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Vice in Paradise: Yuri Edition

Most otaku know of yaoi, whether they like it or not. But how about yuri?

By gia manry  |  March 3, 2009

Let me start out by noting that I am not a great yuri expert. I know some history, some titles, and some other aspects-- but that's about it. But that's still more than a lot of people know about yuri, yaoi's much less-documented (and much less-licensed) genre cousin, so I thought I'd talk about it a little bit.

  


Let me note again, in case it doesn't come across well enough in the video: Maka Maka is a great series, but only for people who are NOT looking for a lengthy or ongoing plot. It is definitely not that.

And I don't mind saying that I have some hopes that Yuricon and ALC Publishing founder Erica Friedman might find her way here to comment (or correct me) as necessary. ;)
Filed under: Yuri, Maria Watches Over Us, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Simoun
16 Comments
Devillyon March 3, 2009 at 5:39 p.m.
Havent yet encounterd a Yuri that i didnt like lol
yuriconon March 3, 2009 at 5:56 p.m.
With a come on like that, I guess I *have* to comment. lol

Yuri *is* hard to define and, with linguistic drift, fan delusion and generic Loser FanBoyism  clogging up the meaning, I stick with the broadest possible definition - any anime or manga with lesbian themes, issues or characters.

Maka-Maka is excellent for what it is - porn for men. It's important to remember what it is only so one doesn't fall into the trap of wishing it were something completely different - a tale of two women falling in love, losing their miserable boyfriends and living happily ever after as a couple. That is exactly what it isn't. lol

I want to give props to the folks at Media Blasters for this English language edition, too. They really did an exceptional reproduction job.  I considered it the best English-language Yuri manga of 2008.

So, for the audience that defines Yuri as sex between two women (regardless of  meaning, intent or existence of affection) or for those who don't mind random heterosexuality in the middle of their Yuri, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this manga.


Cheers,

Erica

Hungry for Yuri? Have some Okazu!
http://okazu.blogspot.com
giaon March 3, 2009 at 5:58 p.m.
Thanks for the thoughts, Erica! :)
Ruby_Alexandrineon March 3, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.
Yuri is difficult to find even in online Japanese bookstores because its usually under the het-hentai category.  I enjoy reading yuri mangas as much as I enjoy reading yaoi mangas (and seinen/gekiga & josei).  Unfortunately, the yuri genre is not widely marketed or as popular as yaoi/BL in the West.   I have read yuri mangas written and illustrated by women and its a stark contrast from the yuri illustrated from the male point of view.  The male mangakas put more emphasis on illustrating overly exagerrated female breasts, ass, and of course gratuitous smut whereas the female mangakas put more emphasis on relationships, emotions, and love.  Mist Magazine was a great yuri magazine published in the 90s and it was more erotic than Yuri-hime yet not ridden with gratuitous smut and nonsensical plots. 

Even though I do feel a bit discontent with some of Kitty Media's BL titles because of the shoddy presentation of some of their mangas (Dog Style, Thunderbolt Boys Excite, etc.), I do commend them in acquiring a yuri title, Maka Maka,  that women will find appealing.
giaon March 3, 2009 at 7:07 p.m.
Ruby: A lot of Kitty/Media Blaster's presentation problems had to do with their printer, as I recall. They acquired a new printer relatively recently-- their BL books are still mostly pretty simplistic, but the page cutoff problems and things have generally been taken care of.

But Maka Maka is really well above and beyond the call on production values-- the slipcovers, the SECOND slipcovers, the pull-out posters...it's fantastic. Of course, it's also more expensive than a standard manga, but it's also full-color, more like a tpb of Sandman or Fables, and closer to their prices.
TheBigNon March 3, 2009 at 7:38 p.m.
I consider myself a fan of both yuri for men (yay loser fanboy! \o\) and yuri for women. So any recommendation is a good one for me. I'd been planning on reading Maka Maka for a while now, so it's always good to hear good reviews of it from a variety of people.
Chibi_Kajion March 3, 2009 at 7:48 p.m.
Nice to see this getting some attention. I stumbled across this a while ago when it was scanlated and enjoyed it. I was pretty surprised to hear it was actually licensed in the US. I picked it up as soon as it was released and was surprised when I saw how much work they put into the book as well. it's a shame that I'd hate to pull out the posters... I wouldn't mind hanging one of them up (>_>)
Sigueon March 3, 2009 at 7:55 p.m.
Mariaholic mmm.
Black_Roseon March 3, 2009 at 8:25 p.m.
I like Yuri as a concept but I have yet to see a great non-adult yuri series, Maria-sama was ok but boring and I haven't seen Utena yet. I'll try to see if I can find Maka Maka, although I don't tend to enjoy short story compilations.
Sigueon March 3, 2009 at 9:29 p.m.
Black_Rose said:
"I like Yuri as a concept but I have yet to see a great non-adult yuri series, Maria-sama was ok but boring and I haven't seen Utena yet. I'll try to see if I can find Maka Maka, although I don't tend to enjoy short story compilations.
"
The great thing is that if you don't enjoy the story it's still porn.
Black_Roseon March 3, 2009 at 10:24 p.m.
Sigue said:
" The great thing is that if you don't enjoy the story it's still porn."
Not really, not all yuri has sexual encounters and I don't consider love between two women porn.
Sigueon March 3, 2009 at 11:18 p.m.
Black_Rose said:
"Sigue said:
" The great thing is that if you don't enjoy the story it's still porn."
Not really, not all yuri has sexual encounters and I don't consider love between two women porn.
"
Maka Maka... Does.
HeeroYuyon March 4, 2009 at 6:32 a.m.
After how much one of my friends in high school read the back covers of every volume he could find in a bookstore to me, all while doing dramatic poses and trying to sound seductive, none of this stuff has phased me anymore. Yuri is ok, but you won't find me watching Maria+Holic or Strawberry Panic.
MoonStormon March 4, 2009 at 8:04 a.m.
I just going to have to say this form a man's perspective when I hear Yuri I only think of one thing hot girl on girl action. It it kinda shallow just to think of it that way. A little bit, but that doesn't mean a grate story can be going on also. I mean girls have that other 'Y' word to go to if they want it.

I'm not saying it can't be also taking seriously or anything like that. I love a grate story but I can't say I don't like porn.
Damnation_Leeon March 4, 2009 at 8:31 a.m.
Yeah yuri! XD
rocketbomberon March 4, 2009 at 2 p.m.
Speaking as a man, who likes manga, and porn, and girl-on-girl porn -- Maka Maka is Excellent.  I don't care what you call it, I Like It.

I am in fact the target market for Maka Maka, except I'm not Japanese -- so  I also have to humbly thank Media Blasters for bringing this to the States.  

Dig Deeper into Yuri

A genre of anime/manga featuring girl-on-girl relationships. Although the genre originated in female-targeted works, today it is featured in many male-targeted works as well.

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