Yuri Week: Categorizing Yuri

[Floating_Sakura]

I am glad that there were many people who read the article that I wrote about "yuri". This is Tamagomago. Let's yuriyuri.

By the way, the title from our site, "Maria-sama ga Miteru and the history of yuri works" was used and introduced at other websites. I apologize for the way I wrote it--it might have been confusing.

Anyway, I love yuri so much that I can go on about it forever, but that is merely my opinion. It seems like this is a good time, so I am going to collect data of manga and anime that is easily said to be "Yuri Works Right Now" in my view.

For instance, in BL works, it is easy to put a line between BL and non-BL. For example, Sukina mono wa Suki dakara shouganai is clearly BL, but The Prince of Tennis is categorized as BL in fan-works but it's not in the original. (I think Ookiku Furikabutte is in the gray zone but maybe it’s my imagination?)

But in yuri works, Maria-sama ga Miteru is written with some yuri, but Pani Poni is too normal to be yuri but too yuri to be normal, so this is gray zone. I am going to include this gray zone in "yuri works" as well.

With all that said, I would like to start categorizing "Yuri Works Right Now"

It doesn't matter if it has sexual contents. But I don't think Adult Videos are yuri, so that will be excluded.

I basically aim to satisfy the following 6 points:

1. There is not a male-centered harem.

2. There is a lot of work put into the relationships between girls.

3. Tamagomago thinks its yuri. (Very dogmatic, I know. It's all mixed with works I like and don't like.)

4. Anime and Manga that are talked about these days.

5. I do categorize heavy lesbian-works, but only the ones that are original and yuri-like. I just thought it was rude to make works that are said to be "Lesbian" together with yuri. (added on September 3rd)

It is all Tamagomago's original interpretation so comments such as, "this works better in this category" would be appreciated if they are offered with friendliness. In contrast, comments such as "this is a really good yuri work!" will make me run to the bookstore with a bleeding nose.
　
Links all lead to Amazon and Oficials.

PS: I added a few (9/3)

PS: I added a lot (9/3)

PS: I added the works introduced in the comment. I haven't read all so I just threw them in the category that I thought it was appropriate. Sorry! (9/6)

PS: There was a comment that said "where's the definition of yuri?" and I realized that I had forgotten it and it made me hate my self. So I will write it from my point of view.

"The story or a theme based on a person who is known as a woman having a feeling towards another person who is also known as a woman."　

Very roundabout. Hmmm, I can't write it more concisely so I'll do it some other day. So please understand that I am using these works broadly. It is not necessary to categorize them in certain genre, but the aim of this is for me to think more about yuri, and to recommend it to people. (9/13)

PS: wrote some more (9/13)

PS: added some (10/15)



Lesbian works

｜

｜・Hime yuri Tachi no Houkago（novel）（Morina Miyako）

｜・Karakuri Unmoral（novel）（Morina Miyako）

｜・MAKA-MAKA（Manga）（Kishi Torajirou）

｜・Pieta（Manga）（Haruno Nanae）

｜

Girl's Love Emotion

｜

｜・Escalation（Anime １８＋）

｜・Shojo Kyuu（Game１８＋）

｜・Shoujo Sect（Manga１８＋）（Kurogane Ken）

｜・Sapphism no Gensou（Game１８＋）

｜・SuperLovePotion（Manga１８＋）（Jimata Bou）

｜・Zenryou Taiken, Minna de Tabete（Novel１８＋）（Suzuki Shinobu）

｜・Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito（Game１８＋・Anime）

｜・Aoi Hana（Manga）（Shimura Takako）

｜・Sakura no Sono（Manga）（Yoshida Akimi）

｜・Blue（Manga）（Nananann Kiriko）

｜・Strawberry Panic（Anime）

｜・Kannaduki no Miko（Manga・Anime）（Kaishaku）

｜・Sekusaroido Sayuri（novel１８＋）（Hoshino Piasu）

｜・SIMOUN（Manga・Anime）

｜・Strawberry Shake（Manga）（Hayashiya Shizuru）

｜・ULTRA SWORD（Manga１８＋）（Hayashiya Shizuru）

｜・Nikurashii Anata he（Manga）（Morinaga Miruku）

｜・Applause　―Kassai―（Manga）（Ariyoshi Kyouko）

｜・Himitsu no Hanazono（Manga）（Fujii Mihona）

｜・Kuchibiru Tameiki Sakurairo（Manga）（Morinaga Miruku）

｜・Saigo no Seifuku（Manga）（Hakamada Mera）

｜・Zettai x Rouman（Manga）（Mucchiri Muunii）

｜・Atoraku＝Nakua（Game１８＋）

｜

Inside the closed world of girls

｜

｜・Transistor ni Venus（Manga）（Takemoto Izumi）

｜・Sakura no Kiwa（Manga）（Takemoto Izumi）

｜・Shoujo Kakumei Utena（Anime）

｜・Akai Ito（Game）

｜・Seraphim Call（Anime）

｜・Fushigi no Kuni no Miyuki-chan（Manga・Anime）（CLAMP)

｜・Ayakashi Shinobi Denku no Ichiban（Game）

｜・Bijo de Yajuu（Manga）（Idatatsu Hiko）

｜・Haunted！（Novel）（Hirasaka Yomi）

｜・Kotonoha no Miko to Kotodama no Majo to（Manga）（Fujieda Miyabi）

｜・Hatsukoi Shimai（Novel・Manga）（Shinonome Mizuo）

｜・Maria-sama ga Miteru（Novel・Manga・Anime）（Konnno Oyuki）

｜・Gokujou Seitokai（Manga・Anime）

｜・Shiroi Hana no Maichiru Jikan（Novel）（Tomogiri Natsu）

｜・Yume mitaina Hoshi mitaina（Manga）（Arakika Nao）

｜・Himitsuno Kaidan（Manga）（Konno Kita）

｜・Otome ha Inoru―Himitsu no Dormitary（Manga）（Konno Kita）

｜・Kurara Hakusho（Novel）（Himuro Saeko）

｜・Oniisama he...（Manda・Anime）（Ikeda Riyoko）

｜・Futtemo Haretemo（Manga）（Fujimura Mari）

｜・Zero～Kurenai Chou～（Game）

｜

Between Like and Love

｜

｜・voiceful（Manga）（Naoko）

｜・Ichigo Marshmallow（Manga）

｜・Ninin ga Shinobuden（Manga・anime）（Koga Ryouichi）

｜

Works that make you think of yuri

｜

｜・ＮＯＩＲ（Anime）

｜・Mai-HiME（Manga・Anime）

｜・Mai-Otome（Manga・Anime）

｜・Rakuen no Majo tachi（novel）（Kikawa Stomi）

｜・Little・Witch　Parfait（Game）

｜・Little・Witch　Renet（Game）

｜・Koi Suiren（manga）（Kakimnouchi Narumi）

｜・Pani Poni（Manga・Anime）（Kikawa Hekiru）

｜・Ninaraika（Manga）（Akishige Manabu）

｜・Metal Asia（Novel）（Hidata Shinku）

｜・M A D L A X（Anime）

｜

Border of Friendship and yuri

｜

｜・Card Captor Sakura（Manga・Anime）（CLAMP）

｜・Ｒ.Ｏ.Ｄ（Manga・Anime）

｜・Oka no Ie no Mickey（Novel）（Kumi Saori）

｜・Soukyuu no Megami（Novel）（Suzuki Akira）

｜・Hyper Anna（Manga）（Koundou Rururu）

｜・Battle Athletes（anime）

｜・Top wo Nerae！（Anime）

｜・Top wo Nerae！2（Anime）

｜・Kaleido Star（Anime）

｜・SPARK！！Raranagi Hurricane（Manga）（Mori Chikako）

｜・Futari wa Puricure（Anime）

｜・Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon（Manga・Anime）（Takeuchi Naoko）

｜・Hayate ｘ Blade（Manga）（Hayashiya Shizuru）

｜・"Anata to Scandal"（Shiina Ayumi）

｜・Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha（Anime）

｜・Mahou Shoujo Pretty Sammy（Manga・Anime）

｜・Ikkitousen（Manga・Anime）（Shiozaki Yuuji）

｜

Girls Only Wonderland

｜

｜・Touhou Project（Game）（Shanhai Alice Gengakudan）

｜・Holy Hearts!（Novel）（Kamishiro Akira）

｜・Koutetsu no Hakuto Kishidan（Novel）（Maisaka Kou）

｜・Moeyo！Sensha Gakkou（Others）（Tamura Naoya・Nogami Takeshi）

｜・Koutetsu no Shoujo Tachi（Shiketa Migano）

｜・Mahou no Tunnel SoftEther（Others）（Shuuwa System）

｜・NekoNeko Punch！（Manga）（Oomi Takeshi）

｜・Kamisama no Iutoori！（Manga）

｜・ＡＲＩＡ（Manga・Anime）（Amano Kozue）

｜・Kokoro Toshokan（Manga・Anime）

｜・Devil box Akumade Shimai!（Novel）（Hiroi Ouji）

｜・Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight！（Manga・Anime）

｜・Azumanga Daiou（Manga・Anime）（Azumaki Yohiko）

｜・Hidamari Sketch（Manga・Anime）（Aoki Ume）

｜・Raki☆Suta（Manga）（Yoshimizu Kagami）

｜・Torikoro（Manga）（Hairan）

｜・Renkin Sankyuu Magical？Poka-n（Manga・Anime）（Garakuta House）

｜・Gall Force（Anime）

｜・Muku na Tenshi Tachi（Manga１８＋）（Heppoko-kun）

｜・Yuri Seijin Naoko-san（Manga）（kashmir）

｜・Joshikousei（Manga・Anime）（Ooshima Towa）

｜・Demashita！Power Puff Girlz（Anime）

｜


Exception : Guys becoming a Girl and becomes yuri

｜・Kashimashi～Girl meats Girl~（Manga・Anime）（Katsurayuu Sanmaru）

｜・Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru（Game１８＋・Anime）

The Opposite of the above

｜・Horobi no Mayawel―Kono Ai ga Knife demo（Novel）（Okazaki Hironobu）

Works that changes the coarse throughout the story.

｜・Yumi Mix（Game・Manga）（Takemoto Izumi）　

Other works from the Comment

・hack//sign（Anime）

・Keroro Gunsou（Manga・Anime）（Yoshizaki Mine）

・Ultra Maniac（Manga・Anime）（Yoshizumi Wataru）


Long list--I thought that my brain was going to melt.

I haven't seen all of the works listed above so I just threw the ones that I wasn't sure about in some random category. Sorry if it's wrong.

I know there are many more works in Shoujo Novel (such as Cobalt), but I haven't read all of them. Because there are too many Moe-type 4 koma comics that fit in the "Wonderland" zone, so I just listed the ones I know. There should be more in Ero-Games.

As you go down the list, the works become less realistic.

And, it is easy to tell that many of these works are for guys.

If I create a Horizontal Axis such as "Realistic←→Fantasy", the bottom of the list would come to the right.

I just thought of this, but a lot would change by the question of "Is it love" or "Is it a vague feeling."

If you look at this list from a woman's point-of-view, the Onna darake no Wonderland would be quite a panoramic view. But just because of that, it doesn't mean the works at the bottom are seeking "reality" nor the ones on top seeking "sexuality". (Aoi Hana, Sakura no Sono, blue is an exception). It is the same as guys who like BL and not wanting to see sexual scenes and Homosexuals in the story.

But Gag yuri Manga like Strawberry Shake and below think too much about "yuri". There's a distancing effect between the reader and the book, making the reader think, "it's cute" and "this world is entertaining".

One may ask, "Then, do you wish to live inside this [yuri] world?". The answer is likely to be “no”. If a woman likes yuri, it doesn't mean she's a lesbian. Well, it could happen--but I believe it is only a handful. And the reality of women society is...mmmm...

As I wrote yesterday, the "resistance to sex" gave birth to BL and yuri, so the genre becomes a condensed fantasy that moves away from sex. As a result, the descriptions of feelings become more delicate. Some of you folks may have noticed, but the scenario of being a couple and living happily ever after occurs very seldom. Sometimes, even though a character is a lesbian, she has a boyfriend. That "moment" of the world is it’s biggest charm—and it’s most delicate. In some of the works, it doesn't even matter if the character is a girl or not.

On the other hand, if you see it from a man's point of view, individuality is diverse. As a man, some may say something simple such as "It's 'moe', because they are girls." Most of these comments come from the works listed on the bottom.

In addition, there might be an opinion such as "I want to be in this circle" and "I am touched by the emotion in this work," and feels that they want to stay inside that warm world. So the way the author writes the emotions of the characters is as important as making the scenario interesting. This is just an illusion, of course. They don't actually want to be part a part of this in reality, just in their mind. Kashimashi has delicate emotion written in it; it becomes a very tasteful piece, something like Akahori Satoru no Mecha Kucha World + Otokonoko ga Onnanoko ni natte Renai suru, so it grabs the hearts of both men and women. It seems like the unwanted Tsuki Namiko-sensei may have found the perfect balance.

(redundant : If you combine a work read by men, yuri, and Sex, it might be Futanari. Works such as ULTRA SWORD is a good example. This is just something other than yuri.)

(PS : Futanari is something different compared to yuri (of course, there are many people who like futanari), and most of the time people who like yuri Works says "Futanari is unnecessary".(taken from the comment, 9/8))

Even so, Maria-sama ga Miteru still exists as the backbone of the Otaku Culture yuri Boom. All the yuri Works that take place in a girls’ school are influenced by Maria-sama ga Miteru. Well, that's my opinion, and I think Noriko ｘ Touko is the best couple. Or Touko x Noriko. Yeah, I know--no one's asking for my opinion.

I can still leave Hatsukoi Shimai alone (as well as it's illustrations), but Strawberry Panic and Gokujou Seitokai got influenced a lot. The magazenes that lead the yuri World such as Yuri Shimai and Yuri Hime seems like it was started just because of Maria-sama ga Miteru.

But, I believe that we need a yuri work that is totally different from Maria-sama ga Miteru soon, or else yuri will end as just a "fad". BL is interesting, and the genre is very broad. (Although it could have went through many more troubles than yuri at first.)

But even though yuri can be a nice for male readers, it is still very difficult to make it broad, and I think that both men and women who like yuri works dislike sexual contents. That's why they like "Oneesama" characters. But that doesn't mean they accept hard-core yuri.

I'm changing the topic a little, but with the many popular gay culture and bishounen novels, it seems like in reality it is difficult for lesbian works to move away from the history of the "strong male." Even if there is a yuri work, it is most likely that it is something that a man created, not a woman.

If right now, there is a yuri movement occurring in the otaku world, it could be possible that yuri can be a true culture. That would happen when the "Fantasy" forms a real shape, or when it jumped over "Fantasy".

Since Maria-sama ga Miteru is a complete pyramid, I would like to see a work that goes past it, but I also truly wish for works that describe sensitive emotions to the very last detail. I am looking forward for works such as Kotonohano Miko to Kotodama no Majo to which is a complete fantasy, Kashimashi which lost both men and women sex, and Aoi Hana that illustrates realistic feelings.
　
If you like yuri works, I recommend you read Tiger Lily by Takahashi Mako which is currently serializing in Yuri Hime 2. Please read it. Read it!

Original Article: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/makaronisan/20060902/1157119774
Translated by: Bseeked
Proofed by: Jiji