Yuri

Decoding the appeal of the Yuri genre to readers

More than just romantic relationships between girls, Yuri is a genre with many layers of meaning, from gentle and innocent to deep, intense and dramatic. Yuri stories can move readers because of the subtlety of emotions, the taboos of love, or simply the pure beauty of a relationship that transcends prejudice.

Although once considered a niche, in recent years, Yuri has gradually become one of the most popular genres on online manga platforms and not just limited to the LGBTQ+ community. Many male and female readers, or anyone who loves stories with true emotions, can find something special in this genre.

So what exactly is Yuri? Is it different from Shoujo? Are all Yuri stories 18+? And which love stories between girls are the most prominent today? Let's explore each aspect in the sections below:

What is Yuri? The difference between Yuri and Shoujo Who is it?

Yuri (百合) is a genre of manga, novels or anime that revolves around the romantic relationships between female characters. The characteristic of Yuri is not the gender of the character, but the way the feelings are expressed it can be shyness when first falling in love, first love, complicated relationships, or even deep and bold love. Yuri is not limited to a single style: it can be gentle like a school love story, or it can be heavy with heavy sensual or psychological elements.

Meanwhile, Shoujo - although also talking about the feelings between girls - often refers to light, pure stories with almost no sexual elements. In the West, people often use "Shoujo" to distinguish it from Yuri works with 18+ elements. However, in Japanese culture, the term Shoujo is rarely used, and any work expressing feelings between women - whether pure or passionate is called "Yuri".

In summary:

• Yuri includes both emotions and physicality, which can be for mature readers.
• Shoujo only stops at the level of light emotions, not exceeding the romantic limit.
• This difference is not too rigid, but helps readers choose the type of story that suits their taste and age.

Is Yuri an 18+ genre? Who should read it

In fact, Yuri is not a genre that is labeled 18+ by default. It is simply a term used to describe works that revolve around the romantic relationship between two (or more) female characters. Depending on the orientation of each series, the level of emotional expression - from gentle and innocent to deep or mature will be different.

Many Yuri works only focus on the psychological, emotional and romantic aspects, completely suitable for students, just like regular shoujo stories. Some other works explore more mature aspects of relationships, so they are often labeled with an appropriate age for readers to choose for themselves.

It is important for readers to preview the description and age classification of each series, especially if you are looking for a story that is suitable for yourself or want to share with others.

So who should read the Yuri genre?

• People who love gentle, delicate love stories like romance manga.
• People who want to explore diverse perspectives on love, beyond traditional stereotypes.
• Readers curious about manga culture and the development of new, humane genres.

Top best love stories between girls at ZazaManga

If you're looking for some great Yuri series from lighthearted to quirky, from school to fantasy here are ZazaManga's top picks. Each one has its own personality and is sure to leave you with unforgettable emotions: