The Yuri genre has only produced a few anime so far. We introduce you to 5 of them that you should definitely have seen to understand the trend.
This time we’re taking a look at the Yuri genre, focusing on lesbian relationships. Anyone who has only turned up their nose at these stories should give the series presented a chance – because so far the mostly emotional and visually beautiful stories have captivated everyone and everyone.
Today we are introducing you to 5 of the best yuri anime of all time.
What is Yuri?
“Yuri” or “Shojo-Ai” is an anime genre that is primarily about one or more lesbian relationships – regardless of whether it revolves around sexual, spiritual or emotional aspects. In the West, “Yuri” is primarily associated with the sexual aspects, while “Shojo Ai” mostly focuses on the spiritual, emotional and social aspects.
Maria-sama Ga Miteru
Alternative names: MariMite, Maria Watches Over Us
Genre: drama
Episodes: 44
Stream available on: Currently no streaming provider known.
Yumi enrolls at the Lillian Academy – a Catholic girls’ school. Unexpectedly, she comes into the focus of the pretty and at the same time distant Sachiko, one of the most popular students ever. Sachiko directly offers Yumi to become her “soeur” – a kind of trusting sister system at this school where people help each other and stand up for each other. Yumi hesitates with her decision – because even if she looks up to Sachiko, that would make her the focus of the entire school’s attention.
What to expect from Maria-sama Ga Miteru: Maria-sama Ga Miteru is one of the oldest yuri anime on this list and also the most traditional. But many would probably dismiss this series as a bit “cheesy” – if you can’t do anything with exaggerated drama, even with the smallest problems, it will be difficult to bear. Everyone else gets a nice story with great characters, which is primarily used as a template for many later Yuri anime.
Anyone with a strict Christian upbringing might have a hard time with the series – because biblical things like the cross or the Virgin Mary are important symbols in this series and might be difficult to connect with strongly implied lesbian relationships.
Strawberry Panic
Alternative names: /
Genre: drama
Episodes: 26
Stream available on: Currently no streaming provider known.
After changing schools, Nagisa Aoi begins her new life at St. Miator Girls’ School. She gets lost on the first day and meets a mysterious classmate who she is so enchanted by that she wakes up shortly afterwards in the hospital room.
After her new roommate Tamao picks her up and shows her everyday life at school, Nagisa learns that the girl from her first encounter, Shizuma, is the school’s representative – an outstanding student whose achievements, grace and beauty are a symbol for the whole School is standing. Better (or worse): Shizuma also seems to have more interest in Nagisa than she can show in public – and yet Nagisa quickly becomes the number 1 topic of conversation.
What to Expect from Strawberry Panic: Strawberry Panic tests the limits of over-the-top drama. We’re talking about a level where characters faint from nervousness – just not as a comedy element, but completely seriously.
In fact, Strawberry Panic takes its yuri themes so seriously that there isn’t a single male character in the entire series. Even in large mass gatherings, only women exist – and even every taxi driver is female.
However, if you can get used to it, you can expect a really nice Yuri story with several deep relationships, lots of heartbreak and some really beautiful moments that you’ll look back on fondly.
Citrus
Alternative names: /
Genre: drama
Episodes: 12
Stream available on: Crunchyroll
Because her mother remarried, Yuzu also has to move and start a new life. She heads towards her first day of school overly motivated, hoping to find new friends and perhaps finally meet true love. But things turn out differently. There is a strict dress code at the girls’ school and many rules that Yuzu can’t handle at all. She attracts negative attention on the first day and has her cell phone taken away by the student representative, Mei.
It’s only at home that the terrible revelation comes: Mei is now Yuzu’s new stepsister. An argument breaks out between the two – until Mei overpowers her sister and forces a kiss on her, which plunges Yuzu into emotional chaos.
What to Expect from Citrus: Yuri fans will hardly have been able to avoid this series in recent years – and rightly so. Most of the time the anime is pretty shallow fare with a little comedy sprinkled in and two lovable, albeit very different, protagonists. If you like an interesting romance with a big dash of fan service, you should definitely check it out.
However, Citrus is considered one of the controversial yuri anime that still causes debate today. Because even if the story has a lot of humor and heart, the first romantic contact between the two protagonists is clearly invasive and can be understood as sexual coercion – the interpretation is up to the viewer.