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Lesbian/Yuri manga is quite a tricky domain to navigate. For starters, there are so many titles out there that it is often hard to pick and choose the good ones. On top of that, most of these manga don’t get the recognition that their anime counterparts do.
So, if you are someone looking for something to read in this genre, it is safe to say that I understand the struggle you are going through.
The titles under this category come in varied forms – comedy, drama, fluff and sometimes plain antagonizing melodrama.
Finding the right fit for you can often be hard. Keeping that in mind, I have come up with a list of some of the best yuri manga recommendations that you should pick up right now, or atleast be aware of to read in the future.
1. Girl Friends:
Author: Milk Morinaga
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Girl Friends is a lesbian manga which follows two high-school students through their friendship and blossoming lesbian romance. It is your typical shoujo-ai series, with some ecchi peppered here and there.
The story revolves around main character, Mariko Kumakura, an isolated high-schooler who is struggling to come to terms with her feelings for her popular and bubbly best friend, Akiko Oohashi.
The narrative explores Mari and Akko’s deepening friendship, which eventually evolves into a romantic relationship.
Coming to the yuri part, you can expect the cliched ‘Oh we aren’t supposed to do this’ reaction from the main duo in the beginning, and it actually takes some time for Mari and Akiko to actually get to meaty parts.
But trust me, it’s not a drag in any way. Instead, everything that Mari experiences with her new friends helps in developing the plot. On top of that, she is written as a complex emotional character, so the slow burn romance helps you get in tune with her inner self.
2. Oniisama -e
Author: Riyoko Ikeda
Status: Completed
In the realm of Class S literature, Oniisama -e (Dear Brother) is a timeless classic. Despite all its flaws, there are many who will tell you that this manga from close to 40 years ago still has better queer representation than many manga you find today!
The tropes that Oniisama -e defined would continue to inspire a lot of lesbian manga in the future and that’s why it’s important to read it, or atleast be aware of it.
The story revolves around Nanako Misonoo, a young girl who enters the prestigious Seiran Academy, a girls’ school renowned for its academic excellence and social standing. However, beneath the school’s veneer of elegance lies a world of intense rivalries, complex relationships, and unspoken desires.
Nanako, initially drawn to the school’s allure, soon finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal.
Amidst the turmoil, Nanako finds solace in her correspondence with Takehiko Henmi, her former cram school teacher. In her letters, she pours her heart out, seeking guidance and solace from the man she affectionately calls “onii-sama”.
There are people who call this manga a bait, but I’ll leave that decision up to you!
3. Bloom Into You:
Author: Nio Nakatani
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Bloom Into You is arguable the most popular lesbian manga out there, thanks to its anime adaptation. However, the anime doesn’t cover the whole story, so yeah reading the manga is always a better choice.
The plot of Bloom into You is quite similar to Girl Friends, as it focuses on two high-school friends who are exploring and discovering their lesbian side. And similar to Girl Friends, Bloom into You is also notorious for being slow paced. A notable upgrade though is the artstyle, and focus on more side characters.
The story follows Yuu Koito, who unlike her peers, experiences a serious lack of romance when confessed to by a boy. Disappointed and confused, she enters high school still unsure of what love is.
Note that she is someone who wished to have a shoujo manga like romance.
Enter Touko Nanami, the charismatic student council president. Now this is where it gets interesting. When Yuu looks to Touko for some advice on love, she gets a harsh shock when the latter confesses her love for her instead.
4. Shiroi Heya no Futari
Author: Ryouko Yamagishi
Status: Completed
Shiroi Heya no Futari (Couple in the White Room) has been exalted as the first ever yuri manga to release in Japan (1971). So, it’s status as a classic in this genre shouldn’t really be questioned.
It’s not like Japan had not experience queer work before this. In fact Yamagishi herself had touched upon male homosexuality in some of her previous works. However, a work solely focused on girls love? Now that was a direction which many manga authors didn’t think of taking.
Set in an all-girls Catholic boarding school in France, the manga follows Resine, a sensitive and kind girl, and Simone, her rebellious and outspoken roommate. Initially at odds, their bond deepens after they are cast as the leads in a Romeo and Juliet play.
The story is tragic. Period. It’s true to many yuri works of the 70s. The Romeo and Juliet play should have given you enough hints.
In the span of 4 chapters, everything happens at breakneck speed. But, despite the pain it offers, the manga makes for a pretty good read, and is a nice title to have in your yuri collection!
5. My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness
Author: Kabi Nagata
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness is an autobiographical account of author Kabi Nagata which chronicles her life as a lesbian woman dealing with loneliness and depression.
Unlike the other titles in the series, the focus is not on romantic developments, so if that is what you crave for in your lesbian manga escapades, then this is not the right pick for you.
The art too is quite minimal and comes with a blast of pink everywhere. Check out the panel below to get a better idea.
Instead, through this autobiography, Nagata bravely opens the doors to her personal struggles with depression, identity, and societal expectations, providing an intimate and raw exploration of her experiences.
While she uses satire and deadpan humor to narrate the story, the author’s struggles with her mental health are far too relatable. It is soo vulnerable at times that it makes reading the manga quite a bit hard.
If you crave for more autobiographical works after reading this, feel free to check out The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend by author Mieri Hiranishi, in which she talks about her struggles of winning back the girl who crushed her heart.
6. How Do We Relationship
Author: Tamifull
Status: Ongoing
English Release: Viz Media
How Do We Relationship starts with a good sensual scene, and is bound to pull the sapphic lovers straight into it. And it is a welcome change for people who don’t like slow burn romances.
Like seriously, by the end of the second chapter our main characters have started dating each other. But then, does the fact that they are dating mean that they are in love too? Well, this is exactly what author Tamifull aims to explore in the series too.
The story revolves around two college students, Miwa and Saeko, who have contrasting personalities. When they realize that they are both into girls, Saeko suggests that they date each other because it’s not like they had any other options (Saeko’s words, not mine).
Miwa agrees and the two of them embark on a journey to explore their feelings for each other.
What sets this manga apart is its realistic portrayal of the challenges in starting a relationship, particularly for individuals navigating their feelings and societal expectations.
7. Even Though We Are Adults
Author: Takako Shimura
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Takako Shimura is a household name in yuri manga, thanks to the utterly popular Aoi Hana. It really broke stereotypes in the genre.
However, her latest work, Even Though We Are Adults, shifts the focus to adults rather than high school students, which is a refreshing change.
The story follows Ayano, a married elementary school teacher, who meets Akari, an attractive woman, at a bar. Sparks fly immediately, and their relationship dives into sapphic territory from the first chapter. This one starts fast!
However, Ayano’s marriage complicates her relationship with Akari, bringing themes of cheating into play.
Shimura’s realistic style really shines in this one, mixing melodrama with emotional complexity.
While her portrayal of Ayano’s bisexuality might raise eyebrows, and the art is fairly basic, the story’s handling of delicate topics like infidelity is nuanced. Definitely a must read title!!
If you are looking for a similar read, check out I Love You So Much, I Hate You (English Release by Yen Press).
8. The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All
Author: Sumiko Arai
Status: Ongoing
English Release: Yen Press
HEAR ME OUT!! Yen Press recently rolled out the first volume of the manga in November.
The plot itself is unique and it caught my attention – a high school girl visits a record store and develops a crush on the cashier who is there. However, she fails to recognize that this ‘guy’ is actually the quite and studious girl who sits next to her in class.
The manga progresses as the two of them continue to bond over music and other things.
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All, is not high on drama or emotions. It’s quite an easy going manga and pretty wholesome at times, thanks to the interaction between the two main characters.
This yuri manga is not as popular as some of the other titles in this list. However, the reason why I am recommending this is because you come across some amazing music recommendations while reading this. It is not just the characters who are bonding over music, even we, as readers, can join the vibe!
On top of that, the author has an acute sense of fashion, which is portrayed in the character designs and also the get-up of the characters. It is quite a popular thing in the fandom, as the outfits are a frequent topic of admiration and discussion!
9. She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat
Author: Sakaomi Yuzaki
Status: Ongoing
English Release: Yen Press
Remember how I said lesbian romance manga come in different forms. Well, in this one, cooking is a central theme along with the girls love. Finding the way into a woman’s heart through food? You got it!
The plot follows Nomoto, who loves to cook, even when she is stressed. One day she makes more food than required, and ends up inviting her next door neighbor, Kasuga.
Surprisingly, Kasuga is someone who loves to eat, and finally Nomoto has someone who is capable of eating what she cooks. And so, these two bond over food and slowly love blossoms!
Once again, this is a slow-burn lesbian manga. However, what we get in that gap is some amazing interaction between the two characters. And also food. Plenty of mouth watering and amazing food!!
She Loves To Cook, She Loves To Eat also highlights a lot of social issues. It has strong feminist undercurrents, and tackles subjects like misogyny quite well (especially when Nomoto’s cooking is typecast).
In the same vein, it also deals with traditional issues like body shaming, and the idea that women are supposed to look a certain way. Definitely a yuri manga that is breath of fresh air and a must read too!
10. Kase-san Series
Author: Hiromi Takashima
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Kase-san is a yuri manga series by Hiromi Takashima that follows the blossoming relationship between Yui Yamada, a shy high school student who loves tending to the school’s garden, and Tomoka Kase, the outgoing ace of the track and field team.
Despite their contrasting personalities, the two girls develop a close bond that gradually deepens into a romantic relationship.
Once again, we have on our hands a manga which focuses on the relationship between two high-school girls. However, it is more on the wholesome light-hearted side.
Both the leads develop feelings for each other, and the relationship that is portrayed is quite healthy.
So if want to enjoy your day (just 25 chapters, order those volumes now) without having to pull your hair out from the drama, this is what you should go for.
It does do its own share of tackling problems and issues, but then, it is quite smooth read overall!! Bonus point: It has sequels and side stories!
If you are looking for a similar relaxed slice of life yuri to read, feel free to check out Our Wonderful Days (English Release by Seven Seas).
11. Whisper Me a Love Song
Author: Eku Takeshima
Status: Ongoing
English Release: Kodansha USA
Whisper Me a Love Song is a high-school lesbian romance manga which is making a good name for itself. With this title we are back in the slow burn romance territory.
It has great art and starts off in a very cute manner. It has the same senpai-kouhai relationship as you see in Bloom into You. However, steel yourself for drama and some emotional gut punches if you are going to pick this up.
The story begins with Himari Kino, a cheerful first-year student, who becomes captivated by Yori Asanagi, a reserved upperclassman, after witnessing her band’s performance during the school’s opening ceremony.
In her excitement, Himari confesses her love to Yori, but Yori soon realizes that Himari’s feelings are more akin to admiration than romantic affection. This forms the basis for what is set to follow in the series.
The art style is peak, and is one of the selling points of this series!! Ignore the anime adaptation for now!
12. Doughnuts Under A Crescent Moon
Author: Shio Usui
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Enough with the high-school couples. Mature lesbian romance manga has been gaining more popularity in the recent years, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see another shakaijin yuri title, and that too a well known one, in this recommendation list.
Doughnuts Under A Crescent Moon is a manga which I’ll call saccharide inducing, in parts that is. It also realistically portrays the struggles of a character who is oblivious to her orientation.
The story revolves around Uno Hinako, an office worker who yearns for the kind of romantic love often depicted in shoujo manga (ring a bell?). However, her attempts at conventional romances with men consistently fall short, despite putting in a lot of effort to fit into the role of an ‘ideal woman.’
These experiences eventually leave her feeling disillusioned and questioning her own self worth.
Enter Sato Asahi, Hinako’s enigmatic senior at work. Asahi possesses an aura that immediately intrigues Hinako. One night, as Hinako is crying on a bench, Asaki encounters her and offers her a bag of doughnuts and the two end up sharing their vulnerabilities.
As they bond overtime, Hinako finds herself drawn to Asahi, challenging her own preconceived notions about love and relationships.
13. I Married My Female Friend
Author: Shio Usui
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Well well, what do we have here. A second title from Shio Usui in the list. Heh!
To be honest, I Married My Female Friend (not to be confused with I Married My Best Friend…) is a title which according to me is as good as, or at some points, even better than Doughnuts. The latter is more popular though.
The reason I like this very much is because of how delicately author Usui explores the nuances of cohabitation and the evolving nature of relationships.
The manga is adept at highlighting both the comforts and complexities of such an arrangement and that is something which drew me in completely. Reminded me a bit of How Do We Relationship.
The story centers on Kurumi and Ruriko, who, after a lighthearted pact during their Coming of Age Day ceremony, decide to marry each other when both remain single five years later.
The new life together is not as simple as their arrangement though as they end up confronting the challenges of transitioning from friendship to a deeper partnership.
Overall, I Married My Female Friend makes for a sweet, wholesome read! I was initially planning to include Still Sick, but went for this one instead.
14. Run Away With Me Girl
Author: Battan
Status: Completed
English Release: Kodansha USA
Fair warning – Run Away With Me Girl deals with domestic abuse and other serious issues.
Run Away With Me Girl is an underrated yuri gem that deserves more attention. It follows Maki and Midori, former high school sweethearts whose relationship ended when Midori dismissed it as a phase and moved on after graduation.
Fast forward 10 years, and Maki, now a loner living with her mother, is still stuck in the past.
A chance encounter with Midori shakes her world, especially when Midori drops two bombshells—she’s engaged and pregnant. But as the story unfolds, it’s clear that Midori’s “normal” life is far from ideal.
Battan has woven quite an interesting and captivating narrative keeping girls love at the center, while focusing on other relevant issues.
The art style of Run Away With Me Girl is very peculiar and it’s something I want to point out and appreciate. It’s not as simple as what you’ll see in some other lesbian manga in the list, neither is it over the top.
However, Battan adds a lot of symbolism which compliments the characters quite well. I absolutely loved it!!
15. Goodbye, My Rose Garden:
Author: Dr. Pepperco
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Goodbye, My Rose Garden is a yuri manga perfect for readers seeking a classic historical shoujo/josei-style romance.
The story, set in 1900s England, follows Hanako, a young Japanese woman chasing her dream of becoming a novelist. Her life changes when she becomes the personal maid to Alice Douglas, a reclusive noblewoman who makes a shocking request—she asks Hanako to kill her.
As Hanako grows closer to Alice, her initial horror turns into empathy and a desire to help.
Pepperco blends historical realism, exploring issues like misogyny, with whimsical shoujo tropes that make the romance feel dreamy yet melancholic.
Alice’s affection for Hanako adds a heavy yuri subtext, though it borders on the fantastical for the era. The detailed, gorgeous art and meticulously researched setting only enhances the narrative.
While the sense of gloom lingers, Goodbye, My Rose Garden is a beautifully crafted tale of love, despair, and hope—a must-read yuri romance.
16. Asumi-chan Is Interested In Lesbian Brothels
Author: Kuro Itsuki
Status: Ongoing
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Ahahahahaha, interesting name right? The title and the premise of this manga is what drove me to pick this one at first.
However, I was pretty surprised to find out that Asumi-Chan Is Interested In Lesbian Brothels is actually very sweet, and perfectly balances out the spicy content.
The manga follows the story of Asumi, a sweet but socially awkward college student still hung up on her childhood crush, Mai. Their one and only kiss ended in disaster, leaving Asumi with lingering regrets.
When she hears rumors that Mai might be working at a local brothel, Asumi decides to set things right. And so she begins her unconventional quest of booking dates with women at the brothel to track Mai down.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a trashy title by any means. Asumi actually goes through a fantastic character development. There is more to her encounters than what meets the eye.
It eventually turns into a journey of self discovery for her. Wait till her kinks kick in.
With stunning art and a uniquely positive take on sexuality, Asumi-chan is as sweet as it is spicy—a perfect choice for readers seeking an honest yet playful yuri.
17. Gunjou
Author: Ching Nakamura
Status: Completed
I am honestly surprised that Gunjou doesn’t have an English release till. It is one of the most emotional and depressing stories I have read till now.
I first checked this title out while I was compiling my list of saddest manga, however, the the chaotic relationship between the main characters also very well qualified it to be a good lesbian/yuri manga recommendation.
The story revolves around two unnamed women,(a blonde and a brunette), who are on the run after Blondie kills Brunette’s abusive husband at the latter’s request.
Blonde does so because she loves Brunette a lot, however, the latter is straight and does not reciprocate her feelings. And so, their relationship is twisted and complicated, marked by dependence, obsession, and manipulation.
Keep no hope for romantic development. BUT – there are a lot of things that are unsaid, which, you know gives me hope. But hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive you insane…
Keep tissues handy just in case.
18. Whispered Words
Author: Takashi Ikeda
Status: Completed
English Release: One Peace Books
Whispered Words (Sasameki Koto) is once again a slow-burn romance. It starts off in a light-hearted way but then as the story progresses, it gets into the struggles of the two leads and the issues they are facing.
While we return to high school couples with Whispered Words, what makes this stand apart is a strong supporting cast of queer coded characters. That, and it touches upon homosexuality quite expertly!
Sumika Murasame, a tall and athletic girl often nicknamed “Violence Murasame” due to her imposing presence, harbors a deep, unrequited love for her best friend, Ushio Kazama.
Ironically, Ushio is drawn to cute girls, remaining oblivious to Sumika’s feelings and frequently sharing her latest crushes with her.
As their first year progresses, they encounter Tomoe and Miyako who are actually a lesbian couple. This makes them want to form a club for lesbian girls.
This one’s definitely one of the popular yuri manga titles out there! Nothing to lose by picking this one up.
19. Our Teachers Are Dating
Author: Pikachi Ohi
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
The manga stands out for its wholesome portrayal of a same-sex relationship, free from typical conflicts or societal prejudices.
The supporting cast is very supporting. And all you will have in your hands is an uber cute cute romance between two working female adults, and some steamy scenes here and there.
The story centers on Asuka Hayama, a serious and dedicated physical education teacher, and Saki Terano, a petite and cheerful biology teacher. Their romantic relationship blossoms discreetly within the school environment, supported by their colleagues and students.
A steady stream of dopamine for your brain. That’s what this manga is. Don’t expect anything more. Not even concrete character development.
For readers seeking a feel-good yuri story that highlights the sweetness of love and the support of a community, Our Teachers Are Dating! is a must-read.
20. Citrus
Author: Saburouta
Status: Completed
English Release: Seven Seas Entertainment
Before diving in, fair warning—Citrus features step-sister romance, some non-consensual moments, and borderline abusive themes. If these are deal-breakers for you, consider skipping this one.
The story follows Yuzu Aihara, a spontaneous city girl whose mother remarries, forcing her to transfer to a conservative all-girls school.
Yuzu’s bold personality clashes with Mei Aihara, the cold and strict student council president. The twist? Mei is her new step-sister, and their relationship takes a complicated turn after Mei forcefully kisses Yuzu.
Things start to get complicated, when Yuzu apparently likes what Mei did, and slowly the girls start to explore their identities.
Citrus is melodramatic, messy, and very soapy—and at points it feels like softcore hentai. The high school setting and cold-bubbly pairing are overdone tropes, and the manga often mishandles its darker themes.
It’s divisive for a reason!
Love it or hate it, Citrus remains a significant part of the yuri genre and even made it to the NYT best-seller list. Who knows—you might enjoy it far more than I did!
This was one of my first titles in this genres. So, I have a special love-hate relationship with Citrus!
Conclusion:
And that wraps up this article! It’s safe to say that this list will only continue to grow, as I’m still catching up on some amazing titles. One I’m particularly excited about is Yen Press’ Anemone Feels the Heat, set to release in March 2025.
I also have a few other ones on my radar, including After Hours, which I’ve been meaning to dive into soon.
What about you? Let me know your favorite lesbian/yuri manga in the comments below—I’d love to hear your recommendations!
