Probably no one knows (and loves) yuri manga more than publisher, manga blogger and Yuricon founder Erica Friedman. So we asked her for her favorites – the girls love manga that she loves to read and recommend. She came back with a Japanese and English yuri sampler that serves up a taste of some of the best girl meets girl stories available today.
1. Love My Life
© Yamaji Ebine / Feel Comics
Author & Artist:Yamaji Ebine
Publisher: Feel Comics (Japanese)
Available from Amazon.co.jp
This is a story about a college student, Ichiko who, when she tells her father about her girlfriend, learns that her father - and her deceased mother - are gay.
2. Iono-sama Fanatics
© Miyabi Fujieda
Author & Artist: Fujieda Miyabi
Publisher: Infinity Studios
Visit Infinity Studios' webpage for Iono-sama Fanatics
Compare prices for Iono-sama Fanatics Volume 1
Iono-sama is the Queen of a small country, who loves women with black hair. This is a funny, cute, action-filled fantasy love comedy.
3. Strawberry Shake Sweet
© Hayashi Shizuru / ID Comics
Author & Artist: Hayashi Shizuru
Publisher: ID Comics (Japanese)
Available from YuriCon Shop
Julia is a teen idol who is asked to mentor another young idol. When Julian falls in love with Ran at first sight, wackiness ensues.
4. First Love Sisters
© Mizuo Shinonome
Publisher: Seven Seas Manga
Visit Seven Seas Manga's webpage for First Love Sisters
Compare prices for First Love Sisters Volume 1
This series is a stereotypical "schoolgirls in love" romance. Chika works hard to get into the school where her beloved Haruna is, but when she gets there, Haruna will barely acknowledge her.
5. Hayate x Blade
© Hayashiya Shizuru
Author & Artist: Hayashiya Shizuru
Publisher: Seven Seas Manga
Visit Seven Seas Manga's webpage for Hayate x Blade
Compare prices for Hayate x Blade Volume 1
In Tenchi Gakuen, students pair up to fight with swords for prestige, position and money. Hayate needs money to save her friends, And only the best - and most unfriendly - swordslinger in the school will do as her partner. This is a violent, but funny comedy.
6. Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana)
© Shimura Takako / Fx Comics
Publisher: Fx Comics (Japanese)
Available from YuriCon Shop
Another love blossoms in a girls' school story, with an emphasis on realistic situations.
7. Maria-sama ga Miteru (The Virgin Mary is Watching)
© Konno Oyuki and Satoru Nagasawa / Margaret Comics / Shueisha
Author: Konno Oyuki
Artist: Satoru Nagasawa
Publisher: Margaret Comics / Shueisha (Japanese)
Available from YuriCon Shop
Manga based on the light novel series by Konno Oyuki. Catholic Schoolgirls not getting into trouble. This series is the epitome of the schoolgirl romance genre.
8. Strawberry Panic
© Sakurako Kimono and Takuminamuchi
Author: Sakurako Kimono
Artist: Takuminamuchi
Publisher: Seven Seas Manga
Visit Seven Seas Manga's webpage for Strawberry Panic
Compare prices for Strawberry Panic Volume 1
This series is a direct parody of all of the above schoolgirl series, translated skillfully and with tongue firmly in cheek.
9. Rica 'tte Kanji!?
© Rica Takashima and Erica Friedman
Author & Artist: Rica Takashima
Publisher: ALC Publishing
Available from YuriCon Shop
Rica heads to Tokyo to go to school and find life and love in the gay section of town. With a pop art style that contrasts nicely with the completely real situations, Rica is one of the funniest, smartest and real-est yuri manga out there.
10. Comic Yuri Hime / Yuri Hime S and Yuri Monogatari
© Ichijinsha
Yuri Hime Publisher: Ichijinsha (Japanese)
Yuri Monogatari Publisher: ALC Publishing
Available from YuriCon Shop
Yuri Hime and Yuri Hime S are the only truly yuri manga magazines running in Japan. Yuri Monogatari is an annual anthology that highlights yuri manga from around the world. All of these are a great way to expose yourself to a wide variety of styles and stories in one shot.