Yuri

Yuri (genre)

Yuri (Japanese: 百合, lit. "lily") also known by Girl's Love (GL) is a genre of Visual Novels, and other media that include (manga, anime & other media) focusing on relationships between female characters.

History & Origins

The origins of Yuri can be traced back to early 20th-century Japanese literature, particularly in works written for young women. During this time, stories often explored intense emotional bonds between girls, commonly set in all-girls schools. These relationships were portrayed as pure, emotional, and often temporary, reflecting social views that such bonds were part of adolescent development rather than permanent romantic identities.

One influential genre was Class S literature, which focused on close friendships and romantic tension between schoolgirls. These stories emphasized emotional connection, beauty, and idealized innocence, laying the foundation for many themes that later became central to Yuri storytelling.

Yuri visual novels emerged in the 1990s as experimental romance routes within broader titles before developing into a distinct genre in the early 2000s. Through advances in storytelling, digital distribution, and indie development, yuri visual novels have grown into a diverse and globally recognized medium for female-focused romantic narratives.

Yuri began to take recognizable form as a genre during the rise of modern manga. Female manga artists, particularly those associated with the Year 24 Group, introduced complex emotional storytelling and deeper psychological themes into shōjo manga.

Subgenres of Yuri

Yuri contains a wide range of subgenres, from lighthearted slice-of-life romances to darker dramatic narratives. These subgenres allow for diverse storytelling approaches that appeal to different audiences.

These Include

Pure / Soft Yuri – Focus on emotional bonds and slow romance
Drama Yuri – Heavy emotional conflict and intense storytelling
Slice of Life Yuri – Everyday interactions and realistic pacing
Tragedy Yuri – Dark themes, loss, emotional suffering
Fantasy / Sci-Fi Yuri – Supernatural or futuristic romance

Media:

VNs featuring Girl x Girl romance on VNDB ^[VNDB]