Most of the time (though there are exceptions, when there is an intentional bait and switch), I want to know the genre of a story and would not consider that a spoiler. A common definition of romance is that there is some kind of happy ever after relationship. Definitions of Yuri often include that something kind of lesbian must be there. Ideally I would see that the romance or Yuri tag is missing and make my inference from there.
So, no, I would most likely not consider it a spoiler.
For me it depends on the series and context. If it is clearly just fanservice, then I have no problem with it. I’ve gone through several series with 1-2 百合 characters, but it’s never expected to go anywhere, so I don’t get my hopes up and just enjoy the character interactions that come from it.
For example, in ゆるゆり | L20 nearly every character is into another character (all girls), but the entire series relies on nothing ever happening between them.
In ご注文はうさぎですか? 1 | L24, one of the main characters has a crush on another, but from context it’s clear that they will never get together.
I don’t have any problem with either of these series because it’s made clear that nothing will ever happen, so I don’t get my hopes up.
On the other hand, in まちカドまぞく | L35 , the two main characters clearly developed strong feelings for each other over the series. One even confessed before immediately back-pedaling.
When they inevitably don’t end up together by the end I will be very upset. In this case, if I was reading it after it was finished, I would definitely want to know ahead of time if they ended up together or not because focus is put on their relationship and feelings through-out the series.
I would consider it a spoiler in this case though. So I probably wouldn’t see it because I wouldn’t want to see the rest of the spoiler tags, which was the original issue that started this conversation anyway.
The best solution, if a little inconvenient, might be to search for the series with the search bar.
Then modify the search to include the spoiler tag in question.
That way you can see if that specific tag is present without seeing the other spoiler tags.
Agreed
I think that’s usually the case for me as well… and especially for stuff where like you said “there is no straight explanation for this”
Yup… I’ve wondered the right way to go about this in the past too tho (even with straight stories/potential romances)
On one hand, when I first read it, the “will they, won’t they” was definitely a meaningful part of the experience (but I also hadn’t read so much yuri back then)… but I do remember feeling a bit let down by the end (not as extremely as others apparently). I wonder if knowing would really have changed my impression much. Curious to see how it feels, once I get to rereading it.
Ahhh I was wondering what was up with that series (I’m not super into it, but it’s in yurihime, so I read it)
I just assume all Manga Time KR series are fanservice until proven otherwise. I don’t really think of them as bait, since there’s nothing to suggest the characters will get together.
That doesn’t really help for writing reviews or forum posts tho (which is what prompted me to ask this question)… I did just create a Yuri Bait tag and added it to 夜のクラゲは泳げない (as a spoiler) tho… not sure if others can use it yet, since it says it needs approval.
I can approve it, but I wonder if we should make a more general tag (queer baiting?) instead?
I prefer the more narrow tag personally. A series could have yuri bait while still having other LGBT characters represented well, or vice versa. And on the same token, someone could specifically be looking only for series that are yuri bait, rather than another/additional type
there’s a free to read until 2nd of October first chapter of an ongoing series by a mangaka I like (Sal Jiang) and I honestly recommend!
(for those who noticed, I have a type I like in GL stories and it shows lmao)
Some thoughts on things I recently finished:
A well-paced, tasteful and wholesome yuri LN, featuring voice actors, and everyone’s an adult (youngest character is 21 or 22 iirc). So anyway, if you’re looking for a “normal” yuri LN with adult characters, I’d recommend it. My review.
It was a decent adaptation, but the lack of inner monologue really took away from it. I left reviews on all 4 volumes. I recommend 〆切前には百合が捗る | L28 (novels) instead. The one thing I think is nice about it is you can visually see all the food, places, shopping items, etc. Also the handwriting has furigana!!
Was expecting this to be more intense than it was. Some mild physical fighting in one comic, some questionable consent in one or two others, but otherwise pretty enjoyable.
This was a nice manga of two high school girls who go to different schools. Used to be on Amazon till recently, but guess it got pulled cuz of licensing stuff or something?
What yuri LN would you recommend?
For reference: Yuri Novels 暁のルナread and Yuri Novels I read.
I assume you would recommend those you finished over those you stopped. So it boils down to which one you think is better: 〆切前には百合が捗る | L28 or わたしの百合も、営業だと思った? | L28 (I’m not very much interested in 転生王女と天才令嬢の魔法革命 | L32 from the anime I assume the relationship develops very slowly).
What do you think of [ 入間 人間 ](Japanese Books Difficulty List | Natively 人間)? You have dropped two books from him, including 安達としまむら | L30 (which made me avoid his other books), but neither have a review and you have two others in currently reading.
Between those two, I’d absolutely go with 〆切前には百合が捗る | L28 . 営業百合 is nice, but plain. 〆切 has a lot more depth, subtlety, character development, and tasteful drama. The two leads are both interesting, and you switch perspectives every chapter. The internal monologue is very interesting and relevant to the plot (in 営業 it’s mostly fangirling). I found the writing style much nicer, and it’s good for specific vocab (food, cooking, locations, etc).
Of the ones I stopped: 裏世界ピクニック 1 | L33 was excellent, just too hard (vocab and uncommon kanji/spellings). It’s a very slow burn though afaik. 私の推しは悪役令嬢。 | L33 for ppl who like fantasy & otome games, but it’s the most problematic of the four.
I’m on the fence, and not far enough into the current reads to say. The one thing I can say is I apparently find his writing style a bit hard to follow. Distinguishing internal monologue from narration is kinda tricky. Edit: I realized ways throwing me off is that the characters often go on long tangents during their internal monologues, to the point where you’re wondering “did we change scenes and I just didn’t notice??”. Also his pacing seems maybe a bit slow. I’ll update when I’ve made some progress.
I didn’t get far enough into the other two to write a review (tho I should go write one for わたおし). I’m impressed by how much he’s written tho!
It’s more of a rivalry book than a violence one
If you want to try something with a more toxic vibe I really recommend 白と黒 (the one I keep pushing in the club lol)
More violence intense wise I haven’t read something as of yet, would love to hear it if you find one!!!
I flipped through the first 3 chapters, and can’t quite tell whether I’d like 白と黒 or not. What do you like about it?
There is some violence in
But it’s in a manipulation/blackmail sorta context. Overall, it is a somewhat wholesome(?) toxic yuri. Definitely not as violent as 白と黒.
Otherwise きたない君がいちばんかわいい 1 | L22 (afaik, I haven’t read) or 映しちゃダメな顔: 1【電子限定描き下ろしマンガ付き】 | L23 (which I don’t recommend, see my review) seem like possible contenders? I read some of the later chapters before reading the beginning, and then promptly dropped it when I read the beginning
I like the way the characters are twisted and how their interaction is very closely entangled with their work status and social environment
Rather than very shallow “mean b*tches” it feels like an actual fight of egos
Thank you for the recc 
I’ll make sure to try it out 
Ok, so I finished 人妻教師が教え子の女子高生にドはまりする話 | L30 (and wrote a review), and am 22% into 私の初恋相手がキスしてた | L32 (btw Sora, the MC is a major supporting character in 人妻教師, where she is an adult). While I have a number of criticisms for 人妻教師, the writing style isn’t one of them. It was a smooth read, and I felt compelled to keep reading. My main issues were related to character and story believability “these characters and setting are so unbelievable” (especially the 16 year old) and also “wtf is wrong with these adults?!” I like the fact that some(?) of his yuri novels take place in the same broader setting (安達としまむら | L30 somehow relates to 私の初恋, which relates to 人妻教師, etc).
Writing style: some of his phrasings, expressions, vocab and kanji choices, etc, are quirky and unfamiliar, but so far I think his books are probably a good choice for ~L30 LNs language-learning… they’re certainly easier than fantasy around this level anyway. I don’t feel like I’ve 100% cracked it yet… like there’s still occasional sentences where I’m a bit confused (and I’m considering checking the EN translation in those spots for 私の初恋), but I don’t feel like I’m in the deep end anymore. I’m kind of unsure what to say about his pacing. It’s kinda slow(?) but doesn’t exactly drag - at least for these 2 books. Also I appreciate that he manages to have lots of internal monologue/introspection without it feeling like dragging, redundant info dumping. Edit: I’ll add that both books seems a lot simpler than あだしま based on your review, specifically “the internal monologues of various characters, and their thoughts aren’t exactly straight forward. It’s full of metaphors, philosophizing, introspection and ideas that make don’t make any sense when taken literally”. I don’t feel like either book has much of that.
Anyway, I wouldn’t put him on my favorite authors list, but I will probably finish 私の初恋 1 and am considering retrying やがて君になる 佐伯沙弥香について | L30 sooner or later (though I’d like to read something slightly easier next).
A friend mentioned this the other day, and I was surprised b/c I don’t see a lot of fantasy action yuri, particularly not samurai-esque. Considering the level, I think this will be my next read. There’s a manga version as well. I might read that in the meantime, but I’d really like to keep getting through LNs rn.
Brand new historical fantasy yuri that has beautiful artwork. I haven’t read the chapter yet, but new chapters are every other Monday.
Someone else’s description (possibly translation of the あらすじ): " ‘The Marriage between Dragon and Dragon’ — Forced to marry as a symbol of peace after a long war between their Dragon Kingdoms, two princesses now have to navigate their complex emotions for each other as they gradually turn from former enemies to a married couple."
Otherwise… Been enjoying
The audiobook makes it a breeze to get through as well. Goes by very quickly!
I’m only 10% through 『人斬り』少女、公爵令嬢の護衛になる | L28, but so far on the fence. It’s easy enough to understand, but the writing style. Might drop and do the manga instead, since I’m reading other LNs, and this already has gradings.
There is a new related book club: Class-S Reading Club - accepting nominations:
『人斬り』少女、公爵令嬢の護衛になる | L28 - I dropped the LN cuz I was on the fence with the writing style, and the volume of the manga that was out was enjoyable enough, but I really missed some of the internal monologue. At some point I should try the LN again
