Although yaoi (gay male manga) is pretty popular in Japan and overseas, yuri manga (lesbian manga) is getting a lot more popular too, with many classic and up-and-coming manga gaining their own followings.
If you’re interested in learning more about the best and most popular yuri manga out there, keep reading to find out our top ten picks when it comes to lesbian manga! We’ll explain a little bit about each manga, and then give each a rating based on audience reviews and our own personal opinion.
1. The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All
Synopsis
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All is a yuri manga series by Sumiko Arai, who originally posted a short story with the characters on her Twitter/X account. It’s a classic story of mistaken identity, where Aya, a high school girl who’s into rock and roll, visits a record shop and develops a crush on the cool-looking cashier, who she thinks is a guy, but is really Mitsuki, a girl who goes to her school.
Over the course of the manga, the two become close and start a romance, bonding over their love for music.
Our Rating
10/10
2. Citrus
Synopsis
Yuzu is a fashionable young lady who loves shopping and having fun, but is forced to transfer to a conservative all-girls high school when her mom remarries and they move to a new town. She doesn’t like the school at all, and often runs into trouble with Mei, the diligent and serious, yet beautiful student council president.
The other problem is, Mei actually happens to be her new step sister, and the two girls are forced to share the same bedroom. At first they hate each other, but as their resentment lessens, Yuzu realizes that she has feelings for Mei.
Our Rating
9/10
3. Whisper Me a Love Song
Synopsis
Himari is a new high school student, who watches an all-female band play at her school’s opening ceremony, and seems to fall in love with Yori, a musically-inclined girl who’s subbing in for the usual lead vocalist and guitarist of the band.
Later, Himari confesses her feelings to Yori, but in reality, her feelings are more like admiration than romantic love. Despite this, Yori really falls for Himari, and becomes determined to win her affection.
Our Rating
8/10
4. Bloom Into You
Synopsis
Yuu has always dreamed of someone confessing their love to her. But, when it actually happens with a boy in her class, surprisingly, she feels nothing from it.
She later sees Touko, a girl at her school, get a similar confession, and also reject it. Thinking that the two can bond over their shared disinterest in love confessions, she makes an effort to befriend her.
Eventually, this leads to Touko confessing her feelings to Yuu, and over the course of the series, their romance, well,…blooms!
Our Rating
9/10
5. My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness
Synopsis
My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness is a unique manga on our list because it’s actually an autobiography. Written by Kabi Nagata, the story focuses on the author’s mental health, sexual experimentation with other women, and other personal issues. While it doesn’t focus on the most upbeat of subjects, it still looks like an interesting, and probably relatable read.
Our Rating
9/10
6. A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow
Synopsis
Konatsu just moved to a new school, and every student is required to join an after-school club, but she doesn’t even know which one she’s interested in. Her friend invites her to join the Home Economics Club, but Konatsu’s attention slowly drifts to the Aquarium Club, where she’s captivated by another member, Koyuki.
Our Rating
7/10
7. Yuri Is My Job!
Synopsis
This manga has an interesting premise, following Hime, a girl who’s obsessed with her image as a sweet, considerate girl, but on the inside is self-centered and doesn’t care much about others. When she accidentally injures the manager of a weird theme cafe, she picks up a couple shifts at it to give the appearance that she’s making up for her wrongdoing.
At the cafe, waitresses pretend that they’re students at an all-girls high school, who get into romantic situations with each other to entertain the customers. Hime ends up working with another waitress who acts like she’s deeply in love with her in front of customers, but behind the scenes seems to absolutely hate her!
Our Rating
9/10
8. How Do We Relationship?
Synopsis
Miwa and Saeko are basically complete opposites, but this doesn’t stop them from becoming friends. After joining the music club at their university, the two get to know each other even more and admit to each other that they’re both lesbians. Saeko seems to have feelings for Miwa, and asks her to be her girlfriend. Although Miwa doesn’t have feelings for Saeko, she actually agrees to date her just to see what a real relationship is like.
This funny yuri manga is lighthearted, while still having some intriguing twists and turns along the way.
Our Rating
8/10
9. Destroy It All and Love Me in Hell!
Synopsis
This manga is described by reviewers as being the opposite of sweet and uplifting. So, if you’re looking for a dark and brooding lesbian romance with some less safe-for-work themes, definitely give it a shot.
The story follows Kurumi, who, on paper, has her life put together with excellent grades and a spot as the student council president. But inside, Kurumi is constantly stressing about impressing her teachers and her strict mother. She’s then requested by her teacher to check up on Naoi, a girl in her class who’s skipping school.
Our Rating
8/10
10. Convenient Semi-Friend
Synopsis
Suuna just moved into a new dorm at her high school, and she is surprised to see a girl, Ruka, flirting with another girl. However, Ruka explains to her that they’re not a couple, but that they’re “semi-friends”, basically a Japanese term for “friends with benefits”. Ruka then offers to also be “semi-friends” with Suuna, since Suuna is apparently pretty lonely.
This manga definitely falls into the “ecchi” category, with scenes and themes that are a bit far from being wholesome. So, if you’re into that, give it a read!
Our Rating
8/10
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! These are the top ten lesbian manga that we recommend. These stories vary when it comes to theme, tone, and safeness for work, so feel free to look into each one further and see which one you’d like to dive into first. In the meantime, we hope you have a good time exploring the world of lesbian manga!