(L) Girl Friends (yuri manga from Milk Morinaga)

[Shiroth]

Yeah i can't see this being animated, but then again i don't think it needs to be. It's an adorable little manga and i'd like it to stay that way.

[darkchibi07]

Maybe I'm just hoping for a yuri title that'll be animated that has the potential to become a hit and make to the Top 10 DVDs like how the yaoi title Junjou Romantica is surprisingly kicking ass in DVD sales.

I'm just asking for balance!

[Ultenth]

The thing is that Junjou Romantica is kinda what I call "fanservice yaoi/yuri". Which is usually the only kind that makes it into anime form. It is very uncommon for a yuri/yaoi story that is just a standard love story to make it into anime form, they all usually have lots of hot characters and random drama or weird events. In other words, the yuri/yaoi aspects are just there for fanservice, the focus usually isn't on the relationships themselves.

[Noodlehead]

ZOMFG, this manga makes me so happy inside. Morinaga Milk is a genius.

I only wish there was more stuff like this. Or that it would go on for another three volumes. It's torture to wait a month for every new chapter. Not that I don't appreciate, quality, though... just have to force myself to wait...

Oh, and regarding earlier confusion, Girl Friends was originally bi-monthly. It switched to being monthly recently.

I really like Nana and Hitomi, but to be honest, I think I like Mari and Akko more. Maybe I'm more of a sucker for angst? And I like the pacing -- how you get to see the two become friends, and Mari's feelings develop. Mari's struggles are so heart-wrenchingly painful, but I guess that's because I can relate. ;__;

Oh, and of course... the latest chapter--!

Spoiler for Chapter 14:

The scene in which Mari pushed Akko down and kissed her... THAT WAS PURE BRILLIANCE. I love the script and direction; how Mari's fingers gently weaved through Akko's hair... how she placed her thumb on Akko's lip at the end, tears falling from her eyes...! ;__;

It was amazing... especially after, when she said, "See? There's no way it can be fulfilled, is there?!" Wow, man. Just wow. I think I teared up when I read that.

I can't even fathom what will happen next. Morinaga really is a genius; she knows how to keep her readers wanting more.

I want to buy all the tankoubun once this manga is finished. And read them all, twenty times each.

In the mean time, I really wish this would get animated. As an OVA, even, like Candy Boy or something. Girl Friends + J.C. Staff = win. But I doubt anything like that would ever happen. Being a yuri manga, even if it did get animated, it would probably be by some low-production studio... sigh.

[risingstar3110]

Originally Posted by Noodlehead

ZOMFG, this manga makes me so happy inside. Morinaga Milk is a genius.

Spoiler for Chapter 14:

The scene in which Mari pushed Akko down and kissed her... THAT WAS PURE BRILLIANCE. I love the script and direction; how Mari's fingers gently weaved through Akko's hair... how she placed her thumb on Akko's lip at the end, tears falling from her eyes...! ;__;

It was amazing... especially after, when she said, "See? There's no way it can be fulfilled, is there?!" Wow, man. Just wow. I think I teared up when I read that.

I can't even fathom what will happen next. Morinaga really is a genius; she knows how to keep her readers wanting more.

I understand what you meant, i scanned through that page for like 5 minutes and kept rereading like 30 times. Haven't getting bored yet O__<

The level of detail is just ridiculously awesome. I expected Milk Morinaga must have a personal notebook describing how girl react when they have to deal with emotions

Spoiler for Chapter 14:

Another remarkable screen is in the final panel, Akko blushed, deep in thought, one hand hold in front of her lips (as she probably thinking about the kiss) the other kept in front her chest in fail attempting to stop it pounding like mad.
It's beyond my imagination to see how the manga can be any better.

[risingstar3110]

New chapter should have already came out....

I will stay away for next few days from any Girl Friends discussion thread until translation out. Not gonna spoil my one month efforts.

Hope it will be good, hope it will be good, hope it will be good, hope it will be good...... ^^

[darkchibi07]

You probably want to stay out at that thread in shoujoai.com and probably /u/!

I, unfortunately, didn't so I know what happened! But it's better with pictures with a translated text.

[Ultenth]

Gah, the raws have been out for a few days, I can't wait for the translation! I have been desperately avoiding most boards and comment sections on related sites that have Girl Friends stuff listed, as I don't want to be spoiled by those that have seen the raws. I imagine that it should be out soon, at least I hope so, that way I'm not further tempted to spoil myself because I want to know what happened. Though I can imagine it still hasn't been resolved yet, and will probably be another couple chapters (thus months ) till we find out what really happens.

EDIT: Word from the scanlators is it is supposed to be out tomorrow night! (the 2nd that is)

[Ultenth]

Ch 15 is out now, for those interested.

Spoiler for ch15:

Gahhhhhh!!! Now we have to wait another month to find out the next events, I don't want to wait that long, but at least it's not 2-3 months like some manga, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I'll wager we have quite a few more chapters before any kind of resolution is reached though, so I probably shouldn't get too excited.

[darkchibi07]

A natural progression chapter with FINALLY some insight in Akko's point of view. Ch 16 should be out in about 20 days from now.

Spoiler for maybe about ch 15?:

It should take a few more chapters until Mari and Akko start confessing to each other (which should compile into Volume 3; we don't want this dragging out too long, right?). And then later chapters after Vol. 3 Morinaga can easily inject more drama on the struggles on having a lesbian relationship and or throw in more slice-in-life moments on the joys of being in one.

[nadare]

I hope she drags it a little bit. Like problems with society after their relationship starts.

[CygnusX]

Chapter 15 was a little bit disappointing for me.

Spoiler:

Basically at the end of this chapter, we see the same picture as at the end of ch. 14. Only thing that has changed, is that she has thought about her feelings a bit and more importantly has gotten some very bad advice from her friend imho.

In love, gender and age doesn't matter! Saying it's impossible or that she should politely refuse Mari just makes me mad! Also refusing Mari's love out of fear of losing her friendship is wrong too, since it's so obvious Mari likes her.

I thought girls would understand each other's feelings better than boys, but Akko's reaction almost seems like a boy from a manga where the main character always responds in the wrong way.

Still looking forward a lot to next chapter ofcourse

[risingstar3110]

@CygnusX

Spoiler for Chapter 15:

Based on previous chapters, it's clearly that: despite her looks, Akko is much more innocence/naive than the rest of the cast.

She's just so cute.... ^^

So i expected Akko would not know what to do even before reading this chapter

Still all of the monologue and conversations in this chapter is great to read. +1 to Sugi for being reasonable sharp(make me wondering if she ever in that kind of position be4)

Can't find words to describe Akko.... speechless at her reactions....

Not going to say the chapter is great, but: man, i really enjoy reading it

Overall:

I want more, I want more, I want more but i don't want the quality to drop i want more, i want more, i want more, but i don't want the quality to drop.........

PS: either this manga's so great or i started to experience the feeling of die hard fanboy. ....

[Pacify]

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

PS: either this manga's so great or i started to experience the feeling of die hard fanboy. ....

I'd say perhaps both?

Ah the waiting is a killer.

[nadare]

Originally Posted by CygnusX

Chapter 15 was a little bit disappointing for me.

Spoiler:

Basically at the end of this chapter, we see the same picture as at the end of ch. 14. Only thing that has changed, is that she has thought about her feelings a bit and more importantly has gotten some very bad advice from her friend imho.

In love, gender and age doesn't matter! Saying it's impossible or that she should politely refuse Mari just makes me mad! Also refusing Mari's love out of fear of losing her friendship is wrong too, since it's so obvious Mari likes her.

I thought girls would understand each other's feelings better than boys, but Akko's reaction almost seems like a boy from a manga where the main character always responds in the wrong way.

Still looking forward a lot to next chapter ofcourse

Spoiler:

Basically at the end of this chapter, we see the same picture as at the end of ch. 14. Only thing that has changed, is that she has thought about her feelings a bit and more importantly has gotten some very bad advice from her friend imho.

But in reality, Akko's reaction is much more believable. If Akko was a boy she wouldn't hesitate to answer Mari yes. But she's a girl, yuri relationships are shunned by society and make people see you different.

Parents are also a big factor. Would they just keep quite and have their kids have a yuri relationship? These girls are still in high school. Some parents might even go as far as disowning their children for that!

That was a good advice IMHO. It was clear Akko isn't ready yet.

Saying it's impossible or that she should politely refuse Mari just makes me mad! Also refusing Mari's love out of fear of losing her friendship is wrong too, since it's so obvious Mari likes her.

Of course it would be hard to politely refuse someone specially if its your best friend of all people! When Mari confessed, whether Akko accepts or rejects her their relationship will be on another level. If Akko rejects her there is a big chance they aren't gonna be as close as you seen them before. There will be some distance between the two specially with Mari.

It would be impossible to act like it never happened. Confessing to your best friend whether your best friend is on the opposite sex is the hardest thing.

I thought girls would understand each other's feelings better than boys, but Akko's reaction almost seems like a boy from a manga where the main character always responds in the wrong way.

She hasn't responded to Mari yet... She's sorting out her feelings. It's a realistic move on her part!

[Ultenth]

Spoiler for ch15:

Also you know she is (as was shown) agonizing over what she said just before the even with the whole "I'd fall for you if I was a guy" thing. So she knows it's a very sensative issue that's partially her fault for causing, and she doesn't know how to treat her now, because she still wants to be friends, but isn't sure about anything else because she never really thought of her that way. And yes, especially in Japan even more than in parts of Europe and the US, gay and lesbian relationships are still VERY much looked down on. Even though they are shown in manga and anime a lot, they still are viewed in a pretty negative light by the majority of society. And thinking about considering one, and all the reprecussions with your family and future, when you never though of it before, has got to be pretty stressful. As for the advice given, with the information she was given it is probably the best advice. She was told only that her friend confessed to her, not that she actually had any feelings either, and that's the same advice I'd give anyone at that point. If you are confessed to and don't like the person like that in return, don't think you'll just "give it a shot" because often times the relationship will be ruined after that. But if they were to tell me they weren't sure if they liked them, or thought they might, I would give completely different advice. Akko however did NOT say anything in regards to possibly returning the feelings, so the advice she was given was perfectly fine for the situation, all things considered.

And yes, I think with Bitter Virgin now gone this is probably the manga I'm most waiting for from month to month to be finished. Though there is other manga I enjoy and am happy when it releases, there aren't really that many that I get bummed about like this when it doesn't come out fast enough. So I'm also fighting the urge to want more, with the knowledge that it would drop quality, as well as fighting against being too much of a fanboy. There is also the added pressure though that I know that as soon as this one finishes she is supposed to pick back up and go into more detail with Nana and Hitomi and Co. which makes me want things to go even faster.

[nadare]

Shouldn't there be a new chapter by now? Spoilers anyone?

[darkchibi07]

Oh yeah!

http://www.shoujoai.com/forum/topic_...l?tid=41420#fp

Click at your own risk, or wait for scanlations!

[Irenicus]

Originally Posted by nadare

Shouldn't there be a new chapter by now? Spoilers anyone?

Really? Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod

*Jumps up and down waiting for scanlations, biting tongue and lip to try to not check out the spoilers*

[BOOKGLUTTON]

jesus christ, I thought this manga wasn't on anyones radar. 16 needs to come out or I will die. Seriously, this is insanely good.