The yuri anime genre has finally crossed a barrier many fans believed was nearly impossible. WATANARE has officially surpassed an 8.0 rating on MyAnimeList, becoming the first yuri anime in history to achieve this milestone on the world’s largest anime database.
This achievement is not just about numbers—it represents a turning point for the yuri genre, a genre that has long been critically respected but statistically undervalued. For decades, even beloved classics struggled to escape what fans often called the “MyAnimeList yuri curse.” With WATANARE’s breakthrough, that curse has finally been shattered.
Understanding the “MyAnimeList Yuri Curse”
For years, yuri anime faced a peculiar pattern on MyAnimeList:
- Strong storytelling and emotional depth
- Loyal and passionate fanbases
- Positive critical discussions
- Yet scores stubbornly capped below 8.0
Even genre-defining works failed to cross the barrier, not due to lack of quality, but because of:
- Niche audience bias
- Underrepresentation in mainstream anime circles
- Misconceptions that yuri stories are “limited” in appeal
As a result, yuri titles were often praised in words but restrained in numbers.
Legends That Came Close, But Never Crossed
Two of the most iconic yuri anime ever created stood at the edge of history—but never crossed it.
Bloom Into You
Often hailed as a masterpiece of romantic introspection, Bloom Into You is celebrated for its nuanced portrayal of identity, love, and emotional vulnerability. Despite its acclaim and lasting influence, its MAL score remained below 8.0—symbolic of the genre’s ceiling at the time.
Yuru Yuri
A cornerstone of lighthearted yuri comedy, Yuru Yuri achieved massive popularity, multiple seasons, and a dedicated fanbase. Yet, its comedic nature and genre labeling prevented it from breaking the MAL barrier.
Both titles are legends. But neither could break the system.
Why WATANARE Succeeded Where Others Couldn’t
WATANARE’s success is not accidental. It represents a perfect alignment of storytelling, execution, and timing.
1. Universal Emotional Writing
Unlike older yuri works often marketed strictly to niche audiences, WATANARE focuses on:
- Human emotions first
- Romance as a natural outcome, not a gimmick
- Relatable struggles that resonate beyond genre labels
Viewers didn’t rate it highly because it’s yuri—they rated it highly because it’s exceptionally written.
2. Strong Direction and Production Quality
From cinematography to music placement, WATANARE maintains:
- Consistent visual tone
- Mature pacing
- Emotionally effective scene direction
This level of polish places it on equal footing with top-rated romance and drama anime across all genres.
3. Broad Audience Acceptance
For the first time, a yuri anime attracted:
- Romance anime fans
- Slice-of-life viewers
- Drama enthusiasts
- Longtime yuri supporters
This crossover appeal played a crucial role in lifting its score beyond historical limitations.
Breaking the Barrier: Why an 8.0 Score Matters
On MyAnimeList, 8.0 is not just a number—it’s a psychological threshold.
- Below 8.0 → “Good, but niche”
- Above 8.0 → “Widely respected and must-watch”
By crossing this line, WATANARE has:
- Elevated the reputation of yuri anime as a whole
- Challenged long-standing community biases
- Proven that yuri stories can stand among the highest-rated anime
This moment is comparable to a genre finally receiving institutional recognition.
What This Means for the Future of Yuri Anime
WATANARE’s success is likely to have long-term consequences:
- Studios may greenlight more yuri projects with confidence
- Higher production budgets for yuri adaptations
- Better marketing strategies beyond niche circles
- Fairer audience evaluation on rating platforms
Most importantly, future yuri anime will no longer be judged as “exceptions,” but as serious contenders.
A Cultural Milestone, Not Just a Genre Win
This achievement isn’t only a victory for WATANARE—it’s a victory for:
- Representation-driven storytelling
- Emotionally honest romance
- Viewers who supported the genre despite systemic undervaluation
WATANARE didn’t just break the MAL barrier.
It rewrote the expectations placed on yuri anime forever.
Final Thoughts
For years, fans hoped.
For years, classics tried.
WATANARE succeeded.
By becoming the first yuri anime to surpass 8.0 on MyAnimeList, it has secured its place in anime history—not as a novelty, but as a standard-bearer.
The so-called “MyAnimeList yuri curse” is officially broken.
And from here on, the genre has nowhere to go but higher.
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