MissMeikakuna

10. The Miko's Words and the Witch's Incantations by Miyabi Fujied

"Aww!" "Oh No!" "What will happen next?" These are usually the thoughts of someone reading something both cute and engaging. This manga is both of these as the plot is strong enough to stand on its own even if it was not a yuri manga, yet the relationship brings a smile to one's face. For a short period of time I was wondering if yuri was as great as I first thought it was and this revived my affection for the genre. The characters are fun to watch and the humour is solid. The art is quite pretty as well. The ending kept me captivated, wondering what would happen next. It put a spell on me, so I highly recommend it.

9. Chatting at the Amber Teahouse by Miyabi Fujied

I'm going to use the words 'cute', 'adorable' and 'likeable' numerous times in this list. Well, guess what fits these words? 'Chatting at the Amber Teahouse' should be used when treating people with anxiety. It calms the heart and fills it with such warmth that reading it is like going on a relaxing holiday. The art, made by the same mangaka as 'The Miko's Words and the Witch's Incantations', perfectly matches the breezy tone. There isn't a high amount of plot but the relationship feels like the kind of relationship I'd like to be in; Just like this couple I'd like to spend my life with someone whom I can get along with and share a special bond. It is a simple manga but no less effective at tugging at one's heartstrings and making one want to have some tea at the Amber Teahouse. 

8. Double House by Haruno Nanae

You know you love a manga when you become the first person to write fanfiction about it. This is definitely a substance-over-style manga, as the art is often subpar. It makes up for this with an interesting main character, a nice social metaphor (who knew picture frames could be so deep?) and a relationship you really want to end happily. It handles the topic of trans women well, pointing out that not "passing" for a woman in the eyes of society doesn't make you any less of one. The character is not sexually objectified, which is refreshing. Aside from the art, there is another thing that puts this lower on the list. The ending is disappointing. It focuses on a side character, who, while likeable, does nothing to help the main couple get together. The result is a heartwarming conclusion for one character and no conclusion for the others. If it weren't for the ending the heart, the humour and the relationships would have made this high on the list. As it is, it's still a great manga that thinks outside the frame.

7. Pieta by Haruno Nanae

I must warn you that reading this may make you cry. The drama is so strong that one has to keep reading in hopes that the ending will put the pieces of their heart back together. This is a moving story of how a self-harming girl finds love in a girl who also has her own problems but is still dedicated to keeping her both safe and loved. The mangaka also made 'Double House' but the art is noticeably easier on the eyes. I think the romance has its issues as the main character depends on her love interest, but they are so happy together that I ended up taking delight in their relationship and hoping that they continue bringing each other joy. The characters were used to great effect to either make the readership love them or hate them. For example, the protagonist Rio evokes sympathy in the reader and positions the reader to hate all those who cause her to suffer. Another great thing about this manga is its expert portrayal of mental illness. Rio's depression feels real. This is aided by the fact that there are actual counsellors who care about Rio. The story is gripping, the characters are interesting and the pathos is poignant, making for a rewarding reading experience.

6. Lemonade by Shioya Teruko

You know those yuri manga that blur the lines between friendship and romance? They tend to annoy me. Don't get me wrong; I understand that sometimes relationships are complicated and I do love romances between friends in yuri manga. I just tend to worry that a yuri manga will cop out of romance by acting as if the story was always about friendship or a relationship "beyond" romance and friendship. This worry swirled around my head as I was reading 'Lemonade' and I was glad that the extra chapter made it clear that Youko's feelings for her best friend were romantic in nature. I was so happy that I could consider this delightful manga proper yuri. This manga is what made me finally start writing this list. The art is rather simple but that is one of the manga's best elements as it encapsulates the youthful innocence and immaturity of the characters. The drama feels realistic and the characters are well-rounded to match. The humour is also solid. The concluding chapter rushes the relationship a tad but it is satisfying overall. Read this manga if you want to return to the days when your friendships were everything to you but you were just beginning to be interested in the sweetness of romance.

5. Candy by Yuhuko Suzuki and Revolutionary Girl Utena by Chiho Saito

Let's discuss Candy first. Talk about a manga that keeps getting better! At the beginning of it, I thought the relationship was paced a little too fast, but I grew to love it. The sex scene is so tasteful that it is barely a sex scene to begin with. This is one of those yuri manga that deals with societal reactions to lesbian relationships and it handles the topic well. I also find it fascinating how this manga manages to mix in the theme of society's view of homosexuality with a main character who is mostly unperturbed about her feelings for another girl, in a way that does not feel unrealistic. The protagonist is pleasantly affable and her love interest is pleasantly enthralling. This makes for an excellent combination that holds the manga together and improves upon the romance. The art is gorgeous and adds a level of grace to the story. There is a great balance of drama and comedy. The plot about the main character's involvement with archery is enjoyable to read about as well. Candy is a fitting motif for this manga, as it is exceptionally sweet.

Revolutionary Girl Utena is, well, revolutionary. It is often hailed as one of the great feminist anime/manga series and it has a lot of gay subtext, romance and symbolism that could be considered progressive for its time. It is challenging and interesting. The manga fits more in the yuri genre than the anime and I honestly prefer it to the anime. The romance is sweet and does not break my heart nearly as much as it did in the anime. In this case that is a good thing as I can support Utena and Anthy's relationship without second guessing myself. The characters are not quite as developed as they are in the anime but they are still interesting and likeable. The plot is worlds better as it actually makes sense and is not bogged down with filler. I like the anime, but this manga is just as gorgeous whilst simultaneously being more understandable. People often bring up mangaka Chiho Saito's initial dislike of the Utena x Anthy pairing to either show disdain for her or disprove the pairing, but she changed her mind about the relationship and I couldn't be happier. With a compelling story and beautiful art, this manga, like Utena herself, is a force to be reckoned with.

4. Lonely Wolf, Lonely Sheep by Mizutani Fuuka

How can a story where the main plot is a running gag be so dramatic? Well, Lonely Wolf, Lonely Sheep has proved how possible that is. Despite having the same name and age, the main characters are distinct in their struggles, which makes for a manga that's about more than a single joke. It is one of the few yuri manga that realistically acknowledges how lesbians are treated in society. The 'Wolf' in this case has a palpable fear of being hated by the 'Sheep' that it raises the stakes even though you can tell that the story will end well for the two. Some of the nameless side characters are entertaining as well, making the basic idea behind the manga more comedic. The art somehow makes the main characters more likeable and their designs highlight their differences. If you're lonely and need some yuri romance, check this out!

3. The Flower and the Star by Suzukin Kario

I present to you the most loveable love interest in the Girl's Love genre! Shiori's adorable awkwardness is one of the main reasons why this manga is so high on my 

list. Other reasons include the comedy, the cute romance and the development of the characters. Shiori is not the only character worth mentioning, as the protagonist Sawako, despite her flaws, is likeable and you want her to grow as a person into a more sociable, warmhearted girl. This manga even managed to have a love triangle without turning the unlucky party into an irredeemable monster. The art does a great job at fitting the characters' emotions and making certain situations more humorous. I only hope that someday this manga makes Suzukin Kario a star in the world of Yuri manga.

2. Sasameki Koto by Ikeda Takashi

It's bias time! If my memory serves me correctly, this was the first yuri manga I read that wasn't a doujinshi. It's what made me fall in love with this wonderful genre and there are different reasons why. Let's start off with the protagonist. Sumika is pathetic. No, I don't mean that in a negative way. She makes the reader feel so much pathos for her, with her shattered self esteem and unrequited love, that much of the manga is downright heartbreaking. This is what makes the ending so satisfying. Those who've only watched the anime, you're missing out on the full development of the relationship between Sumika and Ushio. Speaking of Ushio, let's talk about how readers can take a shine to a character. Some characters are loved from the moment they appear, usually due to being badass or cute. Ushio is not one of these characters. At first she honestly appeared shallow but as the manga went on I began to really like her. The other characters are fun and entertaining too, often injecting much-needed humour in what would be a depressing manga without them. The art is pretty and probably the reason why the tone is able to change effortlessly, affecting your emotions without feeling out of place. Blending comedy and drama, Sasameki Koto brings everything to the table.

Before my favourite yuri manga is revealed, here are my Honourable Mentions:

Strawberry Shake Sweet by Hayashiya Shizuru

This manga is entertaining and has excellent comedy. The romance, which I initially did not like as it was based on looks, got better and I ended up wanting the main couple to get together. This is not on the list not only because of my original opinion of the relationship but because of the more problematic moments. If you can get past some moral issues, you'll find this manga really enjoyable.

First Love Sisters by Shinonome Mizuo

It was fun reading this manga and identifying all of the clichés, but it still manages to stand on its own as a cute series. The core romance was adorable, so I suggest you read this if you can handle clichés.

Otsu Hiyori's works

I really like Otsu Hiyori's works. I find her art appealing and her characters are likeable. Some of these works might have made it onto the list if they were more memorable, but they are still nice manga to read.

And now it is time to tell you my favourite yuri manga!

1. Don't Become an Otaku, Shinozaki! by Saku Saku Tei

This manga is brilliant. Yes, I like this relatively obscure manga better than Sasameki Koto. I debated which manga was better in my head and I decided to trust how I felt when I read this. 'Don't Become an Otaku, Shinozaki!' has hilarious characters, references to otaku culture that make sense within the context of the plot and a story that I love. Overall the plot sends a positive message- Trying to completely change someone does not work. In the case of this clever manga, Akina's attempts at transforming geeky girl Kaede into a typical popular girl are ultimately unsuccessful as, though they cause Kaede to want to be more fashionable, they lead to Akina becoming an otaku herself. The story makes a compromise by demonstrating that you can be yourself whilst still showing interest in the hobbies of other people. The art style is perfect for the wacky humour and character reactions. Speaking of characters, how on earth did this manga make a shallow mean girl one of my favourite female protagonists in all of anime and manga? She's incredibly entertaining and she shows a kinder, more awkward side that makes her relatable. The other characters are wonderful too, especially Akina's brother, who manages to break the reader's expectations despite being a mostly stereotypical anime fan. Even though there are a multitude of references to anime and manga, the endearing relationship between Akina and Kaede makes for a manga than can be enjoyed by people who haven't even seen the various anime being parodied. This manga is still in progress so its place on my list may change over time, but for now this is my favourite yuri manga of all time.