Read this if you are looking for: A cute, fluffy exploration of gender that emphasizes understanding and acceptance.
Recommendation: Pick it up!
"Love Me For Who I Am" follows high school boy Tetsu and his nonbinary classmate Mogumo. As Mogumo yearns for acceptance and understanding, Tetsu invites them to work at his family's untraditional maid cafe, staffed by a variety of LGBT+ characters.
Through 3+ volumes, a reliable pattern of storytelling emerges: characters will have a disagreement or conflict centered on or adjacent to gender or sexuality, often with one side initially portrayed as the villain. These characters become more sympathetic as their backgrounds and thought processes are
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Apr 20, 2019
Read this if you are looking for: A vampire-ish gag manga with a dreary setting.
Recommendation: Pass “Hungry For You – Endo Yasuko Stalks the Night” follows impoverished high school student Shizue and the mysterious titular Yasuko, who may be a vampire, a serial killer, or just a really weird girl. With the recent disappearances of three girls and Yasuko being the primary suspect, much of the plot revolves around discovering Yasuko’s true nature. In volume one, though, plot often takes a back seat to comedy, and this manga is indeed at its strongest during the more slice-of-life gag manga chapters. With Shizue agreeing to be Yasuko’s ... 
Mar 9, 2019
After Hours
(Manga)
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Read this if you are looking for: A tender yuri story in Tokyo’s nightlife scene with just enough drama.
Recommendation: Pick it up! “After Hours” follows unemployed Emi who is whisked into the world of nightclubs and raves by new acquaintance and DJ Kei. The two women bond quickly as Emi joins Kei’s group of friends and helps put on events, even as Emi struggles to deal with both her past and future. Kei and Emi are a joy to watch, as Nishio Yuhta’s character art greatly enhances comedy and drama alike, and detailed panels and wardrobes bring to life the dazzling world that has so enthralled ... 
Sep 16, 2018
Tousaku Shoujo Shoukougun
(Manga)
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Read this if you are looking for: Lewd yuri-themed “The Twilight Zone” episodes.
Recommendation: Pick it up! “Tousaku Shoujo Shoukougun” is a fascinating collection of five separate yuri short stories told across seven chapters. Although very short, and despite all the characters only having place-holder names (A-ko, B-ko, etc.), shimazaki’s work is made memorable by the unnatural atmosphere created throughout the whole volume. The art style plays in to the mood perfectly, where clean lines creating delicious characters are complimented by the usage of darker screen tones and claustrophobic angles. Expect Barbie doll anatomy nudity, some lewd activities, and something feeling just a little bit “off.” 
Sep 14, 2018
Read this if you are looking for: Two girls constantly lusting over their crushes.
Recommendation: Pass “Shimaism” follows two middle school girls, Haruka and Yoshiko, who have crushes on each other’s younger sister. Much of this easygoing slice-of-life manga is pretty formulaic in that Haruka and Yoshiko consistently embarrass themselves trying to win the attention of their oblivious crushes, but little progress is ever made. Later on, several more characters are introduced, and these much more interesting characters actually see some relationship progress. The art is a bit awkward and sometimes unattractive, but Yoshitomi Akihito occasionally busts out some very detailed pages. 
Sep 14, 2018
Read this if you are looking for: A cool high school girl leading her very cute “family” through wacky school competitions.
Recommendation: Pass “Opapagoto” follows ordinary schoolgirl Natsukawa Haruhi, who is one day plucked off the street and forcibly enrolled in an upper-class all-girls school where she is to be the “father” of a pretend family unit. The all-powerful student council has these family units compete against each other, and Haruhi must learn how to truly become part of her new family and ensure their victory. The large cast and elaborate scenario end up being undermined by the series’ short length, and only a few characters ever ... 
Sep 14, 2018
Read this if you are looking for: A group of gay college friends trying to overcome their vices.
Recommendation: Pick it up! “Watashi no Sekai wo Kousei suru Chiri no You na Nani ka” follows the university lives of a group of seven women who are all in various stages of romantic (mostly lesbian) relationships. In absence of an overarching plot, the manga explores the complicated relationships within the group and we are treated to some juicy interpersonal drama. While there are some sad bits, the overall vibe is pretty positive as the characters learn to accept themselves. These characters are unique and memorable, and for the ... |
