The 2023 Yuri Guide — Must-See Yuri
Your ultimate guide to the best Yuri content with over 200 curated titles from every genre and medium.
Always Human
• Sci-Fi • Slice of Life • Romance • Love at First Sight • Already a Couple
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
• Slice of Life • Comedy • Shakaijin • School • Music • Non-Linear Structure • Yuri Cohabitation • Already a Couple
How do you know when you’ve found your other half? Is it because she can make you feel all warm and fuzzy with all the hugs, snuggles, and kisses? Or is it because she’s on your level in food fights, got your back in third-wheeling your friend, and knows exactly how to bribe you? Whatever it is, these two soulmates know they have already found the one for them. Eccentric musicians Blackbird and Veloce are a chaotic but loving that bounce between laughter, romance, and sensuality in this vibrantly illustrated webcomic.
~Created by Shilin~ Read the comic on Webtoon Graphic Novel Published by Seven Seas Entertainment
Bloom Into You (Anime)
• School • Drama • Romance • Love at First Sight • Slow burn • Senpai/Kouhai
The anime that set the world on fire and ushered in the Yuri Bloom! Yuu Koito thought love would be magical but feels nothing when a boy confesses. Confused, she starts her first year of high school and thinks she might have found a kindred spirit in student council president Touko Nanami. But then Touko confesses that she, herself, is starting to have feelings for Yuu. Yuu may not understand her senpai’s sudden confession or share her feelings, but there is a strange sensation drawing her towards Touko, and Yuu can’t leave her side until she discovers what these feelings really mean. Because you can't control who you love, or who falls in love with you.
Streaming on HIDIVE (Sub/Dub)
By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga
• Non-Fiction • Autobiographical
"By Your Side is the complete Yuri resource I only ever dreamed could exist. Decades in the making, this glorious collection surveys, analyzes, and contextualizes Yuri with unparalleled detail and enthusiasm. Friedman graces readers with illuminating insights as they follow her through a century of the genre's evolution and revolution. By sharing her extraordinary knowledge, she provides inquirers, scholars, and aficionados alike with a deeper appreciation and understanding of lesbian anime and manga while galvanizing them towards the next era of Yuri."
~Created by Erica Friedman~ Published by Journey Press
Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon
• Shakaijin • Drama • Romance • Asexual
An honest and heartfelt workplace romance about how one woman, brought to the brink of despair by societal pressures, is saved and bettered by an unexpected relationship with her coworker. Uno Hinako tries desperately to find romance and be “normal” with men, but to no avail. At her lowest moment, a chance encounter with her coworker sparks a deep, impassioned friendship that helps Uno escape conformity, confront her asexuality, and experience a moving and beautiful romantic love.
~Created by Shio Usui~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Éclair
• Anthology
Dainty schoolgirl crushes, comedic cohabitation, salacious office flings, and more! This Yuri manga anthology gathered the most prominent names from the hottest Yuri works and set their creativity loose with only one command, “YURI!” Beating hearts and fluttering feelings are on full display as these masters of storytelling weave deep, complex, and heartstopping one-shot narratives volume after volume.
Licensed by Yen Press
Girl Friends
• School • Drama • Romance • Slice of LIfe • Friends to Lovers • Slow burn
This classic New York Times Bestselling manga follows high school student Mari, a quiet and studious girl at the top of her class, and the charismatic and outgoing Akko. When Akko decides she wants to become Mari’s best friend, she drags the wallflower into a new world of friendship, alcohol, boys, fashion, and laughter. But soon, the newfound friendship evolves into something more intimate and confusing for both girls. Caught between romance and friendship, they must come to terms with their love for one another, knowing that by doing so, their relationship, and even their lives, could drastically change forever.
~Created by Milk Morinaga~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Highway Blossoms Remastered
• Shakaijin • Adventure • Romance • Slow burn
Amber couldn’t care less when an old gold rush miner's journal is discovered, supposedly detailing where he hid parts of his stash. Content to wander the desert in a recently-inherited motorhome, she mourns the loss of her grandfather - indifferent and unaware of the hunt happening around her, as crazed would-be prospectors try to strike it rich. It's not until she meets Marina, a young hitchhiker lost in New Mexico, that the girls get swept up in the rush. Remastered with new artwork, passionate voice-acting, and a country-inspired soundtrack, this masterpiece American visual novel is a must-play experience.
~Created by Studio Élan and Studio Coattails, Published by Sekai Project~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux
I’m in Love with the Villainess (Light Novel)
• Isekai • Comedy • Action • Fantasy • Romance • Enemies to Lovers • Yuri Family
“For her, I’ll change the world.” Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei wakes up in the body of Rae Taylor, the protagonist of her favorite otome game. However, Rae has no interest in any of this world’s eligible bachelors. Instead, she has her heart set on Claire François, the game's main antagonist. Using her knowledge of the game's events yet to come, she is determined to create a new happy ending for her villainess. Just as Rae breaks all the game’s rules, author Inori shatters the confines of Yuri in this profoundly queer revelation that propels the genre forward into a new era.
~Created by Inori, Illustrated by Hanagata~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Kase-san and Morning Glories (Anime)
• School • Romance • Already a Couple
Yamada is a shy girl in high school who loves doing greenery committee work, but one day she falls into conversation with Kase, the popular and talented school track star. Suddenly Yamada's whole life changes as they begin to date! But relationships aren’t as easy as they look, and these girls must weather the storms all couples eventually face. This beautiful and grounded OVA enthusiastically explores the joys, anxieties, and awkwardness of young love. It’s all presented in a delightful animation that forgoes fanservice and spectacle in favor of colorful, serene details.
Streaming on HIDIVE (Sub/Dub)
Kindred Spirits on the Roof Full Chorus
• School • Romance • Supernatural • Non-Linear Structure • Senpai/Kouhai • Multiple Couples • 18+
Timid but methodical high school student Toomi Yuna doesn't have many friends and never joined any clubs despite her keen eye for cooking. She spends her time in this expansive adult Yuri visual novel wandering the school alone… until she is suddenly interrupted by a pair of ghosts. These "kindred spirits," Megumi and Sachi, died with unrequited feelings in their hearts and are determined to experience their "first time" together before their eternal rest. They enlist Yuna’s aid in helping them discover how to make their dreams come true and suddenly, the path forward becomes clear! The loner and the homosexual ghosts team up to secretly assist pining girls struggling with hidden feelings, bringing a colorful cast of new couples together and fulfilling the promise of a “Yuritopia.”
~Developed by Liar-soft, Published by MangaGamer~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness
• Autobiographical
Author Kabi Nagata gives readers an honest and heartfelt look at her exploration of her sexuality, mental well-being, and growing up in our modern age. Told using expressive artwork that invokes introspection, sympathy, and tears, this moving Harvey Award-winning autobiographical volume, and its follow-ups (My Solo Exchange Diary, My Alcoholic Escape From Reality, and My Wandering Warrior Existence) hold nothing back. It is neither a melodramatic romance nor an intoxicating tragedy but one woman’s powerful reality. Nagata exposes her greatest trials in an astounding display that resonates to the very core.
~Created by Kabi Nagata~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Otherside Picnic (Light Novel)
• Action • Sci-FI • Horror • Slow Burn
Her first encounter with Toriko Nishina was on the Otherside after seeing "that thing" and nearly dying. Ever since that day, exhausted university student Sorawo Kamikoshi's life changed. In this Otherworld, full of mystery, which exists alongside our own, dangerous beings of real ghost stories appear… and Sorawo cannot wait to go back. For research, for profit, and to find an important person, Toriko and Sorawo set foot into the abnormal. Miyazawa masterfully builds the tension, suspense, and romance in this tale of two mysterious girls' bizarre exploration and survival!
~Created by Iori Miyazawa, Illustrated by shirakaba~ Licensed by J-Novel Club
Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare
• Drama • Multiple Couples • Transgender
High schooler Tasuku Kaname is terrified that he has been outed as gay. Just as he's contemplating doing the unthinkable, Tasuku sees a strange figure who leads him to a group of people dealing with problems not so different from his own. This impactful masterpiece depicts LGBTQ+ characters from diverse backgrounds with a host of identities finding their place in the world. The series dazzles with stunning, imaginative illustrations as it holds the reader tight, capturing them in its peaceful message of love and acceptance.
~Created by Yuhki Kamatani~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Qualia the Purple (Light Novel)
• School • Sci-Fi
A groundbreaking yet underrated hard sci-fi masterpiece. This strange tale starts innocently enough, following the quirky daily adventures of high schooler Manabu “Gaku” Hatou and her strange friend Marii Yukari, who sees all humans as robots. However, it soon takes an unexpected turn into dark and complex quandries of secret organizations and the nature of reality itself. This unique work combines the complexities of theoretical physics and philosophical meditations with tender “human” connection to create a story like no other.
~Created by Hisamitsu Ueo, Illustrated by Sirou Tsunasima~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
Strawberry Panic (Light Novel)
• School • Drama • Romance • Senpai/Kouhai • Multiple Couples • Love at First Sight
A classic Yuri drama that follows the romance, heartache, and whirlwind emotions of 12 young girls attending the three famous all-girls schools atop the secluded Astraea Hill. It’s the first day of school, and the cherry blossoms are scattering to the ground. Nagisa meets Hanazono Shizuma, the top student, and her beauty takes her breath away. But when Shizuma takes a liking to Nagisa, love, and chaos ensue! From scheming student council politics, secret rendezvous, and climatic rooftop confessions, Strawberry Panic takes the tropes and setting of schoolgirl Yuri and dials them up to 11 as it details the many affairs of these young girls' lives in an enthralling fashion.
~Created by Sakurako Kimino, Illustrated by Takuminamuchi~ Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment
The Adolescence of Utena
• School • Drama • Action
This theatrical follow-up to the groundbreaking 1997 television anime is a whirlwind of stylized, postmodern action encompassing deep-rooted queer themes that shattered conceptions of normalcy and brought Yuri and lesbian media into the new millennium. With a mystical sword, Utena duels her classmates to protect her strange friend Anthy, who is the key to a magical power everyone wants and could make Utena’s dream – to become a prince – come true. But their deepening friendship hides a terrible secret, and Utena must face the truth about herself and those she loves… and learn what it truly means to be a hero.
Streaming on Funimation, RetroCrush, and Pluto TV (Sub/Dub)
Whisper Me a Love Song
• School • Slice of Life • Romance • Music • Senpai/Kouhai • Love at First Sight
In a Yuri landscape saturated with schoolgirl romances, Eku Takeshima’s Whisper Me a Love Song is a clear, shining jewel that effortlessly soars above the rest. This wholesome story follows Himari, who, on the first day of high school, "falls" for her senior, Yori, after watching her singing at the new student welcome party. When Himari confesses her admiration to Yori, the older girl says she loves her back! Unfortunately, it quickly becomes apparent that they have two different ideas of love. Only slightly deterred, this unlikely “couple” continues to showcase infectious delight whenever the other is around. As Himari comes to understand Yori’s feelings, she must confront what “love” really means.
~Created by Eku Takashima~ Licensed by Kodansha Comics
Read More of the 2023 Yuri Guide
⚪ Anime ⚪ Light Novels ⚪ Manga ⚪ Visual Novels ⚪ Webtoons
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