Girl Friends is a deeply frustrating manga. On one hand, the main characters and several supporting ones are exceptionally well-written, offering engaging narratives that captivate the reader. On the other hand, the pacing is so erratic that it's difficult to recommend this series to anyone, despite its redeeming qualities.
Firstly, let's focus on what works, and there's quite a bit! Mari and Akko shine as compelling protagonists, sharing nearly equal point-of-view time throughout the story. Their gradual progression from a platonic to a romantic relationship is, for the most part, highly entertaining. Moreover, the artwork, while not groundbreaking, remains consistently solid, effectively conveying personality and emotion.
Another strong point is that Girl Friends is authored by a woman. For non-heterosexual women, finding stories about lesbians that aren't penned by straight men can be a challenge. Thankfully, this isn't an issue here. If your primary concern with lesbian/women-loving-women (wlw) manga is whether it's written by a woman, then this manga should satisfy you, and you'll likely enjoy it!
However, we must address the significant issues. The two most glaring and almost unforgivable problems with Girl Friends are its pacing and excessive melodrama. Regarding pacing, the mangaka admitted at the end of the final volume that she had no clear plan for the story and wished she'd mapped it out from the start. This lack of planning is painfully evident to any reader. Time either crawls unbearably slow or races forward at an alarming speed, leaving character development and relationships either stagnant or unresolved. Numerous plot threads are introduced but left hanging; Sugi stands out as the worst example, showing no growth from beginning to end despite ample opportunities and hints suggesting otherwise.
Lastly, there's the melodrama. While these characters are teenagers, the level of melodrama in this manga is overwhelming. Every conflict following Mari's initial confession—which constitutes most of the story—could have been resolved with basic communication. All problems stem from the characters' inability to discuss their issues openly, leading to twenty chapters of unnecessary tension. It's exasperating how poorly these characters communicate and how they choose to wallow instead of addressing their problems. This becomes even more glaring when considering the mangaka's admission of having no long-term plan for the story.
In conclusion, the protagonists are likable and their relationship is hard not to root for, but the story is weighed down by a lack of planning and miscommunication akin to Shakespearean tragedy. If you can overlook the terrible pacing and maddening melodrama, you might love this manga. Otherwise, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Girl Friends was among the first manga I explored when I began delving into yuri. Interestingly, revisiting it made me realize that I had lost my enthusiasm for romances without male characters. I don't dislike yuri, but I no longer feel compelled to read something solely because it involves a girl-on-girl romance. I say this because my initial mistake was expecting immediate yuri content, which left me disappointed. Don't make the same error.
Part of why Girl Friends might disappoint impatient readers seeking instant yuri is its narrative. It's a classic tale of a popular fashionista—Akko—helping an unassuming bookworm—Mari—come out of her shell. However, as this bookworm emerges from her cocoon, she begins to experience feelings she has never encountered before. The story primarily focuses on Mari's growing affection for the oblivious Akko, so direct yuri events may not instantly gratify readers.
Instead, readers are taken through an emotional journey. It's easy to feel frustrated when Mari rationalizes wanting to kiss Akko by thinking of her as a cute pet, and there's a certain humor in their friend Sugi who frequently disrobes. Essentially, Girl Friends evokes a range of emotions from jealousy to bliss. And that's how it should be. People experience various feelings, especially teenagers, and even more so with a teenager who loves someone of the same sex.
The story itself flows smoothly from one emotion to another. This is partly because the narrative doesn't dwell too long on a character's inner thoughts and partly because the characters themselves demonstrate significant maturity in resolving conflicts more easily. Early in the story, Mari worries about something she did, and Akko casually eases the tension by saying it's a natural thing for friends to do. Later, a conflict between Mari and Akko involving college is resolved indirectly by Mari herself.
These moments highlight how far the characters have progressed. Mari starts off introverted, tongue-tied, and not overly concerned with her appearance. By the end, she's outgoing, speaks confidently, and becomes a fashionista in her own right when she helps an old friend. Her development is fantastic, never moving too quickly. The blush crossing Mari's face due to Akko's honesty gradually transforms into a flush of love, hidden behind a series of questions about her anxiety over Akko's friendships and romantic life.
There isn't much else happening with Mari, which makes sense since Akko essentially gives her a social life. As for Akko, she's already the center of attention, a fashionista, and generally outgoing, determined to bring Mari out of her shell. Later, Akko's backstory reveals why she wanted to help Mari. But it isn't until after a certain event midway through the story that Akko begins to change. She becomes noticeably more tongue-tied as she questions her feelings for Mari, and this change is understandable given the suddenness of the event.
That said, the story doesn't provide a definitive reason for why either character ends up feeling the way they do, nor does it draw a clear line—at least not until the end—for when friendship transitions into love. But does it need to? One of the central conflicts from Mari's perspective is her inability to determine if what she's doing and feeling is normal for friends. Providing a definite reason would diminish their emotions. Love doesn't happen for one reason but arises from a multitude of factors unique to each person. In short, Akko and Mari are believably compelling characters.
On the side, we have Sugi, rolling along as the third wheel. She doesn't undergo much change throughout the story, but she doesn't need to. Beneath her extensive lineup of boyfriends lies a maturity matching her revealing tendencies. She's learned many harsh lessons in love, evident when she gives upfront and blunt advice to Akko on more than one occasion or reminisces about her past actions. Jaded yet well-meaning, Sugi is Girl Friends' most developed (ahem) side character.
The other side characters aren't explored deeply, but it shows that the world continues regardless of Akko and Mari's feelings. They have their own aspirations (tennis), hobbies (cosplay), delusions ('I'm going to see my Prince!'), and basically their own pursuits ranging from ghost stories to boyfriend discussions. When Akko, Mari, or Sugi can't lighten the mood, any of the other characters will step in to break the ice and prevent the story from staying too serious for too long. The story isn't afraid to be heavy, but it knows when to ease up.
Oops, I mentioned guys in a yuri story. Refreshingly, Girl Friends isn't afraid to fully explore sexuality by incorporating male characters. From Akko and Mari's perspectives, it examines the complex feelings of loving someone of the same sex, while the male aspect poses challenges for Mari especially. This isn't to say the story portrays guys as antagonists; rather, the two major male characters introduced are genuinely well-meaning individuals. Signs of deviancy do appear, particularly in one of their backstories, but the same could be said for Akko, Mari, and Sugi.
When I say Girl Friends explores sexuality, I mean it in every sense. It addresses what lovers do and doesn't handle its subject matter in a cloying manner. It understands that infatuation can lead to fantasy, as Mari can confirm. It recognizes that the cluelessly curious will seek information to become less clueless, as Akko admits. And it also acknowledges that being drunk can lead to unusual behavior, as Sugi inadvertently demonstrates with Tama. Because of this, Girl Friends is a case where fanservice makes sense (except for that one moment in chapter two...); love is a sweet thing expressed through saucy actions.
Conveying every moment from the sweet to the saucy is Morinaga Milk's artwork. Besides being visually stunning, character designs are distinct. Akko and Sugi are both fashionistas, but the curves favor the latter significantly. Tama and Mari are petite, but only the former exudes a sense of energy. And when the beautiful art isn't sensually and sensitively portraying their feelings, it becomes a veritable fashion show showcasing all the stylish outfits the characters wear. If nothing else, the story can't be criticized for sticking to school uniforms all the time.
Not that there was much to criticize anyway. Even in its final volume, Girl Friends manages to remain fresh. It introduces new angles, commitment, and addresses the genuine effort any relationship requires to endure. That said, if the pacing were tighter or if the story included something crucial that Akko and Mari must eventually confront, I wouldn't hesitate to call Girl Friends a masterpiece.
But as it stands, it's still an excellent, heartfelt story with a touch of honest naughtiness, not to mention visually appealing. Readers who don't mind a slow yet deliberate pace will find much to enjoy, while newcomers to yuri expecting immediate yuri content might want to look elsewhere. It might not be a story everyone loves, but for these girlfriends, loving each other is enough.
The manga revolves around me. Just kidding! Actually, the story is about two best friends who fall in love with each other. I'm not typically into drama, but this one stands out. If you're a fan of yuri or shoujo ai, you'll absolutely adore it! It delves into mixed emotions, and I think many readers keep going because they can relate or simply because it's incredibly well-done. For me, it feels like a slice of life, almost too realistic. The scenarios could easily happen in REAL LIFE, maybe even in my life (but let's not go there).
How incredible is this manga? It stirred up so many emotions within me. I experienced love, jealousy, heartbreak, irritation, and fell in love again. I became incredibly sensitive while reading it and was always excited to see what would happen next.
YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS MANGA. I promise you won't regret it. It's rare for me to write reviews about manga, but this one truly deserved it. This manga is stunning, which is why I penned this review.
My initial experience with this manga happened during a school book fair where I resolved to take home a yuri manga (around the period my fascination with yuri began and I started grasping my own sexual orientation). Citrus was my top choice, but since the first few volumes weren't available, I opted for Girl Friends. Back then, I found it rather unimpressive and dull, failing to even complete the single volume I purchased.
As of writing this review, I've only completed two yuri mangas, both of which suffer greatly from pacing issues—feeling both hurried and overly prolonged simultaneously. Girl Friends manages this aspect better, featuring less filler content and dedicating a few chapters to exploring the girls' relationship post-coupling. In contrast, Bloom Into You offers little more than a sex scene followed by an abrupt timeskip. I genuinely hope that yuri mangas wrapping up soon after the main couple gets together isn't becoming a trend. It makes me question whether the creators intentionally choose such early endings or if publishers force them. In Milk Morinaga's case, it seems to be the former, given that most of her works are either one-shots or short series.
This manga did momentarily make me reflect on my teenage years, as I'm 17 and have never been drinking or engaged in any romantic encounters, though I recognize this is actually positive.
The characters are all well-rounded and endearing, with even supporting roles being thoroughly developed—this is undoubtedly the manga's strongest attribute. Being adopted by an extrovert is practically every introvert's dream, so indulging in this fantasy here is quite enjoyable.
This was the first Shoujo ai manga I have ever read. It simply depicted the lives of some high school friends, and I never expected it to be so enjoyable to see how high school girls hang out and what they talk about. Haha! It was a refreshing change from all the macho stuff I usually get into. Initially, it felt like just another slice-of-life series focusing on high school girls' daily lives. However, as the story progressed, one of the female protagonists began to realize her growing feelings for her new best friend, and we got to witness how they navigated the situation. It seemed that her feelings were not entirely one-sided. Reading this was so sweet. There was no pervy content, fan service, or fetish in the manga, and I truly appreciated that because I didn’t want to feel like a creepy middle-aged man ogling at high school girls... Haha! I was worried there might be some fan service since a friend told me Shoujo ai and Yuri are often marketed towards men, but there was none—YAY! Haha!
In defense of the manga, the scene where Mari and Akko took nude photos at the bath was adorable and fun—they made silly poses and everything. I don’t consider that fan service. Also, when they were in their underwear while shopping, it wasn’t lascivious at all. It was as innocent as Tama’s sunburn from wearing a silly bikini... Haha! It wasn’t sexy, nor did it feel that way. There was no lewd vibe or anything. These scenes were just part of everyday life, much like how not every sex scene in films is meant to turn you on. They were included because these are things people do, and in this case, they fit within the slice-of-life context of the manga. I definitely didn’t see them as fan service.
I truly loved this manga. I began reading GF only this summer since I'm not particularly into yuri. However, after diving into it, I became captivated by the characters and the realism of the storyline — from friendship blossoming into love. While the plot may seem overused, I promise this manga delivers much more! Simple moments like Mari and Akko's casual conversations, discussions on lipstick and fashion, mixers, and even boyfriend hunting are beautifully depicted in a way that resonates with readers (mostly females), making them feel as if these situations have occurred at some point in their own lives.
What I appreciate most about the story is the genuine "yuriness" of its plot. I admire how Milk Morinaga realistically portrays female-to-female relationships as an unconventional form of love. She highlights that this kind of relationship can be dramatic and challenging, yet those very elements make the characters even more compelling. Additionally, I believe many readers can see themselves reflected in one of the characters.
I highly recommend this manga if you're open-minded and looking for a realistic narrative. It's also easy to read because the drama and seriousness are seamlessly blended with humor. You'll likely find yourself smiling and hoping the series never concludes (you might also explore other works by Morinaga).<p>
Popular Reviews
Firstly, let's focus on what works, and there's quite a bit! Mari and Akko shine as compelling protagonists, sharing nearly equal point-of-view time throughout the story. Their gradual progression from a platonic to a romantic relationship is, for the most part, highly entertaining. Moreover, the artwork, while not groundbreaking, remains consistently solid, effectively conveying personality and emotion.
Another strong point is that Girl Friends is authored by a woman. For non-heterosexual women, finding stories about lesbians that aren't penned by straight men can be a challenge. Thankfully, this isn't an issue here. If your primary concern with lesbian/women-loving-women (wlw) manga is whether it's written by a woman, then this manga should satisfy you, and you'll likely enjoy it!
However, we must address the significant issues. The two most glaring and almost unforgivable problems with Girl Friends are its pacing and excessive melodrama. Regarding pacing, the mangaka admitted at the end of the final volume that she had no clear plan for the story and wished she'd mapped it out from the start. This lack of planning is painfully evident to any reader. Time either crawls unbearably slow or races forward at an alarming speed, leaving character development and relationships either stagnant or unresolved. Numerous plot threads are introduced but left hanging; Sugi stands out as the worst example, showing no growth from beginning to end despite ample opportunities and hints suggesting otherwise.
Lastly, there's the melodrama. While these characters are teenagers, the level of melodrama in this manga is overwhelming. Every conflict following Mari's initial confession—which constitutes most of the story—could have been resolved with basic communication. All problems stem from the characters' inability to discuss their issues openly, leading to twenty chapters of unnecessary tension. It's exasperating how poorly these characters communicate and how they choose to wallow instead of addressing their problems. This becomes even more glaring when considering the mangaka's admission of having no long-term plan for the story.
In conclusion, the protagonists are likable and their relationship is hard not to root for, but the story is weighed down by a lack of planning and miscommunication akin to Shakespearean tragedy. If you can overlook the terrible pacing and maddening melodrama, you might love this manga. Otherwise, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Part of why Girl Friends might disappoint impatient readers seeking instant yuri is its narrative. It's a classic tale of a popular fashionista—Akko—helping an unassuming bookworm—Mari—come out of her shell. However, as this bookworm emerges from her cocoon, she begins to experience feelings she has never encountered before. The story primarily focuses on Mari's growing affection for the oblivious Akko, so direct yuri events may not instantly gratify readers.
Instead, readers are taken through an emotional journey. It's easy to feel frustrated when Mari rationalizes wanting to kiss Akko by thinking of her as a cute pet, and there's a certain humor in their friend Sugi who frequently disrobes. Essentially, Girl Friends evokes a range of emotions from jealousy to bliss. And that's how it should be. People experience various feelings, especially teenagers, and even more so with a teenager who loves someone of the same sex.
The story itself flows smoothly from one emotion to another. This is partly because the narrative doesn't dwell too long on a character's inner thoughts and partly because the characters themselves demonstrate significant maturity in resolving conflicts more easily. Early in the story, Mari worries about something she did, and Akko casually eases the tension by saying it's a natural thing for friends to do. Later, a conflict between Mari and Akko involving college is resolved indirectly by Mari herself.
These moments highlight how far the characters have progressed. Mari starts off introverted, tongue-tied, and not overly concerned with her appearance. By the end, she's outgoing, speaks confidently, and becomes a fashionista in her own right when she helps an old friend. Her development is fantastic, never moving too quickly. The blush crossing Mari's face due to Akko's honesty gradually transforms into a flush of love, hidden behind a series of questions about her anxiety over Akko's friendships and romantic life.
There isn't much else happening with Mari, which makes sense since Akko essentially gives her a social life. As for Akko, she's already the center of attention, a fashionista, and generally outgoing, determined to bring Mari out of her shell. Later, Akko's backstory reveals why she wanted to help Mari. But it isn't until after a certain event midway through the story that Akko begins to change. She becomes noticeably more tongue-tied as she questions her feelings for Mari, and this change is understandable given the suddenness of the event.
That said, the story doesn't provide a definitive reason for why either character ends up feeling the way they do, nor does it draw a clear line—at least not until the end—for when friendship transitions into love. But does it need to? One of the central conflicts from Mari's perspective is her inability to determine if what she's doing and feeling is normal for friends. Providing a definite reason would diminish their emotions. Love doesn't happen for one reason but arises from a multitude of factors unique to each person. In short, Akko and Mari are believably compelling characters.
On the side, we have Sugi, rolling along as the third wheel. She doesn't undergo much change throughout the story, but she doesn't need to. Beneath her extensive lineup of boyfriends lies a maturity matching her revealing tendencies. She's learned many harsh lessons in love, evident when she gives upfront and blunt advice to Akko on more than one occasion or reminisces about her past actions. Jaded yet well-meaning, Sugi is Girl Friends' most developed (ahem) side character.
The other side characters aren't explored deeply, but it shows that the world continues regardless of Akko and Mari's feelings. They have their own aspirations (tennis), hobbies (cosplay), delusions ('I'm going to see my Prince!'), and basically their own pursuits ranging from ghost stories to boyfriend discussions. When Akko, Mari, or Sugi can't lighten the mood, any of the other characters will step in to break the ice and prevent the story from staying too serious for too long. The story isn't afraid to be heavy, but it knows when to ease up.
Oops, I mentioned guys in a yuri story. Refreshingly, Girl Friends isn't afraid to fully explore sexuality by incorporating male characters. From Akko and Mari's perspectives, it examines the complex feelings of loving someone of the same sex, while the male aspect poses challenges for Mari especially. This isn't to say the story portrays guys as antagonists; rather, the two major male characters introduced are genuinely well-meaning individuals. Signs of deviancy do appear, particularly in one of their backstories, but the same could be said for Akko, Mari, and Sugi.
When I say Girl Friends explores sexuality, I mean it in every sense. It addresses what lovers do and doesn't handle its subject matter in a cloying manner. It understands that infatuation can lead to fantasy, as Mari can confirm. It recognizes that the cluelessly curious will seek information to become less clueless, as Akko admits. And it also acknowledges that being drunk can lead to unusual behavior, as Sugi inadvertently demonstrates with Tama. Because of this, Girl Friends is a case where fanservice makes sense (except for that one moment in chapter two...); love is a sweet thing expressed through saucy actions.
Conveying every moment from the sweet to the saucy is Morinaga Milk's artwork. Besides being visually stunning, character designs are distinct. Akko and Sugi are both fashionistas, but the curves favor the latter significantly. Tama and Mari are petite, but only the former exudes a sense of energy. And when the beautiful art isn't sensually and sensitively portraying their feelings, it becomes a veritable fashion show showcasing all the stylish outfits the characters wear. If nothing else, the story can't be criticized for sticking to school uniforms all the time.
Not that there was much to criticize anyway. Even in its final volume, Girl Friends manages to remain fresh. It introduces new angles, commitment, and addresses the genuine effort any relationship requires to endure. That said, if the pacing were tighter or if the story included something crucial that Akko and Mari must eventually confront, I wouldn't hesitate to call Girl Friends a masterpiece.
But as it stands, it's still an excellent, heartfelt story with a touch of honest naughtiness, not to mention visually appealing. Readers who don't mind a slow yet deliberate pace will find much to enjoy, while newcomers to yuri expecting immediate yuri content might want to look elsewhere. It might not be a story everyone loves, but for these girlfriends, loving each other is enough.
How incredible is this manga? It stirred up so many emotions within me. I experienced love, jealousy, heartbreak, irritation, and fell in love again. I became incredibly sensitive while reading it and was always excited to see what would happen next.
YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS MANGA. I promise you won't regret it. It's rare for me to write reviews about manga, but this one truly deserved it. This manga is stunning, which is why I penned this review.
As of writing this review, I've only completed two yuri mangas, both of which suffer greatly from pacing issues—feeling both hurried and overly prolonged simultaneously. Girl Friends manages this aspect better, featuring less filler content and dedicating a few chapters to exploring the girls' relationship post-coupling. In contrast, Bloom Into You offers little more than a sex scene followed by an abrupt timeskip. I genuinely hope that yuri mangas wrapping up soon after the main couple gets together isn't becoming a trend. It makes me question whether the creators intentionally choose such early endings or if publishers force them. In Milk Morinaga's case, it seems to be the former, given that most of her works are either one-shots or short series.
This manga did momentarily make me reflect on my teenage years, as I'm 17 and have never been drinking or engaged in any romantic encounters, though I recognize this is actually positive.
The characters are all well-rounded and endearing, with even supporting roles being thoroughly developed—this is undoubtedly the manga's strongest attribute. Being adopted by an extrovert is practically every introvert's dream, so indulging in this fantasy here is quite enjoyable.
In defense of the manga, the scene where Mari and Akko took nude photos at the bath was adorable and fun—they made silly poses and everything. I don’t consider that fan service. Also, when they were in their underwear while shopping, it wasn’t lascivious at all. It was as innocent as Tama’s sunburn from wearing a silly bikini... Haha! It wasn’t sexy, nor did it feel that way. There was no lewd vibe or anything. These scenes were just part of everyday life, much like how not every sex scene in films is meant to turn you on. They were included because these are things people do, and in this case, they fit within the slice-of-life context of the manga. I definitely didn’t see them as fan service.
<p>
What I appreciate most about the story is the genuine "yuriness" of its plot. I admire how Milk Morinaga realistically portrays female-to-female relationships as an unconventional form of love. She highlights that this kind of relationship can be dramatic and challenging, yet those very elements make the characters even more compelling. Additionally, I believe many readers can see themselves reflected in one of the characters.
I highly recommend this manga if you're open-minded and looking for a realistic narrative. It's also easy to read because the drama and seriousness are seamlessly blended with humor. You'll likely find yourself smiling and hoping the series never concludes (you might also explore other works by Morinaga).<p>