Keni - Founder of The Anime Basement

Sometimes, when it comes to romance anime, the conventional setting of boy meet girls are never enough. As such, anime is a broad medium able to branch itself to many different genres, one of them being Yuri. Today, I will be going over the top 8 must-watch Yuri anime that I think would suit a large and diverse audience. Whether you are into the more up-front and sexual girl to girl action, or simply love serious drama series, don't worry. The Yuri anime genre is a very broad one indeed, allowing you yourself to explore your own taste of kinkiness. So grab some popcorn, turn on that TV, and get ready for some of the most spicy and kinky Yuri shows you will ever watch. 8. Citrus Episode: 12Season: Winter 2018Source: MangaStudio: PassioneGenres: Drama, Romance, School, Yuri Anime Synopsis: Fashionable Yuzu Aihara is determined to make her high school debut an impactful one — her goal being falling in love and getting a hot boyfriend. However, on the first day of school, she was met with strict and serious Mei Aihara, the student council's president. Yuzu immediately protested which resulted in her cell phone confiscated. Worse yet, she arrives home only to find out that Mei will be her new step-sister from now on. Conflicts lead to another, and Mei eventually forced a kiss on Yuzu, shutting her up. Best Yuri Anime: Citrus is perhaps one of the more controversial Yuri anime show out there that receives mixed reactions from anime fans. Not only does the show contains a highly dramatic plot, it also showcases quite a sexual relationship between two of its main protagonist. There is simply an absurd amount of kissing scenes within Citrus itself. So much that perhaps even ecchi fans would simply roll their eyes. However, if the description above fits your taste and expectations, then I wholeheartedly recommend Citrus as a go-to Yuri anime. 7. Strawberry Panic Episode: 26Season: Spring 2006Source: MangaStudio: Madhouse, ImaginGenres: Drama, Romance, School, Yuri Anime Synopsis: Aoi Nagisa is a new transfer student at an all-girls Catholic school, St. Miator's Girl's Academy. There, she discovered its strange hierarchy system dictated by two Etoiles, the representatives of the whole school. To kick start her school life, Nagisa must attend class, join clubs, and make various friends. However, her daily life soon spell trouble when Shizuma Hanazono, the sole Etoile of Astrea Hill, became interested in Nagisa. Best Yuri Anime: Strawberry Panic features a classic and romantic story about a naive young girl falling in love with her breathtakingly gorgeous Senpai. And as the description imply, the overall vibe of the show is quite a light-hearted one. It features over-the-top cheesiness, as well as quite a few Yuri fan service moments scattered here and there throughout the show. If this sounds like what you're looking for in term of Yuri anime shows, then buckle up and enjoy your hours of great drama and entertainment. 6. Maria-sama ga Miteru Episode: 13Season: Winter 2004Source: Light NovelStudio: Studio DeenGenres: Slice of Life, Drama, Romance, Shoujo, Yuri Anime Synopsis: As Yumi Fukuzawa is accepted into Lillian Girl's Academy, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, she was surprised when she caught the eyes of Sachiko Ogasawara, the school's most popular student. Slowly but steadily, the two grew closer. Despite the never-ending attention Yumi has received from her curious friends, she begins to realize it wasn't that bad after all. Best Yuri Anime: Maria-sama ga Miteru is a relaxing slice of life Yuri series following the daily lives of a friend, couple, whatever you want to think of their relationship as. In fact, despite containing Yuri references throughout the show, Maria-sama ga Miteru essentially contains very minimal fan service. And since it's a slice of life, the show does not have a thrilling plot either. However, if you simply want to relax and enjoy something more peaceful, then Maria-sama ga Miteru is definitely the Yuri show for you. 5. Yuru Yuri Episode: 12Season: Summer 2011Source: MangaStudio: Doga KoboGenres: Slice of Life, Comedy, School, Yuri Anime Synopsis: When Akari Akaza was finally able to reunited with her elementary school friends, her daily life was soon filled with fun and exciting activities. Along with the members of the "Amusement Club", the girls spend their strange afternoon drinking tea and discussing among one another while ignoring the supposedly 'main character', Akari herself. Best Yuri Anime: Yuru Yuri is yet another slice of life Yuri show emphasizing on the daily lives of five young girls. Featuring a large amount of cute moments, silly ridiculous, and top-notched voice acting, Yuru Yuri will instantly melt away all your life worries. Take note that if you are looking for spicy fan service, or some complex and over-the-top plot, then this is not the show for you. However, those looking for something more relaxing and 'fun' will definitely find Yuru Yuri to be a perfect fit. 4. Asagao to Kase-san Episodes: 1Season: Spring 2018Source: MangaStudio: ZexcsGenres: Romance, School, Yuri Anime Synopsis: Yamada, a shy and sweet young girl, loves the flower garden at her school more than anything. However, this all changed by Tomoka Kase, an athletic and tomboyish girl catches her attention. Despite having nothing in common, the two fall in love and began dating. Soon after, the two must learn to overcome the various challenges within their relationship. Best Yuri Anime: Asagao to Kase-san is a one episode Yuri anime depicting some of the purest and cutest form of love you will ever witness. Throughout the show, you will be shown the numerous heartwarming interaction between the couple. Along with their pain and struggles, you will cry, laugh, and most importantly, be able to empathize with them on a personal level. For the Yuri anime fans out there, Asagao to Kase-san is simply a perfect show. 3. Sakura Trick Episode: 12Season: Winter 2014Source: MangaStudio: Studio DeenGenres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen, Yuri Anime Synopsis: Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sonada has been inseparable friends since middle school. However, as soon as the two enroll in Misato West High School, a cruel twist of fate has assigned them seats far from one another. Not only that, but Yuu's outgoing personality has attracted many people from their class, leaving Haruka in a jealous and depressed state. To fix this, once they were alone in a classroom, Yuu affectionately kisses Haruka, changing their relationship forever. Best Yuri Anime: Sakura Trick revolves around the cute and sweet Yuri relationship between the two best friends, Haruka and Yuu. Prying into the very obscure and sexual nature of any relationship, Sakura Trick offers its viewer a high amount of fan service. In terms of the plot, Sakura Trick feels rather episodic in nature. The show features a rather generic one, with no major or unique progression to show for. However, depending on your taste and how you view it, this anime might be everything you're looking for in within the Yuri genre itself. 2. Aoi Hana Episode: 11Season: Summer 2009Source: MangaStudio: J.C.StaffGenres: Romance, Yuri, Slice of Life Anime Synopsis: Fumi Manjoume and Akira Okudaira are inseparable childhood friends since elementary school. However, their friendship soon ended when Fumi moved away with her family. Yeas later, after being accepted at the Matsuoka Girl's High School, Fumi returned to her hometown and finally reunited with Akira. Despite this heartwarming reunion, their relationship was not exactly the same as it was years ago. Best Yuri Anime: Aoi Hana is not your everyday fan service Yuri anime shows. If you are looking for spicy make out scenes, or expecting some ecchi play, then this anime is not for you. On the other hand, however, Aoi Hana is a mature, touching, and sweet Yuri show that is able to demonstrate the character's struggles within their day to day relationships. Most notably, Aoi Hana deals with the issue of what happens when your best friend falls in love with another girl. 1. Yagate Kimi ni Naru Episode: 13Season: Fall 2018Source: MangaStudio: TROYCAGenres: Romance, School, Shoujo Ai Anime Synopsis: Yuu Koito has always dreamed of being confessed to. Yet, when one of her friend from junior high confessed his love to her, she felt hollow and empty inside. Now, enrolled in high school, Yuu is still confused as to her true emotions. As she witnessed Touko Nanami, the school's student council president, rejected a confession herself, Yuu begin asking Touko for advice. However, she was caught totally unaware when Touko confessed to her in return, thus begins a strange relationship not born of love, but curiosity. Best Yuri Anime: Yagate Kimi ni Naru is an exciting tale about true love and self-realization, accurately depicting the in-depth philosophy of love and how complex such feeling is. Throughout the show, viewers are shown a realistic set of characters and their struggles to maintain a meaningful relationship. In all honesty, Yagate Kimi ni Naru is the true definition of 'drama done right'. So if you are looking for something much more mature that does not contain mindless fan service, then Yagate Kimi ni Naru will be the perfect Yuri anime show. Conclusion: That concludes my list of the 8 must-watch Yuri anime. As you can see from the list above, Yuri is a broad anime genre that is able to satisfy everyone's own kink. Whether you are in it for the spicy kiss scenes, the silly moments, or the highly mature and dramatic relationships, there is always something for everyone. Hopefully, this article has broaden your horizons regarding the Yuri genre, ultimately given you hours upon hours of new anime shows to finish. So what did you all think of this list? Were there any Yuri shows that you disagree with and should be replaced with something else? If so, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.