This is Pinky’s Perspective, an extremely biased post where I rant all about anime-related stuff.
This week, I’ve decided to blog about yuri. For those of you who don’t know what yuri is, here’s a short definition:
Yuri Term for lesbian content or girl love. In Japan, the term denotes a broad spectrum of attraction between women. It is also used for sexually explicit content outside Japan. It is used like the term “yaoi” for men
It’s basically girl-on-girl action. Now, before I start ranting, let me further explain the topic at hand.
What is Yuri?
I’ve already given you guys a definition. Now, I’m going to go much deeper.
Types of Yuri
From what I’ve learned, there are four main sub-genres of yuri. I’ve tried to name them as accurately as possible.
Yuri for Dudes
“seinen yuri”, emphasizes sweetness, femininity, girlishness, innocence, purity, and moe generally. This is the ecchi or fanservice-filled kind of yuri. It’s directed towards males.
Yuri for Chicks
This is called “shoujo yuri” and is usually of the pure type that is directed towards younger audiences. You know those crossdressing or genderbending yuri anime/manga where one of the girls involved is slightly manlier than her significant other? This would be it.
Yuri for Slightly-Older Chicks and/or Lesbians
Also known as “josei yuri”. This type of yuri is usually less stereotyped and fairly realistic, like most fiction aimed at adults. Because this trope usually made by/for lesbians, it deals more with the realistic struggles of being a part of the LGBTQ community.
Low-Key Yuri
This kind of yuri is mostly popular in Japan only. Another term for it is “background yuri”. These manga portray female protagonists is long-term lesbian relationships, while not actually making the relationships an important part of the plot.
And the Rant Begins…
I don’t mind watching yuri, but whenever I do watch it, there is usually a serious lacking in the plot department.
I guess this is because most of today’s mainstream yuri is directed towards males. Because guys are apparently only interested in cutesy, ecchi, and fanservice-filled anime, those standards are now leaking into the yuri genre of anime.
Yuri is supposed to be about the romantic issues, relationships, and lives of female couples.
Now, whenever I watch yuri, it’s full of this:
And this.
Also, this.
I mean, come on. That’s what studios come up with?! What happened to yuri anime with actual plot? What happened to shows like Revolutionary Girl Utena?
I’m all for fanservice, but this is just ridiculous. You know, some of us actually like having plot in an anime. But no, I guess today’s ingredients for a good yuri anime is moe added in with a whole bunch of lewd schoolgirls. You know I’m right.
Honestly, the only way I can have quality yuri is by reading manga.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing ALL yuri. I haven’t seen all the yuri anime ever created, and I know that there are quality yuri anime out there. Some examples include Akuma no Riddle, Sasameki Koto, Aoi Hana, and Simoun.
Not all yuri is plotless, I’m just ranting about the ones that are. I’m also not saying that all yuri that are full of fanservice are terrible.
After all,
I could not resist commenting. Well written! http://bing.co.uk
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I needed to thank you for this great read!!
I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you
book-marked to look at new things you http://Yahoo.net/
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Great perspective! As a guy I can say that I shamelessly enjoy the Yuri that we get today; only just. I do crave ones with story and substance though. It’s not all about the fan service appeal as it should also be about substance. If you got some awesome recommendations then I am all ears!
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I think it’s great that you feel that way! As for recommendations, I think Akuma no Riddle, Sasameki Koto, Aoi Hana, Simoun, and El Cazador are fine examples of yuri anime that focus more on plot than fanservice. And of course, Revolutionary Girl Utena, if you haven’t seen that already.
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None of them have been viewed by me! Will try to remedy that!
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You work on that! Let me know what you think of them!
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I don’t particularly look for or particularly avoid Yuri content, though the ones that focus heavily on fan-service rather than plot tend to get dumped pretty quick.
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I haven’t seen a lot of yuri in my time. I mostly avoid it because it can be so fan service-y. So I can’t say much. But I think that yuri should be more realistic. There’s no reason for more boobs and butts. There are enough harem animes. Give these girls more depth! That’s what I think
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That’s pretty much exactly how I feel.
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