Searching for quality queer content is hard enough, but finding lesbian manga not catering to men seems like an insurmountable goal. Fortunately, we’ve done most of the work for you. From sweet slices of life to whole new worlds, there’s a little something here for everyone.
Whisper Me a Love Song
Let’s be real, you’re here because you want to read about cute girls in love. But what happens when the love they feel is different from one another? That’s exactly the premise Whisper Me a Love Song builds on! Himari, an outgoing first year, idolizes her senior Yori from the moment she watches her play on stage. Despite Himari’s clueless nature, the two of them grow closer through music, nosy friends, and misunderstandings.
There’s so much to love about Whisper Me a Love Song. It consistently delivers high-quality art, gracing us even with a handful of beautifully colored pages. It’s also one of the few stories I’ve read that has captured that raw feeling of gay panic. Even better? It’s an ongoing series, with six books so far and more to come! So if you love the anticipation of waiting for the next installment, this one’s for you.
A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow
Can you tell I love a good height difference? A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow is one of the softest, sweetest stories I’ve read. It follows Konatsu, a transfer student from the big city who’s moving in with her aunt in the countryside. The loneliness she feels away from her father and her old friends draws her to Koyuki, an incredibly anxious girl who’s the sole member of the aquarium club.
Reading about these two is like the gentle rock of a boat on the sea- there’s turbulence along the way, but overall, it’s a refreshing read away from everything. It’s another series, but don’t worry; it’s already completed! With nine books total, you’ll have plenty of time to watch Konatsu and Kyouki’s relationship develop…
… That said, I don’t want to mislead anyone. This story isn’t explicitly queer. They’re just, you know, two galpals who constantly think about each other and worry about things like getting each other’s numbers and indirect kisses. Intended or not, the romantic subtext in A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow is intense enough that they’re basically dating in everything but name. If not having their relationship explicitly stated bothers you, I’m telling you now to skip this one. But I put it on a lesbian manga list for a reason, and that’s because it scratches that itch for queer girls who don’t just exist to satisfy the male gaze.
Beauty and the Beast Girl
Beauty and the Beast Girl takes us away from the high school setting and into the realm of fantasy. Heath, who lives in the woods due to her ‘monstrous’ appearance, stumbles upon Lily, a blind girl relaxing in the gardens close to her hideout. Caught in the lie of being a humble traveler, Health meets with Lily daily to share stories until the truth is finally unraveled.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it comes with a few hangups and an interesting history. Beauty and the Beast Girl was initially posted to Pixiv, an online community for artists. While the print version presents itself as a full work, the story is actually still ongoing. This has led to some critiques that its print version feels rushed or incomplete.
The portrayal of blindness has also been put under scrutiny for being inaccurate, and I actually debated whether or not to include it here for that reason. In the end, I decided that it should be on here with the caveat that, should you be so inclined, read it with a critical eye.
The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me
We’ve gone from high school to fantasy realms. But what if I told you that you could go bigger? That there was a parallel universe where everyone was a lesbian? Welcome to The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me, where Marika wakes up confused as to why everyone around her is suddenly gay.
And, of course, she’s very, very straight… definitely.
Okay, so the premise of this one’s kinda silly. But there’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye. The idea that you don’t quite know where it’s going is part of its charm, so I wont go into too much depth. Just know that it’s a beefy book for a reason.
Looking for more manga? Check out some LGBTQIA+ picks here!