Okazu

Yuri Network News (百合ネットワーク・ニュース) - March 2, 2013

2013-03-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

It's a bibble and bob kind of week.

Namori-sensei, creator of Yuru Yuri, made the internet squee with a tweet of a cute napkin sketch.

I haven't read Volume 1, but Volume 2 of Watashi ga Kanojo de Kanojo ga Watashi de (私が彼女で彼女が私で) hits shelves this month.

Yurina Hibi reports that Ichijinsha's Palette magazine 4-koma series Oikaze Run Jump Throw! (追い風らんっ・じゃん・すろー!) is very high on the Yuri score. There's at least one couple and some flesbian service.

Fashion magazine commons & sense, Issue 44 - CUBE, has Yuri manga by Tamaka Rin-sensei.

US-based Internet Service Providers have begun tracking file-sharing. Read up on the "6-warning system," know your rights and make your choices intelligently.

I was able to wax enthusiastic about the Grandmother of Yuri, Yoshiya Nobuko, in my answer on Quora to 'Who is your gay hero?' ^_^

Just the other day, I was whining to myself that there hasn't been a Yuri-flavored Drama CD in a while, and lo and behold! I learned of the existence of a brand-spanking new one, Seijukuki Jinmei Vega, (思春期生命体ベガ) based on the action-adventure Yuri series by Hayate x Blade's Hayashiya Shizuru-sensei, that runs in Rakuen Le Paradis magazine. Vega is an alien who fights off giant sea monsters that attack a small seaside town with power she gains from kissing her human sempai. (My wife comments, "Don't we all?") The series is one of the many that make that magazine my favorite of all the many manga magazines I read. A Drama CD with Yuri, aliens AND giant sea monsters? I'm totally there.^_^

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That's a wrap for this week!

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There's a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage - stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent's badge.

Thanks to all of you - you make this a great Yuri Network!

Hayate x Blade Manga, Volume 17 (はやてｘブレード)

2013-02-28T15:26:00.001-05:00

In Volume 17 of Hayate x Blade (はやてｘブレード), three things of major importance happen. All at once. Then a fourth important thing happens afterwards which isn't important, but I want to remember to tell you about it. ^_^

Important Thing the First: Ayana and Hayate are now A-rank and their next battle will have to be against the single Special A-ranked team at Tenchi, Kamijou Maki and Soumeya Yukari. Yes, at last, Ayana will have to face her former friend and shinyuu and, as a result, her own past.

This is made slightly difficult by the...

Important Thing the Second: The ranks of the students at Tenchi have been swelled by the "Black Group," an allied group of talented fighters who (we are told in the final pages of the volume) want to "steal the fighting students of Tenchi" from Hitsugi. What this means, really, or why, we don't yet know. We do know that Hitsugi knows of the existence of the "Black Group" and appears to be supremely uninterested. In fact, she's out haunting the B, C and D Hoshitori areas in a costume, masked, on a white horse.

The Black Group attempt to stop Ayana and Hayate from reaching the A area and commencing their battle, which lead us to...

Important Thing The Third: As Hayate and Ayana are surrounded by the Black Group, they find that their friends have come to rescue them...again. This leads to a pun on page 106 that is so excruciating, so egregious, that 1) I think Hayashiya-sensei has written 17 volumes of this manga solely for the purpose of creating the pun and; 2) I hope she laughed until she made herself sick. I really do.

(You know the famous Japanese folk tale of Momotarou? If not, go read it first or this will mean nothing to you. Also Momo=Peach, Inu=Dog, Saru=Monkey, Kiji=Pheasant.)

So The Black Group surrounds Hayate and Ayana, and in steps, Momoka, Isuzu, Kiji, Michi, Mizuki and Sou to let them go running off. As Hayate runs, she screams, "Thanks, Momo, Inu, Saru, Kiji!" and I groaned for an hour.

I believe that all 17 volumes of the series were created to lead up to that one joke.

Akira and Sae face down Hajime and Shingetsu (who appear to be the leaders of the Black Group, but are not) and learn their somewhat allegorical intention.

And the volume ends with the Hoshitori in full swing.

Which brings us to the final Important Thing: The cover, inside pages and slip cover all contain very cool cut-out-and-entertain-yourself things. As the Black Group points out in the omake, "Do It Yourself" is the theme for this volume. In other words, this is all so complicated, you do it. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - 9 I always know exactly who I am looking at and why. With this many characters, that's genius
Story - 9
Characters - 9
Yuri - 0
Fanservice - 0

Overall - 10

Momo, Inu, Saru, Kiji. Really?

Fearless Defenders Comic, Issue 1

2013-02-27T15:52:00.001-05:00

On the Yuricon & ALC Publishing page on Facebook, Shannon Luchies put me on to this title and offered up this picture to entice me:

Little known fact about Erica - she has the entire original run of the Defenders. Yes. really. I was a comics collector for many years before stilted writing and tiresome art put me off and I stopped. When manga took my hand and led me down the rabbit hole I was well-primed for the kind of fanaticism it required.

So, vaguely intrigued by the new series, Fearless Defenders, I called my Local Comic shop to see if they had it. I was told by the owner, a friend, that it was "pretty good." Right now I'm feeling like most people must feel when they visit their childhood homes and see everything has turned all shoddy and their parents are becoming feeble.

Reading this book inspired me. Not proabably the way the creators intended, however. Fearless Defenders inspired me to create the:

The Friedman Addendum to the Bechdel Test

Does female character have agency?
Does she have society?
Does she have personality?
Is she merely a female-shaped male hero doing male hero things while being female?

I'll be using this in reviews going forward. Just as a litmus test, Bodacious Space Pirates passes the FA. So does Sailor Moon. The original Ghost in the Shell movie does not. This is not meant to overtake the Bechdel Test, just to add a level of depth to understanding why a series might have a "strong, female character" and still be disappointing for women. Look for a FA score to appear on some reviews (not all, just when I think it's a relevant issue. Also, you may have noticed that I'm transitioning the LFB rating to a "Fanservice" rating.)

So, let's get the bad out of the way. The female's bodies can only be described as AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! I knew American comic art was going all tits and ass (often at the same time) but if their spines curve like that all the time, poor things must be in terrible pain.

Let's do a quick contrast in battle art. Exhibit 1, , Fearless Defenders, Issue 1:

Ow. I dare any man to stand on their toes, with weight on their back leg, and spine curved and call it good defensive posture. I'm sorry, but fuck this. My wife rightfully points out that they are not in heels, which is true, and yet I notice that their feet are posed as if they were.

Exhibit 2, Avare Senki by Nakamura Ching

Which cover looks like it has a "strong female" on it? I'll be honest, I'm biased, because things like weight distribution in stances actually has meaning to me, and I'm heartily sick of females drawn with exaggerated "sexy" spine curvatures.

Okay, but, you say, what about the script? It was pretty good, wasn't it? Fearless Defenders reads just like Tantric Stripfighter Trina, only in 20 pages not 200. The fact that the issue is a mere 20 pages is part of the problem, but the writing also made me very aware of the fact that American comics are now written for a very specific audience, one that does not include me. I've been defending comics a long time, but if this an example of a good one, I'm done. Like a Hollywood movie, every line was trite and overplayed.

Is there any good news? Yes, yes there is. Despite art and story being woefully mis-matched, this comic does indeed pass the FA. Misty Knight and Annabelle Riggs are friends. And, Annabelle has chosen to be there, and to stay, even when undead Vikings rise up around her. Split between good and bad, Annabelle randomly kisses Val when she appears (see above) because, as the text helpfully explains, she "likes girls," and as we all know, lesbians walk around randomly kissing any girl they find attractive, regardless of circumstance, like undead Vikings rising from nearby graves.

What is my point in all this? My point is, this series passes the Bechel Test and the Friedman Addendum and has at least one character, maybe two, who is a lesbian...and it's still a bit disappointing.

That kiss should have been further along in the plot, not right off. It makes no sense where it is. Art, dialogue and that kiss are off of my mark for "pretty good." If a 15-year old sent me this I'd think it was genius. but for adults creating for an adult audience.... sigh.....

Ratings:

Art - 6 It's executed well, but poses like that need to stop already

Story - 7

Characters - 7 We don't get much beyond a line or two

Yuri - 9

Fanservice - 9

FA - (1 to 10, 1 being lowest, just like the rest of the scores) 7

Overall - 7

I'm going to follow the story for a bit, see if it gets better, but here's what I think. You know how anime has a low frame rate, so when you watch it you have to fill in a lot of detail? This comic was drawn at a low frame rate and fans have to do a lot of the work to make it "pretty good."

Angelic Layer Manga, Volume 1 (English)

2013-02-25T14:44:00.001-05:00

Are you a CLAMP fan? Were you watching anime around 2001? Are you a reader of Shounen Ace magazine? If you answered "no" to any or all of these, you may never have seen or read CLAMP's Angelic Layer when it first made its appearance in anime or manga.

Don't despair, because Dark Horse is re-releasing this turn-of-the-century manga title in omnibus form. In Volume 1 of Angelic Layer, we are introduced to Misaki, a recent transfer to the big city to live with her aunt Shoko. Misaki discovers a popular virtual reality fighting game, 'Angelic Layer' and immediately displays an unusual talent for the thing.

Misaki's talent, it is implied, is not accidental at all. Just where she gets her aptitude from is, by the end of Volume 1 unstated. Unstated, but if you're older than 12, you should have no trouble seeing the giant foreshadowing bat as it is slammed down upon your head repeatedly as you read. ^_^

Anyone familiar with CLAMP's better-known epic, Card Captor Sakura, might be forgiven for making a comparison between these two series, but they are less similar than they might appear. Angelic Layer is more of a boy's battle game series than a magical girl series. Sadly, technology was not yet up to the vision of 'Angelic Layer' when it was first published. There's no doubt in my mind that, had there been the ability to create a virtual fighting game like Angelic Layer, CLAMP would already be living on their castle on the Moon with the wealth they would have made from it. Because, as manga, go, the main attraction of Angelic Layer is not the characters, who are all pretty stock, even for CLAMP, but the game itself. It's a cool game idea and one I am still waiting for someone to manifest properly. ^_^

Okay, so, why am I reviewing this manga here on Okazu?

Misaki's new best friend Tamayo (! - Okay, I take it back, go ahead, compare it to CCS) makes declarations of love and proposals to Misaki, but this is played for yucks and isn't meant seriously. However, at the very end of the volume, Misaki will face the uber-cool, butchy Sae, after defeating the graceful but strong Kaede, Sae's teammate. It is noted that "Sae-sama's" fans are mostly girls. But even that isn't why I'm reviewing Volume 1. I'm reviewing Volume 1, so you will read it and be ready for what happens in Volume 2. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - CLAMP in CCS mode - 8
Story - Not terribly innovative and there's some tiresome stuff, so let's say - 6
Characters - 7
Yuri - 1
Fanservice - Emotional more than physical - 3

Overall - 7

Yuri Network News - February 23 - 2013

2013-02-23T10:04:00.000-05:00

I cannot tell you HOW MUCH I was not writing a YNN report this week, but then stuff, so here we are.

Yuri Anime

There is no GIRL FRIENDS anime on the radar. A Spanish blog announced this in 2009. They later said the rumor was false. I just know breathlessly excited people asked me to comment before I'd had my coffee this morning. You should all know better than that. Have I taught you nothing?

When you read a rumor:

1) Question the premise: Is it *likely*? Is it sensible? Is it probable? Is it plausible?

If the answer to all 4 of these questions is 'Yes' then:

2) Look for a source.

Sources are how you track the veracity of a news item.

ANN always lists its sources. So does Crunchyroll News. I'm iffier about it that I should be, because I'm lazy. I'll be better at it from now on, since I hate being a hypocrite. ^_^ I just spent some time looking through Japanese Yuri blogs and news sources and found nothing. Nothing anywhere. The only thing I found was that Spanish blog from 5 years ago.

Next time you come across a Yuri-related rumor, instead of asking me if I've heard it, if you do the footwork and track down who said what, where, and report it to me (at anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com,) then a YNN correspondent is you! You'll get a fetching badge, and everything. ^_^

In this case, the post in question was made in 2009 and was immediately retracted. It appears to have been based on Morinaga-sensei commenting on her blog that it would be nice "if."

That having been said, it's is not implausible that a GF anime might be made, although I consider it unlikely to be a series. Maybe a short packaged with a deluxe 5-manga set or something. That's what I'd do, 'if.' ^_^

In other news, Director Kunihiko Ikuhara has announced that he will be showing a new anime project teaser video at a Revolutionary Girl Utena discussion event being held March 23rd in Tokyo. (According the the event site, Utena manga artist Saitou Chiho-sensei will be there as well.)

New Video Group has stated that the Digimon Tamers DVDs will be dub only. The dub was actually very good, but I admit to hoping it would be the subbed version. ^_^; Oh well, there's still Hulu.

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Yuri Shousetsu

In addition to the reissue of Suzumoto Beni's PUPPY LOVE, illustrated by Hibiki Reine, there's a sequel, Bebe Requin: PUPPY LOVE 2

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Other News

The Organization of Anti-Social Geniuses put together a list of How You Can Watch Anime Legally in 2013. It's worth taking a look at and bookmarking for future reference.

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That's a wrap for this week!

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There's a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage - stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent's badge.

Thanks to all of you - you make this a great Yuri Network!

Light Novel: Miniskirt Space Pirates, Volume 2 Ougon no Yureisen (ミニスカ宇宙海賊 2 黄金の幽霊船)

2013-02-21T15:13:00.001-05:00

Miniskirt Space Pirates, Volume 2 Ougon no Yureisen (ミニスカ宇宙海賊 2 黄金の幽霊船) opens with a stowaway on the Bentenmaru and ends with two transfer student into Hakuoh Academy's Yacht Club. In between is a centuries-old mystery, a gene bank in the form of a golden spaceship, and several space battles, all of which make for a rollicking tale of intrigue and space piracy.

If you are watching the Bodacious Space Pirates anime, this novel is the arc on Disk 2 of Volume 1. Seventh Princess of the Serenity Royal Family, Gruier Serenity, (with an uncanny resemblance to another princess named Serenity,) hides away on the Bentenmaru, in hopes of hiring the pirate ship to assist her in finding the Legendary Gold Spaceship.

Marika befriends the Princess and accepts the commission because who wouldn't? ^_^

We get to experience Marika's newfound confidence as Captain of the Bentenmaru and watch her crew rally around her with complete support of her decisions.

Nothing in the novel is significantly different from the anime, right down to the secret underground restaurant at the space relay station where Marika works. (Or, I should say, if there were differences my Japanese wasn't up to noticing them.)

The key point of the arc is that Marika has stepped into her father's shoes and found that they fit rather well. And now we have a Princess or two on our side. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall - 8

Interestingly, this book series is getting links for Kindle versions which don't yet exist on Amazon JP. I'd love it if they put this series on Kindle, I'd like to see if I could buy the next book that way. I bet there's region restrictions, though. Oh well, on to Volume 3, however I can get it. ^_^

Sailor Moon Manga, Volume 9 (English)

2013-02-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

In Volume 9 of Sailor Moon, the Dead Moon Circus is starting to have a terrible effect on the city and the Inner Senshi can't transform! Well, until they can. And the reason they can now transform is that advice and guidance they received from the formidable Outer Senshi helps them get in touch with their inner strengths. Phew!

But...what about the Outer Senshi? After the defeat of Pharoah 90 and the Witches 5, they retired from the public eye and lost touch with the Inners. Unbeknownst to the younger Guardians, Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna have moved in together in a large suburban house to raise the baby Hotaru. And, unbeknownst to the younger women, the older also cannot transform. As the power of the Dead Moon threat is growing, the Outers are powerless.

But what is important to us is the quiet repose with which the former Outer Senshi have created a family life together. Haruka and Michiru, still together, watch over Hotaru Hotaru, who is rapidly aging, appears quoting Yeats' The Second Coming, which I think is well worth reproducing in whole here - imagine it spoken by a child of about 5 years:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

This is the poem Hotaru quotes. Probably few of the children readers of Nakayoshi magazine understood the words they were reading, but the power in these words would resonate with the knowledge that that child speaking them is, in truth, the Senshi of Death.

I want give to the translation an "attaboy" on this volume, Transitions are always hard and the move from one translator to a new one was, IMHO, seamless here. It wasn't an easy volume, with intense poetry, herbal and stone lore (and some good cautionary science in the notes!) Nice job, Mari. ^_^

But most importantly, we see that Haruka and Michiru make as dashing a married couple as they did a bon vivant pair of young celebrities. And when they, and the Inners, get to transform again, it feels kinda good. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - 8
Story - 7
Characters - 9
Yuri - 6
Fan Service - 2

Overall - 8

"Yuri Needs" List for 2013 / 2013の「百合が必要」のリスト

2013-02-18T13:59:00.003-05:00

日本語で

Since I started this blog in 2002, we've come pretty far in Yuri. There was a time when we had to be content with a tertiary character in a series with a probably tragic backstory, or a predatory lesbian implied with vague hints and innuendo.

Now, we've got 2 steady print Yuri anthologies, another in webcomic form, and various on-again, off-again anthology collections. Some of our best and most popular Yuri runs in mixed-gender "5th column" magazines, and as I look at my shelves, I'm very impressed at the quantity AND quality of Yuri manga these days.

Originally, I had added a fifth request to this list: "A Long-running Series." And then my eye lit upon Aoi Hana, the 8th volume of which should be out soon. 8 volumes. So check off that one. We have a long-running Yuri series (with a lot of real-life lesbian issues in it.)

After some thought, here are the 4 things I'd like to see in Yuri in the near future. Yuri Needs:

4) Yuri Needs a Good Middle-aged/Senior Yuri Story: There are a few doujinshi stories with older or elderly characters and Fujieda-sensei included an older couple in Ameiro Kouchakan Kandan, but both readers and creators are going to hit a moment when we'd like to see someone like ourselves in the pages of Comic Yuri Hime. This year will be my 20th high school graduation. I'd like to see someone older than 16 now, thanks. ^_^

3) Yuri Needs a Non-ero, Non-childish Sci-fi/Fantasy Series: We've had sci-fi Yuri, of course, and fantasy Yuri, but remarkably none about not-children who do not have big breasts and/or have sex a lot. In early western lesbian fiction, sci-fi was a popular genre, but we just haven't seen much in Yuri without tentacles or something else. Mouretsu Space Pirates was a good start. Now some of that with grown ups would be terrific, thanks.

2) Yuri Needs Decent Yuri Novels: This makes me weep with frustration. There are many good authors in the world. Where are you dragging these indifferent, mediocre-at-best novelists up from Ichijinsha and Tiara Bunko? A Yuri novel ought, at minimum, to be a novel, not a series of short stories, with two females who are in love with one another. I'm even okay if one is an alien or android or other non-human. Two women who share the pages of a book with not a single moment of attraction or affection does not a Yuri novel make.

1) Yuri Needs a Sports Yuri Series!!!

This is our number one need right now. Sports is the perfect hothouse for an intense love-rivalry and a genre in which there is very, very little Yuri. My suggestions for suitable sports: Gymnastics, swimming, tennis and my #1 suggestion - motocross/BMX. Table tennis has been done, Volleyball or soccer would be acceptable as nods to early shoujo sport manga. But really, in honor of Haruka, Yuri Needs a Motocross or BMX series.

Dear Yuri creators, if you give me a Yuri sports manga this year, I'll be your best friend forever. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Erica

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わたしがこのブログを始めたのは2002年のことになるんですが、それから百合というジャンルも発展を遂げてきたと思います。作品の中で脇役に過ぎなかったり、大抵は悲劇的な背景を背負っているか、曖昧なヒントや皮肉でほのめかされる好色なレズビアン、といったキャラクターで我慢しなくてはならない時代もありました。

それが今では、定期的に刊行されている百合アンソロジー誌は2種類存在していますし、ウェブコミックの形で続いているものもひとつあります。さらに、現れては消え、また復活するようなアンソロジーも色々ありますよね。私達にとって最高の内容で、最も人気のあるような百合作品がいくつか、ジャンルを特定せず、読者層のジェンダーも混在しているような雑誌に掲載されていたりもします。あらためて本棚を見渡してみると、近年の百合漫画の量だけでなくその質にも、とても感動してしまいます。

当初は、以下のリストに5番目のリクエストとして、「長期連載されている作品」という項目を加えていたんですけれど、第8巻がそろそろ刊行される筈の「青い花」に目が留まりました。「8巻」ですよ。なので、既に長期連載されている百合作品がありますから(レズビアンにとっての現実生活における問題も、たくさん描かれていますし)、そのリクエストは外しておきました。

というわけで、これがちょっと考えてみた、これからの百合というジャンルで、わたしが見てみたいと思うもの4つのリストです。百合が必要とすべきなのは…。

4.「百合には中年や、年長者についての優れた作品が必要」　
　同人誌では、年長者あるいは高齢者を扱った作品がいくつかありますし、藤枝雅先生は「飴色紅茶館歓談」に年齢の高いカップルを登場させていますよね。けれど読者も作り手もいずれ、「コミック百合姫」の誌上で、自分達自身と同じようなキャラクターに触れてみたいと思う時に、行き当たることになるでしょう。今年でわたしは高校を卒業してから20周年になるんですけど、今は16歳以上のキャラクターのお話を読んでみたいんですね (^_^)

3.「百合にはエッチ系ではなく、幼稚でもないSF/ファンタジー作品が必要」
　もちろん百合を扱ったSF/ファンタジー作品というものは存在していますが、注目すべきなのは、巨乳や性的要素を備えていない大人の女性を描いた作品は全くないということです。欧米における初期のレズビアン・フィクションでは、SFはとても人気のあるジャンルでしたけれど、現在の百合では、触手やそういったものが登場しない作品はあまりないですよね。「モーレツ宇宙海賊」はよいきっかけになったと思っていますし、今後は大人の女性を描いてくれるSF/ファンタジー百合作品が増えればいいと願っています。

2.「百合には良質の小説が必要」　
　この件については、欲求不満で泣きそうにもなります。世界にはたくさんの優れた作家がいますよね。でも、どうして一迅社やティアラ文庫では、平凡で、せいぜいが平均的レベルでしかない小説家達に百合小説を書かせているんでしょうか？　百合小説というものは最低でも、お互いに恋に落ちる二人の女性を描いた、短編集ではなく、ひとつの長い物語であるべきです。この際、片方が異星人やアンドロイド、あるいは他の非人間的な存在であっても、わたしは構いません。作品のページの中に登場する2人の女性が、魅力や愛情を感じ合う場面が全く描かれないようであれば、それは百合小説になり得ません。

1.「百合にはスポーツ百合作品が必要」!!
　これがわたし達にとって、現在最も必要なものですね。スポーツは、激しい愛憎感情を描くためには完璧な舞台ですが、ほとんど百合が描かれたことのないジャンルでもあります。百合を描くのにふさわしい種目には、体操、水泳、テニスなどがあると思いますけれど、わたしの一番のお薦めはモトクロス・BMXです。卓球は既に題材にされたことがありますし、バレーボールやサッカーも、初期のスポーツ少女漫画で描かれたように、使えるかもしれません。でも本当に、「美少女戦士セーラームーン」の天王はるかに敬意を表して、百合にはモトクロスかBMXを描いた作品が必要だと思います。<

敬愛する百合作家のみなさん、もし今年、百合スポーツ漫画を描いてくれたなら、わたしはあなたの永遠の親友になりますよ。(*_*)

よろしくお願いします。

エリカより

(小松さんによる翻訳 Many thanks to Komatsu-san for translating my whimsical idea!)

Bodacious Space Pirates, Anime, Disk 2 (English)

2013-02-17T09:37:00.003-05:00

Following on the tail of Disk 1, we reach Disk 2 of Bodacious Space Pirates, on which Marika sets out on her first piracy commission as captain of the Bentenmaru.

The commission starts off lightly, with a request from a Princess of the Serenity household, Gruier, asking the Bentenmaru to track a golden ghost ship, but as the plot progresses, and they confront Serenity battleships, Marika has to face real battles with real consequences for herself and the crew.

The deeper meaning of the Golden Space Ship and the part it plays in Serenity history is presented almost as an afterthought, because this is a space opera and we, like Bentenmaru's San-Daime, want to see Marika be a cool captain. ^_^

The disk ends on a quiet note, but not really a filler episode, as we're shown transition in Hakuoh's Yacht Club and in Ririka's life, as well as a welcome return to day-to-day life for Marika.

This disk pretty much has it all, adventure, friendship, leadership and other qualities I look for in a story about a "strong female" character. Bodacious Space Pirates passes what I call the The Friedman Addendum to the Bechdel Test:

Does female character have agency?
Does she have society?
Does she have personality?
Is she merely a female-shaped male hero doing male hero things while being female?

Bodacious Space Pirates passes with flying colors. Marika has agency - she is capable of and given the opportunity to make decisions for herself and others. She has society, the members of the yacht club, and especially her non-space-faring friend, Mami, who wants and needs nothing from her, and who is a very excellent friend.

Marika definitely has personality. We're shown that and we're told it. She is quick-witted, hard working, fair, decent, and just evil enough to make a fantastic pirate captain. ^_^

No she does not wear a bodysuit, but the miniskirt would realllllly toe that line except that the anime uses a fair amount of restraint in clothing design and perspective. It's not that there is no service - the space suits don't have to be formfitting, for instance, but compared to oh so many other series, the level of service is low.

Available on DVD, Blu-Ray or legal online stream for free (region-blocking may apply), Bodacious Space Pirates passes the Bechdel Test, the Friedman Addendum and is a rollicking good yarn. I'm looking forward to the next disks with relish, since I know that, for once, the added "romance" subplot won't merely be the usual obligatory stuff. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - 7
Character - 9
Story - 9
Yuri - 1...for now
Loser FanBoy - 5

Overall - 9

My hypothetical girl child, along with Legend of Korra and kung-fu lessons, gets this series as a present. ^_^

Yuri Network News (百合ネットワーク・ニュース) - February 16, 2013

2013-02-16T11:07:00.002-05:00

Yuri Manga

Seven Seas has licensed Centaur no Ayami, a school life series about centaurs. Volume 2, if you remember, goes off the charts with LFB-friendly Yuri.

Comic Natalie reports that there will be a Yuru Yuri spin-off, "The Ohmuro Family" which, along with several other Comic Yuri Hime 4-koma titles will run on their upcoming webcomic site Comic Yuri Hime on Nico Nico Douga.

Comic Yuri Hime, May 2013 Issue (コミック百合姫 2013年 05月号) is now up for pre-order on Amazon JP. It will street in March.

Tsubomi has put new chapters of 4 comics up, and has a nice new top illustration on their webcomic page. Himitsu no Recipe by Morinaga Milk, Eden no Higashitotsuka by Hakamada Mera, Otomo Megane's Futari and Sugawa Tokushi's Zenryaku, Yuri no Sono Yori have been updated.

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Other News

ANN has a new feature which I would recommend to any of you out there who want to understand IP law (in a US context). Part 1 of the The Law of Anime: Copyright and the Anime and Part 2: Copyrights and Fandom are both well worth your time . (Also, if you feel very superior and intelligent about how reform is long overdue, read the comments, too where Sean Thorsden, Esq. says, "yes" to that and then explains why it isn't happening to your satisfaction.)

And my wife notes that it has been about 5 years since I started to post weekly news updates about Yuri. (My first "This Week in Yuri" was in February 2008). She says, "I think it's impressive that you've had something to report nearly weekly for 5 years." I have to agree with her on that. So now we have another pin in Yuri's history, in 2008 it became possible to start writing weekly new reports on Yuri! How amazing is that. ^_^

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That's a wrap for this week!

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There's a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage - stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent's badge.

Thanks to all of you - you make this a great Yuri Network!

Yuri Manga: Collectors, Volume 1 (コレクターズ）

2013-02-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of Valentine's Day I can think of no better candidate for review than Nishi UKO's Collectors, from the pages of Rakuen Le Paradis magazine.

Nito Shinobu collects books. Kanzaki Takako is interested in fashion and collects clothes. The two of them love each other very much but, as they both consider their future together, their competing use of space could make living together awkward. ^_^;

With their friend Naomi and "the other one," the unnamed friend who makes up the fourth in their group, Shinobu and Takako's life together is detailed in amusingly realistic 4-koma strips or chapter-long stories.

From how they met, to Shinobu hiding from her students at a book store, to going away with friends, to bickering and moments of intimacy, their lives look remarkably like a real life that a real couple might have, rather than the melodramatic extremes of so much manga. For me, Collectors is a refreshing, realistic, fun look at a relationship between women who love each other. Weird huh? I mean really weird. Because there is hardly any manga like this.

Here's my favorite scene - Shinobu, standing with Naomi and the other one (Okay, let's just pick a name for her. Put your suggestions in the comments section and I'll pick one, and send it to Nishi UKO-sensei as a suggestion. ^_^) waiting for Takako to arrive, when Shinobu says Takako is heading towards them. Naomi asks where, as a woman walks up to them. Takako's changed her hair color, but Shinobu knows it's her from meters away. ^_^

They snipe at one another about each other's collection habits, they have tender moments with hands entwined in each other's hair, they live and they love. Just like me and my wife, just like you and your girlfriend, just like lesbians whose relationship does not end with a kiss or graduation. This is what after the happily-ever-after really looks like.

Whether you collect glasses, boyfriends, books or clothes, Happy Valentine's Day from myself and everyone at Yuricon & ALC Publishing!

Ratings:

Art - 10
Story - 10 Life. What could be funnier, more poignant or more interesting?
Characters - 10
Yuri - 10
Loser FanBoy - 1

Overall - 10

As I read this book before bed, I look fondly over the multiple piles of books-to-read next to my bed and smile. I'm on Team Shinobu. ^_^

Go ahead and put your suggestions for Takako's friend's name in the comments. ^_^

Destro 246 Manga (デストロ246)

2013-02-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

Destro 246 is the newest manga by Takahashi Keitarou, the creator of Jormungand. Where I might summarize Jormungand as an action manga about a group of unrealistically cheerful arms dealers Destro 246 is more or less about a bunch of young female assassin/bodyguards and their underwear.

Let me slack off and re-quote Tomo K. who let us know about this series in the first place:

"The story starts out with a Japanese businessman buying two 17-year-old female professional killers from a South American mafia to avenge his murdered wife and children. In Tokyo, the two bump into Imari, the professional killer from Ordinary, Takahashi's debut series.

The Yuri part involves Ichigo, a senior-high girl who's inherited her father's yakuza business. She has two female bodyguards, Nanten and Renka (who're her classmates as well). The three talk of having threesomes "as the usual thing", and there are panels where Ichigo fondles one of the bodyguard's huge boobs, and the bodyguards kiss Ichigo in public as well.

When Ichigo destroys a rival, she keeps the girlfriend of the gang leader alive, and orders her to be their sex slave until she grows up and inherits her father business (then she'll be forced to hand money over to Ichigo's organization)."

There's a lot of fighting and the above female assassin/bodyguards beat the crap out of some guys but in Volume 1 at least, there's only vague hints of a plot.

So, what is this manga about? I honestly have no idea. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - 6
Story - ?
Characters - 4 Kind of cookie-cutter at this point
Loser Fanboy - 7

Overall - 5

There's no sense of "competence" here as there was in Jormungand, just magical hand-waves of skill. And awkward angles for upskirt shots because we just can never ever ever have enough of looking at underwear on indifferently drawn female bodies.

Lesbian Animation: Strange Frame - Love and Sax

2013-02-11T18:26:00.000-05:00

I was going to review a manga today. I have it sitting right here. But like the magpie I am, when I see something shiny, I just have to go haring off after it. And so, today's shiny thing is a movie-length sci-fi animation starring a mixed-race female lead and her DNA-modded female lover, Strange Frame - Love and Sax, by Shelley Doty and G.B. Hajim. (Apparently this animation was shown at DragonCon last year to some acclaim.)

Let me get the single major criticism I have for this movie out of the way - there is not one unique or fresh idea in the whole thing. In fact, about a third of the way through the movie, I hit a moment when the Huggy Bear pimp cool voice that all the characters were using started to wear on me. That having been said, the story was very comfortable as a result. It was easy to slip into it and easy to get caught up in it. The pull quote on the website says, "A punk version of Blade Runner" but I think that is slightly off the mark. Not far off the mark, though. It's more like a jazz version of a slightly gritty Fifth Element.

The animation is quite good. It had Eastern European animation vibes, with that smooth oil-painting feel one encounters in European animation of the last decade, with a sensibility that would be right at home in the pages of Heavy Metal magazine. (You know what I mean, right? All the dancing is hedonistic hip-churning, there's "futuristic" nudity and the drugs are all post-Op Art black light psychedelic posters.)

The voice cast is a delightful mix of cults, Star Trek (Michael Dorn, George Takei), Farscape (Claudia Black), My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic and a million other cartoons (Tara Strong), Barney Miller (Ron Glass) and Tim Curry who of course has been in everything ever. (And there's a few other easter-egg voice actors as well.) The cast handles the script deftly. So while every scene is something you've seen before, and much of the dialogue is something you've heard before (and in a few cases, the writers damn well know it, and are very, very openly stealing from dialogue that has come before) it never feels eye-rollingly done.

The lead, Parker, has a comfy sort of ex-something feel, and her lover Naia is any pop idol ever. As I said, the plot is well-worn and no new ground is uncovered here, but if you're like me, you eagerly await the day when this story is made as a live action and Parker and Naia are just the leads, not zOMG a lesbian couple!

You can (and I did) buy the movie as a download directly from the website or order the DVD. Here's the trailer for your viewing pleasure:

Ratings:

Art - 8
Characters - 8
Story - 8
Lesbian - 9

Overall - 8

I hope you'll give the movie your support - the more of this kind of animation we get, the more we get, y'know? ^_^

The Legend of Korra Cartoon (English)

2013-02-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you something true and important.

Aang was wrong.

It's not the moment you're most down when you unlock your potential. It's the moment after that. When you look at where you are and think, "Well fuck this, I'm going to live anyway." *That's* the moment you connect with your "spiritual" self.

This weekend, during snowstorm Nemo, I took the opportunity to sit and watch all of The Legend of Korra on Amazon Instant Video.

It was excellent.

Super quicky synopsis for those of you who have never seen it: In a world where some people, known as "benders." have power over one of the four elements, the "Avatar" can manipulate all four. Avatar-in-training, Korra, has mastered all but Air, but when she comes to Republic City to learn the fourth element she find herself caught up in a veritable war.

I never did watch Avatar - The Last Airbender, beyond catching a random episode here or there. It looked good, plenty of people I know liked it, but we just never connected. So when I heard about Korra, I was glad, but not compelled to watch it. It was on my radar, I just needed to make some time for it.

Now I have and I'm pretty pleased at the result. Every character was written incredibly well. I mean that. As a person 100% driven by connection to character, there wasn't one of the "good guys" that I thought, "oh come on...!" Especially Korra who is that invisible-unknowable to writers in almost every media - a competent adolescent girl. Korra knows from a young age she is the Avatar and has both self-confidence and self-doubt born from that knowledge. She's not too fragile nor is she too arrogant. She's welcome over for lunch anytime. ^_^

The story really takes off when she deifies her teacher Tenzen's order to stay away from sport bending. Korra meets Bolin and his brother Mako...and it's her illicit professional bending that sets much of the story in motion.

Mako picks up a girlfriend along the way, Asami, who turns out to be a key in the larger plot. Of all the characters, she was the one I was most afraid would be written poorly, but nope. The plot screws her a bit, but the writers never do.

Bei-Fong, the police chief, is a rare middle-aged female character with both bending and secular power. She also gets moment of "waaaah" during the series usually given over to male characters.

Even Tenzen's family are not afterthoughts. There's a moment early on when Tenzen and Korra are arguing. Miffed, Tenzen forbids his eldest daughter from being like that, which she wisely refuses to guarantee.

The plot is jam-packed and, as a result moves a teeny bit too fast at the end, but that's honestly one of only three quibbles I have.

Quibble the first: City Council Members who are clueless sheep. Politicians might follow the money, but darn few of them are clueless sheep. They might be delusional, insane or incompetent, but not too many people are going to make a City Council without *some* presence. At least make Tarrlok an amazing speaker or something to convince me they were convinced that the worst ideas ever were good. ("Why yes, let's pass a law that does the very thing the enemy is accusing us of doing! That's a great idea!")

Quibble the second: Nothing personal to Mako, and he didn't have to stay with Asami, but I can think of several ways in which he and Korra did not have to end up together and the story would have ended better. Also, how vexing that Asami, who is a very decent character, is basically brought in just to end up being Korra's rival. Snooze. I want Asami to be avenged by being a major character next time.

Quibble the third: Aang's BS about Korra connecting with her spiritual self. Yes, I realize time was running out, but really, 5 more seconds (hey, cut out the Mako scene and you'd have had plenty of time) for the right kind of epiphany and it would have been awesome.

Other than those small things, I genuinely enjoyed the heck out of this series. Korra was definitely my definition of a "strong female lead". (You can read a discussion of my definition in my review of Bandette.) If I had a girl child, she'd get this series and kung-fu lessons for her birthday. (With a teacher that understands why Aang was wrong!) Highly recommended.

Ratings:

Art - 9
Characters - 9
Story - 8

Overall - 9

Bolin was my fave character, he just said what needed to be said.

Yuri Network News (百合ネットワーク・ニュース) - February 9, 2013

2013-02-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

Quiet February week. They must have known were getting another storm of the century.

Yuri Manga

The first volume of Morinaga Milk's new series Gakuen Polizi (学園ポリーチェ) is making its appearance on Japanese shelves next month.

Otomo Megane's Futari (ふたり) from Tsubomi magazine, will also make a March debut.

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Anime News

The new Ghost in the Shell: Arise anime will be premiered with a multi-channel, real-time event (with subtitles) on Youtube, NicoNico and Bandai Channel that will be streamed globally. The event is being held 9PM on February 12 Japan time. The event will include the trailer and opening footage of the new series. For information about the live event in Roppongi, or the anime, check out the Arise website. (Site in Japanese)

Could this be true? Are my eyes not deceiving me? Digimon Tamers is scheduled for a DVD release this summer. It's cool on Hulu and all, but I get tired of the guy telling me it's presented with "limited commercial interruption." ^_^

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LGBTQ News

President Obama announced that he will posthumously honor Jeanne Manford, founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) with the Citizen's Medal.

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That's a wrap for this week!

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There's a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage - stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent's badge.

Thanks to all of you - you make this a great Yuri Network!

Golondrina Manga, Volume 2 (ゴロンドリナ)

2013-02-08T17:22:00.000-05:00

In Volume 2 of Est Em's Golondrina (ゴロンドリナイ), Chika comes face to face with the several possible outcomes of bullfighting. Yes, the bull might die (and the odds are that it will) but equally the matador might die or be wounded or maimed.

She learns that a matador is not unyielding, he must in fact work with the bull, to lead it. And yet there is a moment, when it is either the matador or the bull. One must lose. In the end, bullfighting is just another game of chicken.

In an internal monologue, Chika tells us in more detail about her childhood, about the losses and neglect she suffered, the life she built for herself and the life she was led into by a woman admirably suited to be matador to her bull. And then loss again, and despair. And now she is the matador, and the bull is both a bull and a symbol for the forces that have buffeted her.

Chika also learns that the only woman welcome in the bullfighter's space is Maria-sama. We learn that Chika's real name is Maria and are left to ponder the irony.

The book takes its stance at the end when Chika faces down her first bull, makes her first kill and is given her matador's name - Golondrina. This story cannot be (and really, should not have been from the beginning) for the faint of heart.

Ratings:

Art - 9
Story - 8
Characters - 7
Yuri - 4
Loser FanBoy - 1

Overall - 8

Quick reminder - pictures of bullfighting are not bullfighting any more than pictures of sex are actual sex.

Penguindrum Anime, Disk 2 (English)

2013-02-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

As Disk One of Penguindrum ended, we focus on the not-entirely-overlapping realities currently experienced by Shoma and Kanba, and which to increasingly involve Oginome Ringo and her dead sister's notebook.

As Disk Two opens Kanba is puzzling out the issue of a number of exes who have suddenly, weirdly lost their memories. We, the viewers can see who is doing it and how but it will be some time yet before we know why.

Shoma is left to deal with an increasingly irrational Ringo, as the reality she believes in slips away from her. She watches as the object of her desire, Tabuki, is dating, engaged to and, evetually, living with "Sunshine-y Troupe" star Yuri. (The scenes of Yuri's show and retirement party would put a smile on any Takarazuka fan's face, as they neatly parody a number of fun tropes from the famous female musical revue. Not least of which is Yuri's partner who looks suspiciously like Oscar from the Rose of Versailles anime.

The bulk of the this disk is caught up in Ringo's unreality, where her destiny with Tabuki appears ever further from her, even as she strives to achieve it. Shoma, Kanba (and we who watch) learn that the notebook she treasures is the "penguin drum" the Princess of the Crystal commanded them to obtain. What this means is still unknown...and may well remain so.

Ratings:

Overall - 8

There are loads of things that makes one uncomfortable on this disk. Welcome back to Ikuhara world.

And once again, thanks to Okazu Superhero Eric P. for his generous sponsorship of today's review!

Yuri Manga: Watashi no Sekai o Kousei Suru Chiri no You na Nanika (私の世界を構成する塵のような何か)

2013-02-05T17:18:00.002-05:00

In trying to come up with a short summary of Amano Shuninta's Watashi no Sekai o Kousei Suru Chiri no You na Nanika (私の世界を構成する塵のような何か) I find that the closest thing I can describe it as is a Yuri Manga "The 'L' Word."

Watashi no Sekai o Kousei Suru Chiri no You na Nanika translated by the author as "What is like the dust that constitutes my world?") is a mostly realistic soap opera set among a group of women attending a women's college. The protagonist is Ruki, a realist with an edge of naivete', Sachi, whose boyfriend is controlling, Remia who takes the opportunities she can get to sleep with the women around her. Asuna, her girlfriend, narcoleptic Fueko, Meru and slightly older, ever so slightly-too-cool-and-worldy-Maasa.

When they are assigned to do a project (for what has to be a sociology class) together, Ruki finds her life suddenly full of these people. WE can see that Ruki is interested in Sachi, but that boyfriend is so omnipresent, Sachi won't even discuss how controlling he is. "I'm the girlfriend, that's why," she tells a puzzled Ruki who can't imagine why she puts up with it. They fight about it.

When Maasa and Remia set up a sleepover for the group to work on this project they all go, despite some obvious tensions. Asuna and Fueko have broken up - and I am absolutely positive I remember the chapter when Fueko splits due to physical intimacy issues, but that chapter is not included here. And then there's Ruki and Sachi.

One of the biggest issues I have had in the past with "Yuri Manga" - and depictions of women in manga in general - is that they rarely are given society. There's the love interest, and that's it. In a largish ensemble cast like the one here, that is a non-issue. Yes, there's still the tendency to pair the women up, but that isn't the same thing as them being couples. Ultimately they are all acquaintances and schoolmates first, then friends and there is the rare 'relationship.'

But what about Ruki and Sachi you may ask? Well, the boyfriend issue will come to a head, and the two of them patch it up before then (as a side product of getting lost and having nothing else to do for hours but hash things out) but we can hardly say things are settled between them...as it is painfully obvious to us that Ruki likes Sachi. Whether it will ever be obvious to them is an issue for future volumes.

The story is ongoing - and, as much as I do not generally care for soap operas and night time TV serial dramas, I think this series may be exactly what Yuri needs right now. I'm glad it's in the capable hands of Amano-sensei. The art is strongly character-focused, but along with society, these women have physical space, as well. Apartments, classrooms, cars, beds, scenery, all combine to flesh this series as far more 3-dimensional than just about anything else running right now in Comic Yuri Hime.

Ratings:

Art - 9 This is my kind of art. If you prefer moe, take off a point or two.
Characters - 9 We've barely scratched the surface. I want to know more about them all
Story - 8 Soapy to begin, but not painful or superficial
Yuri - None of them identify as Lesbian, although they do discuss female couples. I'm going to say 9 on Yuri, 3 on Lesbian and see if it shifts at all in future volumes
Loser FanBoy - A shockingly low 2 for all the naked women

Overall - 9

My wish is that this series last for longer than the meager two volumes the magazine has been allotting to popular series. If something as nothing as Manga no Tsukurikata can get 6 volumes (which is the manga crime of the century, IMHO) this series deserves at least 3, if not more.

Yuri Photo Collection: Kimi no Te (きみの手)

2013-02-04T17:42:00.002-05:00

Last month, I had an super exciting new discovery I shared with you via the Yuri Network News Report:

Through my gracious and talented friend Komatsu-san, I have met the cheerful and talented Ransui-san of Fantastic Yuri Rhythm. The two of them were vendors at this past Winter Comiket (and they sold pretty well, I'm told. ^_^)

Well, in reading Ransui-san's Comiket report, I see that she shared a table with SEINE, who did a lovely Yuri photography book. Red Zoo is SEINE's website, with some of the pictures available as a slide show (Click "Photography Works" on the Homepage, then the cover of "Kimi no Te" (きみの手) to enjoy the photos.) I hope I'll be able to get a copy of that book one day, the photos are great and a few of them made me smile before I even realized it. ^_^

In response to this, Komatsu-san once again dug into his bag of generosity, and sent me a copy of SEINE's lovely Yuri Photo Collection, Kimi no Te (きみの手).

And it is indeed lovely. The two models, Pettanko-san and Okayasu-san completely sell this photo essay of two girls in school falling for each other. Through shots of their hands and bodies, we are allowed to see the evolution of an incredibly sweet relationship.

The one thing that really made the collection work for me was that neither girl had model-pretty hands. Not that their hands were ugly or anything(!), just that they looked like actual human hands, not hand-model hands, if you know what I mean. Since the story is primarily told through those hands, their verisimilitude made a big difference.

This photo collection is available through Toranoana or Comic Zin, so if you can buy through either of those services, I highly recommend you get this book! It's a 'Story A' Yuri photoessay. How cute is that?

Ratings:

Photography - 9
Story - 8
Yuri - 9

Overall - 9

Thanks to SEINE for being kind enough to allow me to have a copy of Kimi no Te and many many thanks to Komatsu-san for sending it to me! This book is a joy from beginning to end. I hope to see more someday soon.

GIRL FRIENDS, The Complete Collection Volume 1 (English)

2013-02-03T10:14:00.000-05:00

Five years ago, I had the pleasure of reading GIRL FRIENDS by Morinaga Milk for the first time. This cutely drawn story of an introvert girl and her extrovert best friend struck home for me (as it did, I have no doubt, for many readers.)

My reviews for Volume 1 and Volume 2 cover the evolution of the story from a "shoujo manga for men" to a realistic exploration of two young women who are totally different becoming friends...and ultimately finding themselves with much more complex feelings for each other.

Volume 1 of Seven Seas' GIRL FRIENDS, The Complete Collection, primarily deal with the relationship from Mari's perspective. A natural introvert, Mari has never had a best friend before. This adds an extra level of complexity - and stress - to her changing feelings and increases her desire to prove to herself that she is "normal." (Which is *exactly why I and other people are out - to show young people that we are perfectly normal. The more people who are out, the less young people will have to go through that.)

Volume 1 ends at a difficult point and many new readers have expressed concern about the ending. Be patient readers of Yuri, this is a 5-volume manga presented in 2 omnibuses. Volume 1 of this edition ends in the middle of the story. Give the plot time to play out and enjoy the whole thing, crises and all instead of wanting to rush to the end. ^_^

Ratings:

Art - 8
Story - 6
Characters - 7
Yuri - 7
Loser FanBoy - 5

Overall - 7

Seven Seas did a very nice job of localization, as usual. Extra thanks to translator Ana M. (who is also an Okazu superhero!) for the donation of a set of both volumes of GIRL FRIENDS, the Complete Collection as a prize.

To enter to win this complete set of this delightful Yuri romance by Morinaga Milk, in the comments write a message of encouragement and hope to a young LGBT person who isn't sure about their self or feelings right now - or even a message to your younger self. Please include your name, - if you plan on being Anon, please give yourself a nickname so I can let the winner know they've won.

If you've won a contest recently, please feel free to enter, but you'll understand if I pick someone else. ^_^

I'll announce winners when I review Volume 2!

My message - There is nothing wrong with you. Society might have some catching up to do, but you are perfectly fine. Find people you can talk to, a local LBGT-friendly church or group at a university. You are perfectly fine - and you are not alone. We're all here with you. ^_^

Yuri Network News - February 2, 2013

2013-02-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

Yuri Manga

Ikuhara Kunihiko has launched a Mawaru Penguindrum manga project called Penguinbear, some two years after the anime ran in Japan. (The Penguindrum anime was licensed in English by Sentai Filmworks and is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray,Part 1 and Part 2. Don't miss it, it's very interesting. ^_^)

Thanks to your support, Fujieda Miyabi's slice-of-life Yuri romance Ameiro Kouchakan Kandan, is the number one best seller on JManga this week! I haven't heard anything about Volume 2 yet, but here's hoping. ^_^

From Wings Comics comes a collection of a Hirari contributor, Sasada Asuka's, works the Sasada Asuka Collected Shorts Kira Kira no Natsu (ささだあすか短篇集きらきらのなつ)

Yurist (百合人―ユリスト―第1号) has an utterly creepy cover, so I have no idea what the inside of this mook will contain. Could be interesting...could be not. ^_^;

Back in print is Suzumoto Beni's Puppy Love, cover by Hibiki Reine. I previously reviewed Suzumoto's Ibara-hime, also with a cover by Hibiki. It wasn't bad, so I'll give this one a try.

Onna no Ko Sekkeizu, (女の子の設計図) a Hirari collection, hits shelves in Japan next month. And Pure Yuri Anthology Hirari, Volume 10 does, as well.

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Other News

Hooded Utilitarian's Noah Berlatsky wrote a piece on The Ethics of Scanlation for the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy. It's a very good summation of a complex issue, with contributions from Mangablog's Brigid Alverson and myself.

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That's a wrap for this week!

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Thanks to all of you - you make this a great Yuri Network!

Yuri Manga: Ohana Holoholo, Volume 4 (オハナホロホロ)

2013-01-31T19:44:00.001-05:00

Some years ago, Maya and Michiru were lovers until Michiru left. After she bore a son, his father passed away, leaving Michiru and Yuuta at the whim of his not-particularly welcoming parents. Michiru returned to her former lover, asking Maya if she could stay for a little while, and Maya welcomed her as a dear friend. Together with the former male lover of Yuuta's father, Nikko, the four of them form a very happy family unit.

Ohana Holoholo, Volume 4 (オハナホロホロ) begins with Maya having a break down in front of her fiance', Hidesuke. Her admission that she still loves Michiru is made in Michiru's hearing. Frustrated at the unfinished business between the two women, Hidesuke sticks them both in his car and drives them to a hotel, telling them to work it out. It's obvious that he and Maya can't get married, and he's angry, but still a decent guy.

Michiru and Maya spend the night together. They share a bath and sleep holding hands. They next day they decide to go on one last date to the ocean where they share one last kiss. Michiru returns home alone, in tears at the realization that she does love Maya.

Maya takes a separate train, and starts to prepare for living alone. She can't stay with Michiru, who needs her independence and she obviously cannot go to Hidesuke, which would be a lie.

Michiru still has issues at work, but is beginning to notice she has allies as well as enemies.

Nikko talks honestly about his relationship with Yuuta's father with a friend and how he treasures Yuuta for himself as well as his father.

Mochizuki-sensei is, I'm afraid, going to be in for a hard Volume 5.

In the meantime, Yuuta continues to be a little getleman. He gets to protect Hiyori from some mean classmates and stand up for her when they blame her for something they did. For the first time ever, Yuuta has friends over to play when Michiru invites Tamaki and Hiyori to stay.

Maya receives an invitation to a high school club reunion, where Hidesuke is rather cold to her. We get to see the club president reminisce about how she met Maya and recruited her to the club. (High school Maya was adorable. Squee!) The club president is sharp enough to see what lies between Hidesuke and Maya and intrude *just* enough.

As the volume draws to a close, Hidesuke talks about what he wants out of life, then asks Maya "What do you want?"

No matter what, despite all odds, replies Maya, as she sees in her mind the image of Michiru, Yuuta and Nikko at the kitchen table they all share.

Ratings:

Art - 8
Story - 9
Characters - 9
Yuri - 5
Loser FanBoy - 4

Overall - 9

Is that a light at then end of the tunnel I see?

Manga no Tsukurikata Manga, Volume 6 (まんがの作り方)

2013-01-29T18:37:00.001-05:00

Do not start with me. I know, I know, this manga is a wasteland. It pretends to be Yuri, so here we are. I try, to the best of my ability, to keep Okazu as comprehensive as possible without violating my own standards of entertainment (which is why you have not seen a hentai collection review in a long while. They are so boring. Girls have unrealistic, messy sex. Wow. Really, how exciting.)

So, while Manga no Tsukurikata, Volume 6 (まんがの作り方) is not actually indecent by my very relaxed standards, it is no way decent, either. Indifferent manga artist Kawaguchi has been abandoned by Morishita who has a crush on her. Takeda, who has a crush on Morishita and hopes one day to debut herself has moved with her to Tokyo.

But, when Takeda sees Morishita's editor macking on her, she realizes that her chances of debuting are small and something important happens - Takeda suddenly becomes the only character in the book that has a plot.

Crush, crush, nasty crush...the Yuri landscape painted in Manga no Tsurikata is grim. So grim, it's a veritable DMZ of emotion. But now, after 6 volumes of watching two talentless hacks inexplicably make it in professional manga without hardly any effort, drive or skill, Takeda, bitter, unappreciated Takeda, stands up and takes this crappy series over as the only 3-dimensional character.

Ratings:

Art - Hirao nails ennui
Character - Practically existentialist
Story - I don't know, maybe we'll get one in Volume 7
Yuri - One for each crush (so, 3)
Loser FanBoy - I don't want to think about it

Overall - Somewhere out there, someone must like this series. I wonder why

I absolutely love how miserable Masato spends the entire volume being drawn as if he is a total babe, surrounded by the three woman on the planet who think he's as attractive as a slug. Get out kid, it's your only hope.

Yuri Manga: Kanojo to Camera to Kanojo no Kisetsu, Volume 2 (彼女とカメラト彼女の季節）

2013-01-28T16:48:00.001-05:00

In volume 1 of Kanojo to Camera to Kanojo no Kisetsu, (彼女とカメラト彼女の季節we met typical high school student Akari, atypical highschool student Yuki, who is a photographer and asocial outlier in class and sports hero student Fukuyama, Yuki's childhood friend, who is interested in Akari.

Volume 2 begins with Akari experiencing an epiphany about her feelings for Yuki, followed up by a almost complete rebuff by the object of her interest. In the meantime, Fukuyama is there to support her emotionally...something that makes Akari as uncomfortable as her feelings about Yuki does. She's really trying hard to not give Fukuyama the wrong impression about her feelings. On his part, he seems sincerely to not be under the wrong impression at all - he can see that Akari is interested in Yuki, but he really likes her and wants to be there for her.

Akari wants to see Yuki, Fukuyama wants to be closer to Akari.

And what about pale, ethereal Yuki, the photographer? When she returns to school, she seems to be driving Akari into Fukuyama's arms. And yet, in quiet moments, it's Akari she's thinking of. She leaves provocative photos of herself in her dark room - for Akari to find? Akari thinks so.

As volume 2 comes to an end, it's Yuki's turn to play her cards. What hand she's holding, we just don't know.

Ratings:

Art - 8
Story - 8
Characters - 8
Yuri - 5
Loser FanBoy - 5

Overall - 8

This volume made me laugh a little, frown a little and left me really hoping hard for an ending I know I won't get. ^_^;

Psycho-Pass Anime (English)

2013-01-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I was wandering around anime/manga goods stores in Tokyo and, I could hardly help noticing the pony-tailed woman in a black suit with the intense gaze in the sections of Psycho-Pass goods. I have excellent gaydar, even for anime and manga, and I instantly got the vibe with her. I looked up the series and found myself confronted with a number of incredibly bad synopses to chose from, none of which explain anything at all about the story. (I understand that the Japanese companies send terrible copy over, but dear ANN and Crunchyroll, get someone who can write a friggin' coherent synopsis, please. Synopses, at barest minimum should look like this:

In a setting, a protagonist finds him/herself in a situation cause effect. An adjective genre media by director/writer/famous name associated with the series.

Just like a Mad Lib, replace the italics above with the specifics and viola! coherent synopsis.

In a future where a global computer system determines a person's fate - even so far as their capacity for crime using their "Psycho-Pass"- new Inspector in the Public Safety Bureau, Tsunemori Akane finds herself tracking down a serial killer whose "Psycho-Pass" remains unstained with criminal intent. A thrilling new suspense anime written by Urobuchi Gen and novelist Fukami Makoto.

See, it's not that hard!*

Anyway, so I get home from Japan and Katherine H of Yuri no Boke tells me I really should watch it, black-suited Yayoi is awesome. But the synopses I read made the story sound so meh, I resisted. (Sorry, Katherine, I should have listened to you.)

Why the heck didn't anyone tell me it was also written by Fukami Makoto? Sheesh, people, if you had just told me that, I would have watched it right away. I don't give a hoot about Urobuchi Gen, but Fukami wrote Vertigo. Anything Fukami is involved in is sure to have lesbians who don't suck.

Anyway, once I realized Fukami was involved, I started watching Psycho-Pass, which is streaming for free with registration on Funimation's website. (Region blocking will apply.)

And it was really very good. The 12 episodes available are indeed "suspense" genre with a serial killer, so if you hate that crap (and who could blame you?) avoid it. They never go explicitly gross, like Suicide Club or anything. It's suspense, not horror, but the implications can get really grim.

Yes, there's Yuri. One of the characters involved in an arc set in a elite girl's school is not above seducing underclassmen for a little sex and gruesome murder.

But the reason one might watch the series is the aforementioned black suited "Enforcer," Yayoi. When we first see her, she has just finished a light snack of Karanomori Shion, an analyst for the PSB. In addition, a full episode is dedicated to Yayoi's backstory that does not shy from her orientation. If anything it gives a wholly functional look to the unruined life of a woman who loves women. (Somthing Fukami is good at.)

Yayoi makes a very decent series excellent. ^_^

There's one other really excellent thing about the series - the character designs are totally atypical for a Fukami project, so none of the women have absurdly large breasts as they did in Vertigo. And Akane, who clearly would have been moe in any other anime series is shockingly not, here. If anything, her design looks a little droopy-eyed, rather than childish. I really like the character designs, they say "We want to become a live-action movie one day". ^_^

A good watch, I look forward to the second season. My only complaint is the bad guy. I hate the handwave of the psycho killer who law enforcement canNOT track/find/identify for blah blah reason. Other than that handwave, it's quite excellent.

Ratings:

Art - YMMV, but I say 8
Character - 9
Story - 9 It's all shark jumping, all the time
Yuri - 8
Loser FanBoy - 7 Fans of creepy horror violence against women are creepy

Overall - 8

I like the fact that "Psycho-Pass" is a homophone for "psychopath" when said by a Japanese speaker.

*Actually, writing synopses must be hard, Funimation doesn't even bother on their website for the series.