Comic Yuri Hime April 2025 (コミック百合姫2025年4月号)

March 16th, 2025

Cover of Comic Yuri Hime, April 2025. Two young women walk, in thr frot of the image, in grey Japanese sailor style uniforms, smiling, blurred, as we focus past them on a lone girl with long, dark hair, in the same uniform, watching them from behind.As both a commentary on Hechima’s cover art for Comic Yuri Hime April 2025  (コミック百合姫2025年4月号) and a life reminder, neither brooding, nor stalking are positive life skills. We can perhaps frgive, as we are informed in this illustration, 13 years old. After that age, those two behaviors are not at all cute or desirable.

The volume begins with “Chou Fuka Uchuu yori Ai o Komete” about a loner who is approached by a large alien. This story has very Rose Quartz from Steven Universe vibes, not only because the alien is giant and pink, but also sweet and very affirming.

Haru and Yu are finding their way closer and together, through Haru’s self-loathing in “Kimi ga Hoerutame no Uta wo” by Kashikaze.

Lily’s secret is fully revealed in “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou,” written by inori. illustarted by Aonoshimo, as Mt. Salas erupts and the castle ceiling comes collapsing down. Next month this series will be off, as Volume 10 is releasing soon.

It’s cute smiles, huge faces and sweets this month in “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau,” as Miki ponders how to reply to her senior’s confession of love.

In “Odoriba Skirt ga Naru” Kiki and Michiru are finding their own rhythm as the next Quadrille test approaches. They take time to notice the seniors in the club and learn from them about dance, and life. Among themselves the senors admit that they never really believed Kiki and Michiru would work…but, there they are, killing it.

“Gakeppuchi Reijou wa Kuro Kishi-sama o Horesasetai!” written by sometime and illustrated by suoh, continues to be excellent. It is very, very obvious to us that Frost cultivates a fearsome disposition as a way of protecting herself. We learn a bit about her hurtful hustory and can see Clarice genuinely feels for her, but Frost simply will not believe she has an ally. At last Clarice pulls out her final card and kisses Frost, while forcefully insisting that she actually likes the Black Knight. Will Frost be able to accept that? Probably not, but Clarice tried.

Fumino is introduced to her fiance in an arranged marriage, but cannot stop thinking of Tsubaki. She is convinced she can save the girl from a live as a prostitute. Surprisingly, her fiance seems to understand and support her, in SheepD’s “Kanaria wa Kiraboshi no Yume o Miru.”

And time has leapt forward three years in “Stellvia no Bouquet.” Liza is returning, a hero and a master of magic and Ellen has some important things she wants to say to her mentor.

As always there were other stories I read, and others I did not. This was one of my favorite kinds of issues, where everything is just moving forward, and we can just sit back and read good Yuri. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8
The May issue is out in Japan this week and I am caught up once again! Yay!



Yuri Network News – (百合ネットワークニュース) – March 15, 2025

March 15th, 2025

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.Yuri Anime

Time is tight these days, so we’re doing a huge ANN anime round up this week, so buckle in!

Joanna Cayanan has news of the Kamiina Botan, Yoheru Sugata wa Yurino Hana  TV anime, based on a manga of the same name. This follows a 20-year old who becomes a bit “bolder” the press release says, I’d say “grabby” when she gets drunk. This base premise is getting some beautiful animation for the trailer up on Youtube.

Joanna also has news that Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is also getting an anime. Okazu Staff Reviewer Luce has really enjoyed Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the manga. Seven volumes of that series are out in English from Seven Seas, with Volume 8 on the way in September.

Rafael Antonio Pineda has news that Rock is a Lady’s Modesty will be streaming on HIDIVE. I, for one, cannot wait for this Class S x  Rock mashup. ^_^ Please, gods, let it be good angry rock.

Rafael Antonio Pineda also says Studio Pierrot will be debuting Mahō no Shimai Lulutto Lily Magical Girl TV anime for 2026 . Do I think this will be Yuri? No. Why am I mentioning it then? For two reasons: 1) It’s been a hot minute since a studio announced a genuine new magical girl for girls series and 2) there is a line in this piece that has me howling, about how this is the “most recent in a line” of magical girls series. Friends, their last one was 27 years ago. That’s a pretty thin line. Anyway, glad to see a new shoujo series in the works.

Coop and Chris discuss Amazon, Gundam GQuuuuuuX and the late, never lamented Anime Strike on This Week in Anime on ANN.

Look Back continues to rack up awards. Egan Loo has the report that it has won Best Animated Film and Creative Contribution awards from the Japan Film Academy, to add to the collection.

Adriana Hazra has news about the Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to be Loved film’s 4D screenings in Japan. I love the term “2.5D” for media but am opposed to “4D” as a film term. What does that even mean? The fourth dimension is Time. My wife suggests you go in for a film screening at 8 and come out at 8:01. ^_^

 

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Yuri Manga

Over on ANN, Mr. AJCosplay takes a look at I Want To Love You Til Your Dying Day, Volume 1 and basically agrees with our own Eleanor Walker’s review about the series having potential.

Comic Yuri Hime, April 2025 (コミック百合姫2025年4月号) is on shelves now!

Coming soon is Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou., Volume 10, (私の推しは悪役令嬢) written by inori. and illustrated by Aonoshimo. When it gets a cover, I’ll get it up on the Store.

Via Yuri Navi, the final volume of  Doushitara Osananajimi no Kanojo ni Naremasuka! ? (どうしたら幼馴染の彼女になれますか!?) licensed by Seven Seas as How Do I Get Together With My Childhood Friend? by Yusaka Syu, was released this past month in Japan.

One-shot about a Gal Maid and Vampire Mistress, Suenai Kyuuketsuki no Zousho-hou (吸えない吸血鬼の蔵書票) is available in Japanese on Champion Cross.

 

Yuri Events

So yet again, my talk at The Ripped Bodice has been canceled…BUT! I am still going to be in NYC on March 21. I’ll be at Kinokuniya in midtown at 11 AM, doing some shopping, meeting up with Sr. YNN Correspondent Sean G., then we are going to listen to James Welker talk about his book at NYU. Since we’re a week away and there still isn’t a reservation page up, I have to assume it’s not open to the public. After that, I’ll be headed to The Ripped Bodice to sign some books. I’ll keep folks up to date on my Patreon and Bluesky, probably Facebook, if you want to join me there! I’d love to see you all for an impromptu Okazu get together!

The Lesbian Lives Conference will be in NYC in October – the Call For Papers is open. I’m hoping to be able to participate and would love to see folks there, too!

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Other News

Not “Yuri” per se, but worth mentioning, ANN’s Alex Mateo has news that the Claymore manga will be getting a Live-Action television adaptation.

On March 31, Bookwalker Global is set to become M12, formerly J-Novel Club, after Sony’s Dwango and Kadokawa have merged. No impact to service is expected (hah, sure) and supposedly new services will be offered. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for better, but will expect enshittification. Crystalynn Hodgkins has the news on ANN.

 

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This Monster Wants To Eat Me, Volume 3

March 14th, 2025

Two girls in white sailor-stye Japanese school uniforms with black piping. One, with long hair embraces the other while smiling broadly. The girl being embraces seems pensive as they stand before a colorful sunset sky.By Volume 3 of This Monster Wants To Eat Me, we understand the tensions between Hinako, a young woman who lost everything before she knew she had anything, and a Japanese mermaid so dedicated to protecting her in order to one day eat her, that she opposes Hinako’s only friend, Miko.

This volume is an ordeal for Miko, whose true nature and her friendship with Hinako is put to the test. Miko’s reaction is to sacrifice something important, to assuage Shiori’s doubt….and ensure Shiori must become more responsible for Hinako’s well-being.

Then the story becomes an ordeal for Hinako, who is taken by Shiori to the beach…where the dark loss of her family haunts Hinako even more uncomfortably than usual.

Shiroi smiles all the time, and says she wants Hinako to maybe find some happiness, but is this the way to do it? It’s hard to understand Shiori’s motivation at this point. We will, eventually, but right now, we’re more like Miko, wondering what the agenda is here.

Sae Naekawa’s story is always just on the edge of discomfort. We don’t know what feels wrong, or why, but we are made uncomfortable by Hinako’s discomfort. Even though we can see that she is well-protected, there is always something dark under the surface, waiting. Caleb Cook’s translation of Shiori, especially, is exceptional. Nothing she says is “wrong”, per se, but it’s not quite right, either. The house style for Yen’s translation of sound effects means that Bianca Pistillo’ work is good, but not given room to be oustanding. Nonetheless, I want you to really *look* at the first page and see that the same sound effect fills the trees and the oceans and follows the girls as they walk in a brilliantly subtle atmospheric moment.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8 Still ominous and compelling
Characters – 8 The more we know, the less we know
Service – Blood. Violence. Monsters. Secrets. More Monsters.
Yuri – Miko is possessive, Shiori is infatuating and infatuated

Overall – 8

I continue to love this series, and look forward to every volume, whether in Japanese or English. But I very much thank Yen Press for this review copy!



Watashi no Blue Garnet, Volume 1 (私のブルーガーネット)

March 13th, 2025

A woman with collar length brown hair in an orange blouse, embraces a taller woman in a light blue button-down blouse from behind.

Akiyama Haru is a name we’re quite familiar with here on Okazu. Creator of the excellent series Octave, she has participated in many a Yuri anthology and had a few other works, as well. I was excited to see she had a new Yuri series starting up last year and finally have a chance to tell you about Watashi no Blue Garnet, Volume 1 (私のブルーガーネット).

Kon is a young woman, several years out of college, who has been unable to secure a job. Her mother is worried about her, but not at all sympathetic, haranguing her to find a job or a man.

As Kon leaves yet another interview, she is stopped on the street by a beautiful woman named Ai. Ai and Kon, in this case are both words for shades of blue, 紺, navy blue and 藍, indigo.  When Ai realizes she has mistaken Kon for someone else, they talk a bit, then part. Kon does not get the job – again – but is contacted by one of the interviewers about another position, by which he means he wants to have sex with her. Kon walk out on him, understandably upset. He follows, predictably blaming her for his failure to be a decent human. When he starts to yell at Kon, Ai comes up the street and tells him off.

Later, we follow Ai, who works at a hostess club, when she sees someone and runs away from him. As she runs, she comes across Kon once again. Ai can’t go back to work, since she ran off, and has nowhere to go, as she lives in a work dorm, so Kon, in a chance moment, asks Ai to stay over her place.

Ai admits to Kon that she stopped her, because she reminded her of her ex…and that the man she ran from was her ex’s husband. Together, the two of them embark on a journey, ostensibly to find Ai’s ex, but it becomes clear to us, and to Kon, that this is a journey to herself. Even, so, we see that the ex, Kaede, is not gone in any significant way and is also traveling, although what she is looking for, we don’t know.

I wasn’t sure about the premise as “you remind me of my ex” is, IMHO, a terrible pick-up line. ^_^ Both Ai and Kon have issues, the kind of trauma we all carry around, and Kon’s mother is absolutely ignoring her daughter as she is, for the daughter she imagines she wants. I read Kon as neurodivergent, with a mother who cares, but only as long as she’s “normal” and doing expected things, but your interpretation may vary. Additionally, Kon is suddenly finding herself attracted to a woman, something she has never considered as she struggles to be what her mother expects. When she tells Ai that she likes her, it is a big step into the unknown.

Shockingly, I like both Kon and Ai. Akiyama is not afraid of ending a story with the primary couple not together, so I don’t want to say “I hope they get together,” since that might not be the best outcome for them. I do hope they find themselves in a better place in their lives by the end. More importantly, I love the idea of a bildungsroman for these two. We need have journeys into the unknown future of themselves for adult women!

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Service – Not really
Yuri – 8

It’s great to have a new series by Akiyama-sensei. I’ll definitely check back in and see what has become of them in Volume 2, as the series is continuing in Melody magazine (メロディ).



How Do We Relationship? Volume 12

March 12th, 2025

By Matt Marcus, Staff WriterA young woman with shoulder-length black hair and wearing a red dress stands in the middle of a college school festival, holding a plastic container of food in one hand and a plastic bag with more containers in the other. She is looking back over her left shoulder with a slight smile

I’ve long held a preference to mouthwash. No, not the electric blue-green swill with flavor names like “arctic” and “alpine”, describing some slightly different formulation of wintergreen. I’m talking about the unadulterated, sickly amber kind simply called “Original.” Unlike its minty counterparts, the Original burns as it works. I liked that about it. It told you not only that it was working, but where it was working. I always found the lack of feedback from the other flavors disorienting, as if I were trying to walk on numbed feet. I feel the same about aftershave, hydrogen peroxide, and so on. Pain exists to direct your attention to places of need.

How Do We Relationship?, Volume 12 brings the pain. A cleansing, healing pain that is much sorely needed.

Last we left our cast, the plot had taken a heavy-handed nosedive into some serious subject matter. Miwa was left broken after a traumatic encounter with Tamaki, while Saeko’s relationship continues to be more and more strained by Yuria’s need for space.

There’s no sense being coy about it: this is the volume where the girls break up. Again. None of this should be a surprise, as we have felt the cracks starting to form two volumes prior, but unlike before, I feel like the pangs of heartache here are growing pains rather than seeping wounds.

I emphasized in my last review how critical I was in how Miwa and Tamaki’s conflict about sex played out. The first few chapters here help add some context to the fallout that I think takes some of the worst sting out of it, but without lightening its impact. For Miwa, she felt shame that her sexual desire was so strong that it overpowered her emotional needs, and that Tamaki felt repulsed by the intensity of that desire.

Miwa breaks up with Tamaki. The decision is a major sign of growth for her; instead of clinging desperately to a flawed relationship like she did in the past, she realizes that despite their mutual love for each other, it would be mentally and emotionally better for her and Tamaki to part ways as lovers (put a pin in that, it will come up again). I think the breakup and their later run-in at the school festival were emotionally impactful, and it left me thinking that both of them will be OK as they move on in their lives.

It does, however, resurface an underlying issue: this is another example of Miwa feeling like she owns all the blame for a failing relationship. At no point does she give Tamaki any ownership in what transpired in their relationship, much like she did with Saeko before. This seems like a character flaw that will continue to not be treated as such. I can accept that even at 21 she is not a fully-formed adult yet, but her martyr complex is a blind spot that is a bit troubling.

As is typical in this medium, we get to see into Tamaki’s backstory for the first time right before the end. I think that the segment was effective in further humanizing her…but it was a struggle for me to want to empathize with her after the last volume. That queasy feeling from chapter 103 is just never going to fully go away, as if it were some kind of trauma (put a pin in that).

I had mentioned in previous reviews that I wish we saw more of Miwa and Tamaki’s happy moments together. The characters clearly express that their love was deep and genuine, but very little of that made it to the page in favor of anxiety and stress—and not even just around the sex. The way they interact here shows me their feelings, but I was not given the opportunity, with a rare exception or two, to feel it for myself.

There is another moment of growth here for Miwa that I found particularly impactful. When Miwa is casually outed at a social gathering for the Light Music Club, she takes the moment in stride and is able to smoothly redirect the conversation away from her queerness being the topic. This inspires a baby gay first-year to approach her after the event and tell her that he admires her strength in “living her truth”. Miwa reflects for a moment before telling him that she falls in love with women who are “bold and cool”, and she looks to their example as her source of strength. It’s a powerful moment of self-reflection that is demonstrative of this series at its best. Watching Miwa mature from the timid girl who couldn’t handle Kan in Volume 2 to now is one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve witnessed in manga.

Meanwhile, Saeko and Yuria struggle to find a compromise between Saeko’s desire to spend as much time together and Yuria’s emotional need for space. Saeko struggles with not being able to see Yuria when she wants, but when Yuria begins making more time for her, she feels bothered that she’s making a sacrifice. They are coming from too far a distance apart for meeting in the middle to feel good. That’s a big bummer for a couple that we’ve seen work through troubles and arguments before and come out the other side stronger.

I could say a lot more about this, but in the end, they both agree to go back to being friends (at their favorite spot, the playground, of course). Like this series is fond of doing, the breakup doesn’t mean cutting themselves out of each other’s life. I wish they could’ve worked it out, but if they were going to break up, it would be hard to ask for a better way for it to go for them.

I’ve been praising the art for a while now, but this volume has a few standout panels that are some of my favorite drawings of the series so far, along with a beautiful color image for the cover. Abby Lehrke’s localization continues to get top marks from me.

I believe this volume is a return to form from the trajectory it had been taking over the previous two volumes. Both Miwa and Saeko shed their tears, but they leave their relationships stronger and with a hope for the future. There are hints here as to what that future is—and if you are paying attention at all, you know where this is heading—but for now, the slate is clean. It’s a real palette cleanser, the kind for those who prefer to avoid the mint.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 9
Characters – 10 
Service – 0
LGBTQ – 10

Overall – 9

The final chapter of the series was uploaded on the VIZ app on February, 28; Volume 13 will hit shelves in September 2025.

Matt Marcus is a cohost of various projects on the Pitch Drop Podcast Network, as well as the writer for the blog Oh My God, They Were Bandmates analyzing How Do We Relationship in greater depth.