Inu wo Kau - Reviews

As a pet owner, I've had to go through the difficult and somewhat traumatic decision of having my pet rats euthanized. I genuinely considered doing what this couple did with their dog Tum--leaving fem alive until fe withers away. On the one hand, it's a pitiful life and it's painful watching your pet suffer just to move. On the other hand, who are we to end a pet's life when fe (seemingly) wants to continue living? So that's how this manga starts out: on a heart-tugging tone. But the next few chapters aren't quite as melancholic, even when they do touch on questions of death and everyday ethics. The final chapter is sorta tacked on and tells the story of someone who feels compelled to try ascending one of the Himalaya mountains again, and perhaps see that snow leopard fe had seen once before.

I found this manga very calming and enjoyable. It was easy to read and it portrayed everyday life in an engaging way. The animals and scenery are drawn very well, but the humans honestly feel a bit overly simplified or something.

Story

The first four chapters of this manga are domestic slice of life stories that are connected to each other.  The first chapter deals with a couple losing their beloved dog (and if you ever owned a dog or any other kind of pet for that matter, you will cry).  The second chapter takes place a year later when the same couple takes in a skittish cat.  They continue to bond with the cat (as well as several other things I won't mention) in chapter 3, and in chapter 4, the couple's niece in thrown into the mix.  The four chapters are nicely written and will appeal to animal lovers as well as those who like domestic slice of life.  The only slightly negative thing about this manga is the fifth chapter.  I say slightly because chapter five isn't bad at all (in fact, it's quite good), but it doesn't really fit in with the first four chapters, as it deals with mountain climbing.  Maybe chapter 5's inclusion would not have been so jarring if the first four chapters weren't related to each other, but since they are, then chapter 5's presence feels odd at best.  That said, this is only a minor nitpick and doesn't really affect my score too much.  After all, even if it doesn't fit in with the rest of the manga, chapter 5 has an interesting and well written story.

Art

While the art may be slightly dated (this was made in the early 90's, after all), it's still quite nice and holds up very well.  The art in the mountain climbing chapter in particular is highly detailed and really lovely.

Characters

While the characters may not stand out very much, they are still fairly well written and fit the story.  The couple in the first four chapters are particularly relatable (especially if you own a pet) and feel realistic.

Overall

This is a really good manga for those who love slice of life (especially if you own a pet).  This is also a great manga to read if you are looking for something to give you "the feels".  Just remember to grab a tissue box before you read (espcially for chapter 1).