Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month everyone! To celebrate, we're revisiting some of our favorite Japanese manga featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes!

The history of LGBTQ+ representation in Japanese manga is quite different from the history of LGBTQ+ representation in American graphic novels and comics. For more information on this, check out our post "Power Up For Pride With LGBTQ+ Superheroes!" For more details on LGBTQ+ manga, read on! 

A Brief History of LGBTQ+ Manga

Although homosexuality in Japan was never criminalized to the extent it was in countries such as the USA or the United Kingdom, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination on a cultural and social level with very limited legal protection. 

However, this has not stopped queer writers and artists from producing queer works of art, nor has it stopped readers from consuming it. Japanese author Yoshiya Nobuko wrote novels about female same-sex love and relationships during the 1920s. Her work was very popular and directly influenced the development of both shōjo and yuri manga in the decades that followed.

Shōjo refers to manga developed specifically for female readers. (For more information, check out our "A Beginner's Guide to Manga"). With its heavy focus on romance and drama, shōjo manga focus more on interpersonal relationships, drama, and emotions. Internal conflicts take precedence over big action, so the struggles faced by queer characters over their own gender and sexual identities fit perfectly into this setup. Moto Hagio's The Heart of Thomas is an excellent example of this as it features lush artwork, lyrical prose, and primarily focuses on the relationships between young male students. 

Starting in the 1970s, manga featuring same sex or queer relationships began to see mainstream, commercial success within shojo manga. Female manga artists began producing a new type of shōjo manga that featured beautiful artwork, complicated storylines, romances between same-sex couples, characters who challenged their gender or sexual identity, and other narratives that had a powerful and long-lasting influence over many burgeoning manga creators and readers.

Some of the most popular shōjo manga of the era were produced by a group of female manga artists that would later be called the Year 24 Group. Although these mangaka (manga creators) worked on and produced their manga separately, they were referred to as the Year 24 Group because they were all born around the same time period and were thus around the same age (early 20s). These young women revolutionized shōjo manga, and their influence can still be felt to this day.

In 1978, Riyoko Ikeda, a member of the unoffical group, produced one of the first commerically successful manga to feature an explicitly transgendered protagonist, Claudine.  While early LGBTQ+ manga were groundbreaking, they were not without their flaws.  Although these titles featured queer couples, they almost always ended tragically or featured instances of excessive abuse, such as Ikeda’s Claudine and The Heart of Thomas. Modern LGBTQ+ manga have made a significant move away from its tragic roots, but these early works have had a longlasting influence. 

Meanwhile, queer mangaka have been publishing their works through small presses, underground publishers, and queer manga magazines for decades. Unfortunately, many of these were produced under limited quantities and under small publishers (that frequently folded) therefore a lot of this media is lost or hard to find. Even if you did manage to get a hold of this material, as an international reader unless you speak/read Japanese you might be hard pressed to read it. International publication is expensive, and publishers will typically only translate works that they believe will be commercially successful overseas. For this reason, it is much more common to find an English translation of some of the more mainstream shojo manga from the 1970s that we mentioned earlier than it is to find a gay romance manga from the 1980s. 

Because of the boom in shojo manga in the 1970s, amateur manga artists began producing their own self-published manga, otherwise known as dōjinshi, that often featured their favorite male characters from anime and manga involved in queer relationships. Thanks to comic conventions, dōjinshi artists began to share and sell their artwork amongst other fans and artists. Spurred by this support, many of these dōjinshi artists would then move on to produce their own original series. In fact, narratives featuring romantic love between same-sex couples became so popular they evolved into their own specific, and prolific, genres of manga known as Yaoi (outdated), or "Boy’s Love" (current), and Yuri, or "Girl’s Love," from the 1970s onwards.

LGBTQ+ Manga Terminology

The terms yaoi and Boy's Love/BL both refer to manga that follow sexual/romantic relationships between two male characters. However, as a rule, yaoi manga always feature sexually explicit material, while Boy's Love may or may not. Yaoi is largely considered an outdated term and has been primarily replaced with Boy's Love within recent years. These terms are not to be confused with shounen-ai, a genre that focuses on the romantic relationship between boys, which emerged in early shōjo magazines during the 1970s. Although shounen-ai is also an outdated subgenre and term.

The term "Bara" used to refer to gay manga written by and for gay men back in the 80s, but that term has since been deemed outdated and inaccurate. Instead, manga that is specifically written by and for gay men are currently referred to as "geicomi", "gei manga", or "gay comics/manga".

Much like American romance novels, which are often written by women for women, mainstream, widely available yaoi/Boy’s Love  have traditionally been written and designed by female manga artists for female readers. That being said, there have been plenty of queer mangaka who have been publishing their works for years through smaller distributors. Now it is much more common for mainstream, commerically available Boy's Love and yuri manga to be written by and for queer readers of all ages and genders.  

Gengoroh Tagame is a gay mangaka who has been publishing manga for queer magazines for decades. US manga readers are probably most familiar with his series, My Brother's Husband. For an inside scoop on gay manga and BL check out this transcript from the “Gay Comics Art Japan" panel hosted by the Toronto Comic Arts Festival: TCAF 2015 – Gengoroh Tagame Talks Gay Manga, “Bara,” BL and Scanlation.

Yuri, or Girl’s Love, is an umbrella term referring to any manga that features sexual/romantic love between females. Unlike yaoi, the amount of sexually explicit material in yuri manga varies from story to story, with some narratives focusing solely on romance without any sex. This means that one yuri manga can be an innocent romance while another can feature sexually explicit material. Yet both titles would be put under the yuri genre. 

Often, Boy's Love and yuri manga are categorized as LGBTQ+ manga because they feature same-sex couples; however, most, if not all, modern Boy's Love and yuri manga focus strictly on the romance and sexual escapades of the leads and rarely, if ever, discuss queer issues or identity. Boy's Love and yuri protagonists seldom refer to themselves or their partners as homosexual, or gay, queer, lesbian, bisexual, etc., nor do they typically explore the realities of living life as a queer person. This has been changing over the years with new titles and new trends, but it's still something to keep in mind. 

Terms and categories are frequently changing and altering as both creators, readers, and booksellers try to figure out what the most appropriate terminology for their work is. These "lines" separating Boy's Love/Yuri from LGBTQ+ manga are mutable as mangaka will frequently cross over and work on whatever type of media suites their creative leanings. 

The Problems With BL: A Brief Overview 

​Many critics have argued that Boy's Love and yuri manga only fetishize LGBTQ+ persons and relationships, while others argue that is is harmless escapist fun. We'll leave those discussions to the readers.

Junko's hit series, Kiss Him, Not Me, follows an avid female Boy's Love fan, otherwise known as a fujoshi, as she fantasizes about relationships between her male classmates, even as they pursue her romantically. The series is an overexaggerated look into the mind of an overenthusiastic Boy's Love fan. On the other hand, Kaori Tsurutani's BL Metamorphosis presents a much calmer and more accessible exploration of why Boy's Love is so popular. 

Non-consensual sexual contact is a very common problem in older yoai, Boy's Love, and Shounen-ai. Rape, attempted rape, and other forms of non-consensual sexual assault appear frequently, most often between the main love interests. These issues were most prevalent with titles published more than 10-20 years ago, but they still pop up in modern publications from time to time.

Eiki Eiki's Love Stage!! is a prime example of this as it features instances where one of the love interests is both assaulted by his lover and, later,  must be saved from assault by his lover. These instances of sexual assault are often fetishized in older yaoi manga, and this can be extremely problematic as it can normalize violence and assault. More often than not, overly sexualized Boy's Love will feature instances of assault or dubious consent that are played off, not addressed, or taken very seriously. Many recent Boy's Love series have been moving away from these tropes, but we thought it was important to acknowledge this major trope within the genre. There are plenty of Boy's Love romances that do not feature assault, such as 10 Dance by Inouesatoh or Given by Natsuki Kizu.   

True LGBTQ+ manga will discuss/address issues such as assault or living life as a queer person in a realistic/semi-realistic way. Boy's Love/Yuri tend to operate in a non-realistic, alternative setting and very seldom address real life issues. In its defense, sometimes this is exactly what readers are looking for. LGBTQ+ readers are acutely aware of the socio-political landscape that they live in, and sometimes they just want to read a story about a same-sex couple falling in love without the depressing stigma of reality.  

While there have been slow changes in the genre, for the most part, everyone can agree modern Boy's Love and yuri are pure, escapist fantasy. This is something to keep in mind while exploring LGBTQ+ manga.

Where should I start with LGBTQ+ manga?

LGBTQ+ characters are not relegated solely to yaoi and yuri titles. There are plenty of anime and manga with narratives that revolve around, or feature, explicitly queer or queer-coded protagonists. These stories can explore queer identity or issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community, or might simply be an escapist fantasy starring queer characters.

Chiho Saito’s Revolutionary Girl Utena features an undoubtedly queer cast in both its manga and anime adaptation, and is one of the most well-known series to star a lesbian lead. Naoko Takeuchi’s Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, one of the most famous manga/anime series of all time, is also known for its portrayal and acceptance of queer characters such as Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, a canonically out and proud lesbian couple. Takako Shimura’s slice-of-life manga series Wandering Son follows two fifth graders as they discover and come to terms with their own gender identities. 

Despite cultural and social discrimination, the production of manga featuring LGBTQ+ characters has seen a definite rise within the last 10 years or so. Manga like Kabi Nagata’s My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, Gengoroh Tagame’s My Brother’s Husband, and Chii’s The Bride Was a Boy have gone a long way towards providing a variety of LGBTQ+-themed stories, and normalizing LGBTQ+ relationships and characters. Fumi Yoshinaga's series, What Did You Eat Yesterday?, which follows a gay couple living in modern day Tokyo, was nominated for the first ever Manga Taishō award in 2008 and won the 2019 Kodansha Manga Award. 

With the constant influx of new manga available, we've done our best to put together an ongoing list of titles available within our collection. This list is updated periodically.

For more recommendations, don’t forget to check out #RainbowReading!

LGBTQ+ Manga

Boys Run the Riot by Keito Gaku; translation, Leo McDonagh; lettering, Ashley Caswell.

High schooler Ryo knows he's transgender, but he doesn't have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can't tell his best friend, who he's secretly got a crush on, and he can't tell his mom, who's constantly asking why Ryo 'dresses like a boy.' He certainly can't tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully. The only time Ryo feels at ease is when he's wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self. One day, while out shopping, Ryo sees someone he didn't expect: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as him! At last, Ryo has someone he can open up to, and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to the world.

The Bride was a Boy, (true) story and art by Chii, translation by Beni Axia Conrad, adaptation by Shanti Whitesides, lettering and retouch by Karis Page

A diary comic with an upbeat, adorable flair that tells the charming tale of Chii, a woman assigned male at birth. Her story starts with her childhood and follows the ups and downs of exploring her sexuality, gender, and transition—as well as falling in love with a man who's head over heels for her. Now, Chii is about to embark on a new adventure: becoming a bride!
 

Claudine, story and art by Riyoko Ikeda, translation by Jocelyne Allen, lettering and retouch by CK Russell

This heart-wrenching story follows Claudine, born in a female-assigned body that doesnt reflect the man inside, through life, pain, and the love of several women. Master shoujo mangaka Riyoko Ikeda explores gender and sexuality in early 20th century France in this powerful tale about identity, culture, and self-acceptance.

Note: Features outdated terminology. 

I Hear the Sunspot, written and illustrated by Yuki Fumino

Because of a hearing disability, Kohei is often misunderstood and has trouble integrating into life on campus, so he learns to keep his distance. That is, until he meets the outspoken and cheerful Taichi, who tells Kohei that his hearing loss is not his fault. Taichi's words cut through Kohei's usual defense mechanisms and open his heart. More than friends, less than lovers, their relationship changes Kohei forever.

I Think our Son is Gay by Okura; translation, Leo McDonagh; lettering, Lor Prescott.

Despite belonging to a family of four, the Aoyama residence is typically home to three due to father Akiyoshi's job. While he's away at work, mom Tomoko and her two beloved sons Hiroki and Yuri go about their everyday lives--going to school, making dinner, doing homework, etc. But now that Hiroki's in his first year of high school, his thoughts are turning ever so slightly to sex and romance and his mom can't help but notice his slips of the tongue when he's talking about who he likes. Supportive Tomoko has an inkling Hiroki might be gay, but she's going to let him figure it out for himself. Unfortunately, Hiroki has little talent for keeping his 'secret,' so he might die of embarrassment before all is said and done!

My Brother's Husband by Gengoroh Tagame, translated from the Japanese by Anne Ishii

Yaichi is a work-at-home suburban dad in contemporary Tokyo, formerly married to Natsuki, and father to their young daughter, Kana. Their lives suddenly change with the arrival at their doorstep of a hulking, affable Canadian named Mike Flanagan, who declares himself the widower of Yaichi's estranged gay twin, Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to explore Ryoji's past, and the family reluctantly but dutifully takes him in. What follows is an unprecedented and heartbreaking look at the state of a largely still-closeted Japanese gay culture: how it's been affected by the West, and how the next generation can change the preconceptions about it and prejudices against it.

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, (true) story and art by Nagata Kabi, translation by Jocelyne Allen, adaptation by Lianne Sentar

The heart-rending autobiographical manga that's taken the internet by storm! My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is an honest and heartfelt look at one young woman's exploration of her sexuality, mental well-being, and growing up in our modern age. Told using expressive artwork that invokes both laughter and tears, this moving and highly entertaining single volume depicts not only the artist's burgeoning sexuality, but also many other personal aspects of her life that will resonate with readers.

Our Dining Table story and art by Mita Ori ; translation, Amber Tamosaitis ; adaptation, Marykate Jasper ; lettering, Laura Heo.

Eating around other people is a struggle for salaryman Yutaka, despite his talent for cooking. All that changes when he meets Minoru and Tane -- two brothers, many years apart in age -- who ask him to teach them how to make his delicious food! It's not long before Yutaka finds himself falling hard for the meals they share together -- and falling in love!

Our Dreams at Dusk story and art by Yuhki Kamatani; translation, Jocelyne Allen; adaptation, Ysabet MacFarlane; lettering and retouch, Kaitlyn Wiley.

Not only is high schooler Tasuku Kaname the new kid in town, he is also terrified that he had been outed as gay. Just as he's contemplating doing the unthinkable, Tasuku meets a mysterious woman who leads him to a group of people dealing with problems not so different from his own. In this realistic, heartfelt depiction of LGBT+ characters from different backgrounds finding their place in the world, a search for inner peace proves to be the most universal experience of all.

Note: The main character is insulted by his classmates using derogatory terminology. This may be upsetting to some readers. 

That Blue Sky Feeling, story by Okura, art by Coma Hashii

When Noshiro transfers to a new school, he meets Sanada, a loner who doesn't seem to have friends—or want any. The other kids whisper that Sanada keeps to himself because he's secretly gay. But rather than scare Noshiro away, the rumor only makes him more interested. He sets out on a campaign to win over the surly Sanada, embarking on a surprising friendship.

Wandering Son by Shimura Takako

The fifth grade. The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend, Yoshino Takatsuki, have happy homes and loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy.

What Did You Eat Yesterday? by Fumi Yoshinaga, translation by Maya Rosewood

Part comic, part cookbook. In the narrative, a hard-working middle-aged gay couple in Tokyo come to enjoy the finer moments of life through food. After long days at work, Shiro and Kenji will always have down time together by the dinner table, where they can discuss their feelings and enjoy delicately prepared home-cooked meals. Not only is food incorporated into the story, but the frames actually take readers through the process of preparing meals in great detail, with recipes listed at the end of the chapters.

 Shounen-ai

The Heart of Thomas by Moto Hagio

The setting: A boys' boarding school in Germany, some time in the mid-20th century. One winter day, 14-year-old Thomas Werner falls from a lonely pedestrian overpass to his death, immediately after sending a single, brief letter to another boy at the school: "To Juli, one last time. This is my love. This is the sound of my heart. Surely you must understand."

Yaoi/Boy’s Love (18+)

10 Dance by Inouesatoh ; translation, Karhys ; lettering, Brndn Blakeslee.

 

Shinya Sugiki, the dashing lord of Standard Ballroom, and Shinya Suzuki, passionate king of Latin Dance: The two share more than just a first name and a love of the sport. They each want to become champion of the 10-Dance Competition, which means they'll need to learn the other's specialty dances, and who better to learn from than the best? But old rivalries die hard, and things get complicated even further when they realize there might be more between them than an uneasy partnership.

 

Candy Color Paradox story and art by Isaku Natsume ; additional translation, Adrienne Beck ; touch-up art and lettering, Vanessa Satone.

 

Satoshi Onoe takes pride in the good writing and ethical reporting he does in his job at a weekly magazine. But when the stakeout teams are shuffled around, he ends up being paired with Motoharu Kaburagi, and ill-mannered photographer who is nothing but trouble. Onoe despises Kaburagi's haphazard and unethical reporting methods, and the two bicker constantly. But Onoe's annoyance begins to shift as he spends more time with Kaburagi, and his feeling turn a bit sweeter…

Classmates story and art, Asumiko Nakamura; translation, Jocelyne Allen; adaptation, Lillian Diaz-Przybyl; lettering and retouch, Ray Steeves.

 

Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito's music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer. But when Hikaru realizes that he's fallen for Rihito, will they stay classmates or become something more?

 

 

Crimson Spell story and art by Ayano Yamane ; translation, Adrienne Beck.

 

Upon wielding an ancient sword that has been passed down through his royal family for generations, Prince Vald is struck by a curse that turns him into a demon! In search of guidance, Vald appeals to the powerful sorcerer Halvi for help, and the two set out on a journey to break the curse. However, there is one thing the handsome sorcerer is keeping secret from the young prince--the raging demon that Vald turns into every night can only be calmed when Halvi satisfies his lust! And so begins their epic journey in search of clues to break the young prince's curse.

Note: contains an assault

Embracing Love story and art by Youka Nitta

Iwaki Kyousuke and Katou Yoji are two hugely popular adult film stars looking for a way out of the industry. Their chance arrives when they’re both invited to audition for a new erotic film. Imagine their surprise when the director decides the only way for him to choose who will get the coveted lead role is for them to perform one of the film’s love scenes on the spot—with each other! Things get even crazier when Katou decides to take drastic measures to ensure he can continue seeing Iwaki after film production wraps. How will Iwaki respond to Katou’s impulsive act?

Finder Volume 1: Target in Sight story and art by Ayano Yamane ; translation, Adrienne Beck.

Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader--the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi--in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba's world is changed forever. Freelance photographer Akihito Takaba is captured by the very subject he's been stalking in his viewfinder--the handsome and enigmatic crime lord Asami Ryuichi! The older man ravages him, both body and mind. Does this mean the end for the naive photographer, or will he live to shoot another day?

Note: contains an assault

Given by Natsuki Kizu; translation, Junko Goda.

Love of music unites the four members of the band Given: hot headed guitarist Uenoyama, playboy drummer Akihiko, gentle bassist Haruki, and Mafuyu, a singer gifted with great talent and burdened by past tragedy. Their struggles and conflicts may drive them apart, but their band to the music, and to one another, always brings them back together again. Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all-- with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. That is, until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Uenoyama is nonplussed by Mafuyu Sato and his slightly odd behavior, but when on a whim, he asks Mafuyu to sing, the power of that song pierces him to the core.

Hitorijime My Hero by Memeco Arii; translation: Anne Lee; lettering: Michael Martin.

A yaoi romance between a good boy who didn't know he was waiting for a hero, and a bad boy who comes to his rescue! Masahiro Setagawa doesn't believe in heroes, but wishes he could. He's found himself in a gang of small-time street bullies who use him to run errands. But when high school teacher (and scourge of the streets) Kousuke Ohshiba comes to his rescue, he finds he may need to start believing after all. As their relationship deepens, he realizes a hero might be just what he was looking for this whole time.

I Cannot Reach You by Mika; translation, Jan Mitsuko Cash; lettering, Alexis Eckerman.

Childhood best friends. Two halves of a whole. The cool, smart one who's good at almost everything, and his average, dorky friend who struggles to do anything right -- Yamato and Kakeru. Always by the other's side, but not together in the way they truly want to be. No matter how hard they try, their hearts cannot reach each other…

Love Stage!!, story by Eiki Eiki, art by Taishi Zaou, translation by Adrienne Beck, touch-up art and lettering by Wally

Though his family is packed with famous celebrities, Izuma Sena is just your average guy. Currently a college student, he's a huge otaku with aspirations of becoming a manga creator. But one day, he gets roped into filming a TV commercial and meets hot young actor Ryoma Ichijo. Not only does Ryoma remember Sena from a commercial they were in together as children, he's also been carrying a torch all these years for the girl he thinks starred opposite him. What will he do when he finds out she is really a he?

Note: contains sexual assault. 

Midnight Stranger story and art by Bohra Naono ; additional translation, Adrienne Beck ; touch-up art and lettering, NRP Studios.

Roi, a black goat spirit, is getting bullied when out of nowhere he's rescued by the beautiful fire god Xiu. Xiu gives Roi the ability to take human form, and a grateful Roi decides to serve Xiu as his new master. Now by Xiu's side every day, Roi wishes to become more than just his servant. Painfully aware of just how ugly he is, Roi believes Xiu could never care about him, and one day something happens to bring Xiu's wrath down on Roi. What must he do to gain the fire god's favor?

Ten Count story and art by Rihito Takarai; translation, Adrienne Beck; touch-up art and lettering, NRP Studios.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani's attraction to his counselor grows.

There are Things I Can't Tell You manga by Edako Mofumofu; translator, Christine Dashiell; retouch and lettering, INKR Comics.

Kasumi and Kyousuke are polar opposites when it comes to personality. Kasumi is reserved, soft-spoken and shy; Kyousuke is energetic and has always been popular among their peers. As the saying goes though, opposites have a tendency to attract, and these two have been fast friends since elementary school. To Kasumi, Kyousuke has always been a hero to look up to, someone who supports him and saves him from the bullies. But now, school is over; their relationship suddenly becomes a lot less simple to describe. Facing the world -- and one another -- as adults, both men find there are things they struggle to say out loud, even to each other.

A Strange & Mystifying Story story and art by Tsuta Suzuki ; translation, Adrienne Beck ; touch-up art and lettering, Bianca Pistillo.

Akio Yamane's bloodline is cursed! Or at least that's what his relatives would have people think. Now feverish and delusional from a terminal illness, Akio accidentally summons his family's guardian deity. Little did he know this sinfully hot god would appear naked, sporting ears and a tail. Wait until Akio finds out the unconventional and rather intimate manner his protector plans on using to cure him!

Note: contains an assault 

The World's Greatest First Love, story and art by Shungiku Nakamura, translation by Adrienne Beck, touch-up art and lettering by NRP Studios

When Ritsu Onodera changes jobs, looking for a fresh start, he's not exactly thrilled when his new boss turns out to be his old flame. Ritsu's determined to leave all that in the past—but how can he when his boss is just as determined that they have a future?

Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms story and art by Nagabe ; [translation, Adrienne Beck ; adaptation, Ysabet MacFarlane ; lettering and layout, Karis Page].

Hidden away deep within the woods, far from the prying eyes of the world, lies the Wizdom's School of Wizarding. There beasts of all kinds gather to live, to learn, and to love. From everyday animals to fantastical creatures, these BL stories are told with a realistic and light-hearted touch.

Yuri

After Hours, story and art by Yuhta Nishio, English language translation and adaptation by Abby Lehrke

Emi Ashiana is 24, unemployed, and not really sure what she wants do with her life. When a friend invites her to a dance club, Emi doesn't expect much. But what she finds will change her world! The club is hopping and Emi isn't… so she ends up hiding in a corner after her friend ditches her to flirt with a guy! Emi figures the night is a bust, but then someone amazing comes to her rescue. Kei is a DJ, and her effortless self-confidence captivates Emi. Is this just a wonderful night out or the start of the rest of her life?

 

Bloom into You, story and art by Nakatani Nio, translation by Jenny McKeon, adaptation by Jenn Grunigen, lettering and retouch by CK Russell

Yuu has always loved shoujo manga and yearns for the day when someone might give her a love confession that would send her heart aflutter. Yet, when a junior high school classmate confesses his feelings to her, she feels nothing. Disappointed and confused, Yuu enters high school, where she sees the confident and beautiful student council member Nanami. When the next person to confess to Yuu is Nanami herself, has Yuu's romantic dream finally come true?

The Conditions of Paradise story & art by Akiko Morishima; translation, Elina Ishikawa-Curran; adaptation, Asha Bardon.

Sarina and her best friend Sumi are super close. Sumi often crashes at Sarina's place, and sometimes the two even make out a little bit. But Sarina figures a romantic relationship could never work between them. Sarina is an organized office worker, while Sumi is a nomadic freelance writer. Can the two find a way to make their very different lifestyles mesh?

The Conditions of Paradise: Our First Time by Akiko Morishima.

Sumi has long carried a torch for her best friend Sarina, but she’s made peace with the fact that Sarina will never love her back. But as the two women start to blur the lines and kiss, will they go from being friends to lovers? Read their tale and many more sweet yuri love stories in The Conditions of Paradise: Our First Time!

Éclair: A Girls' Love Anthology that Resonates in Your Heart, illustration by Non, translation by Eleanor Summers, lettering by Alexis Eckerman

Full of beating hearts and fluttering feelings, this anthology of girls' love stories will leave you breathless. With contributors like Canno (Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl), Sakuya Amano (Gosick), and Nio Nakatani (Bloom into You), this collection is sure to satisfy the desire for a sweet love story (or sixteen!)

Eclair Blanche: A Girls' Love Anthology that Resonates in your Heart

The girls' love anthology is back and bursting with stories to enchant and delight.

 

 

 

 

Eclair Bleue: A Girl's Love Anthology that Resonates in your Heart translation by Eleanor Summers; lettering: Erin Hickman].

The girls' love anthology returns with another collection of stories to warm your heart! This third installment revisits old favorites and entices with brand-new tales of love. Explore maidenly hearts with new chapters from authors like Canno (Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl), Nakatani Nio (Bloom into You), and Fly (Kemono Friends: Welcome to Japari Park!).
 

 

 

Eclair Orange: A Girl's Love Anthology that Resonates in your Heart translation by Eleanor Summers; lettering: Erin Hickman].

Love is complicated in all its forms, but the feelings of girls especially so...Return again to tales from maidens' hearts with this fifth installment of Éclair! Continue the journey of young and arduous love with authors like Canno (Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl), Yuriko Hara (Cocoon Entwined), and Kabocha (Kemono Friends á la carte).
 

 

 

Failed Princesses story & art by Ajiichi; translation, Angela Liu; adaptation, Marykate Jasper; lettering and retouch, Rina Mapa.

Fujishiro Nanaki is super cute, super popular, and super annoyed with anyone as plain as her classmate Kurokawa Kanade. When Nanaki finds out her boyfriend's cheating on her, however, her life makes a complete 180--as does her relationship with Kanade.

 

 

 

 

Goodbye my Rose Garden story and art by Dr. Pepperco ; translation, Amber Tamosaitis ; adaptation, Cae Hawksmoor ; lettering and retouch, Kaitlyn Wiley.

Early in the twentieth century, Hanako journeys to England to follow her dream of becoming a novelist. When things don't work out quite as she planned, she finds employment as a personal maid to noblewoman Alice Douglas, who makes a most unusual request: she begs Hanako to kill her! As Hanako tries to figure out why her mistress would make such a shocking plea, their relationship grows into something far deeper.

 

 

 

How Do We Relationship? story and art by Tamifull ; English translation & adaptation, Abby Lerkhe ; touch-up art & lettering, Joanna Estep.

Shy Miwa has always dreamed of finding love, but living in small-town Japan made finding the right match difficult--especially since she likes girls! Even going away to college didn't seem to help, until one day her outgoing classmate Saeko suggests they might as well start dating each other since it's not like either of them has other options. At first it seems like things won't work out as their personalities clash and misunderstandings abound. But when their casual friendship starts to become something more, Miwa begins to wonder--can a pragmatic proposal lead to true love?
 

If I Could Reach You by tMnR; translation: Diana Taylor; lettering: Jennifer Skarupa.

High schooler Uta must navigate living in close quarters with Kaoru: her first crush, her childhood friend...and now, her sister-in-law. After spending a year under the same roof with her brother and Kaoru, Uta witnesses the cracks in their marriage beginning to show. And when Uta becomes Kaoru's sole comfort and ally in their home, she is torn between her duty and her feelings. She just can't get over her...not yet.

 

 

Murciélago by Yoshimurakana; translation, Christine Dashiell; lettering, Alexis Eckerman.

Rated M, Sexually Explicit
Mass murderers may not have much by way of career skills, but Kuroko Koumori seems to have landed her dream job as a hitwoman for the Tokyo police! A license to kill other killers? That's some serious job satisfaction, right there!
 

 

Nameless Asterism story and art by Kina Kobayashi; translation by Jenny McKeon; adaptation, Lora Gray; lettering and retouch, Ray Steeves.

Tsukasa, Nadeshiko, and Mikage have been inseparable since they began junior high, but Tsukasa has a secret she’s been keeping from her best friends–she actually has a big crush on Nadeshiko! Not wanting to risk their friendship, she planned to keep it a secret forever, but when Tsukasa learns that Nadeshiko has a crush on Mikage, her desire to support her friends now conflicts with her own feelings. First love blossoms in unexpected ways for these three young women and their circle of friends.

 

 

Our Teachers are Dating! story & art by Pikachi Ohi ; translation, Jennifer Ward ; adaptation, Rebecca Scoble ; lettering and retouch, Erika Terriquez.

Hayama-sensei and Terano-sensei are two women who work at the same school…and just started going out. They’re a little shy about their budding relationship, but their coworkers–and even their students–are rooting for them as they bumble their way through love!

 

Our Wonderful Days = Tsurezure Biyori story & art by Kei Hamuro; translation, Katrina Leonoudakis; lettering and retouch, Erika Terriquez.

As children, Koharu and Mafuyu were best buds until Mafuyu moved away to Tokyo. But now, several years have passed and Mafuyu is back, attending the same high school as Koharu. As the two girls explore their sleepy hometown, Koharu can’t help but develop a crush on her childhood best friend…

 

 

Still Sick by Akashi; translator Katie Kimura; retouching and lettering Vibrraant Publishing Studio.

Genre: Girls Love, Slice of Life, Yuri

Volumes: 3

Makoto Shimzu is just and ordinary office worker, blending in seamlessly with her colleagues on the job -- that is, until her coworker Akane Maekawa discovers her well-hidden secret; in her spare time, she draws and sells girls' love comics. Akane is the last person Makoto would think of as a nerd, but as the two draw closer, it starts to seem like Akane may have a secret of her own…

Sweet Blue Flowers, story and art by Takako Shimura, translation and adaptation by John Werry, touch-up art and lettering by Monalisa De Asis

Akira Okudaira is starting high school and ready for exciting new experiences. On the first day of school, she runs into her best friend from kindergarten at the train station. Now, Akira and Fumi have the chance to rekindle their friendship, but life has gotten a lot more complicated since they were kids. Fumi is glad Akira is back in her life. Even in kindergarten, Akira knew how to stand up for herself, and was always willing to stand up for Fumi too. But Fumi's first love recently got married, and Fumi is grappling with a broken heart and the fact that her sweetheart was another woman. Can Akira's open heart help dispel the gloom Fumi has been caught up in?

Whisper Me a Love Song by Eku Takeshima; translation, Kevin Steinbach; lettering, Jennifer Skarupa.

Himari's never been in love. Then another girl's rock performance awakens feelings she doesn't understand... but her new idol, Yori, does! Bubbly, energetic first-year high school student Himari falls head over heels for her senpai Yori after hearing her band perform on the first day of school. Himari tells Yori she's fallen in love at first sight, and, to Himari's surprise, Yori confesses that she has as well! But when Himari realizes that she and Yori are feeling two different kinds of love, she begins to ask herself what "love" really means...

 

 

A Witch's Love at the End of the World by Kujira; translation, Eleanor Summers; lettering, Sara Linsley.

In a world where magic rules from the shadows, there exists a school for witches. This mysterious academy trains young witches on a path of revenge against those who have used them only as tools. Alice, a magical prodigy, has lived her life by this goal only to have her world turned upside down when Mari, a magic-less human, enters the school and her heart!

 

 

 

Yuri Bear Storm by Ikunigomakinako ; illustrator: Akiko Morishima

Every night, 16-year-old Kureha has a strange dream involving lilies, storms, and... her classmate Ginko as a bear?! At school, Kureha's unassuming personality and looks render her practically invisible. Sometimes, it feels like no one notices her at all... until cute and energetic Ginko asks Kureha to talk privately one day during lunch. Maybe she really is a bear... or maybe she's just got a crush on Kureha!

 

 

 

Yuri is My Job! Miman; translation, Diana Taylor; lettering, Jennifer Skarupa.

Hime is a picture-perfect high school princess—she’s admired by all and never trips up! So when she accidentally injures a café manager named Mai, she’s willing to cover some shifts to keep her facade intact. To Hime’s surprise, the café is themed after a private school where the all-female staff always puts on their best act for their loyal customers. However, under the guidance of the most graceful girl there, Hime can’t help but blush and blunder! Beneath all the frills and laughter, Hime feels tension brewing as she finds out more about her new job and her budding feelings …

 

 

Further Reading

100 Manga Artists, edited by Amano Masanao and Julius Wiedemann

Since the original TASCHEN edition of Manga Design, Japan's comic phenomenon has produced yet more captivating characters and a whole host of hot new talents. This revised and updated edition delivers the lowdown on the latest and greatest makers and shapers of the manga scene.

Age of Shōjo: The Emergence, Evolution, and Power of Japanese Girls' Magazine Fiction by Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase

Age of Shōjo details the transformation of Japanese girls' fiction from the 1900s to the 1980s, including the adaptation of Western stories such as Louis May Alcott's Little Women in the Meiji period; the emergence of young female writers in the 1910s, and the flourishing girls' fiction era of the 1920s and 1930s; the changes wrought by state interference during the war; and a new era of empowered post-war fiction. The book highlights seminal author Yoshiya Nobuko's dreamy fantasies and Kitagawa Chiyo's social realism, Morita Tama's autobiographical feminism, the contributions of Nobel Prize-winning author Kawabata Yasunari, and the humorous modern fiction of Himuro Saeko and Tanabe Seiko. These authors address social topics such as education, same-sex love, feminism, and socialism using girls' perspectives. The age of shōjo, which began at the turn of the 20th century, continues to nurture new generations of writers and entice audiences beyond age, gender, and nationality.

Boys Love Manga and Beyond: History, Culture, and Community in Japan, edited by Mark McLelland, Kazumi Nagaike, Katsuhiko Suganuma, and James Welker

A critical examination of the "beautiful boy" love comics that have long enthralled fans in Japan and now worldwide.

Fantasies of Cross-dressing: Japanese Women Write Male-Male Erotica by Kazumi Nagaike

Male homosexual narratives in various genres and media—from "high-brow" literature by distinguished female authors to "pornographic" comic books produced and distributed by amateurs—have attracted the attention of a number of cultural critics in Japan and abroad. This book represents the first extensive critical attempt to examine Japanese women's narratives of male homosexuality/homoeroticism, addressing not only popular culture genres, but also the considerable body of critically acclaimed literary works (with English translations of the original works). The result is an in-depth analysis of the ways in which female fantasies of male homosexuality/homoeroticism may be composed, acknowledged, and interrogated.

Gay Lives by Robert Aldrich

A comprehensive biographical survey, from ancient Chinese courtiers to pioneers of gay liberation in the 21st century, from the unknowable relationships of the distant past to the frankest affirmations of modern sexual identity.

Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men who Make It edited by Chip Kidd, Graham Kolbeins, and Anne Ishii ; comics and interview translation by Anne Ishii ; photography by Graham Kolbeins.

Big, burly, lascivious, and soft around the edges: welcome to the hyper-masculine world of Japanese gay manga. Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men Who Make It is the first English-language anthology of its kind: an in-depth introduction to nine of the most exciting comic artists making work for a gay male audience in Japan. Jiraiya, Seizoh Ebisubashi and Kazuhide Ichikawa are three of the irresistibly seductive, internationally renowned artists featured in Massive, as well as Gengoroh Tagame, the subject of The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame: Master of Gay Erotic Manga. Get to know each of these artists intimately, through candid interviews, photography, context-providing essays, illustrations and manga. Massive also includes the groundbreaking, titillating work of gay manga luminaries Takeshi Matsu, Fumi Miyabi, Inu Yoshi, Gai Mizuki and comic essayist Kumada Poohsuke.

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