Hey otaku, let’s explore the forbidden world of girls love! These steamy manga has all kinds of yuri manga action set to the backdrop of dramatic stories (mostly).
And For those who don’t know about yuri genre here is a quick explanations about it.
Yuri (百合?), also known by the wasei-eigo construction Girls Love (ガールズラブ gāruzu rabu?), is a Japanese jargon term for content and a genre involving love between women in manga, anime, and related Japanese media.
Yuri can focus either on the sexual, the spiritual, or the emotional aspects of the relationship, the latter two sometimes being called shōjo-ai by western fans.
The themes yuri deals with have their roots in the Japanese lesbian literature of early twentieth century, with pieces such as Yaneura no Nishojo by Nobuko Yoshiya.
Nevertheless, it is not until the 1970s that lesbian-themed works began to appear in manga, by the hand of artists such as Ryoko Yamagishi and Riyoko Ikeda.
Updated May 24, 2024 by Shagun Singh: Yuri/GL stories have surely been captivating, uplifting, and evoking emotions in readers since the dawn of written and illustrated works. They have explored a wide range of genres and themes, capturing the attention of diverse audiences with their entertaining romcoms, thought-provoking dramas, relatable stories, and mature content. Some people are seeking excitement, but there are many who have been deeply touched by the way women can discover love within one another. Therefore, this list has been recently updated with some additional top-rated yuri manhwa options. The rankings are based on scores, allowing readers to decide whether to rely on the numbers or follow their instincts. Regardless of the story, there is sure to be a winner among these recommendations.
Maybe you’ll find a new series to read or discover a whole new genre! Most of these works are short, so you can easily work through them. Now, let’s begin.
Here Are Some Of The Best Yuri Manga
10. Sea of June
Anime-Planet Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Sea of June offers a unique twist with its intriguing historical setting in Busan during 1936.
The story delves into some daring themes, making it an interesting read. At that time, Korea was under the occupation of Japan and it would take another 9 years for them to regain their freedom.
Yeon Jeong is on a quest to discover her rightful place in the world, but it seems like her journey is taking longer than expected.
Having trouble connecting with others, she feels a sense of apathy until she encounters a mermaid.
With no other plans, Yeon is enticed to join her in the ocean and discover a place where she can truly belong.
However, can she rely on the mermaid’s statement? Although she is quite charming, there is often a downside to deals that appear overly enticing.
9. Don’t Fall in Love!
Anime-Planet Score: 4/5 Stars
Be cautious with matters of the heart Brings the story of a hopeless romantic and her celebrity crush to life, taking a more straightforward approach.
Jung-Hyun has a tendency to develop strong feelings for people upon their initial encounter.
If she forms a strong connection with someone, her heart will remain devoted to them until she realises that the relationship is not meant to be.
So, Jung-Hyun prepares herself to maintain a strictly professional approach in her new role as a manager.
Regrettably for her, she’s managing the actress Heera Joo, who possesses such captivating beauty that Jung-Hyun becomes infatuated with her.
It’s important to be mindful of our emotions to avoid any potential issues. However, Jung-Hyun might discover a way to communicate her feelings in a healthy manner without causing any harm.
8. Relationship Guidelines
Anime-Planet Score: 4/5 Stars
It’s refreshing that Suni is so open and honest about her emotions and what she wants. Jiwon has had some challenges when it comes to Relationship Guidelines.
She has had a long-standing friendship with Myeong-In since their childhood, but their relationship took a different direction once they entered high school.
One day, Myeong-In playfully challenged Jiwon to give her a kiss, and Jiwon happily obliged.
However, she eventually attempts to create some distance between herself and her longtime companion.
The innocent kiss ignited a connection that, despite their efforts to downplay it, pushed them closer to a deep and intense romance, blurring the line between friendship and love.
7. Mojito
Anime-Planet Score: 4/5 Stars
Love can be quite challenging, especially when one is in the spotlight.
Mojito witnesses the revelation of Xiao Zhong’s true identity as she shares a passionate moment with her witty lawyer, Marissa, on the bustling streets during a pivotal event.
The pictures of their kiss have spread like wildfire across the internet, the media, and beyond, leading to immense pressure from their employers, families, and the public to end their relationship.
However, they fail to identify any justification for discontinuing.
The manhwa beautifully portrays the enduring power of love, even in the face of immense challenges, as it explores the relationship between two women in the showbiz industry.
Just like a refreshing mojito, this task demands your full attention until it’s completed.
6. The Glass
Anime-Planet Score: 4/5 Stars
The Glass takes a twist as a modest office lady finds herself in a more complex situation than she expected.
Lara is currently searching for a job following the completion of her internship half a year ago.
Regrettably, companies prioritise her relationship with her fiancé, Mark, over her skills.
On one particular day, as she heads to an interview, she opts to remove her ring to steer clear of the usual discussions.
Just as she’s about to cross the street, a car unexpectedly comes speeding down the road towards her.
Fortunately, she is unharmed, but stepping out of the car is Suni, a member of the renowned pop group The Glass.
It so happens that she and Lara were childhood friends, and Suni’s decision to hire Lara as her new manager brings about a rapid transformation in Lara’s life.
However, Suni has a hidden agenda: she has harboured feelings for Lara since they were kids and is determined to keep her promise of marrying her.
5. Miss Angel and Miss Devil
Anime-Planet Score: 4.1/5 Stars
One issue with Miss Angel and Miss Devil is that it currently lacks an official English translation.
While it’s true that fan translations may not always be perfect, this particular series has a translation that could use some improvement when compared to others.
As an illustration, Haki is believed to guide humans towards temptation and sin.
However, she is truly a kind-hearted person who prefers to take care of her beloved flowers.
Hiskya is just as skilled as the next angel, but she has a tendency to display eccentric behavior and is more adept at playfully teasing others compared to Haki, who is quite the opposite as a literal devil.
Despite their contrasting appearances, they form an adorable pair in this charming, laid-back romantic comedy with a divine twist.
4. A Joyful Life
Anime-Planet Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Titles can sometimes have an ironic or bittersweet twist. A Joyful Life is a manhwa that explores the dark themes of abuse and the challenges of navigating adult life.
Joy Ahn is an office worker who feels dissatisfied with her life both at home and at work.
She always keeps a bag packed under her desk, just in case an opportunity for a trip arises.
But it never arrives. Only when she reunites with Aerie Park, a lesbian who had to leave town after her family caught her kissing another girl in public.
As they reconnect, Joy contemplates the possibility of finally going on that trip.
3. Lily
Anime-Planet Score: 4.3/5 Stars
Lily is a high school-based manhua that focuses on the contrasting personalities of Fan Yilin, a prim and proper schoolgirl, and Lan Ruoxi, a tomboy.
Their initial meeting was rather unfortunate. Initially, she accidentally collides with her, and later Ruoxi overhears Yilin gossiping about her. However, Ruoxi is leaving a lasting impression in her mind.
Whenever she encounters her, her heart races in her chest, and she becomes flushed and flustered. Is she developing feelings for someone else?
And if that’s the case, why with her? What is it about her that excites her so much?
Can she take advantage of it before her friend, who is also interested, beats her to it?
It’s a heartwarming and tender tale about two girls who discover love in each other.
2. Her Tale Of Shim Chong
Anime-Planet Score: 4.4/5 Stars
Inspired by the timeless Korean novel, The Tale of Sim Chong, Her Tale of Shim Chong takes a fresh approach by introducing a captivating love story between the protagonist and a noble character, deviating from the original plot of resurrection.
One evening, after a challenging day, Shim Chong, a girl from a humble background with a deceased mother and a father who cannot see, finds herself yearning for Buddha to bring an end to her life.
As she’s swimming, she suddenly hears the voice of another girl who had made a similar wish, only to find her struggling to stay afloat.
After Shim Chong rescues her, she realises that she is actually engaged to Chancellor Jang and receives an invitation to attend the wedding.
She’s also given a bracelet that perfectly complements the bride-to-be’s.
This period piece of romance explores the dynamics of class distinctions and the common desires of two young women from contrasting backgrounds.
1. Soulmate
Anime-Planet Score: 4.4/5 Stars
SQ witnessed its admirers embark on a charming and amusing first encounter.
Soulmate adds an extra layer of emotion, heightening the intensity and delivering numerous beautiful moments that will surely touch the hearts of fans.
Currently, Yu Qi and Yuanzi are a harmonious couple, enjoying a strong bond.
However, when Yuanzi receives a devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness, the two are deeply saddened, as they come to the realisation that their time together is now limited.
After Yu Qi wakes up, she discovers that she has been transported back to her high school days, before she had the chance to meet Yuanzi.
Nevertheless, as she endeavours to alter the future, her previous self finds herself inhabiting her adult body and will receive a rapid introduction to the opportunities and challenges that the present holds.
It’s enormous that you are getting ideas from this
Anime list as well.
Thanks so much for this article, they’re all new to me. If you’re interested your article came up as one of the first two results on google. Really wonderful artwork in Cirque Arachne which is my fav of your recommends.
thanks
This was such a diverse list! Thanks a lot for so many suggestions! ♡