Fans of yuri and yaoi manga have something to get excited about! Publisher Seven Seas Entertainment — known for publishing popular series such as Tokyo Revengers and Mushoku Tensei — has added two new labels to its network.
Seven Seas BL and Seven Seas GL is joining the publisher’s growing list of labels including Danmei, Steamship, and more!
This announcement is part of Seven Seas’ Wonder Wednesdays event that has new manga and light novel announcements weekly!
For fans who want to see their favorite works translated for the English market, be sure to fill out Seven Seas’ reader survey. Your favorite manga just might end up as a future licensed work!
Some of the manga discussed in this article is adult-oriented. Explicit images will not be shown, but it’s worth keeping in mind that a search of these titles may yield some risky clicks!
What new yuri and yaoi manga has been announced?
Along with an announcement of the two new labels in their network, Seven Seas has also announced six new licensed titles — five manga and one light novel.
Giving off the airs of a whimsical fairytale, Aki Aoi’s Entangled with You: The Garden of 100 Grasses (Hyakusou no Uraniwa) follows Marcel — a boy who finds himself lost in the woods in a desperate attempt to locate herbs to heal his injured sister. What he finds instead is a monster. Or rather, despite the being’s monstrous appearance, he aids the boy. Ten years later, Marcel returns to the woods. This time, he seeks the mysterious figure who helped him years ago.
Releasing both as a manga and light novel, Teren Mikami, Eku Takeshima, and Musshu’s There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover! Unless… — also titled as Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Naijan, Muri Muri! (*Muri Janakatta!?) — is a rom-com tale where opposites attract. Highschooler Renako Amaori is nowhere near as fashionable, outgoing, or wealthy as her classmate Mai Ouzuka. But instead of rivalry, the girls form a tight knit bond. And what begins as an unexpected friendship may just turn into something more.
Honjiro is an aspiring actor, but due to his weight, he finds himself passed up for leading roles. He’s not without his fans, however. A pastry chef, Konnosuke, sends Honjiro a gift of sweets. And while he already has a love/hate relationship with sugar, a new type of relationship begins to blossom in Nore’s I’m Kinda Chubby and I’m Your Hero (Saenai Boku wa Kimi no Hero).
ITKZ’s Kyojinzoku no Hanayome — The Titan’s Bride — is a mature-rated manga starring Kouichi Mizuki, a soon-to-be college freshman and athlete who finds himself stuck in an isekai world. Instead of RPG skills and magic, however, Mizuki has something far different to handle. The one who summoned him, Prince Caius — a giant with a boisterous personality — seeks a fiancé, and he has his sights set on Mitzuki.
Another M-rated title Kuro Itsuki’s Asumi-chan is Interested in Lesbian Brothels! (Asumi-chan wa Les Fuuzoku ni Kyoumi ga Arimasu!) explores the life of Asumi — a timid and self-conscious college student who can’t shake her first kiss with childhood best friend Mai from her mind. When she’s invited to a lesbian brothel by her senpai, Asumi wrangles with the thought of reconnecting with her first crush.
What are yuri and yaoi manga?
Yuri — also known as Girls’ Love — and yaoi — also known as Boys’ Love — are genres defined by their focus on lesbian and gay relationships, respectively. The settings and storylines associated with them, however, often vary. Romance often plays a leading role, but some feature elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and more.
While the genre focuses on LGBT relationships, fans need not fall into any particular category to enjoy them. Often, yuri and yaoi are enjoyed by straight men and women, respectively. Those curious to check out the genres should do so freely without any doubt that the stories are not meant for them.
It’s worth noting that a common criticism of the genres is that they fetishize LGBT relationships — some arguing that they promote wrong or even harmful stereotypes. Everyone’s definition of ‘harmful’ or ‘problematic’ will, of course, differ. But it’s worth keeping in mind that many yuri and yaoi manga do tend to prioritize entertainment over accurate depictions of LGBT relationships.
Those wary of the idea that a gay relationship may be the butt of a joke or that serious topics such as assault may be used as a source of drama should tread lightly. Tropes like these are common but are in no way essential to the genre. It’s often helpful to seek out reviews before diving in, particularly for those with a distaste for certain tropes.
That said, not all content is for everyone. While it’s great to keep an open mind, fans shouldn’t feel obligated to read what they don’t tend to enjoy. But for those interested in yuri and yaoi content, Seven Seas’ new labels have more coming on the horizon.