Erica Friedman recently published a terrific article in Transformative Works and Culture, an online, peer-reviewed journal focusing on “popular media, fan communities, and transformative works.” Titled “On defining yuri,” Friedman’s essay explores the history of yuri manga, the etymology of the term yuri, and a brief comparison between the Western and Japanese understanding of what “yuri” means. […]
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Master Keaton, Vol. 11
If you're a connoisseur of British crime procedurals, you've undoubtedly watched Midsomer Murders, England's answer to Murder, She Wrote. It isn't the edgiest or smartest mystery series on television, but it is among the most consistently enjoyable, delivering a satisfying answer to the question, "Whodunnit?" at the end of every episode. Much of the series' appeal lies with its formula: someone commits a ghastly murder, prompting DCI Barnaby to scrutinize the crime scene and interview potential … [...]
On the Shojo Beat With Matt Thorn
Good news for manga scholars: Matt Thorn is in the process of rebuilding her site on shojo manga! Among her most recent posts is a fascinating look at Ribbon and Shojo, two of the most popular girls' magazines in mid-century Japan. Thorn's goal in revisiting these issues is to highlight some of Osamu Tezuka's overlooked peers -- an important project, I think, as American readers are fixated on the idea that Tezuka "invented" modern manga with stories like New Treasure Island and Princess … [...]
