Title: The Couple in the White RoomAuthor: Ryoko Yamagishi
First Published: February 1, 1971
Publisher: Shueisha
Pages: 83
Genre: Shojo, Tragedy, Yuri
Format: Web
Source: Web
Rating:
Synopsis:
Shiroi Heya no Futari is a Japanese one-shot manga written and illustrated by Ryoko Yamagishi. Published in the February 1971 issue of Ribon Comic, it is considered to be the first yuri manga. The story follows the relationship between Resine and Simone, two students at an all-girls Catholic boarding school in France.
Review
Cheating is disgusting, whether it be emotional or physical, it is the undoing of a relationship because it destroys the trust that relationships are built upon. I know that there is some debate on this, but I’m of the camp that fully believes that both the person cheating and the person they’re cheating with (that are aware that they’re the side piece) are equally unforgivable.
With that in mind, it’s been documented that cheating is an issue in the gay and lesbian communities. This is clearly illustrated in Love Vibes, which is filled to the brim with cheaters. From the very first panel, Mako is a side chick and knows full well that she is. She ends up meeting Mika, a queer girl that prefers women but doesn’t label herself as a lesbian or bisexual.
Mika is troublesome right from the start, going all-in for the clearly straight Mako under the guise of friendship, then guilts her for not recognizing her feelings. Mako finds herself stuck in the tug o war between her ex-flame and Mika, the whole affair was nothing short of frustrating to read. The romances never felt genuine for any character, and all seemed to be so capricious with their feelings and their actions. Characters go from professing love to cheating back to being together in just a few pages, and nothing really ever comes of it. This one really just wasn’t for me.
Quote
“Once I have known her, I must die. For that shining smile that is so difficult to describe, I must die. For those light, delicate hands, I must die. For her, I must…”
Content Warnings
View Spoiler »About the Author
About Ryoko Yamagishi
Ryoko Yamagishi is a Japanese manga artist. She is one of the Year 24 Group, a collection of female artists who innovated shojo manga throughout the 1970s. Her major works include Hi Izuru Tokoro no Tenshi and Maihime Terpsichora, both of which have won manga awards.
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