Girl Friends: yuri for adults?
Yuri, or girl’s love manga, is generally considered a genre for teenage girls and young women. As such, most yuri based stories have typical shoujo type characteristics, lots of drama and a slow moving plot line that focuses on relationships rather than action. It’s why when Girl Friends started publication in Comic High, it raised a few eyebrows. Comic High, though it’s described as a ‘girlish comic for boys and girls’ is decided aimed at an audience that is 18 to 35 and predominantly male.
As someone who belongs in the demographic that would read Comic High, I enjoyed reading Girl Friends. While at first glance the manga seems to be your typical shoujo fare, the manga’s treatment of the two main character’s developing relationship is sophisticated. Mariko, is a shy but smart wallflower. Akko is the most outgoing and charismatic girl in her class. Mariko struggles with her growing attraction to her classmate and deals with her insecurities. And yet you begin to realize that of the two characters, it’s maybe Akko who is truly the innocent one and the one who uses a confident facade to mask her own insecurities. This relationship dynamic unfolds over several chapters, slowly but inevitably drawing you in.
Mariko and Akko's relationship is the centerpiece of Girl Friends
The other appeal of the manga is the art style. If you enjoy really cute looking characters (Mariko and Akko are cuute!), then this manga is a visual delight.
Mari is about to be kissed...not by Akko!
To conclude, I recommend this manga. It has a sophistication that belies its seemingly shoujo facade. And the artwork is fantastic. I’ll conclude in giving a little bit of Akko fanservice. Enjoy!
Akko trying on swimsuits is both cute and hot at the same time
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