Yuri Network News – (百合ネットワークニュース) – December 7, 2024

December 7th, 2024

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 Manga

Hakamada Mera announced on Bluesky the launch of her two-volume series Aikata System (相方システム), available through the Galette Web site. I reviewed Volume 1 and Volume 2 when they were released by Dogenzaka Shobo. The series has recently concluded in Galette and is now available in two parts. I’ll probably get these, it’s an intense but good, series.

As I mentioned in my review this week of Oshigoto x Buddy Yuri Anthology Comic (お仕事×バディ 百合アンソロジーコミック), YURI HUB is a new imprint on Bookwalker JP that includes works by Inui Ayu, Nomiya Rion and the folks at Rainbow Port Tokyo Anchor, formerly Yuri Cafe Anchor – and some of them are translated into English! Check out the lineup, including Room For Honeys, a coffee shop romance that gives back almost half the cost in points right now.

 

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Light Novel News

Creator of The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady (of which I owe you a review of Volume 8, hopefully this week), Karasu Piero’s new series, Seijоu-sensei no Mahou wa Susunderu!is getting a manga adaptation. Anita Tai has the details on ANN.

Kadokawa announced the manga adaptation of light novel Shoujo Seikan Hyouryuu-ki (少女星間漂流記) about two girls who travel together through spaceto find a safe haven, written by  Higashizaki Tomoko with art by Younogumo.

 

Yuri Events

JaME on Bluesky promoted an upcoming event, Olá BL&GL Thailand in Brazil, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, which will bring together 8 artists from BL and GL series on February 1, 2025, at Terra SP in São Paulo. Tickets are free.

Yuriten is coming soon in Tokyo from January 25-February 2, and in Osaka from February 8-16. I am hoping the universe will allow me to make one of these, but am not expecting it, so if you plan on visiting, please let us know if you want to write up an event report for us.

My book talk in Brooklyn with JD Glass and Mala Kumar on “the gift of love” an queer joy, has been postponed to March 21, 2025. Registration is now open!

 

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Other News

Innocent Grey took to X to tell folks of the upcoming 10th anniversary publications for the FLOWERS visual novel series, Flowers Art Works Petit Couleur  and Flowers Orchestra Concert Mémoire éternelle.

Megan Navarro Conley has an interesting look at Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! and the toxic workplace on Anime Feminist.

Graphiction Books on Bluesky announced a new two-volume tribute artbook for the Cutie Honey series. The set will be split into the “Cutie side” and the “Honey side.” Check their posts, to see the contributor names!

Designer rosé-nik has released a new Revolutionary Girl Utena-themed purse and brooch, which are available on their store.

 

If you’d like to support Yuri journalism and research, Patreon and Ko-Fi are where we currently accept subscriptions and tips.  Our goal now, into 2024, is to raise our guest writers’ wages to above industry standard, which are too low!

Your support goes straight to paying for Guest Reviews, folks helping with videos, site maintenance, managing the Yuricon Store and directly supporting other Yuri creators. Just $5/month makes a huge impact! Become part of the Okazu family!

Become a part of the Yuri Network, by being a YNN Correspondent: Contact Us with any Yuri-related news you want to share with us.

 

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Oshigoto x Buddy Yuri Anthology Comic (お仕事×バディ 百合アンソロジーコミック)

December 5th, 2024

Two adult women sit in chairs back to back in an office setting, as we look down at them from an angle. A woman with shoulder-length medium brown hair, her hands on a keyboard smiles, as she looks back at a woman with short, dark hair talking as holds a chart printout.Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing a Yuri anthology by a new-to-me imprint, LatteComi. TheJoshi-kou no Ouji-sama ha Watashi Shika Ganchuninairashi Yuri Anthology Comic (女子校の王子様は私しか眼中にないらしい 百合アンソロジーコミック) was pretty good.

At the same time I picked up that girl prince of the school anthology volume, I picked a second LatteComi anthology, Oshigoto x Buddy Yuri Anthology Comic (お仕事×バディ 百合アンソロジーコミック). I have finally made time to finish reading this and have found it to be good…but not as good as I hoped. That is, in part, my own fault. I’ll get there in a sec.

The anthology has 3 stories – the first is the closest to what I thought I might get. By Nomiya Rion, the story follows a “star” employee and the junior she is assigned…and the political complexities of that choice. But really…it’s about smoking.

The second story, by Pua, follows a young nail salon artist and the store manager she’s openly in love with. But really…it’s about nail art.

The final story, by Inui Ayu, is about a young pop idol and the clothing designer she adores. That one is…mostly about the relationship, but is also about clothes. ^_^

So why was I ever-so-slightly disappointed? I had hoped “work buddy” was more equivalent of the English phrase “work wife.” It’s not that we didn’t see people who were intimately connected because of work, but somewhat typically of Japanese workplace stories, the relationship was unequal in all three cases. I was hoping for more of two co-workers whose relationship was intimate and platonic and then, maybe, romantic. I borked my own enjoyment, woops. ^_^;  The stories themselves are perfectly fine, if a teeny little heavy on the admiration for a senior employee.

More interesting to me is that, while I was looking to see if LatteComi had anything else on Bookwalker JP, I found that both Inui Ayu and  Nomiya Rion contribute to a new imprint call YURI HUB – which seems to be connected to Yuri cafe Anchor Rainbow Port Tokyo and includes Anchor’s Yuri Senryu collection. Definitely take a look!

Ratings:

Art – YMMV but I say 7
Stories – 8 Fun, with little depth
Characters – 8 Likeable, if a little earnest on the part of the kouhai
Service – 0 Nothing memorable
Yuri – 7

Overall – 7

For a short 3-story anthology collection centered at “work,” Oshigoto x Buddy was a pleasant enough read.

Posted in Yuri Anthology, Yuri Manga | 1 Comment »


When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine, Volume 1

December 4th, 2024

A busty blonde woman in low-cut red dress is embraced by a smiling black-haired beauty in a low-cut dress and corset as they lay in a plush bed.Guest review by Paul S. Enns

When the Villainess Seduces the Main Heroine, Volume 1 by Kasai Fujii, is a ridiculous bit of fluff, ending with an equally ridiculous story.

It’s about the Villainess, Akuya Krei Jou, seducing the Heroine, Sei Hi Roin, away from the Prince, San Punkan. All of which happens in the prologue, a whole four pages.

After the prologue, the next hundred pages are 90% lovey-dovey day-to-day activities of two women deeply in love with each other and the other 10% what Yaaba (Akuya’s housekeeper and instructor) and Stray (the stray cat that loves watching lesbian love) think of that.

Then it goes dark.

That’s where story happens, and it really changes the mood. It’s where Sei shows that she can get out of trouble and not just depend on her partner to rescue her. It’s where Akuya gets to show off how villainous she can be to protect Sei. It’s where… No. I’m not going to spoil it. But it did induce some squick in me.

While there is plenty of service, there’s no actual genitalia shown. Breasts and discussion of what Akuya will do to Sei and Sei’s reactions cover it.

As a whole, I enjoyed the fluff of the beginning. The story felt like it was from a different writer writing in the first half’s style. The jarring difference was too much. If it made up its mind and was one or the other, it would work better. I say “first half”, but the story part is half as long. Still sticks in my memory better than the fluff.

My favorite short would have to be the one that deals with consent. It’s an important topic to me.

The translation feels solid. Every gesture and sound is given a translation. Nothing jarring in the text to signal problems. Another stellar job by Yen Press.

Looking at the original review of the Japanese version, I must sadly say that none of the punny names come through in English.

Ratings:

Art: 7 Better like long eyelashes.
Story: What story? But I’ll give the story part a 3.
Characters: 7 No denying that Akuya and Sei are lovely together. Stray gets some good humor, too.
Service: 7 I’ll not rate higher without genitalia shown.
Yuri: 9.5 To be 10 there wouldn’t be any sex with men, right?

Overall: 5

It should have been just the shorts, but would this be Volume 1 without the story? It does end with “To be continued…”. I don’t know which would be better: more shorts or more story. It doesn’t leave me optimistic. We’ll find out when Volume 2 arrives in the new year.

Posted in English Manga, Guest Review, Yuri Manga | No Comments »


I’m in Love with the Villainess: She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner, Volume 3

December 2nd, 2024

Two girls in red fantasy school uniform and two little girls, one in pink and one in blue look up as they hold their heads up and out to us.By the time we get to Volume 3 of the Villainess’ side of the story, is there even anything left to learn? Well, in I’m in Love with the Villainess: She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner, Volume 3, the answer is a resounding “Yes.”

This final volume of the series once again takes us through key points in the main story, from Claire’s perspective. Although we already know what Rae was planning – and why – watching Claire struggle against what she had to see as blunt force manipulation is both powerful and frustrating. In a sense, now we are able to understand Rae’s desperation fully. But, also, we are given much deeper insight into the person whois and who became Claire François.

We learn the full story of her youth, the loss of her mother and the ripples from that death that continue through and after the revolution. To fill the backstories with details we would not otherwise understand, we get the perspectives of Claire’s father, and mother, Pip and Loretta, Manaria, Lene, Misha and more.
The epilogue let’s us look both backwards…and forwards to see what becomes of some of our noble cast.

I have been a huge fan of this series from the first moment I read it, back in 2020. As a reverse-perspective, this spin-off series manages to provide a lot of insight and new information, a promise that reverse-perspectives often don’t live up to.

As I said, of my review of the JP volume (which wasn’t even a year ago…wow) if you enjoyed the main series, whether light novel, anime or manga, I highly recommend you read this iteration. It’s going to add a lot of new information to what has happened.  And may even move you to tears.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 10 Outstanding writing, yet again
Characters – 10 I cannot express to you how *good* the characters are here
Service – 3? 4? A bit, sometimes
Yuri/LGBTQ+ – Why yes, actually.

Overall – 10

I’m sorry to leave this series behind and hope there will be a published sequel one day.

Posted in I'm in Love With the Villainess, inori, Light Novels | 1 Comment »


Yuri Network News – (百合ネットワークニュース) – November 30, 2024

November 30th, 2024

In black block letters, YNN Yuri Network News. On the left, in black silhouette, a woman with a broad brim hat and dress stands, a woman in a tight outfit sits against the Y. Art by Mari Kurisato for OkazuYuri Events

Yuriten is ramping up with the opening of their Yuriten Store online. All orders are pre-orders, which will be filled after the exhibition has concluded in February. Even knowing I’ll get burned on shipping in the new year, there were a few items I just had to have, so my order is in. 

Yuriten is also planning an event awards ceremony – rules for voting are posted at Yuriten2024cherish.com. You’ll need to have an active X account. Last week I asked them to consider moving to Bluesky and they responded by blocking me, so I won’t be voting. ^_^;

If you are in the NYC area on December 10, please join authors JD Glass, Mala Kumar and myself at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn, NY for a discussion of “The Gift of Love” and queer joy. This is going to be a powerful discussion and I’d love to see you there! Registration is $15, but you get a $15 discount on any book in the store – and we’ll be signing our books, of course.

Via Shoujo Crave on X, Sailor Moon Super Live will be returning to London in February 2025. This is highly recommended by me and my wife, who says “Go! Go! Go!”  We attended the 2019 NYC show and it was fabulous! Do see it if you have a chance.

 

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Yuri Anime

The new Precure series has been announced and it seems to be the inevitable evolution of the franchise, as You and Idol Precure♪, will be the 22nd series. Rafael Antonio Pineda has the details on ANN.

ANN’s Alex Mateo wants to warn you that NIS has stated they will no longer be printing physical media for it’s anime titles, which includes Card Captor Sakura, among others

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha franchise has announced a 25th anniversary project, including a new manga, new merch and an television edit of the Nanoha movies. Egan Loo has the details on ANN.

 

Yuri Manga

Yen has debuted the cover and release date for She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Volume 5 which is headed our way in January!

Yuina Chiri’s Okiku-san ha Icha Tsukitai  (お菊さんはいちゃ憑きたい) has sample chapters on Comic Walker. An Edo-period demon in our time is less interested in demoning than in kissing a pretty girl. It’s pretty servicey, just so you’re warned.

A story about two warring factions in a girls’ school, Kimi Meku Yoru no Kogarete (君めく夜に焦がれて) seems overwrought and fun. Check it out on Bookwalker JP!

Nomiya Rion has a new series, Watashi to Kanojo no Kawaii Koi no Hajimekata (私と彼女のかわいい恋のはじめ方) which you can read for free on Pixiv, is about a cute receptionist and the apparently cold and unfriendly sales rep who unexpectedly invites her to dinner.

Check out this 5-second animation on X by Kamejiro from their Yuri series, The Princess of Sylph (シルフの花姫) which you can read on Pixiv.

Ayumi Shinozaki wants you to know that her English translation of Yuri series My Magical Girl is available on DL Site and it is not 18+, even though the site requires you to affirm that you are over 18 because a lot of content there is very adult.

 

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Yuri Merch

Bookshop.org is offering free shipping and the chance to support your local independent bookstore while enjoying the convenience of shopping online. Grab a copy of my book, By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga for yourself or a friend!

Melonbooks is running a Yuri special for Fuzuroi no Renri, Volume 9 by Mikanuji, with a Saori x Shizuka acrylic standee. Melonbooks will stop taking Visa and Mastercard on December 18, and this goes on sale the 17th, so you might be able to squeak in!

Takeshima Hiromi-sensei wants you to know about this lovely Kase-san and Yamada acrylic standee on the Yuriten store!

Sweets co-op Anisugar announced a collab with Whisper Me A Love Song on X for various adorable sweets as part of a multi-faceted “matching outfits” series of merch tie-ins, including a pop-up shop in the Shinjuku Marui annex.

Studio Élan is doing a massive Black Friday sale for merch and VNs on their store.

 

Other News

Galette magazine has just radically changed it’s supporter levels as of today (Dec. 1 in Japan.) Pixiv Fanbox support is now down to two choices – 500￥ or 5000￥. For more options, go to their Galette Fanclub, which still has a simplified 4 levels of sponsorship.

Comic Yuri Hime magazine is posting job openings. This could be a good opportunity to get in on the ground floor if you are looking for work in Japan.

Not Yuri, but of interest, Seven Seas licensed The Twelve Kingdoms light novels. This blast from the past was one the most enraging anime I have ever liked. ^_^ I’m interested to read what happened after the anime ended.

Kabi Nagata’s newest comic series focuses on her troubled relationship with food, You can read Kore ha Yuganda Shoku Report Desu  (これはゆがんだ食レポです) in JP on Comic Action.

CW for imperialism, war crimes, Japanese nationalism: I found an English translation of one of Yoshiya Nobuko’s articles written in Manchuria about the Japanese invasion into China. This translation is from 2014, but the site it is on is very much a right-wing revisionist org with a clear propagandist bent. If you still want to read, here is Yoshiya Nobuko’s Bearing Witness To The Ravages Of War In Northern China from 1937.

With help from our Senior Asian Live Action Drama staff writer and supporter of Okazu, Frank Hecker, the Okazu account is verified on Bluesky, yay! Thank you Frank! Follow and chat with me at @okazu.yuricon.com on Bluesky. I’ve moved off of X completely, except for following JP accounts still there.

 

If you’d like to support Yuri journalism and research, Patreon and Ko-Fi are where we currently accept subscriptions and tips.  Our goal now, into 2024, is to raise our guest writers’ wages to above industry standard, which are too low!

Your support goes straight to paying for Guest Reviews, folks helping with videos, site maintenance, managing the Yuricon Store and directly supporting other Yuri creators. Just $5/month makes a huge impact! Become part of the Okazu family!

Become a part of the Yuri Network, by being a YNN Correspondent: Contact Us with any Yuri-related news you want to share with us.

 

Posted in Yuri Network News | 2 Comments »