Erica Friedman's Top 10 Yuri Manga

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Updated on 02/04/19

Probably no one knows (and loves) yuri manga more than publisher, manga blogger and Yuricon founder Erica Friedman. So we asked her for her favorites – the girls love manga that she loves to read and recommend. She came back with a Japanese and English yuri sampler that serves up a taste of some of the best girl meets girl stories available today.

01

of 10

Love My Life

This is a story about a college student, Ichiko who, when she tells her father about her girlfriend, learns that her father - and her deceased mother - are gay.

02

of 10

Iono-sama Fanatics

Miyabi Fujieda

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Iono-sama is the Queen of a small country, who loves women with black hair. This is a funny, cute, action-filled fantasy love comedy.

03

of 10

Strawberry Shake Sweet

Hayashi Shizuru / ID Comics

Julia is a teen idol who is asked to mentor another young idol. When Julian falls in love with Ran, at first sight, wackiness ensues.

04

of 10

First Love Sisters

Mizuo Shinonome

This series is a stereotypical "schoolgirls in love" romance. Chika works hard to get into the school where her beloved Haruna is, but when she gets there, Haruna will barely acknowledge her.

05

of 10

Hayate x Blade

Hayashiya Shizuru

In Tenchi Gakuen, students pair up to fight with swords for prestige, position, and money. Hayate needs money to save her friends, And only the best - and most unfriendly - swordslinger in the school will do as her partner. This is a violent, but funny comedy.

06

of 10

Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana)

Shimura Takako / Fx Comics

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

07

of 10

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

Konno Oyuki and Satoru Nagasawa / Margaret Comics / Shueisha

Manga based on the light novel series by Konno Oyuki. Catholic Schoolgirls not getting into trouble. This series is the epitome of the schoolgirl romance genre.

08

of 10

Strawberry Panic

Sakurako Kimono and Takuminamuchi

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

09

of 10

Rica 'tte Kanji!?

Rica Takashima and Erica Friedman

Rica heads to Tokyo to go to school and find life and love in the gay section of town. With a pop art style that contrasts nicely with the completely real situations, Rica is one of the funniest, smartest and real-est yuri manga out there.

10

of 10

Comic Yuri Hime / Yuri Hime S and Yuri Monogatari

Ichijinsha

Yuri Hime and Yuri Hime S are the only truly yuri manga magazines running in Japan. Yuri Monogatari is an annual anthology that highlights yuri manga from around the world. All of these are a great way to expose yourself to a wide variety of styles and stories in one shot.