Yuri is a female-to-female homosexual relationship genre. In Japan, this single category is typically used for all types of these relationships, whether sexual or not. In the West, the term Shoujo-ai refers to stories that focus on the emotional aspects of relationships, whereas Yuri refers to stories that focus on the sexual aspects and explicit content. Because the majority of our audience is from the West, we use the Western definition for both Yuri and Shoujo-ai anime.
Of course, shoujo-ai anime isn’t always about a tepid romance between two girls. Themes range from hilarious comedies about girls perving on other girls to more dramatic, action-oriented anime with throbbing hearts. Whether or not love is realised, these thirteen shoujo-ai anime will satisfy your craving for lovely girls who love other lovely girls.
13. Otherside Picnic
Episodes: 12
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, GL, Mystery, Sci Fi
Sorawo is on the verge of death when he is saved by the mysterious Toriko in the Otherside. Attracted by its beauty, she soon discovers that this dimension is inhabited by monsters previously thought to be fictitious. They set out to explore this nightmare-realm and possibly make some money, joining Toriko in her search for a missing friend. What they encounter may bring them enlightenment—or it may drive them insane!
12. Fragtime
Episodes: Movie (1 ep x 60 min)
Genres: Comedy, GL, Romance, Sci Fi
Shy Misuzu Moritani is a completely normal girl — except for her incredible ability to stop time for three minutes every day! When Misuzu is caught sneaking a peek under her skirt, she discovers that her abilities have no effect on her school’s idol, Haruka Murakami. Against all odds, a relationship blossoms from this precarious situation, one as poignant and fleeting as Misuzu’s three minutes of frozen time each day.
11. Sweet Blue Flowers
Episodes: 11
Genres: Drama, GL, Romance
Shy, clingy Fumi has recently transferred to Matsuoka Girl’s High School in Kamakura. It’s been ten years since she moved away, leaving her dear friend Akira behind, and the two will soon be reunited. Akira is now a student at Fujigaya Girls’ Academy, but she and Fumi still see each other. Between classes and social activities, the two will encounter love, the struggle to admit one’s true feelings, and the joy of companionship.
10. Sakura Trick
Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, GL, Romance
Haruka and Yuu, best friends, have just started their first year at Misato West High School, which is set to close in three years. The two have been inseparable since middle school, but moving to a new school requires them to make new friends. So the pair decides to do something special that they will not do with the other girls: they will share a passionate kiss. Now, the two, along with new friends Kotone, Shizuku, Kaede, and Yuku, are starting high school together, having a lot of fun and sharing a lot of intimate kisses along the way.
9. Sasameki Koto
Episodes: 13
Genres: Comedy, Drama, GL, Romance
Sumika, a shy, athletic girl, is head over heels in love with her bubbly friend Ushio. Ushio, on the other hand, is outwardly attracted to cute girls, which she never refers to as her friend-turned-admirer. Sumika continues to be Ushio’s confidante and companion, hoping that one day she will be able to express her tender feelings to the one she loves. Sumika, Ushio, Tomoe, and their friends will share the everyday joys of a quiet school life and touching romance, whether it’s their first kiss, cooking a meal, or confiding in each other.
8. Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena
Episodes: Movie (1 ep x 90 min)
Genres: Fantasy, GL, Romance
Utena Tenjou has just begun her studies at the prestigious Ohtori Academy, and not long after she arrives, she receives “the mark of the rose” and becomes a duelist. She is then thrust into a series of duel battles with other duelists in order to reclaim her friend Anthy, also known as the Rose Bride.
The victorious duelist will not only receive Anthy, but also her revolutionary power! Utena must now do everything she can to protect Anthy while also attempting to uncover the mysteries surrounding Ohtori Academy and the Rose Bride before it’s too late.
7. Strawberry Panic
Episodes: 26
Genres: GL, Romance
St. Miatre, Spica, and LeRim, three prestigious female-only academies on Astraea Hill, share a single campus and dormitory despite being separate schools. Nagisa Aoi, a tenth-grade student, has decided to transfer to St.
Miatre’s Girls’ Academy. Though her transition has been relatively smooth thus far, Aoi inadvertently falls down a hill while exploring the campus, sees the lovely Shimuza, and promptly (and embarrassingly) faints. Nagisa continues to see Shimuza around, but soon learns that she is the “Etoile” — a well-respected girl in all of the schools. With Shizuma falling for new transfer student Nagisa, secrets from Shizuma’s past will be revealed over the course of the school year.
6. WATATEN! an Angel Flew Down to Me
Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, GL, Slice of Life
Miyako is a shy college student who also happens to be an otaku. She meets some angelic grade school students one day! Miyako’s heart skips a beat when she sees her little sister’s new friend Hana-chan! Miyako tries to fit in with them but finds it difficult… A sketch comedy about attempting to get along with the super cute girl is about to start!
5. Adachi and Shimamura
Episodes: 12
Genres: GL, Romance, Slice of Life
Two girls’ lives become intertwined when they meet on the second floor of the gym, despite their habit of skipping class on a regular basis. Adachi and Shimamura’s friendship develops gradually as they play ping-pong and hang out. But how will they react if something happens to change their relationship?
4. Kase-san & Morning Glories
Episodes: Movie (1 ep x 58 min)
Genres: GL, Romance
Shy and reserved Yui Yamada is an aspiring horticulturist in charge of her high school’s landscaping. Yamada meets the vivacious, sporty Tomoka Kase, star of the girl’s track team, by chance while tending to her campus’ morning glory. Yamada and Kase couldn’t be more dissimilar, and they have a lot to learn about each other, but as their friendship grows, their feelings begin to blossom into something more…
3. Yuru Yuri
Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, GL, Slice of Life
Akari’s first day of middle school has arrived, and the bubbly young lady is determined to reinvent herself while having a great time. The girl joins the Amusement Club, a group for students who just want to hang out and joke around, with her friends, mischievous Kyouko, serious Yui, and adorable Chinatsu! Over the course of the year, the girls befriend upperclassmen, impersonate their favourite magical girl characters, and develop crushes… on each other!
2. Maria Watches Over Us
Episodes: 13
Genres: Drama, GL
Nothing is more prestigious than Rosa Sinensis, Rosa Gigantea, and Rosa Foetida, the beautiful and talented women who lead the student council at the Lillian private school for girls. When the paths of a young girl named Yumi and Sachiko, the council’s successor, cross, things will never be the same for either of them. Maria-sama ga Miteru is a quiet storey about forbidden romance, friendship, and a schoolgirl’s everyday life.
1. Bloom Into You
Episodes: 13
Genres: Drama, GL, Romance
Yuu has always enjoyed shoujo manga and looks forward to the day she receives a love confession that will set her heart aflutter with bubbles and hearts, but when a junior high classmate confesses his feelings to her…she feels nothing.
Yuu enters high school, disappointed and perplexed, still unsure how to respond. When Yuu witnesses the beautiful student council president Nanami turn down a suitor with such maturity, she is inspired to seek her assistance. Has Nanami’s shoujo romance finally begun when the next person to confess to Yuu is Nanami herself?
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