The 2023 Yuri Guide — Must-See Yuri

Always Human

Set in an idyllic future where people use technology to give the illusion of all kinds of body modifications, Ari North renders this webtoon turned graphic novel in beautiful detail with an extraordinary color palette. When Sunati finds herself instantly attracted to the unmodded Austen the first time she sees her. Gradually, their relationship unfolds as they deal with friends, family, and the emotional conflicts that accompany every romance. Together, they learn and grow in a story that reminds us no matter how technology evolves, we will remain Always Human.

~Created by Ari North~ Read the comic on Webtoon Graphic Novel Published by Little Bee Books

Amongst Us

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Webtoons/Manhua/Manhwa

After the Curtain Call

Soyoung is devastated when her favorite musical actor is swallowed up by the world of TV. Just after she quits supporting him, she discovers charismatic actress Jaeyi in a theater performance of "Macbeth" and becomes a fan at first sight. By meeting Jaeyi after her shows and even doing her a favor, Soyoung goes from a mere fan to her good friend. But when Jaeyi has to work with celebrity actress Hyesun, who she has a troubled past with, it unexpectedly sours their friendship. All Soyoung wanted was to support her favorite actress... so why does this new development bother her so much?

~Created by Assam, Illustrated by JINA~ Read on Tappytoon

Apollonia

Molly Holliday is the new blood on the perilous prison planet Purgatoire. While wet behind the ears, her quickdraw skills catch the eye of steel-edged bounty hunter Tess Seguín and her devilish crew of hard-knocks, The Red Horns. Together, they’ll collect bounties, put scum six feet under, and find a way to escape the planet in their trusty space train, The Apollonia.

~Created by ✯War Bunny✯~ Read on Webtoon

Bai Lijin Among Mortals

Baili jin, a fairy who was living in heaven, eating and drinking without a care, broke her Majesty’s colourful, stained-glass plate at her birthday and got banished to the mortal realm. Now she has to begin her adventures in the mortal realm with all of her spiritual powers gone! In order to survive, the former fairy has to deliver take-out.... An endearingly silly fairy, a gentle restaurant manager, a reserved top student and a hard to resist two-faced girl, let the story of their beautiful friendship and youthful days begin!

New 'I'm in Love with the Villainess' Trailer Announces October 2 Premier, New Cast and Theme Revealed

On August 10, a second promotional video for the upcoming television anime adaptation of isekai Yuri series I'm in Love with the Villainess (Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou) was released. The trailer unveiled the series' October 2 premiere date and previewed the opening theme song, "Raise Y/Our Hands!!."

Main cast members Yuu Serizawa (Rae) and Karin Nanami (Claire) perform the opening theme, as well as the ending theme "O.C. Optimum Combination."

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Visual Novels

Blackberry Honey

Forced to work for fourteen hours a day, with little chance to rest, Lorina, the newest maid to the Lennard family, is bullied by the senior maids and the youngest Lennard daughter. One of the only maids who deigns to speak to Lorina is the mysterious Taohua – but Lorina wishes she wouldn’t. Her aloof, almost cat-like personality, coupled with her peculiar complexion, eyes, and name, have inspired more than a few rumors around the Shropshire countryside that she might be a witch. Lorina knows she should keep her distance from Taohua, and she wants to most desperately… but maybe there’s a pinch of truth to all the rumors, because she soon finds herself under the older woman’s spell.

~Developed and Published by ebi-hime~ Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, and Linux

Black Closet

• School • Drama • Romance • Mystery

A noir story that places you in control as the student council president. To protect yourself and the school’s reputation, you must command your minions to solve mysteries by investigating scenes, looking for clues, performing surveillance, and interrogating students. Remember, never let your attention falter, no matter what sweet nothing your minions whisper or sly glances they give you. Because one of them… is a traitor.

~Developed and Published by Hanako Games~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Butterfly Soup

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Manga

5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love

Solitary witch Meg likes to be mischievous and make trouble in the forest for her nemesis, Lilith the Witch Hunter. But when an altercation goes sideways and Meg turns Lilith into a cat, a cascade of unfortunate events means witch is now responsible for saving witch hunter! Sparks were flying between these antagonistic ladies before--what will their relationship be like after this cat-astrophe?

~Created by Zeniko Sumiya~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment

Adachi and Shimamura

The second (and best) manga adaptation of the hit Yuri light novel series. The second floor of the gym. That's our spot. Class is in session right now, but they don't hold class in a place like this. This is where Shimamura and I became friends. What is this feeling? Yesterday, I dreamed of kissing her. I'm not like that, and I'm sure Shimamura isn't either. But...when Shimamura thinks of the word "friend", I want to be the first thing that comes to her mind. That's all.

~Created by Hitoma Iruma, Illustrated by Moke Yuzuhara~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment

Kadokawa and Bandai Namco Attempt to Walk Back Lesbian Marriage in Edited 'Gundam: The Witch from Mercury' Interview

On July 30, Bandai Namco Filmworks (previously known as Sunrise) addressed differences between the print and digital versions of an interview with voice actresses Kana Ichinose and Lynn. Ichinose and Lynn voice Sulleta and Miorine, respectively, in The Witch From Mercury, the latest entry in Bandai Namco's long-running Mobile Suit Gundam franchise.

In the interview's print version, which was published in the September issue of the Gundam Ace magazine, Ichinose refers Sulleta and Miorine's union:

However, fans noticed that as of July 28, the digital version was edited to exclude the line about the characters' marriage.

Second Print Volume of Sapphic Webtoon 'Always Human' Released

On Tuesday, July 25, Little Bee Books released the second and final print volume adaptation of Ari "walkingnorth" North's Yuri webtoon Always Human. The graphic novel, entitled Love and Gravity: An Always Human Story, adapts episodes 38 through the epilogue of the series.

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Light Novels

Bloom Into You: Regarding Saeki Sayaka

Saeki Sayaka has always been an old soul—serious and reserved, preferring to focus on her studies rather than make friends. Until, that is, a romantic confession from another girl in middle school turns her carefully ordered world upside down. Though none of her classes have prepared her for this, Saeki must now come to terms with her sexuality in this gentle, coming-of-age novel about grappling with first love, growing up, and relating to other people.

~Written by Hitoma Iruma, Illustrated and Created by Nakatani Nio~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment

The Executioner and Her Way of Life

When Menou, an Executioner of deadly interdimensional “Lost Ones,” encounters a Lost One named Akari who can cheat death, she sets out on a mission to kill the unkillable girl — but her newly stirring feelings might get in the way of her blade.

Baihe Manhua 'Soulmate' Print Edition Licensed

On Thursday, Monogatari Novels announced that it has licensed modern fantasy Yuri webtoon Soulmate and will publish the story in two omnibus print volumes.

The GL webtoon is written by Keran Bing & Wenzhi Lizi, and illustrated by Lizi. It is a fantasy drama romance following Qi, who is transported into the past to save the lover of her life from a terminal illness.

The publisher further describes the series:

The first paperback volume will be released on November 10th, 2023, in Spanish and on March 4th, 2024, in English. A special edition is also available and will include an acrylic standee. The series is translated by Lera.

Soulmate was initially serialized digitally on Kuaikan Manhua in Chinese. The webcomic is available to read online in English from Tapas. It is 40 episodes long, with one additional extra chapter and a Valentine's special.

You can preorder the first print volume of Soulmate ahead of its March 4, 2024, English release and read the digital version today on Tapas.

Source: Monogatari Novels Twitter

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Anime

Adachi and Shimamura

Adachi and Shimamura's days of skipping school offer a new world to explore. But as these delinquents bond, unexpected emotions begin to blossom. Now if they could just admit how they feel…

Streaming on Crunchyroll (Sub/Dub)

BIRDIE WING -Golf Girls' Story-

Eve is an underground golfer who supports poor street orphans with the money she makes from illegal golfing matches. But her life is about to change forever when she meets a young golfer who's just arrived from Japan...

Streaming on Crunchyroll (Sub)

Escapist Yuri Manga 'Kimi to Shiranai Natsu ni Naru' Licensed in English

On Wednesday, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that it has licensed Keyyang's Yuri romance manga Kimi to Shiranai Natsu ni Naru (Throw Away The Suit Together). The first volume will be released in English in July 2024 under Seven Seas GL label.

The publisher describes the manga:

Yuri Isekai 'The Executioner and Her Way of Life' Audiobook Announced

On Saturday, Yen Press announced at its Anime Expo panel that it is producing an audiobook adaptation of Mato Sato's Yuri isekai light novel series The Executioner and Her Way of Life. Yen Audio, Yen Press' imprint from audiobooks, will release the first volume in December 2023.

Star Student X Delinquent Yuri Romance Manga 'I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl' Licensed in English

On Saturday, Kodansha USA announced at its Anime Expo 2023 panel that it has licensed Kashikaze's I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl (Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai) for English publication. The first volume of the school romance Yuri manga will be released in the spring of 2024.

I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl follows Ayaka Sakurai, a star student gifted in both academics and athletics. However, she gets nervous about exams, so has to settle for a lesser high school than she intended.

Lesbian Sci-Fi Bounty Hunters Fight For Their Freedom in GL Space Western Apollonia

Sponsored by War Bunny

Apollonia is a no-punches-pulled cowgirls in space adventure! Part Cowboy Bebop and part Black Lagoon, but with a heavy dose of exceptionally jacked queer ladies in cowboy hats, this thrilling webtoon follows the crew of the space trail Apollonia, a group of vicious exiles determined to lay waste to their quarry, collect bounties, and earn their freedom.

The story kicks off when inmate no. 7012, Molly Holliday, is imprisoned on Purgatoire, a perilous frontier planet styled after the wild west, with only one hope, “complete the necessary steps required to reform and join the rest of civilized society...”

Molly soon catches the eye of Tess “Tombstone” Seguín, a steely-eyed gunslinger doing “accidental good” working as a bounty hunter for Reach. Between all the imprisoned criminals running amok, the settlers looking to carve out their own tiny chuck of hellscape and live in peace on Purgatoire don’t have it easy. So, Reach marks those who misbehave and promises that those who join Reach and hunt down enough evildoers will receive the ultimate prize, a one-way ticket to freedom.

Korean GL Film 'The Summer' Tops Independent Arts Box Office

Korean Yuri aeni film The Summer (Geu Yeoreum) reached the top spot at the Korean independent art film box office upon its June 7 debut. The film is one of a few queer animations produced in Korea.

Yuri Sci-Fi Manga 'Qualia the Purple' Released in English a Decade After Its Original Release

On Tuesday, June 13, Seven Seas Entertainment released Qualia the Purple: The Complete Manga Collection in English digitally and in paperback. The manga is illustrated by Sirou Tsunasami, who also illustrated the original light novel by Hisamitsu Ueo.

The publisher describes the manga:

Sailor Moon was so important to LGBTQ animation

Hayley Kiyoko Teams Up with 'Mage & Demon Queen' Creator Color_LES in Music-Inspired LGBT Webtoon

On Monday, Webtoons released "Forever," a one-shot comic created through a collaboration between musician Hayley Kiyoko and Mage & Demon Queen creator Color_LES.

"Forever" shows a young queer couple imagining their future and living a life together.

Live-Action 'She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat' Drama Adaptation Gets Second Season

On Monday, NHK announced that its live-action drama adaptation of Sakaomi Yuzaki's slice of life Yuri Manga She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat (Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna) is getting a sequel. The new series will have 20 total episodes, an increase from the first season's 10-episode run, and premiere in early 2024.

She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat is based on Sakaomi Yuzaki's manga of the same name. It follows neighbors Nomoto, who likes to cook to destress, and Kasuga, who loves to eat. The two women bond over their shared love of food and slowly develop a more intimate relationship.

NHKs announcement makes She Loves to Cook and She Love to Eat the first program in the Networks "YoruDora" drama block to get a sequel. It will air Monday through Thursday at 10:45 pm.

Vampire Yuri Series 'Kiss the Scars of the Girls' Licenses for English Release this November

Yen Press has licensed Aya Haruhana's supernatural Yuri manga series Kiss the Scars of the Girls (Shoujo-tachi no Kizuato ni Kuchizuke wo) for English releases. The first volume will be published in English in November 2023.

Kiss the Scars of the Girls is a fantasy drama series that details the romance of two schoolgirl vampires, one guarded and reserved and the other charismatic and cheerful. The publisher further describes the series: