Erica Friedman's Top 10 Yuri Manga

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.

01
of 10

Love My Life

Love My Life yuri manga by Yamaji Ebine from Feel Comics

Yamaji Ebine / Feel Comics

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.

02
of 10

Iono-sama Fanatics

Iono-sama Fanatics Volume 1 by Miyabi Fujieda - Infinity Studios

Miyabi Fujieda

Visit Infinity Studios' webpage for Iono-sama Fanatics
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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.

03
of 10

Strawberry Shake Sweet

Strawberry Shake Sweet yuri manga by Hayashi Shizuru from ID Comics

Hayashi Shizuru / ID Comics

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.

04
of 10

First Love Sisters

First Love Sisters Volume 1 by Mizuo Shinonome - Seven Seas Manga

Mizuo Shinonome

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.

05
of 10

Hayate x Blade

Hayate x Blade Volume 1 by Hayashiya Shizuru - Seven Seas Manga

Hayashiya Shizuru

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.

06
of 10

Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana)

Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana) yuri manga by Shimura Takako from Fx Comics

Shimura Takako / Fx Comics

Another love blossoms in a girls' school story, with an emphasis on realistic situations.

07
of 10

Maria-sama ga Miteru (The Virgin Mary is Watching)

Maria-sama ga Miteru yuri manga by Konno Oyuki and Satoru Nagasawa from Margaret Comics / Shueisha

Konno Oyuki and Satoru Nagasawa / Margaret Comics / Shueisha

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.

08
of 10

Strawberry Panic

Strawberry Panic Volume 1 by Sakurako Kimono and Takuminamuchi - Seven Seas Manga

Sakurako Kimono and Takuminamuchi

This series is a direct parody of all of the above schoolgirl series, translated skillfully and with tongue firmly in cheek.

09
of 10

Rica 'tte Kanji!?

Rica 'tte Kanji!? by Rica Takashima and Erica Friedman - ALC Publishing

Rica Takashima and Erica Friedman

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
of 10

Comic Yuri Hime / Yuri Hime S and Yuri Monogatari

Yuri Hime Summer 2007, a yuri manga magazine published by Ichijinsha

Ichijinsha

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.