My First BL/Yuri Anime and Manga – the Anime UK News writers indulge in some LGBT+ nostalgia to celebrate Pride Month 2022

My first BL manga was FAKE, although I didn’t know at the time it was BL when I bought it. I liked the story and characters so the BL element didn’t bother me…in fact I loved it and it opened my eyes to the whole BL genre.

Now I’d like to consider myself a BL aficionado.

As for my first BL anime I can’t quite remember but I think it was either Gravitation or Sensitive Pornograph.
 
I want some to rescue Junjo Romantica manga, I have the BLU releases until they went but I’d like the rest and on going volumes.
If you're relatively okay with French or German, it's ongoing in both languages - from KAZE in French and Carlsen in German; both are currently up to #25 (and the volumes are so much cheaper than their US equivalents!).
 
If you're relatively okay with French or German, it's ongoing in both languages - from KAZE in French and Carlsen in German; both are currently up to #25 (and the volumes are so much cheaper than their US equivalents!).
Unfortunately I’m terrible at learning languages, i barely passed Spanish at school.

I’m hoping Sublime will license it as they do have Worlds Greatest First Love.
 
I’m hoping Sublime will license it as they do have Worlds Greatest First Love.
I've wondered if SubLime would take it on as a 2-in-1 (as they did with Embracing Love) as that might cover the problem of there being so many volumes (which is the reason often given for not proceeding in spite of the many requests). I've always suspected that there are several major contractual restraints involved in negotiating the license - although it all seems to be well with World's Greatest... ahh, the complex mysteries of licensing...🤔
 
My first yuri anime was Citrus which aired the first season I watched seasonal anime properly in Winter 2018. I think it was supposed to be fairly notorious and there were a few dodgy scenes, but enjoyable enough. I've yet to read the manga, but it's on the (digital) pile.

The first yuri manga I read was Bloom into You after the anime didn't quite finish the adaptation and as it turns out is a bit more nuanced than a normal romance with the MCs having to ask themselves questions about how they feel.

Not into BL at all, but don't mind if gay characters are a part of the cast. I would say given was more a musical show, but with a big BL side plot and I enjoyed the show (still need to watch the film).

Trans wise there's a couple of characters from a couple of shows who were handled well in Blue Period and another show where it would be a spoiler to name, but the show is dead funny 😉, but also had great character back stories.
 
The debate around the title of girls love is odd to me. Why argue that it infantilises the genre if the term boys love is okay? I know yuri isn't problematic while yaoi is but BL and GL are both terms used in Japan and having them not match is just weird... Not to go off into a tangent but just my two cents.

Nice article! My first GL was the Strawberry Panic anime but arguably my first experience with a pair of that genre was Tokyo Mew Mew, where Mint has an obvious crush on Zakuro.
 
The debate around the title of girls love is odd to me. Why argue that it infantilises the genre if the term boys love is okay? I know yuri isn't problematic while yaoi is but BL and GL are both terms used in Japan and having them not match is just weird... Not to go off into a tangent but just my two cents.
I agree - I'm not I sure I understand why too tbh, but I'm hoping to read this new book by Erika Friedman before too long which I'm sure will be enlightening as she's an expert in the field (and it looks like a fascinating read too).

Ah yes, Tokyo Mew Mew! 😊(More nostalgic feelings - and yet there's more to look forward to soon! Tokyo Mew Mew New )
 
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I agree - I'm not I sure I understand why too tbh, but I'm hoping to read this new book by Erika Friedman before too long which I'm sure will be enlightening as she's an expert in the field (and it looks like a fascinating read too).

Ah yes, Tokyo Mew Mew! 😊(More nostalgic feelings - and yet there's to look forward to soon! Tokyo Mew Mew New )
The new Mew Mew art is really cute! It was my first anime AND manga, and Mint/Zakuro was my first "ship", so it holds a special place in my heart.
 
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