Yuri Espoir, Volume 3

Yuri Espoir Manga #3

by Mai Naoi

After finding out she is to be forced into an marriage of convenience as soon as she graduates high school, Kokoro sees her life ending before her eyes at her father's wishes. And so in her final year of high school, she decides to indulge in her love of other women, and create an incredible sketchbook of lesbian romance to leave behind as her legacy. As she observes the young women of her town, she learns more about their desires, their struggles, and the unpredictable whims of love.

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Manga, Yuri

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2021

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sadder-than-you-expected story continues, with Kokoro's impending doom (marriage) growing ever more real in her mind. Her fiance seems to be the only person okay with things (her awful dad in no way counts), and as a few chapters in this volume imply, we really ought to wondering what it says about a full-grown man who's keen on marrying a girl just out of high school. Even without her father's blatant queer erasure there are a lot of unsettling things going on here, and while I desperately hope for an eventual happy ending, I'm not sure that that's what I'm going to get.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

How kind of you, to think of me as strong.

4.5 stars. My heart feels so full!! I love these two so much. The overarching cuteness is still there, as well as the sense of perseverance and joy that Kokoro feels when she gets to create yuri, or just see girls together. It's a little over the top, a little silly maybe, but seeing her happy really does good things for my soul? And her friendship with Amami is the best; I'm absolutely LIVING for the super slow burn of the romance. All the moments where they depend upon one another and give each other strength... wah. ;; And god, I love the moments where Kokoro gets to be a little unhinged and weird and intense. That meeting with Souya? Amazing. She hates him so much, and she's RIGHT. She DESERVES to hate him. I wanted to hug her so hard afterwards. I know that the manga will give us some backstory on him eventually, but I maintain that if you want me to think he's a good person, he shouldn't have agreed to this marriage in the first place.

I continue to really enjoy and appreciate the Asahina storyline. The woman who lied about him assaulting her came out of left field, but I ended up liking the direction it went. That's something that could have very easily not worked for me, if it were written differently or with less care. I think the mangaka struck the right balance, not saying anything inflammatory about women who do report assaults, but also letting us know that Asahina is a genuinely good person. Poor guy. He really just wants to protect his students, not get hit on inappropriately, make art, and take care of his stupid best friend.

Lots of good side stories in this one. All of Kokoro's little yuri one shots kinda makes this feel like a short story collection, and I really enjoy that. There was some fun stuff about fandom, and we also got to see a few of the past couples, which was fun. My favourites were the middle school bffs, and the woman eating sushi for the first time. 

I keep smiling when I think about this manga. Like, it's so silly, but often so profound, imo. I dunno if I'm just in the right mood for it, but so much about it is hitting me in the right way. I'm so sad there's only one volume left, but nevertheless, I'm going to continue soon. 

Content warnings: emetophobia

Look at you, smiling like a dream, as you pull the trigger on my heart time and time again.

[Ayxan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg I loved the cameos in the sushi chapter!

I really liked the chapter with the girl who “can see into the future”! This should be made into a whole series; the two are so cute and it would have nice messages in it. 🥰

“I’ll keep working hard and then I’ll confess my feelings to you”, she said, out loud. 🤣🤣

~

Mr. Asahina might be the only (male) adult on this earth, who thinks like he does (alas, how an adult should think; alas, an adult that isn’t messed up) and I love him for that. And of course also the author for including this character. <3

Can’t wait to read volume 4!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Damn this one got dark and I loved it. The implications of Kokoro’s upcoming marriage finally get discussed in a way that makes it all the more disturbing. This series balance of tones is fantastic. It has light and fluffy moments and then hits you with darkness and a sense of dread. I really, really like it and I’m excited to see how it all wraps up in the next volume.

[Linda]

DNF--I checked out 2,3 & 4 of this series & put #1 on hold but after reading all of #2 & starting in on #3 I've decided this series isn't for me & returned all the remaining volumes & canceled my hold.
This one is just to wishy-washy to be honest.

[mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year for Lesbian Visibility Week I'm only reading yuri (Kokoro would surely approve). This volume cushions the psychological blows as the story progresses with the sweet yuri fictions of Kokoro's creations and their reality, but this volume the blows are especially devastating.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(there are a few scenes discussing adult/student relationships, but all mention of attraction to high schoolers is condemned and clearly in the wrong. Just keep it in mind if this topic brings up any triggers!)

[siren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slower then the last two volumes but still good!

[Jane Lively · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this one acknowledged how wrong her arranged marriage is.

[Isapropanol · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were men. Too many men. I need them gone.