she gets her first date, a repeat customer of the company who likes to go out with the new girls. The situation is confusing, until she figures out what that customer is looking for and she gets her first high rating. She’s on her way in her new life!

My absolute favorite scene was probably the most ridiculous one, where Rin chooses her working name. She’s stressed out and unsure. The manager gives her a cup of hot chocolate to soothe her nerves (hey, here’s some caffeine and sugar, that’ll relax you!). Rin takes a sip and as the sweet, warm flavor fills her, she decides her name will be Cocoa. It was very her. ^_^

Amano-sensei’s art is really interesting in this series. It’s well-drawn, but she’s focused on partial views, shadows and  skewed perspectives which really works well to communicate Rin’s feelings. As the story ends, the panels become straighter, the backgrounds a little more detailed, giving us a much more grounded feeling.

This volume ends with an interview with Obou, a straight male representative of a lesbian sex work organization, Club Tiara. the same organization made “famous” by Nagata Kabi-sensei in My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness.  I knew it was a guy who ran that, but it still makes me feel icky that it’s not a woman in charge, so I declined to read the interview, but the questions seemed to focus on the technical details. What are the various courses, how are cast chosen, that kind of thing.  I checked out Club Tiara’s site and found that they offer options for women, men and couples, which makes perfect sense. They have specific infor for lesbian customers, a phone service, naturally, and a guide to using their service. I didn’t  check to see if they do streams or sexts. As websites go, it’s got a welcoming, not an exploitative “Hot girls live! XXX!!” feel, which is reassuring. If anything, their site felt a bit like a josei manga magazine. I don’t know if this is something I want for myself, but am glad that it exists in the world.

They also are promoting a number of manga on the Club Tiara site, including Nagata-sensei’s and Lesbian Fuuzoku Anthology from Ichijinsha that I reviewed here on Okazu, along with the sequel.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8 Rin really grew on me
Service – Not really? It’s about sex, and isn’t coy or creepy; the art is artsy, rather than explicit. So sex, but no fanservice.
Yuri – 9

Overall – 8

Volume 2 is out now in Japan and I imagine I’ll read it, (probably on Bookwalker, since I’m out of space..again. ^_^

Posted in Amano Shuninta, LGBTQ, Yuri Manga | 3 Comments »