You’ve probably heard of the most well-known anime genres. What comes to mind when someone asks you “List some examples of anime genres,”
Action, Isekai, Romance, Shonen, and many others may come to mind right, but, there's this one peculiar genre not everyone knows about. One where…
Girls are attracted to each other and kiss???
That's right. And its called the YURI genre.
First of all, WHAT IS “Yuri”?
The name “Yuri” is a unique Japanese word meaning “lily”. In Japan, the name Yuri mostly goes to girls, but it can also be applied to guys as well, although it’s not very smart to do so.
Personally, I really like the name and have been using it on an anime character I made up myself, so I was really bummed when I found out the name is also associated with girls getting hot with each other.
*My character isn’t gay or lesbian, I promise.*
What is the Yuri GENRE?
In short;
Yuri genre refers to a genre that focuses on romantic and/or emotional relationships between female characters.
Let’s break it down with some key points about Yuri.
The following information may have sexuality and LGBT Wording. Unfortunately, these facts are true and I cannot avoid using them. Whether you feel comfortable reading is completely up to you while exploring the genre of Yuri 🙂
(It’s main focus) It mainly centers on intimacy of girls, affection, and explicit romance. sometimes taking it as hard as sex among female characters, although these type of scenes are rare and heavily censored.
(Range) Yuri stories range from innocent schoolgirl crushes to deep, complex adult relationships. Some shows are purely romantic, while others are dramatic and explicit.
What did I just read?
(Audience) While this genre obviously appeals to fans who enjoy seeing female to female love stories, it isn’t exclusively made for lesbian audiences. Historically, a lot of Yuri was written by and for male audiences too, though nowadays there's a broader spectrum of creators and watchers/readers
(Plot) One can technically argue that Yuri is a division or the Romance genre, however, Unlike romance where deep plots, arguments, and extra dramatic Monet's happen, Yuri shows tend to be more on the “calm” side, Almost like a slice of life or comedy.
(Cultural resonance) Yuri also explores themes like forbidden love, identity, and social pressure, which can resonate deeply in a society where same-sex marriage in nit legally recognized in Japan.
Why does it exist?
To be honest, this is hard to confirm, but here’s my own thought;
From a historical view, in early 20th century Japan, all-girls schools were common for the daughters of the middle and upper classes. From here, Close, emotionally intense friendships formed. Romance between girls were socially accepted and even idealized as “pure”, innocent phases before heterosexual marriage.
You already know where it goes from here. People started getting ideas to make manga and anime about it.
When girls’ comics boomed in the 70s, these themes naturally found they’re way into people. Over time, more explicit and mature stories were created for different audiences, with some focusing on genuine romantic love or sexuality rather than fleeting childhood affection. By the 2000s, “Yuri” became the common label for stories depicting female romance and love.
Examples of Yuri shows
Citrus
strawberry panic
Lycoris Recoil (this show isn’t officially labeled as Yuri, but the character’s actions and fan base suggest it is)
Yagate Kini Ni Naru
Sakura Trick
Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer: Anime Network does not promote/encourage any form of LGBT towards readers. Content is made for entertainment and informational purposes only.
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