New book introduces 140 titles from the yuri genre that explore the topic of lesbian love.
While a lot has been written about the “Boys’ Love” subgenre of male homosexual romance that’s often depicted in manga and anime, and even explored in a South Park episode, the corresponding subgenre of “Girls’ Love” is often left unexplored by comparison. Known as “Yuri”, which literally translates to “Lily”, this category of manga revolves around romantic and erotic female-female relationships, and is usually written for female readers. It’s unusual name can be traced back to the male chief editor of Barazoku (“The Clan of the Rose”), Japan’s first magazine geared towards gay men, who is believed to have first used the word “Yuri” to describe lesbian love in 1976, saying that if “Bara” or “Rose” was being used to describe his male gay clan of readers, the word “Lily” would be a fitting term for a corresponding female gay clan.
While the yuri subgenre has a dedicated fanbase both in Japan and abroad, one Japanese publisher aims to demystify the genre for both avid readers and newcomers to the scene with a new book called Yuri no Sekai Nyuumon or The Introduction to the World of Yuri.
The book introduces more than 140 works that belong to the yuri genre, along with manga recommendations from notable authors, and a feature that reveals the best book covers from yuri manga, as chosen by popular voice actress Izumi Kitta.
There’s even an “event report” on a recent exhibition dedicated to works related to the topic of Girls’ Love in modern art and photography.
Whether you’re an avid reader of yuri manga or looking to find out more about the subject, this 128-page book covers all the basics with a large collection of beautiful images.
Published by Genkosha, The Introduction to the World of Yuri was recently released on 18 October, and retails for 1,500 yen each at bookstores around the country.
Source, images: @Press
[ Read in Japanese ]
Fans wonder if children’s show Pretty Cure’s next season will go “full lesbian”
Fantastic fujoshi just wanna have fun, Japanese netizens say, “No!”
How much do fans of boys’ love spend every year on homoerotic comics? The amount may surprise you
Pirates, poems, and cows all appear on Japanese parents’ top 10 manga picks for kids
Why do Foreigners Like Japanese Manga so Much? We Head to Comiket to Find Out!
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Buddhist monks in Japan preparing to hold funeral service for thousands of stuffed animals, dolls
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Some reflections on the popularity of Japanese manga in Spain
Happy New Year, manga fans: Artists share their one-of-a-kind New Year’s cards on Twitter
Shigeru Mizuki’s world of Japanese yokai comes to life in new exhibition in Tokyo