Yuri Anime Review and Analysis â 'Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! UnlessâŠ' Episode 4
This beautiful climax finally won me over â if only because it means we can move on.
It has been a few weeks since I wrote about Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! UnlessâŠ, and after having spent some time, I am somewhat surprised to find that I actually missed it. This epiphany probably should not come as a huge shock; previously, while analysing episodes two and three, I said that I enjoyed the majority of it. However, I also offered heavy criticism of those episodesâ poor handling of their lecherous material. Couple that issue with my general indifference towards many high school Yuri romances, after consuming hundreds of them at this point, and I was not expecting much more than a tepid, temporary pleasant viewing experience. Yet, more than once, I found myself lost in thought about the series, pondering the details and nuances of its characters, relationships, and tropes with a level of detail not dissimilar to that which I employ when contemplating my favorite Yuri works. Perhaps my newfound warmth comes from absence making the heart grow fonder, and my annoyance at previous episodes cooling. One thing is for sure, I like WataNare episode four a lot, if for no other reason than that it has nowhere to go but up from here.
Contains Spoilers for Episode 4
Easily, the elements that endear me most to Studio Motherâs adaptation of WataNare are the consistently excellent animation. The climax of this episode, in particular, was downright stunning, and I indulged in watching it over and over. But animation excellence is not reserved exclusively for these big moments, but is found in all the small details that really add up to create great art. Another excellent part is Renako and Satsukiâs extended conversation on the roof. The scene changes mid-shot from more neutral grey colors to the muted orange of the setting sun. This light floods the rooftop, Renako, and Satsuki with sharp highlights and dramatic shadows while quietening the animeâs usually striking and vivid colors. These impactful choices, alongside a bleak sky mottled with dark clouds, effectively convey the scene's quieter, contemplative nature and the regret and turmoil Renako is experiencing.
In contrast, the same sunlight from the rooftop is used right after in Renakoâs encounter with Ajisai in the classroom. However, here it lends a sharp brightness and warmth, deepening the colors rather than suppressing them, making the scene more intense. Direction smartly lingers on the girlsâ flushed faces, conflicted expressions, and wavering eyes. Defining lines soften, and the background areas fall out of focus as a faint, handheld sway immerses the viewer in the intimate moment. Thanks to the superb animation, assisted by the outstanding soundtrack which shifts from gentle melodic tones to strings to smartly timed silence, I was able to feel the complex mix of sadness, affection, and awkward embarrassment, even when ignoring the dialogue.
Obviously, WataNareâs animation is not up to the level of grace and stupendousness of top shounen series, but for a Yuri, this anime is simply beautiful. It is not even that Yuri series have bad animation; the majority of them do not. Yet, particularly with high school romances, it rarely advances beyond âaverageâ status. Recent experiences with the last major Yuri adaptation, last yearâs Whisper Me a Love Song, which quickly devolved into little more than a slideshow due to its infamously disastrous production, make WataNare that much better by comparison. It feels like redemption, made more striking by the fact that Love Songâs creator, Eku Takeshima, illustrates the WataNare light novel. So, this series is not just an absolution for GL anime adaptations as a whole, but also for Takeshimaâs incredible work, as some of her fantastic character designs are at last completely and vibrantly realized, rendered in full splendor.
The climax of this episode was downright stunning, and I indulged in watching it over and over
Aside from the animation, WataNareâs strength remains its characters and their emotional intelligence. This brings us to episode fourâs climactic confession, where Renako apologizes for not being open with Mai and admits her growing romantic feelings, culminating in an exceptional, glowing underwater kiss! Water has a long (and not unique) history of symbolic usage in Yuri with various meanings, as seen extensively in Revolutionary Girl Utena and the Bloom Into You anime, dating back as far as the first Yuri manga, 1971âs Shiroi Heya no Futari, which uses it to show intimacy and the depth (pun intended) of emotion. Underwater kisses came later, the most notable and certainly most well-known early instance of them was in the 2006 Strawberry Panic anime â though I cannot guarantee it was the very first, which, for all I know, could be some long-forgotten Sailor Moon doujinshi or something. Strawberry Panic was quickly followed by Blue Drop the following year.
The rest was history, with an abundance of Yuri works including similar submerged kisses such as Prism, Riddle Story of Devil (Akuma no Riddle), Sakura Trick, Pulse, Lily Fairy Tale, Mizuchi, White Lilies in Love, Our Teachers are Dating, and I would wager an abundance more that escape my memory or knowledge. Many of these scenes borrow from the visuals established by Strawberry Panic, where the surroundings melt away into a vast ocean, creating an intimate, private world that exists only for the two women, and which we voyeuristically peer into. And WataNareâs use of this motif is one of my favorites, lingering only briefly on the girlsâ bright, shining embrace, their bodies locked together as bubbles, their clothing, and light fluidly swirl in the water around them. It is absolutely breathtaking!
WataNare is downright beautiful
However, I am more mixed regarding Renakoâs confession to Mai. I like that she was unsure up until now of her feelings towards the popular girl and unable to articulate them, and it is reasonable that a neurodivergent-coded high schooler would experience her first lesbian attraction that way. The problem is that inner turmoil was not the conflict of this arc, as the previous episodeâs assault lingers as the storyâs painful focus. It does not work to have Renako suddenly express guilt about not giving Mai a proper answer about their relationship. Her declaration that she actually likes Mai minimizes the seriousness of Maiâs transgressions, especially considering that Renako DID give her a very clear answer â she did not want a relationship.
Granted, Renkao does not fully let Mai off the hook, restating that Mai did go too far. Still, the repercussions are not as severe as they should be, a flaw inherent in WataNare being a romantic comedy, which, as I mentioned in another review, is not equipped to handle heavy subject matter. While this episode broadly focuses on the fallout of Maiâs wrongdoing, it does not do so well. Mai realizes that she has hurt Renako and decides that her penance must be to bed someone she is not in love with, just as Renako is (in her mind) not in love with her. This ridiculous method of atonement ignores that her offense was violating consent, which was the primary issue, regardless of whether Renako loves her or not. Maiâs pursuit of this punishment leads to her propositioning Satsuki, setting up the conflict between them in the next arc, and, in a bafflingly stupid choice for the series, inviting a massive crowd of everyone who has ever confessed to her, including guys, girls, Kaho (another member of the friend group), and even an old man to compete for the chance to be with her. It is a blatantly ridiculous comedic setpiece that completely falls flat, as the absurd farceâs tone is widely incongruent with the gravity of Maiâs wrongdoing. The good news is that the anime has, at last, finished this arc and thus concluded adapting the first light novel, which is, by far, the worst volume.
While I really did not care for much of the middle of Mai and Renkaoâs romance, it is by no means unsalvageable. Thanks to the animeâs fast pacing, the story has lots of momentum, and we see how Renakoâs attraction to Mai steadily increases as she questions her feelings. Most of the communication about their individual feelings and wants is awesome, including the fallacies and errors they make, which are borne of thoughtfully informed characterization and their inexperience. Remove part of the bath kissing scene from episode two, swap Maiâs assault for a less abhorrent misconduct, and for the love of all that is Yuri, cut the suitorsâ party, and WataNare could be something incredible, especially considering how this episode ends.
I actually loved how Maiâs and Renakoâs relationship evolves by the end of this episode, far more than I did the actions the series took to get them there. So, this romance is a rare instance of the destination being more important and better than the journey. The girls decide to be âmore than friends, but less than lovers,â an excellent compromise that is true to both Renakoâs growing feelings and her apprehensions surrounding dating. The arrangement serves as yet another demonstration of Renkaoâs thoughtfulness, as she kindly acknowledges Maiâs attraction and affirms it, stating that she wants Mai to do what she wants. I will say though, I preferred the excellent wordplay the English adaptation of the light novels and manga use, âfriends with Rena-fitsâ rather than the very literal âRema-friendsâ of the anime (there is a more serious translation error in the episode, as Mai saying âDaiteâ ( æ±ăăŠ) is translated more directly as âhold meâ when in context it is more similar to the more forthright âsleep withâ in English).
Most importantly, Renako and Maiâs new status leaves room for them and their relationship to grow, a possibility that excites both girls, and me, for that matter. I noticed that some people mentioned this episode felt more like the end of the series, even though it is only episode four. Those observations make sense, in some ways at least, as it is the end of the first novel, but more so, it is a huge achievement of WataNareâs writing. Many, many romances, especially in Yuri, start when the two women meet and end when the couple gets together. Erica Friedman called this âStory A,â and I refer to it as âgirl meets girl.â Even though Renako and Mai are not technically together, this new step in their romance showcases that WataNare is not afraid of advancing its characters and romances, and has no intention of wasting time in romantic antics that have no payoff; an especially unusual trait for a harem series (which I swear this anime really is!)
WataNare could be something incredible
The fourth episode of Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! Unless⊠has significant flaws, largely due to its unfortunate burden of trying to redeem Maiâs actions. While it largely fails in that endeavor, it is somehow the episode that finally made me appreciate this show. Thanks to some superb direction and animation in the first half, an absolutely adorable ending, and the continuously wonderful characters, the great parts of WataNare finally feel like they have eclipsed its follies. I may not yet be sold on the animeâs central pairing, but I am happy to go along for the ride and let it continue to win me over, especially with the promise of seeing more Satsuki and Ajisai in the future. Still, if there was one compliment I can give this episodeâs story, it is that the Renako and Mai arc is finally over. The series can now get onto much more interesting and far less reprehensible stories, which I will be more than happy to watch.
Ratings:
Story â 3
Characters â 9
Art â 9
LGBTQ â 8
Sexual Content â 3
Music â 6
Final â 7
There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠is available to stream internationally on Remowâs Itâs Anime YouTube channel.
This review is made possible by the generosity of the YuriMother Patrons. Check out the Patreon today for early access, exclusive material, and to help support LGBTQ+ content.
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EARLY ACCESS: Yuri Anime Review and Analysis â 'Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! UnlessâŠ' Episode 4
This beautiful climax finally won me over â if only because it means we can move on.
Review and Analysis Early Preview â Read the full article on the YuriMother Patreon today!
It has been a few weeks since I wrote about Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! UnlessâŠ, and after having spent some time, I am somewhat surprised to find that I actually missed it. This epiphany probably should not come as a huge shock; previously, while analysing episodes two and three, I said that I enjoyed the majority of it. However, I also offered heavy criticism of those episodesâ poor handling of their lecherous material. Couple that issue with my general indifference towards many high school Yuri romances, after consuming hundreds of them at this point, and I was not expecting much more than a tepid, temporary pleasant viewing experience. Yet, more than once, I found myself lost in thought about the series, pondering the details and nuances of its characters, relationships, and tropes with a level of detail not dissimilar to that which I employ when contemplating my favorite Yuri works. Perhaps my newfound warmth comes from absence making the heart grow fonder, and my annoyance at previous episodes cooling. One thing is for sure, I like WataNare episode four a lot, if for no other reason than that it has nowhere to go but up from here.
Easily, the elements that endear me most to Studio Motherâs adaptation of WataNare are the consistently excellent animation. The climax of this episode, in particular, was downright stunning, and I indulged in watching it over and over. But animation excellence is not reserved exclusively for these big moments, but is found in all the small details that really add up to create great art. Another excellent part is Renako and Satsukiâs extended conversation on the roof. The scene changes mid-shot from more neutral grey colors to the muted orange of the setting sun. This light floods the rooftop, Renako, and Satsuki with sharp highlights and dramatic shadows while quietening the animeâs usually striking and vivid colors. These impactful choices, alongside a bleak sky mottled with dark clouds, effectively convey the scene's quieter, contemplative nature and the regret and turmoil Renako is experiencing.
Read the full analysis early and help support LGBTQ+ media on the YuriMother Patreon!
Horror Yuri Anime 'This Monster Wants to Eat Me' Trailer, Key Image Released; Announces Fall Season Airing
On Saturday, Infinate uploaded a promotional video for the television anime adaptation of Sai Naekawa's This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Watashi o Tabetai, Hito de Nashi). The trailer revealed that the anime will premiere on October 2.
The anime, often abbreviated to WataTabe, stars:
Hinako Yaotose: Reina Ueda
Shiori Oumi: Yui Ishikawa
Miko Yashiro: Fairouz Ai
Yaotose also sings the ending theme "LilLy" as her character. The opening theme is "Sacrifice" by Yoshino.
Naoyuki Kuzuya serves as chief director with Yusuke Suzuki directing the anime at STUDIO LINGS, the studio behind other Yuri adaptations including Yuri Is My Job! and Tachibanakan To Lie Angle. Mitsutaka Hirota is in charge of the screenplay, Nozomi Ikuyama creates the character designs, and Keiji Inan composes the music. Infinite produces the anime.
Additional staff includes:
Color Design: Taeko Mizuno
Art Director: Yoshitaka Kudo
Art Director: Yoshitaka Kudo
Director of Photography: Kenji Takehara
3DCG: Zishiro Shida
Editor: Misato Takikawa
Sound Director: Ryosuke Naya
Animation Producer: Hideto Takagi
A new key visual was also uploaded to the anime's official website.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me began serialization in Dengeki Maoh in August of 2020. ASCII Media Works publishes 10 collected volumes of the series in Japanese. The manga is licensed by Yen Press, which is releasing the fifth English volume in November.
The publisher describes the series:
Hinako, a high school student with a dark past, lives alone in a town by the sea. Haunted by a constant sensation of drowning, she can barely go through the motions of her tedious lifeâŠuntil the day a monster tries to eat her! After passing out in the struggle, she awakens to find sheâs been rescued by a beautiful mermaid. However, salvation comes at a costâthe mermaidâs protection will last only until Hinako has matured into the perfect meal! Hinakoâs first instinct isnât to run or scream, though, and an unlikely relationship between monster and prey unfoldsâŠ
This Monster Wants to Eat Me will stream internationally on Crunchyroll.
Check out This Monster Wants to Eat Me in English digitally and in paperback ahead of the anime's October release: https://amzn.to/4m578Jj
YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.
Dark Fantasy Yuri Anime 'Roll Over and Die' Announces Cast in New Trailer and Debuts Character Designs
On Friday, August 1, a second promotional video for the TV anime adaptation of kiki's dark fantasy Yuri series, Roll Over and Die: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! ("Omae Gotoki ga MaĆ ni Kateru to Omou na" to YĆ«sha PÄti o TsuihĆ Sareta no de, Ćto de Kimama ni Kurashitai) was released. The trailer introduced key production staff and additional members of the anime's cast, following the first PV's announcement that the series would star Ayaka Nanase as Flum Apricot.
Roll Over and Die is a light novel and manga series by kiki and illustrated by Kinta and kodamazon (light novel) and Sunao Minakata (manga). Both the manga and light novels are licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment, which describes the series:
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she canât even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flumâs life hits rock bottom when the partyâs renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery. Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her masterâs entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weaponâŠand something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one womanâs blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
Nobuhara Kamanaka directs Roll Over and Die at studio A.C.G.T. Mariko Kunisawa is in charge of series composition, and the music is by Ryo Takahashi.
The trailer was the first look at many of the anime adaptations' character designs, which were also uploaded to the series' official website, created by Miki Matsumoto, Fumio Matsumoto, Takashi Jukuyo, and Takafumi Furusawa. The casting for the characters was also revealed, including:
Miku Ito as Milkit
Miki Kariya as Cyrill Sweechka
Makoto Yasumura as Jean Inteige
Misaki Kuno as Eterna Rinebow
Takaya Kuroda as Gadhio Lathcutt
Aya Endo as Maria Afenjuns
Jin Ogasaware as Linus Radiants
The anime is set to premiere in 2026 and is licensed internationally by Crunchyroll.
Roll Over and Die started as a web novel on Shosetsuka ni Naro in early 2018 before it was acquired by Micro Magazine. Micro Magazine published four light novels of the series, illustrated by Kinta, in print from 2018 to 2020. After a hiatus, the fifth volume was published digitally in May 2025, with kodamazon taking over illustrations. A sixth Japanese volume is scheduled for release on August 29.
A manga adaptation, illustrated by Sunao Minakata, began digital serialization on the Comic Ride website in December 2018. Micro Magazine published the seventh collected Japanese volume in April 2025.
Seven Seas Entertainment licenses both the light novels and manga in English. It also publishes an audiobook adaptation of the light novels, narrated by Emily Bauer.
You can check out Roll Over and Die today digitally and in print ahead of the anime's release next year: https://amzn.to/45nOdlK
YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.
Autobiographical Transgender Manga 'My Journey to Her' Wins Prestigious Eisner Award
On Friday, the English edition of Yuna Hirasawa's autobiographical manga My Journey to Her (Boku ga Watashi ni Naru Tame ni) won the award for Best Digital Comic at the 37th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. The awards were announced during a ceremony held at San Diego Comic-Con.
My Journey to Her is an autobiographical manga by Yuna Hirasawa, detailing her experience transitioning as a transgender woman. It is published digitally in English by Kodansha Comics, which describes the manga:
After graduating university, Yuna spent several years going through the motions and working an office job. Until one day, while in pursuit of an essential missing piece of her life, she receives a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, which opens up new doors for her. As she takes on medical treatments and tries out new makeup and outfits, she sees just how lonely and difficult the process of transitioning can be. But in 2015, when Yuna travels to Thailand for her gender-affirming surgery, the support of her siblings, new strangers, and documenting her experience through manga helps her begin to heal in more ways than one. Told in an honest and, at times, humorous tone, this memoir is a blend of manga and detailed prose that does not shy away from sensitive topics, such as suicidal ideation, transphobia, and the simultaneously harrowing, yet joyous, experience of gender-affirming surgery.
My Journey to Her was published in Kodansha's Morning magazine in 2016. A single collected volume was released in Japanese in June of the same year.
The Eisner Awards are the "Oscars" of the comic book industry. Named for late cartoonist Will Eisner, the awards began in 1988. As of 2021, there are 32 award categories, including Best Digital Comic. The 37th awards recognized and rewarded excellence for works published in 2024.
Other nominees for the Best Digital Comic award were:
The Beauty Salon, based on the novella by Mario Bellatin, adapted by Quentin Zuttion; translated by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)
Beyond the Sea, by AnaĂŻs Flogny; translated by Dan Christensen (Europe Comics)
Gonzo: Fear and Loathing in America, by Morgan Navarro; translated by Tom Imber (Europe Comics)
Yuri Anime Review and Analysis â Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! Unless⊠Episodes 2 and 3
Disastrous exploitation threatens to sink an otherwise promising Yuri rom-com
Contains Spoilers for Episodes 1-3
I previously reviewed the first episode of Studio Motherâs Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! Unless⊠(Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wakenaijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?)) and found myself more positive than I had initially anticipated. Yes, there were significant issues with its frenzied pacing and, of course, âsuper darlingâ Maiâs boorishness, but it was overall bright, cheerful, engaging, and very fun. Since then, I have given the light novels and manga another chance and found that my initial negative impressions had changed with the debut of the polished anime adaptations, and I thoroughly enjoyed them, particularly once the story moved past the initial Mai arc and began to feature the other girls more. The second and third episodes are still set in the middle of these chapters. However, they were presented in a way that, again, improved my opinion of them and continued to ingratiate the romantic comedy to me, perhaps against my better judgment, considering the unsettling nature of their contents.
All of the best aspects of WataNareâs first episode continue in these next two episodes. The animation is energetic, vibrant, and just about as near-flawless as one could hope for. The voice acting is superb, with Kanna Nakamura and Saori Onishi seizing an incredible opportunity to showcase their abilities in portraying the often complex emotions of their characters, Renako and Mai, respectively. Furthermore, the anime seems to have quickly found its footing with the pacing, slowing it down just enough that the viewer should feel more comfortable keeping up, but keeping the story and characters moving at a brisk, fiery pace that serves the comedy and fanservice well and allows events and emotions to progress with efficiency. Criticize what you will, but you cannot say it is boring.
The comedy centers on Renakoâs struggle to maintain her false persona as an outgoing ânormieâ and further her friendships with Mai and the other popular students. And, although the humor often comes from Renakoâs anxiety and trauma, it never feels like the butt of the joke, but rather, relatable situations like worrying about how she is perceived, or that her friends would rather be doing something other than hanging out with her.
These scenes also help to develop the central cast of characters further and showcase just how loving to each other and likable to us they can be. Mai tries out video games and even buys herself a console to practice with, because she knows Renako likes them. Ajisai reassures Renako and affirms that she enjoys spending time together. Sure, there are more heightened, exaggerated moments, like Mai creating a list of all the uncomfortably intimate activities she wants to do. Still, the more grounded, human moments and conflicts around and within Renako are where the anime shines brightest, and thankfully, they are plentiful.
Criticize what you will, but you cannot say it is boring.
My favorite of these instances thus far is when Renako and Mai, hair tied up in friendship mode, spend the weekend at the mall together. After a playful montage of the two together, they engage in another discussion session about friendship and romance. This conversation, one of their few that mercifully is not interrupted by the conceited Mai's physical advances, showcases both Renakoâs emotional intelligence, born of frequent introspection, and their shared inexperience with the complexities of relationships.
Renako argues that dating makes one self-conscious and focused exclusively on what the other person thinks, rather than on the experiences and fun they share together. Itâs a compelling argument, both because of its validity and how it reflects Renakoâs internal struggles. It also provides an opportunity for Mai to humble herself, listening to and accepting Renakoâs opinions, while also reinforcing and elaborating on her feelings.
Grounded, human moments and conflicts around and within Renako are where the anime shines brightest.
Mai loves Renako because of her emotional honesty and empathy. Because of her elite status, Mai has not had the experience of opening up to someone before, and the relief and sudden surge of emotion that came from doing so with Renako immediately developed an obsession. While it is believable, the anime does not quite as convincingly convey Maiâs standpoint as it does Renakoâs. But, we do at least understand (a little too well at times) what she wants and why she feels the way she does. Funnily enough, they actually want the same thing: âsomeone I can both lean on and give support to,â as stated by Renako. However, both are approaching it from different yet reasonable angles, friendship and romance, and the blurry line between the two is the central theme that this anime has only begun to examine.
Many contemporary high-school Yuri works also explore differences and combinations of platonic and romantic affection. Whisper Me a Love Song (Sasayaku You ni Koi o Utau) showed how love can take on multiple forms. It says that partners can (and should) also be friends, who enjoy spending time together, sharing both their joys and interests, as well as their anxieties. Bloom Into You (Yagate Kimi ni Naru) presents an exploration of how love is not just a sudden and spectacular flash of feelings, but a deliberate process that fosters shared connection, desire, and growth. However, while these series showcase these themes through fluffy slice-of-life stories and slow-burning melodrama, respectively, Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Love! Unless⊠does so through strong character interactions and fanservice. It is, unfortunately, this second point that is by far WataNareâs greatest weakness.
Mai frequently pushes Renakoâs physical boundaries and forces intimacy on her without consent. These predatory actions, which letâs be clear, do constitute sexual assault, culminate in two pivotal but painfully uncomfortable scenes. In the first of these, Mai kisses Renako while the pair share a bath, after having been caught in the rain and stranded at a hotel.
Despite the nudity, which is heavily focused on for fanservice, it is the more enjoyable of the two scenes. Watanare at least attempts to make the moment feel romantic. There is nice, soft piano music, and after the final of several kisses, she is flustered and embarrassed, presumably having liked the kiss, and even moves to cuddle with Mai in the bath. When Mai notes that Renakoâs affection has grown, her denial is halfhearted.
It would almost be loving, if not for the first kiss, which is accompanied by frantic protests from Renako and flailing limbs in protest. It was, of course, instigated by Mai as she once again exploits their arrangement and pulls her hair down to enter âgirlfriendâ mode, despite the fact that she referred to herself as Renakoâs best friend when her hair was up to try and create a sense of safety and manipulate her into joining the bath. It is unfortunate because the assault is preceded by another excellent dialogue scene, in which they relate their struggles with expectations. Cut out the middle part of this sequence, leaving just the conversation and last kiss, and youâve got something good. I do not think this scene downright fails as is, especially within the fictional world of a rom-com, but Maiâs aggression undermines what could have been great.
The end of episode three has much less to defend. In a fit of jealousy, Mai intrudes on Renakoâs alone time with Ajisai (incidentally, every scene with Renako and Ajisai is fantastic and does a great job of building potential attraction between them as well). Once Mai is alone with Renako, she tries to push her way too far, until they are stopped when the latterâs sister, Haruna (Mayu Sagara), interrupts them. It is, to put it bluntly, disgusting and not handled well at all.
The biggest issue, aside from the obvious consent-related one, is in how the anime portrays the attempted assault. It tries to do too much and loses focus by mixing tones here. There are ways to show flawed characters, especially those who are excited and inexperienced with intimacy, like Mai is, making âmistakesâ and taking atrocious actions. Still, it must be taken seriously, have severe consequences, and demonstrate that it affects people and alters relationships, lest it be taken lightly or excused.
WataNare takes a few of these actions; Renakoâs protests are extremely discomforting, and after they are thankfully interrupted, she angrily throws Mai out of the house, both disturbed by her violations and worried about the repercussions of her sister seeing them. Afterwards, both girls experience their own forms of guilt. Mai is suddenly subdued and ashamed of going too far, and Renako regrets not being more firm and stopping it beforehand. In isolation, and frankly, in a different story, these elements could work. I am not saying that I like it or approve in any way, shape, or form, but there are ways to explore these storylines. This series, however, is just not capable of doing so.
The horrid segment attempts to incorporate a bafflingly awful mix of drama, comedy, and gratuitous fanservice, and it absolutely, unequivocally fails. Any actual gravity and seriousness present in the scene is undercut, first, by out-of-place comedy. Renakoâs exasperatingly shouts âDonât say thatâ in response to Mai confessing her love again with a ridiculously stupid facial expression, and, after barging in on the beat, Haruna bears a stunned expression at a goofily frozen Mai and Renako, complete with cartoonish blinking sound effects and a comically animated exit. Somehow, even worse, the assault is used for fanservice, at least in the first part of the scene. Mai half undresses Renako, and we are subjected to long shots of her body and bra, and Mai hovers over her victim, gently placing a hand on her cheek as the room is washed in soft lighting from the windows. All the while, the saccharinely languid strings desperately attempt to telegraph romance that is certainly not present.
All of WataNareâs sexual moments have had an undercurrent of discomfort, due to Maiâs forcefulness. Yet, the climax of episode three finally tips the scale, or more accurately, completely upends it, away from anything resembling titillation or appeal and straight down into grim, exploitative sleaze. The most apt comparison to another popular Yuri is the ending of the first episode of Studio Passioneâs 2018 anime Citrus, where one character aggressively pins another down and kisses her. While I know this is controversial and many people will understandably disagree with me, I actually defended this moment in an old guest review on Okazu, where I noted that it was intentionally disconcerting.
Citrus did not use its assault to be cute or sexy; all aspects of it, music, direction, lighting, and acting, help highlight how wrong it all is and serve to show how damaged and even horrible its characters can be in a scene that has profound repercussions. But Citrus is a drama, and even then, it is not perfect in this regard. On the other hand, WataNare is a harem rom-com and just cannot manage such weighty subject matter with nearly the amount of care it requires. Instead, it fruitlessly ping-ponges wildly between halfhearted tones, all of which it fails to nail. And all this is to say nothing of its disastrous handling of the outcome, but more on that in episode fourâŠ
I am not saying that Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! Unless⊠is bad. I am enjoying the majority of it. It is so well animated and acted; the characters, especially Renako, are believable. I absolutely love their honest, intelligent communication, internal struggles, and relationships. The anime is at its best when treating the audience to kind, heartfelt exchanges between the girls and relatable, character-driven comedic beats. The series can be extremely fun and compelling, carrying just the right combination of levity and earnest emotion. It is just so disappointing that it must endure having such poor, sordid material mixed in. Especially when there are great pieces of romance (or romances) that ironically progress much more when Mai acts as a friend, offering gentle partnership, than any time she attempts to coerce contact.
WataNare is a harem rom-com and just cannot manage such weighty subject matter
Episode three, and I predict four as well, provided the anime continues to follow the books, are likely to be the worst of the series. If you cannot tolerate the animeâs problems, or just do not want to expend the effort to engage with them, that is extremely understandable. If you, like me and thankfully the majority of the top YouTube comments, can acknowledge the faults, recognizing that it is an imperfect work of fiction that should absolutely not be emulated in reality, then there is a lot to appreciate that is really, really great! It is too early to say if Thereâs No Freaking Way Iâll Be Your Lover! Unless⊠is actually something truly special, but it very well could be, provided it stops shooting itself in the foot.
Due to the episodesâ content, I will not be assigning numerical scores, as any rating could act as an endorsement or excuse for their poorly handled depictions of sexual assault.
This article is made possible by the support of Yuri Monarch Avery Riehl and the rest of the YuriMother Patrons. Join the Patreon today for early access, exclusive material, and to help fund LGBTQ+ content.
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Toxic Yuri Manga 'Tough Love at the Office' Omnibus Collection Released
On Tuesday, Seven Seas Entertainment released the single-volume complete collection of Sal Jiang's office Yuri manga Black and White: Tough Love at the Office (Shiro to Kuro ~Black & White~). The omnibus, entitled Tough Love at the Office: The Complete Yuri Collection, contains all three of the original bound volumes.
The publisher describes the series:
Shirakawa and Kuroda are more than just rivals on the corporate ladder--they're fire and gasoline. When these female power players are assigned to work with each other, they trade barbs and intense glares at every turn, until their tempers flare and tension ignites! Their animosity transforms into something far steamier--an undeniable physical connection they can't resist. Jealousy, ambition, and passions collide in this scorching yuri manga, where every power play threatens to unravel their careers--and each other.
Tough Love at the Office was serialized online via Comic Ruelle from March 2020 until its conclusion in 2023. Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha publishes three collected volumes in Japanese. Seven Seas previously licensed the series and released the first volume in English in 2022. The second and third volumes were not published in English prior to this omnibus' release.
The manga is translated into English by Alexa Frank, with lettering by Brendon Hull and & Danya Shevchenko.
Tough Love at the Office received positive reviews from critics, who praised the more adult and violent love-hate relationship between its main characters in contrast to more traditional schoolgirl romances. Erica Friedman of Okazu scored the first English volume as 10/10, remarking "[Black and White] is so frickin' nasty, I literally grinned my way through it."
Sal Jiang is a Japanese Yuri mangaka who, in addition to Tough Love at the Office, is known for her fantasy series Wicked Spot, which Kodansha USA will release in English in Spring 2026, and the office romance manga Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! (licensed by MangaPlaza and Tokyopop) which was adapted into the 2024 television drama of the same name.
Tough Love at the Office contains adult content and mild nudity, reader discursion is advised.
Check out Tough Love at the Office: The Complete Yuri Collection in English digitally and in paperback: https://amzn.to/44KcJ1p
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Manga Magazine 'Comic Yuri Hime' Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Ichijinsha's Yuri magazine Comic Yuri Hime celebrates 20 years of publication this July. In celebration, the publisher posted a promotional video on YouTube and will host a commemorative Yuri Hime exhibition this winter in Tokyo. The exact dates and details have not been announced at the time of writing.
Comic Yuri Hime is the longest-running Japanese manga magazine dedicated exclusively to Yuri, and currently the only one published monthly. The magazine, which succeeded the defunct Yuri Shimai, began as a quarterly publication in July 2005 and later transitioned to a monthly publication in late 2016. Comic Yuri Hime is incredibly influential to the Yuri genre and includes many of its most popular series.
To further celebrate the anniversary, Yuri Hime is hosting a 12-month-long special one-shot project, with Battan's Rouge no Kioku serving as the first. Furthermore, new serializations will launch in Comic Yuri Hime, starting with two series in the September 2025 issue, which was released in July. The first, Mayu no Uta, is a psychological horror series by Shikushiku (Kono Yo de Ichiban Suteki na Owarikata). The other new series, Watashi Datte Seishun Shitai desu yo, Hontou wa, is a high school romantic comedy manga by ONO Rin (Luminous = Blue).
Additionally, an anthology entitled YRHM Yuri Hime 20th featuring mangaka whose works are serialized in Yuri Hime was released alongside the magazine's September issue. The anthology features cover artwork by Hechima, illustrations by Nachi Aono (I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day), and stories by the following creators:
Aonoshimo (I'm in Love with the Villainess [manga])
Kiyoko Iwami (My Girlfriend's Not Here Today)
Kashikaze (I Can't Say No to the Lonely Girl)
Kodama Naoko (NTR: Netsuzou Trap and I Married My Best Friend To Shut My Parents Up)
Saburouta (Citrus)
Eku Takeshima (Whisper Me a Love Song)
Miman (Yuri is My Job!)
Manio (Kitanai Kimi ga Ichiban Kawaii)
Yuama (The Summer You Were There and The Girl I Want Is So Handsome!)
Source: Comic Yuri Hime official website; Comic Natalie
Yuri Anime Review - There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠Episode 1
Frantic, colorful, somewhat sleazy, but most of all, fun!
Itâs an exhilarating time in Yuri anime. Following a steadily increasing output of Yuri titles of multiple varieties the past few years, and the boom in Yuri manga, light novels and webtoons getting published, licensed, and most importantly enjoyed that happened in the late 2010s and early 2020s, Yuri anime is set to explode with a small delludge of adaptations and original works announced and rumored over the two years, far more than the genre has ever seen in such a window before. One of the more prominent series getting the television anime treatment is Teren Mikamiâs There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠(Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wakenaijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?)), commonly abbreviated as WataNare. And, right now at least, it looks like anime is poised for success thanks to a strong, colorful, if not occasionally frantic first outing from director Natsumi Uchinuma at Studio Mother (hey wait a minuteâŠ). While this poly, harem Yuri comedy does not deliver anything wholly original, save the aforementioned poly elements of the source material, it has more than enough laughs, a believable emotional core, and plenty (in my opinion, too much) fan service that combine into an enjoyable experience.
Review contains minor spoilers for episode 1
WataNare opens on Renako Amaori, an incredibly anxious introvert and former loser who decided to reinvent herself for high school to become a popular, outgoing ânormie.â Immediately, the first aspect of the anime to stand out is its animation. It is fluid, detailed without being cluttered, and extremely colorful, with a vibrantly saturated, almost neon palette that fits well with the seriesâ exaggerated characters and ridiculous, risible scenarios. Itâs smartly edited and framed too, with high-energy movements and cuts that help match the storyâs brisk pace.
This quality also serves to establish Renakoâs composure to the viewer, as, after a brief flash forward to a very Yuri rooftop confession, WataNare fades to a lunch scene showing the protagonist at her social limit. She, along with the viewer, struggles to keep up with the frenetic conversation of her new popular ânormieâ friend group. Her vision swims, and fast, clumsy movements sell her building anxiety as bubbling background music increases its pace, until it explores as she awkwardly excuses herself to the roof to recover her social battery in isolation. The result is a welcome showcase of the anime, which takes advantage of its medium by marrying the visuals, sounds, and dialogue to enhance its story and characters.
It is at this point that the episode is at its most frantic and may lose some viewers, as it skips from establishing scene to scene as Renako's (voiced by Kanna Nakamura) narration plays at a mile-a-minute pace, explaining how she joined her current group and befriended its larger-than-life leader, Mai Oduka (Saori Onashi). It's done smoothly, with some creative visuals to sustain the high energy, but the rabid pace at which events unfold will definitely not be to everyoneâs taste. I myself found it much more enjoyable upon second viewing, once after I had acclimated to its vigorous fervor.
Mai Oduka follows Renako to the roof, and a comedic misunderstanding leads to the two having a heart-to-heart. It is one of the best scenes of the episode, as it provides a break in the early pacing without feeling disruptive, as silly character expressions and whimsical music and sound effects keep the tone light before transitioning into some light piano music as the conversation gets more vulnerable. Renako confides the truth of her introverted personality, and Mai, the rich princess darling born into wealth, success, and fame, admits to her inner loneliness and worries about people seeing and liking the real her, as opposed to just the illusion her status creates.
The scene does a very effective job at establishing the softer side of the dynamic between these characters, upon which the central romance of the anime will build. I also appreciated how much it hints at other aspects of their personalities, like Renakoâs obsession with video games being alluded to as she calls her social stamina âmagic pointsâ and Maiâs pushy, somewhat self absorbed nature, as her assumptions led to the start of the encounter in the first place and her insistant proclamation that the two will be close friends.
Of course, this promise of friendship is quickly convoluted when the next day, on the rooftop, Mai admits to having fallen in love with Renako. Thus, we have the classic Yuri pairing established, one a more beautiful and strong elite with all the social awareness of a cactus, despite her formal etiquette, and the other, the naive subject of her affection. The girls decide to commit to a wager, splitting their time over the next month between friendship mode and playing at girlfriends, as determined by how Mai wears her hair. The arrangement is ripe for comedy and manipulation, as quickly shown by Mai continuously wearing her hair down to indicate girlfriend status day after day, and it will serve as the central conflict in Mai and Renakoâs relationship until the latter inevitably decides that she is in love, too.
I actually really like how Renako and Mai come to their compromise, as both girls do a great job at just explaining their thinking and feelings. Mai has never felt able to confide in someone before, and thus has fallen for Renako as the first person to show her actual acceptance and talk to her like a person. Renako, however just wants a best friend to be by her side during high school and is worried about the complexities of a relationship like jealousy and the whirlwind of destruction it that would sweep through the friend group and ânormieâ status she just found if Mai were to lose interest and they would break up. Yes, of course, it is all filtered through the comedic exaggeration of their characters, like Maiâs, and brazenly insisting that Renako surely feels romantic love, too. However, it is still grounded in realistic feelings and novel ignorance of young romance.
As Mai points out, Renako incorrectly assumes that romantic patterns cannot also be friends (and ideally are), yet her concerns about potential fallout are valid. Of course, their half-friends, half-lovers dynamic will still result in a lot of drama and jealousy, but it is believable for the inexperienced Renako not to consider this. More than anything, it is just great to see both of them continue to be honest and forthright in communicating their feelings, worries, and confusion. Indeed, the one trope WataNara seems to be avoiding is the miscommunication; at least for now, we will see if they keep that up once the whole harem ball gets rolling.
Of course, Maiâs pompous brashness quickly lands Renako is lots of romantic and embarrassing situations, like a very fan-service forward trip to a luxury five-star hotelâs pool, where of course we are subjected to a conversation half framed from the characterâs pelvises instead of faces, and plenty of unwarranted physical advances from Mai, played for both laughs and butterflies. She stops short of physical kissing in this episode, but it does send warning lights of what might be to come. Maiâs arrogant smugness and physical advances are part of her character and the source of much of WataNareâs comedy, and even conflict at times. However, it does mean that, at least in the source material, she is not great at consent. That said, of course, one can very much enjoy the series as fiction, as long as they do not emulate it or believe it to be a realistic depiction of romance, but it understandably will push a lot of people. However, we will have to wait to see how the anime handles this part of its story.
WataNare is essentially a fervent, rapid collection of classics, featuring a rose and candy main couple and classic lines like âbecause Iâm a girl,â alongside tropes and iconography like its main character contemplating her possible romantic feelings in the bath. It does not have nearly the intelligence of posture to consider these ideas from a nuanced lens, the way series like Bloom Into You did, but thatâs okay. Weâre here for comedy and cuteness, along with (unfortunately) a lot of fan service, not an introspective examination of the complexities of Yuri and romance. Provided you are not put off by its fast pace and often smarmy fanservice, you will find a lot to enjoy, I know I did. It has great characters, with Renako played with a perfect mixture of anxiety, sincerity, and incredulity in contrast with Maiâs brazen, but not unlikeable, haughtiness and elegance. Their dynamic promises lots of laughs ahead, and the conflict in their romance almost feels more like an enemies-to-lovers story than anything else. All of that is delivered with bright, popping visuals thanks to the sleek, vibrant animation that keeps up the momentum as we barrel onwards.
There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠is neither perfect nor elegant by any means, but if there is one word that I had to use to describe this polished adaptation of a clumsy series, it would be âfun.â I am excited to see where the anime goes next, and will eagerly continue to watch, if perhaps with just a hint of trepidation and probably lots of eye rolls.
Ratings:
Story â 5
Characters â 8
Art â 9
LGBTQ â 6
Sexual Content â 6
Music â 7
Final â 6
There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠is available to stream internationally on Remowâs Itâs Anime YouTube channel.
This review is made possible by the support of Yuri Monarch Avery Riehl and the rest of the YuriMother Patrons. Join the Patreon today for early access, exclusive material, and to help fund LGBTQ+ content.
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GL Manhua 'The Wayward Tenant and Her Pretty Landlady' Licensed for Free in English
On Saturday, Baiheverse released the first episode of Nihaohaohaojun's short Yuri manhua, The Wayward Tenant and Her Pretty Landlady (FÄngliĂș FĂĄngkĂš QiĂ o FĂĄngdĆng). The episode is available to read on the Baiheverse site, with future chapters in progress.
The publisher describes the series:
Bo He, an artist struggling with her work, welcomes her new tenant, who's not only stunning but also offering to model for her! As past and present intertwine and dreams blur with reality, their bodies entangle and old sentiments resurface. What ending awaits the two women?
The Wayward Tenant and Her Pretty Landlady was first posted to Weibo by artist Nihaohaohaojun in late 2022. Since then, there have been a total of three episodes and one bonus chapter; the series is ongoing. Later episodes contain more suggestive and adult content; reader discretion is advised. The manhua is translated into English by longlegdog.
The publisher stated on X (formerly Twitter) that it plans to "gradually release" Nihaohaohaojun's other manhua works.
You can read The Wayward Tenant and Her Pretty Landlady for free on Baiheverse.
Bo He, an artist struggling with her work, welcomes her new tenant, who's not only stunning but also offering to model for her! As past and
Baiheverse is a Baihe (Chinese GL/Yuri) publisher. Their mission is to provide high-quality translations to consumers worldwide, ensure authors and translators are fairly compensated, and build bridges between Baihe culture and a global audience through novels, manhua, audio dramas, and videos.
New 'Madoka Magica' Anime Film Trailer and Key Visual Reveal 2026 Release Date
On Tuesday, the official website for the upcoming anime film Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie -Walpurgisnacht Rising- (Gekijouban Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Walpurgis no Kaiten) released a new trailer and key visual. The website, trailer, and visual revealed the release date for the anime as February 2026.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica -Walpurgisnacht Rising- is the sequel to the 2013 film Rebellion and the continuation of the main Madoka Magica franchise story that began in the groundbreaking 2011 television anime series.
The film was announced at the franchise's 10th anniversary event in April 2021. It was initially scheduled for early 2024 but was later delayed to winter 2025.
The team behind the original anime series and films returns for the sequel at studio SHAFT, including the collaborative team Magica Quartet, comprised of:
Chief Director Akiyuki Simbo
Scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus)
Original Character Designer Ume Aoki
Producer Atsuhiro Iwakami
Additional returning staff are director Yukihiro Miyamoto, anime character designer Junichiro Taniguchi, parallel world designer Gekidan Inu Curry, and music composer Yuki Kaijura.
The Japanese voice cast also returns to reprise their roles:
Aoi Yuki (Madoka Kaname)
Chiwa Saito (Homura Akemi)
Kaori Mizuhashi (Mami Tomoe)
Eri Kitamura (Sayaka Miki)
Ai Nonaka (Kyouko Sakura)
Kana Asumi (Nagisa Momoe)
Emiri Kato (Kyubey)
Puella Magi Madoka Magica originally aired in 2011. It was adapted into two compilation films, Beginnings and Eternal, in October 2012, and then followed by the sequel, Rebellion. According to the Madoka Magica website, the first two films will be re-released as "TV editions" in Japan this October.
The series and movies received widespread acclaim and spawned a franchise including multiple manga series, a novel, video games, and merchandise. An anime television spin-off, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story, based on the mobile game of the same name, aired for three seasons between January 2020 and April 2022.
Although Madoka magica does not contain forthright same-sex romance, it is considered Yuri because of the close, intimate relationships between its female characters, particularly Homura, who is canonically in love with Madoka.
FREE EARLY ACCESS: There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠EP. 1 Review
If there is one word that I had to use to describe this polished adaptation of a clumsy series, it would be âfun.â...
Itâs an exhilarating time in Yuri anime. Following a steadily increasing output of Yuri titles of multiple varieties the past few years, and the boom in Yuri manga, light novels and webtoons getting published, licensed, and most importantly enjoyed that happened in the late 2010s and early 2020s, Yuri anime is set to explode with a small delludge of adaptations and original works announced and rumored over the two years, far more than the genre has ever seen in such a window before. One of the more prominent series getting the television anime treatment is Teren Mikamiâs There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless⊠(Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wakenaijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?)), commonly abbreviated as WataNare.
WataNare opens on Renako Amaori, an incredibly anxious introvert and former loser who decided to reinvent herself for high school to become a popular, outgoing ânormie.â Immediately, the first aspect of the anime to stand out is its animation. It is fluid, detailed without being cluttered, and extremely colorful, with a vibrantly saturated, almost neon palette that fits well with the seriesâ exaggerated characters and ridiculous, risible scenarios. Itâs smartly edited and framed too, with high-energy movements and cuts that help match the storyâs brisk pace.
This quality also serves to establish Renakoâs composure to the viewer, as, after a brief flash forward to a very Yuri rooftop confession, WataNare fades to a lunch scene showing the protagonist at her social limit. She, along with the viewer, struggles to keep up with the frenetic conversation of her new popular ânormieâ friend group. Her vision swims, and fast, clumsy movements sell her building anxiety as bubbling background music increases its pace, until it explores as she awkwardly excuses herself to the roof to recover her social battery in isolation. The result is a welcome showcase of...
Read my FULL REVIEW of episode 1 early for FREE by joining the YuriMother Patreon
On Thursday, the fourth volume of Toshizou's polyamorous Yuri comedy series, Yuri Tama: From Third Wheel to Trifecta (Yuri no Aida ni Hasamareta Watashi ga, Ikioi de Futamata Shite Shimatta Hanashi), was released in English digitally. The light novel is illustrated by Kuro Shina.
Yuri Tama follows socially anxious high school student Yotsuba Hazama, who is best friends with both of the beloved and beautiful members of her school's favorite couple, Yuna Momose and Rinka Aiba. However, her already precarious social position is thrown into even more turmoil when both girls ask her out, and she accepts both invitations!
English publisher J-Novel Club describes the fourth volume:
Makina Oda has crash-landed into Eichou High with all the force of a shooting star, and Yotsuba's already fragile social life has been caught in the blast! It would be bad enough if Makina were just a nationally renowned idol who also happened to be Yotsuba's childhood friend, but the fact that she's also dead set on winning Yotsuba's affection has dialed the chaosâand awkwardnessâup to eleven. Then, just when it seems like things can't possibly get any worse, the annual cultural festival arrives and Makina, Yuna, and Rinka are thrown together in a project that could bring all those conflicts to a head at the same time!
Can Yotsuba navigate the interweaving needs of her friends and girlfriends, the pressures of an oncoming festival, and her own crippling social anxiety to save the day and make everyone happy? Not alone, that's for sure! Where's Koganezaki to help when Yotsuba needs her most?!
Overlap publishes Yuri Tama in Japanese and released the fifth volume in December 2024. The light novels are translated by Tristan K. Hill, and the latest English volume is available to read for subscribers on J-Novel Club's website.
You can check out the fourth volume of Yuri Tama: From Third Wheel to Trifecta today: https://amzn.to/44xYRGg
YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.
New Fantasy Yuri Series from the Author of 'I'm in Love with the Villainess' Debuts in English
On Tuesday, Yen Press released the first volume of I'm in Love with the Villainess author Inori's new fantasy series, The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero (Yuusha ni Naritai Shoujo To, Yuusha Narubeki Kanojo) in English under its Yen On imprint. The light novel includes illustrations of Akamoku.
Yen Press describes the series:
After the Great Human-Demon War comes to a close, humanity establishes the Hero Institute, a school for training the next generation of heroes with the assistance of magical devices known as Gear. Ruchika, a free-spirited demon girl with a knack for fighting and zero interest in book learning, journeys to the human realm in hopes of joining the Institute. There, she meets Leonie, a star in the classroom who struggles on the battlefield despite being the daughter of the Almighty Hero, who defeated the Demon Lord. Instantly falling head over heels, Ruchika proposes to Leonieâright in the middle of their entrance exam! Do these two girls have what it takes to overcome their weaknesses and become heroes? And can love really bloom between a human and a demon?
The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero was released in Japanese in November 2023 by Kadokawa under its Dengeki Bunko label. The Japanese release was praised by Erica Friedman of Okazu, who scored it a 9/10 and said it was "everything I hoped for from both inori-sensei and Dengeki."
The light novel is translated into English by Genevieve Hill-Kaminishi.
Author Inori is known for her popular Yuri isekai series, I'm in Love with the Villainess (Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku ReijĆ), which has received acclaim for its characters, storytelling, and focus on LGBTQ+ themes. The series has been adapted into a manga and a television anime and has multiple spin-offs.
You can check out The Girl Who Wants to Be a Hero and the Girl Who Ought to Be a Hero in English digitally and in paperback today: https://amzn.to/44xImKb
YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.
Office-Romance Yuri Manga 'Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko!' Gets English Print Release
Tokyopop announced Saturday, during its panel at Anime Expo, that it has licensed Sal Jiang's shakaijin Yuri series Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! (Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru). The first print volume is scheduled for release in 2026 under Tokyopop's LoveLove imprint.
The series was previously released in English digitally on NTT Solmare's MangaPlaza website.
MangaPlaza describes the series:
Soft and bubbly office lady Ayaka is madly in love with her senior at work, Hiroko! Two lovestruck coworkers who both think the other is straight totally crush on each otherâŠ
Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! was serialized on Web Comic Action from June 2020 until its conclusion in March 2023. Futabasha published three collected volumes of the manga in Japanese.
A live-action television drama based on the manga starring Shiho Kato and Kanna Mori aired on MBS TV and TV Kanagawa in Japan in the Summer of 2024. A second season began airing on June 26. Nao Nomura directed the drama's first season, and YĆ«ka Eda and YĆ«ho Ishibashi directed the second. Ayumi Shimo serves as writer for both seasons. The drama is streamed worldwide on GagaOOLala.
In addition to Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko! Sal Jiang is known for the shakaijin Yuri Black and White: Tough Love at the Office (licensed by Seven Seas) and has contributed to the Syrup Yuri anthology series.
Dark Fantasy Yuri Anime 'ROLL OVER AND DIE' Announces Lead Cast, 2026 Release Date in New Preview Video
On Sunday, June 29, the first promotional video for the upcoming television anime adaptation of kiki's Roll Over and Die: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! ("Omae Gotoki ga MaĆ ni Kateru to Omou na" to YĆ«sha PÄti o TsuihĆ Sareta no de, Ćto de Kimama ni Kurashitai) released. The PV announced that the anime will premiere in 2026.
Roll Over and Die is a light novel written by kiki and illustrated by Kinta and kodamazon. The series is licensed in English by Seven Seas, which describes the story:
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she canât even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flumâs life hits rock bottom when the partyâs renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery. Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her masterâs entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weaponâŠand something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one womanâs blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life!
According to the anime's first PV and the website that launched alongside it, the series will star Ayaka Nanase (The Case Study of Vanitas, Sakura Quest) as Flum Apricot.
Roll Over and Die began as a webnovel released by kiki on ShĆsetsuka ni NarĆ in early 2018. The series was picked up in Japanese by Micro Magazine's GC Novels imprint, which released four volumes with illustrations by Kinta between 2018 and 2020. After a haitus, a fifth volume was released digitally in Japan on May 30, 2025, with Kodamazon taking over the illustrations. Series author Kiki confirmed on X that the the series would continue in Japan in digital format only and would conclude with the eighth volume.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Sunao Minakata (Akuma no Riddle) began serialization on Micro Magazine's Comic Ride website in December 2018. The seventh collected volume was released in Japan by Micro Magazine on April 28, 2025.
Seven Seas Entertainment licenses both the light novel and manga adaptations of Roll Over and Die in English. They also produce an audiobook adaptation of the novels narrated by Emily Bauer. The publisher is scheduled to release the fifth volume of the light novel in December and the seventh volume of the manga in January.
The anime adaptation credits both Kinta and Kodamazon for the original character designs.
You can check out Roll Over and Die: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! in English today ahead of the anime's 2026 premiere: https://amzn.to/3U2ai3X
YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.
Yuri Anthology 'Lilies Blooming in 100 Days' Licensed in English
On Friday, Yen Press announced that it has licensed Muromaki's full-color Yuri manga anthology Lilies Blooming in 100 Days (100-nichigo ni Saku Yuri). The single-volume manga will be released in English in September 2025.
The publisher describes the work:
Packed full of high-school, adult, and age-gap couples in cute, funny, and spicy scenarios alike, this book has plenty for readers to enjoy!
Lilies Blooming in 100 Days is a collection of 100 illustrations and web manga Muromaki posted to Twitter starting in June 2022 under the hashtag #100æ„çŸćăăŁăŹăł (#100DaysofYuriChallenge). Kadokawa published the collected volume in Japanese on March 27, 2023, the day she finished the 100-day challenge.
Muromaki released a follow-up, Yuri ni koi Shita 101-Kakan (101 Days of Girls Loving Girls), also published by Kadokawa in Japanese, on March 22 this year.
Yen Press will release Lilies Blooming in 100 Days in English in September.
