Yuri to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito

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Yuribou Manga Review – Girlfriends

Posted on | December 17, 2007 | 5 Comments |

Because of the abject lack of and real yuri in the anime available right now, I thought I would turn to something I think was mentioned a few posts back that is probably the only new yuri thing I am really liking at the moment…

“Girlfriends” is a supposedly yuri manga by the acclaimed yuri mangaka Morinaga Milk (or Miruku, however you like to take your katakana – rare or well done) currently being scanlated by Makimaki scanlations.

The premise is fairly simple and runs along similar lines to another manga/anime that I am also fond of – Joshikousei (otherwise known as High School Girls by Amazon.co.uk). Girlfriends catalogues the everyday school life of (mainly) two girls, the shy and introverted Mari and the extrovert fashion conscious McDonalds addict Akko.

Like it’s sibling Joshikousei, the main storyline is meant to be a story told from a female perspective of the daily trials and tribulations of being a Japanese teenage girl, complete with worrying about weight, sale-surfing for clothes and, of course, boys. Oh wait. Scrap that last one.

Morinaga Milk is more famous for his (her?) work in Yuri Hime and other such publications. The name (i would think) is based on the milk company of the same name (Google is amazing), but the stories are usually one-shots of heart-achingly told stories of yuri angst and (sometimes) requited love. Usually involving a long light haired extrovert and a short black haired shy one. So why would this one be any different?

The second chapter left us on a real yuri cliffhanger with Akko uttering the famous hentai catchphrase “I’m sorry (I can’t hold myself back anymore)” in a wonderfully executed APF (Accidental Perverted Fall) while changing. I’ll try not to spoil everyone’s fun who hasn’t already read it, but let’s just say that I think this particular manga is going to trundle along on the thin borderline between close girlfriends and outright lovers.

The reason why I particularly like this manga is not just because of the art style (which is particularly cute), but also because the storyline is oh-so-normal in the context of a normal school life, but yet there are little tidbits that you have to read twice and really think to yourself – are they really just friends, or does Akko have other incentives? (Not that Mari would have any idea until she sat on her face)

The first clue comes when Akko initially befriends Mari – it seems – completely spontaneously. Perhaps Akko is just the type to spontaneously go up the the quietest girl in the year and try to be friends with her, perhaps she’s just attracted to pretty girls or maybe deep deep down she is hoping to build something more. Yeah, I know the first two are probably more likely, but in the context of Morinaga-sama’s previous work, you take your clues where you find them.

And more clues surface – Akko playing dress up doll with Mari (not entirely unreminiscent of the Sakura/Tomoyo hijinks that I am so fond of quoting), Mari’s mother saying quote “It seems she’s fallen in love with a boy” and, perhaps most clinchingly, Akko taking seductive nudie mobile phone photos of herself in the bath and sending them to Mari. God, if you don’t get that kind of clue, then she needs some serious treatment. With a rock.

Girlfriends is the kind of pedestrian yuri that I most like – good storyline, great characters (though very, very similar to the other mangas by the same) and not overdrawn with stereotypical vamp yuris like Shizuma seducing poor young virgins into their nest of depravity. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for all that jazz, but there’s nothing like a bit of normal life with just a little sprinkle of yuri.

Pass the salt would you?

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Comments

5 Responses to “Yuribou Manga Review – Girlfriends”

  1. Adam
    December 17th, 2007 @ 6:43 pm

    No yuri this season? You have been watching Blue Drop, right?

    And yes, Girlfriends is rather cute and pleasantly inoffensive.

  2. lol_matt
    December 18th, 2007 @ 2:46 am

    I have watched the first six episodes of Blue Drop, and definitely cant consider it yuri. So far the closest thing to yuri has been unnecessary blushing and Mari and Hagino sleeping together…NOT WITH ANY CONTACT WHATSOEVER!!!!…calm down…

    Ok, I’m just gonna say that the manga is a lot more satisfying, betting story and a hell lot more yuri.

  3. lol_matt
    December 18th, 2007 @ 4:58 am

    I read the first two chapters on http://makimaki.110mb.com/main.php. I have to say, I’m addicted. This is good because I haven’t had some good yuri in forever…

  4. Kazu-kun
    December 18th, 2007 @ 5:40 am

    “I think this particular manga is going to trundle along on the thin borderline between close girlfriends and outright lovers.”

    I don’t think so… chapter 7 and 8 begins to move things on, and from Mari’s side at that.

  5. Chilipop
    December 18th, 2007 @ 8:38 am

    Sounds interesting, Yuribou. I will definetely check this out.

    Thanks!

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