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Girl Friends [ガールフレンズ] #1-3.5
Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1
When it comes to grades, bookish high school student Kumakura Mariko is at the top of her class. Socially, however, she is shy and lonely, typically eating lunch by herself. Enter the charismatic and beautiful Ohashi Akko, whose goal is to befriend Mariko and burst her out of her introverted shell.
In the process of transforming "Plain Jane" Mariko into one of the cutest, most popular girls in school, deep feelings begin to emerge that suggest something deeper than friendship. Will these feelings destroy the budding relationship between Mariko and Akko, or will it turn into something else?
In the process of transforming "Plain Jane" Mariko into one of the cutest, most popular girls in school, deep feelings begin to emerge that suggest something deeper than friendship. Will these feelings destroy the budding relationship between Mariko and Akko, or will it turn into something else?
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1330 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 20, 2012
Being bi, I thought I would dislike this. "Really? The main thing about this will be 'two girls in love'. Nothing else." but boy was I wrong! It was more like "love is love. The heart wants what it wants. And anyone that is against it can fuck themselves because we're in love! Deal with it!" It wasn't really dwelling on that they were both girls, but more on the fact that they were friends and were falling in love with each other.
Honestly, I would love to have a relationship like Akko and Mari's. It's not perfect, but they're adorable.
Honestly, I would love to have a relationship like Akko and Mari's. It's not perfect, but they're adorable.
May 26, 2018
Truly nothing better than walking into a book/manga you know very little about and then coming out of it, absolutely loving it and wanting more. Which is exactly what happened with me with this book. I fell in love with the 2 main characters almost immediately and wanted more. Cute is pretty much the only word I can describe this manga series. Definitely recommend
July 12, 2017
Finally reading the yuri classic! It's sort of what I expected, but I'm enjoying the slow burn romance, blushes and all. This does have lots of "But girls can't date each other!!" and "What's wrong with me?" so be prepared for that.
April 11, 2024
An outgoing high school girl draws an introverted girl out of her shell. It's all Best Friends Forever with shopping and study dates until a developing crush complicates matters. There are some consent issues and wholly unnecessary fan service of teen characters, but I found myself breezing through this thick collection and am ready to tackle the conclusion next time.
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus edition containing Girl Friends Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and the first half of Vol. 3.
Contents: Chapters 1-18 -- Extras [Afterwords for Vols. 1 and 2]
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus edition containing Girl Friends Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and the first half of Vol. 3.
Contents: Chapters 1-18 -- Extras [Afterwords for Vols. 1 and 2]
July 24, 2017
3.5 stars. Maybe 4. It was frustrating because I wanted something to *actually* happen. It was fun and cute, but not an awful lot happened.
July 25, 2015
This one was frustrating.
I don't mind slow books when it's a gradual build up of something (character, suspense, etc), but this one had so much dithering and no advancement that I had to put it down a few times.
The characters were okay, but they to were also frustrating after a while, especially when nothing was moving forward. See, character driven plots really only work for me if the character is driven.
It's Akko who makes friends with Mari. It's Akko who takes Mari shopping. It's Akko who introduces her to other friends. Mari, on the other hand, is just passive for the most part. The few times she shows any initiative, it's either to a) force herself on Akko or b) push Akko away. Some would probably think her kissing Akko while she's unconscious or whatever is cute because they're both girls, but for me, male or female, it's still kind of creepy. Also, just have to say this, I know I've heard stupider reasons for having sex, but Mari's reason is still stupid. Ah well, at least I don't have to worry too much about the "she's totally going to be preggerz after her first time" story line. That's not nearly as pervasive in manga as it is in western books.
I don't know, I just had trouble relating to Mari. Maybe because I have more confidence than a limp noodle.
While I liked Mari's worrying about her and Akko's friendship and how her feelings might be becoming more than just friends and all those questions, but with the amount of dithering about in the story, this too got frustrating after a while.
Maybe it's because I don't go gaga for the romance genre in general, but this just didn't do much for me. I'm disappointed, since it got such a good review in Otaku USA (at least, that's where I think I saw the review originally. I'm not sure how I would have heard of this otherwise).
I don't mind slow books when it's a gradual build up of something (character, suspense, etc), but this one had so much dithering and no advancement that I had to put it down a few times.
The characters were okay, but they to were also frustrating after a while, especially when nothing was moving forward. See, character driven plots really only work for me if the character is driven.
It's Akko who makes friends with Mari. It's Akko who takes Mari shopping. It's Akko who introduces her to other friends. Mari, on the other hand, is just passive for the most part. The few times she shows any initiative, it's either to a) force herself on Akko or b) push Akko away. Some would probably think her kissing Akko while she's unconscious or whatever is cute because they're both girls, but for me, male or female, it's still kind of creepy. Also, just have to say this, I know I've heard stupider reasons for having sex, but Mari's reason is still stupid. Ah well, at least I don't have to worry too much about the "she's totally going to be preggerz after her first time" story line. That's not nearly as pervasive in manga as it is in western books.
I don't know, I just had trouble relating to Mari. Maybe because I have more confidence than a limp noodle.
While I liked Mari's worrying about her and Akko's friendship and how her feelings might be becoming more than just friends and all those questions, but with the amount of dithering about in the story, this too got frustrating after a while.
Maybe it's because I don't go gaga for the romance genre in general, but this just didn't do much for me. I'm disappointed, since it got such a good review in Otaku USA (at least, that's where I think I saw the review originally. I'm not sure how I would have heard of this otherwise).
July 30, 2016
This manga made me so incredibly happy! It didn't take long for me to fall in love with this story because of its simplicity and its excellent writing.
I'll admit, it would have been enough for this book to just be passable. I probably would have still been happy. But instead, I got something that met some of my highest standards for shojo. Instead of being just a manga about the novelty of girls who like girls I think that Girl Friends creates a portrait of what it is like to be a girl in high school.
The story of two friends who start to fall for each other is a classic and the execution here is pretty fantastic. I see the connection these two girls have and I loved the way that the story tackles the denial and fears that come along with discovering you may like your best friend as more than a friend. The characters are all very well written and I love the way that they would actually be a cute couple.
One of the best things about this book is where I found it. When I found this in the graphic novel YA section of my library I was shocked. I live in a community that doesn't have a huge LGBTQ population. We're mostly churches, liquor stores, and summer tourists looking for a good view of the lake. Throw a stone and you will hit at least one of those three things. A yuri manga is like finding the actual holy grail of lesbian/bisexual representation. It is so interesting to see some of my own experiences as a bi teenager represented in a way that feels authentic.
I'll admit, it would have been enough for this book to just be passable. I probably would have still been happy. But instead, I got something that met some of my highest standards for shojo. Instead of being just a manga about the novelty of girls who like girls I think that Girl Friends creates a portrait of what it is like to be a girl in high school.
The story of two friends who start to fall for each other is a classic and the execution here is pretty fantastic. I see the connection these two girls have and I loved the way that the story tackles the denial and fears that come along with discovering you may like your best friend as more than a friend. The characters are all very well written and I love the way that they would actually be a cute couple.
One of the best things about this book is where I found it. When I found this in the graphic novel YA section of my library I was shocked. I live in a community that doesn't have a huge LGBTQ population. We're mostly churches, liquor stores, and summer tourists looking for a good view of the lake. Throw a stone and you will hit at least one of those three things. A yuri manga is like finding the actual holy grail of lesbian/bisexual representation. It is so interesting to see some of my own experiences as a bi teenager represented in a way that feels authentic.
April 27, 2023
2023 EDIT: Part of my (latest) 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
The first real yuri manga I've ever read. As promised, it is as tasteful, honest, charming, cute, lovely, funny, endearing, and heartbreaking as it is often advertised.
It is almost scary how well 'Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1' depicts high school life for girls. Japan or not, all girls' school or not, this is how girls are like anywhere. Because the series is about female friendships as much as it is about female romantic and sexual awakenings.
All the female love is here! The girls go shopping together, they get their hair cut together, they eat out together, they study together, they take group photos, they give each other advise on fashion and nail polish and dieting, they always compliment each other, call each other cute - really, they just love hanging out and talking.
Girls being girls, girls supporting girls, and embracing the positive sides of being feminine, as a tight-knit group, is a strength. A confidence booster. Relationships between females is a key to happiness and self-discovery.
Of course there will be complications, misunderstandings and hardships as well, like in any human interaction, but that's life, depending on the individual person, and not necessarily to do with how girls are in general (for there is no general rule when it comes to half the human race).
The mangaka just knows girls, and what they are like. In this world, it's an enchanting achievement, when it shouldn't have to be at all.
'Girl Friends' in particular is about high school student Mariko Kumakura, a shy, quiet, mousy, bookish girl at the top of her class, but who has no social life to speak of. Until the popular, pretty, loud and outgoing Akiko "Akko" Ohashi unexpectedly befriends her, wanting to take her out everywhere. Slowly but surely their relationship grows into a pure fun and supportive friendship, and as Mariko starts coming out of her shell, she finds she may be coming out in another way, when it comes to her new fashionista, donut-loving best friend.
Mariko blushes a lot around Akko, and discovers she might love her in that way. She even sneaks in a kiss on the lips while Akko is passed out drunk one night. But girls do those sorts of things all the time, right? They hug and kiss and strip in front of their friends and call them cute like kitties. It's what they do. No big deal, it doesn't mean anything. Not anything more sexual, anyway. But Mariko's feelings go deeper than just "harmless fun", and affection between friends. She's happy being Akko's best friend; just staying by her side as often as possible is enough for her. But is it?
Changing classes and friends, and the societal pressure to have a boyfriend also get in the way. So convinced that Akko will never love her back, that Akko is definitely straight and experienced and above Mariko socially, our poor, confused girl might make a grave mistake. One that will inadvertently hurt the equally poor and confused Akko...
Other schoolgirls - like the beautiful, wise heartbreaker Satoko Sugiyama, the cute little, manga-loving otaku Tamami Sekine (she's most notably into yuri manga), the tomboyish tennis player Urara Taguchi, and the temperamental but mushy-in-love beauty Chiharu Kuno - are also super memorable and distinct. There is a reason why these girls are friends, and why they love and care for one another.
There aren't even any male characters who aren't props, aside from Mariko's dad (another relatable trait is that she has a nice, normal family), until well over halfway through the collection volume, when the theme of peer pressure - like that between guys to have sex with girls - is most potent.
The romance between Mariko and Akko is slow-building, natural, and realistic. Any type of reader can become invested in it from the get-go. I find that too much yuri and yaoi manga and anime focus only on the kissing and sex between couples, with no proper and believable buildup. This is likely due to the outdated, conservative assumption that gay people don't have relationships, they just have sex. BTW, this narrow-minded thinking, and obsession with and sole focus on the sexual aspect when it comes to LBGTQ relationships is why they are still controversial when represented in the media, specifically media aimed at children. As if heterosexual people don't also have sex.
But in 'Girl Friends', Mariko's feelings for Akko is a slow-burning awakening; very infrequently does the art show female nudity - in Tamami's yuri manga, in issue covers, in Mariko's dream. Really, it's in surprisingly good taste and restraint; for it follows shy Mariko's coming-of-age story. She's naive, but honest when it comes to self-reflection and her newfound feelings. Once she realises she has a crush on her best friend, it's how she deals with such deep, supposedly unrequited feelings that is her obstacle. After all, she'd just experienced friendship for the first time - this is another matter entirely.
Mariko is growing up, and everyone, especially young people, makes big, stupid mistakes. Who didn't in high school? It is why sex education and teaching LBGTQA tolerance in schools is so essential. It is why communication is key in any relationship.
However, as seemingly woke and understanding of young people's lives as 'Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1' is - Mariko does call her kissing the unconscious Akko "assault", and is racked with guilt over it - there is a really uncomfortable moment in Akko's past.
And you were doing so well, 'Girl Friends'. This is why I can't rank you equally among another LBGTQ high school comic, 'Heartstopper'.
There is also the BS heteronormality. "Girls can't date other girls!" is a line of dialogue here. So much for gender not being an issue in this LBGTQ story. Then again, it is a realistic reaction for kids in Japan. Despite the popularity of the yaoi and yuri genres, which are mostly made to appeal to hetero audiences in sexploitation and fetishism, Japan is not so tolerant when it comes to real life same-sex relationships. And this manga originated from 2006, so... bleh.
In spite of these issues, 'Girl Friends' is worth the read. That cliffhanger - damn! Yet nothing about it feels forced or contrived, or overly saturated in teen angst. It all flows naturally and in its own time, like a river. The artwork is beautiful shoujo goodness. And so much texting! And blushing!
It's a relatable, emotional, sweet, funny, giddy, tearjerking, engaging slice-of-life manga that celebrates female love. And mirrors the female teen high school experience accurately and tenderly.
Final Score: 4/5
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
The first real yuri manga I've ever read. As promised, it is as tasteful, honest, charming, cute, lovely, funny, endearing, and heartbreaking as it is often advertised.
It is almost scary how well 'Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1' depicts high school life for girls. Japan or not, all girls' school or not, this is how girls are like anywhere. Because the series is about female friendships as much as it is about female romantic and sexual awakenings.
All the female love is here! The girls go shopping together, they get their hair cut together, they eat out together, they study together, they take group photos, they give each other advise on fashion and nail polish and dieting, they always compliment each other, call each other cute - really, they just love hanging out and talking.
Girls being girls, girls supporting girls, and embracing the positive sides of being feminine, as a tight-knit group, is a strength. A confidence booster. Relationships between females is a key to happiness and self-discovery.
Of course there will be complications, misunderstandings and hardships as well, like in any human interaction, but that's life, depending on the individual person, and not necessarily to do with how girls are in general (for there is no general rule when it comes to half the human race).
The mangaka just knows girls, and what they are like. In this world, it's an enchanting achievement, when it shouldn't have to be at all.
'Girl Friends' in particular is about high school student Mariko Kumakura, a shy, quiet, mousy, bookish girl at the top of her class, but who has no social life to speak of. Until the popular, pretty, loud and outgoing Akiko "Akko" Ohashi unexpectedly befriends her, wanting to take her out everywhere. Slowly but surely their relationship grows into a pure fun and supportive friendship, and as Mariko starts coming out of her shell, she finds she may be coming out in another way, when it comes to her new fashionista, donut-loving best friend.
Mariko blushes a lot around Akko, and discovers she might love her in that way. She even sneaks in a kiss on the lips while Akko is passed out drunk one night. But girls do those sorts of things all the time, right? They hug and kiss and strip in front of their friends and call them cute like kitties. It's what they do. No big deal, it doesn't mean anything. Not anything more sexual, anyway. But Mariko's feelings go deeper than just "harmless fun", and affection between friends. She's happy being Akko's best friend; just staying by her side as often as possible is enough for her. But is it?
Changing classes and friends, and the societal pressure to have a boyfriend also get in the way. So convinced that Akko will never love her back, that Akko is definitely straight and experienced and above Mariko socially, our poor, confused girl might make a grave mistake. One that will inadvertently hurt the equally poor and confused Akko...
Other schoolgirls - like the beautiful, wise heartbreaker Satoko Sugiyama, the cute little, manga-loving otaku Tamami Sekine (she's most notably into yuri manga), the tomboyish tennis player Urara Taguchi, and the temperamental but mushy-in-love beauty Chiharu Kuno - are also super memorable and distinct. There is a reason why these girls are friends, and why they love and care for one another.
There aren't even any male characters who aren't props, aside from Mariko's dad (another relatable trait is that she has a nice, normal family), until well over halfway through the collection volume, when the theme of peer pressure - like that between guys to have sex with girls - is most potent.
The romance between Mariko and Akko is slow-building, natural, and realistic. Any type of reader can become invested in it from the get-go. I find that too much yuri and yaoi manga and anime focus only on the kissing and sex between couples, with no proper and believable buildup. This is likely due to the outdated, conservative assumption that gay people don't have relationships, they just have sex. BTW, this narrow-minded thinking, and obsession with and sole focus on the sexual aspect when it comes to LBGTQ relationships is why they are still controversial when represented in the media, specifically media aimed at children. As if heterosexual people don't also have sex.
But in 'Girl Friends', Mariko's feelings for Akko is a slow-burning awakening; very infrequently does the art show female nudity - in Tamami's yuri manga, in issue covers, in Mariko's dream. Really, it's in surprisingly good taste and restraint; for it follows shy Mariko's coming-of-age story. She's naive, but honest when it comes to self-reflection and her newfound feelings. Once she realises she has a crush on her best friend, it's how she deals with such deep, supposedly unrequited feelings that is her obstacle. After all, she'd just experienced friendship for the first time - this is another matter entirely.
Mariko is growing up, and everyone, especially young people, makes big, stupid mistakes. Who didn't in high school? It is why sex education and teaching LBGTQA tolerance in schools is so essential. It is why communication is key in any relationship.
However, as seemingly woke and understanding of young people's lives as 'Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1' is - Mariko does call her kissing the unconscious Akko "assault", and is racked with guilt over it - there is a really uncomfortable moment in Akko's past.
And you were doing so well, 'Girl Friends'. This is why I can't rank you equally among another LBGTQ high school comic, 'Heartstopper'.
There is also the BS heteronormality. "Girls can't date other girls!" is a line of dialogue here. So much for gender not being an issue in this LBGTQ story. Then again, it is a realistic reaction for kids in Japan. Despite the popularity of the yaoi and yuri genres, which are mostly made to appeal to hetero audiences in sexploitation and fetishism, Japan is not so tolerant when it comes to real life same-sex relationships. And this manga originated from 2006, so... bleh.
In spite of these issues, 'Girl Friends' is worth the read. That cliffhanger - damn! Yet nothing about it feels forced or contrived, or overly saturated in teen angst. It all flows naturally and in its own time, like a river. The artwork is beautiful shoujo goodness. And so much texting! And blushing!
It's a relatable, emotional, sweet, funny, giddy, tearjerking, engaging slice-of-life manga that celebrates female love. And mirrors the female teen high school experience accurately and tenderly.
Final Score: 4/5
July 31, 2023
Can see why this is a classic, it's cute and it seems like a pretty typical 2000s coming of age story.
February 25, 2013
Mari is a shy, bookish, lonely high-schooler until she meets popular girl Akko, who takes an immediate interest in her. Drawing Mari out of her isolation, Akko soon becomes Mari's best friend and they spend a lot of time together. However, Mari's feelings soon grow beyond friendship. Scared of the consequences, she takes on a boyfriend, but her feelings for Akko only grow stronger.
I was nervous when I read the first few pages of Girl Friends. Firstly, the story revolves around girls who like makeup, fashion and dieting - things that I've never had any interest in. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters because of this, but in the end it didn't stop me warming to them. Also, I'm always very leery of stories that revolve around taking a shy person and bringing them out of their shell. I've had a lot of people in my own life tell me that I would be happier living my life a certain way, liking certain things and trying to force them on me. But I can announce with a sigh of relief that that's not the case here. Mari seems genuinely happy to have a friend, and learns that she does in fact like the same things that Akko does. While Akko does help her to express herself better, Mari is still Mari and easily the most shy of their small circle of friends.
Mari's feelings for Akko are quite cute but also come with an adolescent sexual side. It was refreshingly honest to see that side of teenage feelings explored instead of the platonic "cute crush" that girls are sometimes portrayed as having. Mari wants Akko, body and soul, but she doesn't know what to do about it. Which leads to all kinds of bad decisions and jealousy until we reach the final cliffhanger, where I literally put the book down and said "oh no she didn't!".
The art is very pretty, there are a few panels that are NSFW because of imagined nudity, but there's nothing really sexually explicit. I really love the character designs, every character is unique and easily recognizable.
If you're a fan of teen drama, Girl Friends should be right up your alley. We haven't gotten that many Yuri manga titles in the West, so I was happy to see Girl Friends released in this omnibus edition. I have to say it's excellent value for money. At 496 pages, you won't be zooming through this manga in an hour. It's a good read with strong characters and actual plot, even if at times it moves very slowly.
Review cross-posted to Infinite Love.
I was nervous when I read the first few pages of Girl Friends. Firstly, the story revolves around girls who like makeup, fashion and dieting - things that I've never had any interest in. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters because of this, but in the end it didn't stop me warming to them. Also, I'm always very leery of stories that revolve around taking a shy person and bringing them out of their shell. I've had a lot of people in my own life tell me that I would be happier living my life a certain way, liking certain things and trying to force them on me. But I can announce with a sigh of relief that that's not the case here. Mari seems genuinely happy to have a friend, and learns that she does in fact like the same things that Akko does. While Akko does help her to express herself better, Mari is still Mari and easily the most shy of their small circle of friends.
Mari's feelings for Akko are quite cute but also come with an adolescent sexual side. It was refreshingly honest to see that side of teenage feelings explored instead of the platonic "cute crush" that girls are sometimes portrayed as having. Mari wants Akko, body and soul, but she doesn't know what to do about it. Which leads to all kinds of bad decisions and jealousy until we reach the final cliffhanger, where I literally put the book down and said "oh no she didn't!".
The art is very pretty, there are a few panels that are NSFW because of imagined nudity, but there's nothing really sexually explicit. I really love the character designs, every character is unique and easily recognizable.
If you're a fan of teen drama, Girl Friends should be right up your alley. We haven't gotten that many Yuri manga titles in the West, so I was happy to see Girl Friends released in this omnibus edition. I have to say it's excellent value for money. At 496 pages, you won't be zooming through this manga in an hour. It's a good read with strong characters and actual plot, even if at times it moves very slowly.
Review cross-posted to Infinite Love.
October 11, 2012
When Kurakama Mariko has to stay after school for a makeup test, she encounters classmate Ohashi Akiko. Even though they've been in the same class all year, they've never talked before, but as they're leaving school they realize they take the same train home. The beautiful, popular and trendy Akko invites Mari to hang out with her and her friends, taking the bookish girl out to get a new hair cut and new, stylish clothes.
If you're at all familiar with manga, you know there are two ways this can go: either Akko will turn out to be Queen Bitch of the Universe and Mari will have to choose between taking a stand against her and being with the in-crowd, or the two girls will fall into beautiful, sapphic love.
The cover really gives away which type of story this is.
By the end of the first book, Mari and Akko are drinking in the latter's bedroom when Akko passes out. Looking at her best friend, Mari just can't resist the urge to kiss her. And then totally freaks out because she doesn't know why she did it. Worse still, when Mari confesses what happened, Akko dismisses it as nothing important -- she and her other friends kiss all the time when they're drunk. It's just something girls do. (She neglects to add that it's something girls do when trying to cadge drinks off gullible guys who believe "two girls making out" = "possibility of a three-way".) But Mari's feelings are more than just friendship, if only she can get Akko to notice.
The nice thing about this story is that the focus isn't on, "Oh, I'm queer, but what if everyone hates me for it?" (though that is a factor) but rather, "I like this person, but how do I get her to notice?" There's no heavy-handed message about tolerance here, and though I'm only halfway through, I doubt it's going for a Newberry Medal either. It's just a romance that happens to be about lesbians.
If you're at all familiar with manga, you know there are two ways this can go: either Akko will turn out to be Queen Bitch of the Universe and Mari will have to choose between taking a stand against her and being with the in-crowd, or the two girls will fall into beautiful, sapphic love.
The cover really gives away which type of story this is.
By the end of the first book, Mari and Akko are drinking in the latter's bedroom when Akko passes out. Looking at her best friend, Mari just can't resist the urge to kiss her. And then totally freaks out because she doesn't know why she did it. Worse still, when Mari confesses what happened, Akko dismisses it as nothing important -- she and her other friends kiss all the time when they're drunk. It's just something girls do. (She neglects to add that it's something girls do when trying to cadge drinks off gullible guys who believe "two girls making out" = "possibility of a three-way".) But Mari's feelings are more than just friendship, if only she can get Akko to notice.
The nice thing about this story is that the focus isn't on, "Oh, I'm queer, but what if everyone hates me for it?" (though that is a factor) but rather, "I like this person, but how do I get her to notice?" There's no heavy-handed message about tolerance here, and though I'm only halfway through, I doubt it's going for a Newberry Medal either. It's just a romance that happens to be about lesbians.
December 27, 2018
Check out more reviews at Across the Litoverse
Yuri fans, rejoice—it's time to clear some space on those shelves for a sweet, honest, and down-right adorable depiction of two girls falling in love. For starters, I found the evolution of Mariko and Akiko's relationship had a natural pace to it, and the two girls played their doubts and insecurities off one another well. In the first collection, Mariko's narrative takes the lead, and we see how her admiration of Akiko becomes infatuation, which then matures into Mariko's first love. Throughout this section, readers follow the small, faltering steps Mariko takes before she's able to name her feelings for her best friend, and we're given a view of the unwitting attraction and initial self-denial that accompanies the first crush of an LGBTQ kid.
I also appreciated that Girl Friends doesn't follow a standard coming-out narrative. While the main audience of Girl Friends will likely be younger, queer-identified readers who might find themselves in the same situations as Mariko and Akiko, Morinaga doesn't turn the work into a Coming Out event. In the second collection, Mariko and Akiko do discuss their future, and the girls dream of a time when they'll share their relationship with family and friends—but for now, while the girls are still in high school, they choose to enjoy their time together.
Definitely a welcome addition to any yuri collection!
Ideal for: Yuri fans and queer-identified readers; Manga fans who like a well-crafted romance and the high school drama inherent to falling for a close friend; Folks who liked Sasameki Koto and Aoi Hana in particular.
Yuri fans, rejoice—it's time to clear some space on those shelves for a sweet, honest, and down-right adorable depiction of two girls falling in love. For starters, I found the evolution of Mariko and Akiko's relationship had a natural pace to it, and the two girls played their doubts and insecurities off one another well. In the first collection, Mariko's narrative takes the lead, and we see how her admiration of Akiko becomes infatuation, which then matures into Mariko's first love. Throughout this section, readers follow the small, faltering steps Mariko takes before she's able to name her feelings for her best friend, and we're given a view of the unwitting attraction and initial self-denial that accompanies the first crush of an LGBTQ kid.
I also appreciated that Girl Friends doesn't follow a standard coming-out narrative. While the main audience of Girl Friends will likely be younger, queer-identified readers who might find themselves in the same situations as Mariko and Akiko, Morinaga doesn't turn the work into a Coming Out event. In the second collection, Mariko and Akiko do discuss their future, and the girls dream of a time when they'll share their relationship with family and friends—but for now, while the girls are still in high school, they choose to enjoy their time together.
Definitely a welcome addition to any yuri collection!
Ideal for: Yuri fans and queer-identified readers; Manga fans who like a well-crafted romance and the high school drama inherent to falling for a close friend; Folks who liked Sasameki Koto and Aoi Hana in particular.
July 28, 2017
OH MY GOSH. *______* Guys I want you to know that if Mari and Akko don't get together next volume I will fling myself into a lake. And I don't know how to swim. That is how intensely it will destroy my soul if there is no proper kissing-because-we-are-dating-and-acknowledge-that-we-are-mutually-in-love for these two. CONSENSUAL IN LOVE KISSES FOR 2013, SPREAD THE WORD.
Seriously where has this manga been all my life? It's such a well done romance! And it feels really realistic too which on the one hand is a huge plus but on the other has me cursing the world for being so heteronormative and obstructing their love. Mari would not have to angst so if society wasn't so firmly entrenched in the assumption that only boys and girls fall in love! Akko wouldn't reject the possibility out of hand if the world wasn't so dedicated to teaching her the same! GET TOGETHER YOU TWO OR I WILL CRY MILK MORINAGA DO YOU WANT MY TEARS ON YOUR HANDS. 4 stars
Seriously where has this manga been all my life? It's such a well done romance! And it feels really realistic too which on the one hand is a huge plus but on the other has me cursing the world for being so heteronormative and obstructing their love. Mari would not have to angst so if society wasn't so firmly entrenched in the assumption that only boys and girls fall in love! Akko wouldn't reject the possibility out of hand if the world wasn't so dedicated to teaching her the same! GET TOGETHER YOU TWO OR I WILL CRY MILK MORINAGA DO YOU WANT MY TEARS ON YOUR HANDS. 4 stars
November 17, 2016
SO CUTE OMG.
December 3, 2019
This took years to finish but I can finally say... I finished it. And chuck it. One less book in my house. xD
January 11, 2013
Its hard to find yuri manga, that are/will be finished, in America. I am happy with this one so far. Its not just fan service. These girls start out as friends, with the first collection leaving you wondering what will happen. There actually has been very little fan service in this book, and that is what makes me most happy. It follows a relationship actually developing. I think it is a great read for anyone looking for yuri manga released there that isn't just smut.
April 15, 2019
Girl Friends is a staple in yuri manga as Lord of the Rings is to fantasy and Sherlock Holmes is to mystery.
December 5, 2017
The art style and the overall story were super cute! Honestly, I really like this series so far. I picked up the first volume from my local used book store and need to get the next volume ASAP.
It's a story of girl meets girl. Mariko is a shy, overachieving student who keeps to herself mainly. Akko is a popular girl who is friendly, loud, and loves fashion. One day, Akko asks Mariko to join her friends at lunch time and everything changes for her. Quickly Mariko and Akko become best friends while navigating life at an all girls high school. Slowly Mariko realizes that she has a crush on Akko. Mariko kisses Akko and feels terrible about it. Afterward Akko begins to wonder about her true feelings for Mariko.
Unfortunately before Akko can sort through her feelings, Mariko accepts a boy's proposal to go out with him. She wrongly believes that Akko is still in love with a boy that she supposedly slept with the summer before. An error in communication causes them both some angst as poor Mariko tries to hide her feelings and Akko is still trying to come to decision about her own feelings about Mariko.
I'm looking forward to the next volume. This is a ship I can get behind. 4.5 stars. I would suggest this book if you are a fan of manga especially yuri or LGBTQ literature/comics.
It's a story of girl meets girl. Mariko is a shy, overachieving student who keeps to herself mainly. Akko is a popular girl who is friendly, loud, and loves fashion. One day, Akko asks Mariko to join her friends at lunch time and everything changes for her. Quickly Mariko and Akko become best friends while navigating life at an all girls high school. Slowly Mariko realizes that she has a crush on Akko. Mariko kisses Akko and feels terrible about it. Afterward Akko begins to wonder about her true feelings for Mariko.
Unfortunately before Akko can sort through her feelings, Mariko accepts a boy's proposal to go out with him. She wrongly believes that Akko is still in love with a boy that she supposedly slept with the summer before. An error in communication causes them both some angst as poor Mariko tries to hide her feelings and Akko is still trying to come to decision about her own feelings about Mariko.
I'm looking forward to the next volume. This is a ship I can get behind. 4.5 stars. I would suggest this book if you are a fan of manga especially yuri or LGBTQ literature/comics.
September 16, 2024
Read this book for the first time around the age of 12-14. I had bought it without knowing what it was about (my innocent self did not have any intellect whatsoever and glazed right over the fact that it’s called GIRL FRIENDS), like girl… be for real. Anyways, it was found in storage so I wanted to read it again for the shits and giggles before getting rid of it.
The story itself isn’t bad especially if we consider its genre. The side characters are fun, well developed, and have fun personalities. What I really don’t like are some of the themes like diet culture, the name brand dropping and the amount of explicit content considering that these are HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. So wrong, though I didn’t realize at the time as I would have been younger than them. They definitely could’ve been aged up to college students and it would have a similar effect. Also, the miscommunication keeps miscommunication-ing… did she really need to get a boyfriend she doesn’t even like? Everyone gets hurt in this situation.
Anyways, I will read the other book to the collection for the sake of finishing it. Who would’ve thought that I read yuri way back then (it’s literally written on the cover (I was so dumb TT)) even before all of my other strange internet finds?
The story itself isn’t bad especially if we consider its genre. The side characters are fun, well developed, and have fun personalities. What I really don’t like are some of the themes like diet culture, the name brand dropping and the amount of explicit content considering that these are HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. So wrong, though I didn’t realize at the time as I would have been younger than them. They definitely could’ve been aged up to college students and it would have a similar effect. Also, the miscommunication keeps miscommunication-ing… did she really need to get a boyfriend she doesn’t even like? Everyone gets hurt in this situation.
Anyways, I will read the other book to the collection for the sake of finishing it. Who would’ve thought that I read yuri way back then (it’s literally written on the cover (I was so dumb TT)) even before all of my other strange internet finds?
March 1, 2021
Super fun, cute Yuri. The only downside is I don’t have the second half to read yet!
January 28, 2025
Top 3 yuri manga out there
August 4, 2018
I bought this because...well, it is a yuri. Little did I know what I was getting into. I never could put the manga down, and when I finished, I cried. I needed to know how it was to end. Ended up reading the rest online but I still hope to buy the other volumes to support 森永みるく because her works is what lead to me really starting to write Light Novels (also hope to buy them in Japanese if I can find them). I knew I could not draw but I knew I wanted to see more yuri stories like this.
While 森永 works tend to be a bit cliche with the plot this manga was still amazing just like anything みるくちゃん puts out. Her stories have there cute moments, there drama times, and some playful, flirty scenes. She surprisingly drags out the climax keeping the reader turning each page after page. She is truly one of the greatest Yuri author/mangaka.
Overall:
This is a great yuri story of girls dealing with feelings for each other. If you like cute girls, and yuri, then this is the manga for you.
11/10
While 森永 works tend to be a bit cliche with the plot this manga was still amazing just like anything みるくちゃん puts out. Her stories have there cute moments, there drama times, and some playful, flirty scenes. She surprisingly drags out the climax keeping the reader turning each page after page. She is truly one of the greatest Yuri author/mangaka.
Overall:
This is a great yuri story of girls dealing with feelings for each other. If you like cute girls, and yuri, then this is the manga for you.
11/10
December 5, 2012
Addicting, beautiful, and wonderfully developed, I loved this love story between friends who start to become something more. While featuring a few more graphic drawings, (not the characters, but covers, etc...), Milk does a good job balancing the sweet innocence of the girls and their growing sexual feelings. The exploration of friendship and the fine line between it and an actual relationship that threatens said friendship was wonderful, and I like the slice of life feel to the manga as whole.
The art is also gorgeous and charming.
Seemingly superficial, but easily draws you into the romance that builds, oh so lovely, throughout this first half of the series.
4-4.5/5
The art is also gorgeous and charming.
Seemingly superficial, but easily draws you into the romance that builds, oh so lovely, throughout this first half of the series.
4-4.5/5
June 2, 2013
Review for whole series to come....
But I have to say I loved it! Though it's not for everyone.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Buy this title at Powells Books.
But I have to say I loved it! Though it's not for everyone.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Buy this title at Powells Books.
May 31, 2016
Not something I would recommend to high schoolers or younger. Not because of graphic content or anything. Maybe I've been out of high school too long, but the underage drinking and texting nude pics between friends is a bit much.
November 13, 2012
Aside from the plotline where they both try to go on a diet over school holidays, I enjoyed this story of friendship and burgeoning love, although sometimes it seems to move at a glacial pace.
December 14, 2014
Lovely coming of age shoujo-ai.
August 7, 2018
It's been a while since I read a yuri title - I forgot how super fan servicey they are.
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