Manga Review: Doomsday With My Dog Vol. 4

There are tons of post-apocalyptic works in the market. But how about one where the last human on earth has conversations with her talking dog? That’s the premise of Doomsday With My Dog. Read on for the review of Volume 4 of the manga. (For other reviews of this series, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

What They Say
A high school girl―the last human on Earth―and her loyal canine companion make their way through the prefectures of postapocalyptic Japan, taking in the spectacular sights and meeting the locals―from the furry to the intimidating to the outright bizarre! After all, when there’s no destination, the journey is all the fun!

The Review

This final installment of Doomsday with My Dog reminds me a lot of the middle volumes of ZOM 100 with our characters basically taking a post-apocalyptic tour through the different regions of Japan and detailing various cultural and geographic highlights as they go. The main difference is that ZOM 100’s ruined landscape is populated by zombies while Haru and his master encounter the unique fauna and mythical creatures of each region they visit. Part of the journey is just Haru and his master, but for the majority of this sightseeing installment, they are accompanied by the female Shibas (who are still fighting over Haru), the German Shepherd squad, and the fool of the pack Husky.

There is a chapter each for Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, Fukushima, and Niigata. Each chapter opens with an illustration of the characters at a prominent landmark of the prefecture and ends with Haru and his master cosplaying to represent the area. These arcs are packed with references to historical figures, monuments, and local jargon, so most Westerners will be making frequent use of the translation notes, which are pretty good at explaining the cultural references.

The manga concludes with the bonus story “Love Letter,” in which Haru seeks assistance from the Anubis-folk to write a love letter to his master. Previous bonus stories have been tearjerkers, and this one is no different. However, the creator weaves in comedy amid the schmaltz so our characters can end with smiles on their faces.

Extras include translation notes and afterword.

In Summary

It’s the final volume! Haru and his master wander across Japan, highlighting the unique characteristics of eight prefectures in a way that feels a whole lot like a tourism campaign. Then the series concludes with a heartfelt outpouring of devotion from the Shiba to his master that will make dog lovers laugh and cry.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Doomsday With My Dog Vol. 3

There are tons of post-apocalyptic works in the market. But how about one where the last human on earth has conversations with her talking dog? That’s the premise of Doomsday With My Dog. Read on for the review of Volume 3 of the manga. (For other reviews of this series, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

What They Say
When a lone high school girl decided to hole up in her room with her trusty canine companion, she never could’ve dreamed they would become a pair of adventurers exploring everything post-apocalyptic Japan has to offer! Whether they’re enjoying a barbecue with Anubis or trying to survive a night in a haunted mansion, life after doomsday is one heck of a roller coaster―and this duo is strapped in for the ride!

The Review

Volume 3 of Doomsday With My Dog is very dog-focused. The aliens and tanuki make brief appearances, and we have the introduction of a red-haired angel and a philandering penguin. However, for the most part, these vignettes are all about dogs. Interestingly, the BL Collie doesn’t show up, but Husky is there once more to play the fool. Chapter 32 in particular introduces a bunch of dogs, all different breeds, and uses their varied personalities to turn a haunted mansion into a comedy. Of course, the breed whose quirks are the most studied/mocked is the Shiba Inu, with Haru and his two female admirers demonstrating the idiosyncrasies of the Shiba. The Anubis return, this time with the Bastet cat-people, and their joint barbecue turns into a humorous comparison between canine and feline types. There’s also a tribute to Laika, the dog sent into space by the Soviets in 1957. While the creator still uses a four-panel format, the amount of content presented in a slightly longer format seems to have increased.

Like Volumes 1 and 2, Volume 3 also has a bonus story at the end. But unlike the previous bonus stories, this one is less about Haru’s relationship with his master and more of a commentary about dogs and humans in general. While there are funny bits with Haru’s jealousy getting the better of him, the story is “heavy” by the creator’s own admission, so have the tissues ready when you read it.

Extras include translation notes and afterword.

In Summary

This volume is less about the post-apocalyptic landscape and more of a sitcom about different dog breeds and personalities. If you like dogs, especially Shiba Inu, you’ll enjoy this exploration of their idiosyncrasies. But be warned… the bonus story is a real tear-jerker for dog lovers.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Doomsday With My Dog Vol. 2

There are tons of post-apocalyptic works in the market. But how about one where the last human on earth has conversations with her talking dog? That’s the premise of Doomsday With My Dog. Read on for the review of Volume 2 of the manga. (For other reviews of this series, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

What They Say
A single teenage girl, the last of her kind, continues her journeys through Japan with the adoring and bright Shiba Inu Haru―and they’re not alone! From the aloof beauty Snow White to the friendly neighborhood aliens, they’ve got plenty of fellow wanderers to meet, swap stories, and get into misadventures with. Who knew the apocalypse could be such a party?

The Review

It’s another installment of a Shiba Inu and his master wandering a post-apocalyptic Japan inhabited by talking animals, fantastic creatures, and aliens. Nearly all the characters in Volume 1 return in Volume 2, though some more briefly than others. We also get new characters. The ones with the most air-time are the Anubis-style aliens who travel from planet to planet to liberate all canine species. When Haru’s master inadvertently insults them, she’s thrown into prison, so of course it’s up to her loyal dog to get her out of trouble.

Another addition to the cast is Collie-nee-san. She looks elegant, but she’s a hard-core BL fangirl. When it comes to discussions of canine behavior, she’s always interpreting through a yaoi lens.

In terms of content, Haru still philosophizes, but there’s a heavier focus on character quirks and the comic situations that the cast gets into. Most of the story is presented in a four-panel format, but the creator also throws in content in a slightly longer 1- to 2-page format. This volume also skews more towards featuring the canine characters than Volume 1, which was more balanced in mixing it up with other animals, mythical creatures, and aliens. So if you like dogs, you’ll enjoy the range of breeds, their personalities, and their interactions and observations. The female Shiba Inus’ fight for Haru’s affections continues as do the comparisons between Western and Japanese breeds. Aside from Haru, the dog that makes the most appearances is Husky, who has been relegated to the role of village idiot (sorry, husky lovers).

The book closes with the bonus story “Next to the Glass Case with You.” Volume 1’s bonus story “Ten Years Later with You” leapt ahead to the end of Haru’s life, and Volume 2 does the opposite by jumping back to the day that dog and master met at the pet shop. In addition to adorable illustrations of puppy-Haru, we get a glimpse into his master’s family situation and clues as to why her personality wound up the way it did.

Extras include translation notes in between chapters, afterword, and bonus illustrations.

In Summary

If you enjoyed the antics and exchanges of Haru and his ditzy master in Volume 1, you’ll probably enjoy Volume 2. There are more canines in this installment, including Anubis extraterrestrials and a BL-loving Collie. And even though goofy humor predominates, it wraps up with a touching glimpse into Haru and his master’s past.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Doomsday With My Dog Vol. 1

There are tons of post-apocalyptic works in the market. But how about one where the last human on earth has conversations with her talking dog? That’s the premise of Doomsday With My Dog. Read on for the review of Volume 1 of the manga. (For other reviews of this series, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

A single teenage girl journeys through the crumbling ruins of civilization—the last human on Earth, exploring the concrete jungle that has outlived mankind. Keeping her company is woman’s best friend—the ever-adorable and quick-witted Shiba Inu Haru, who is ready to stick with her through thick and thin! With such a pleasant conversation partner to keep the postapocalyptic doldrums at bay, the end of the world might not be so bad after all!

The Review

All mankind has been wiped out, except for one 17-year-old Japanese girl. But that’s okay! Her Shiba Inu Haru remains as her loyal companion. Together, they traverse the ruins of civilization, encountering aliens, fox spirits, and other fantastic creatures along the way!

The thing to keep in mind about Doomsday with My Dog is that it’s not trying to be realistic. Conversations include quotes from real people and actual facts, but the destruction of humankind is never explained. Haru’s master survives just fine among the ruins of civilization despite not having any particular skills and effortlessly communicates with aliens, mythological creatures, and all animals, except for the gorilla who only speaks French.

The series is drawn in a four-panel format, with the majority of the manga strips presented in pairs. There’s no real arc to the series; comics are grouped into sections, but the section breaks serve mainly as places for the publisher to insert cultural notes. And because of the many references to Japanese products and folklore, there are a lot of notes.

According to the afterword, the creator started this manga on Twitter for the sole purpose of drawing whatever he wanted. And it does go all over the place. Our lone human mooches off a retired alien couple, catches all manner of creatures on her fishing line, and binges on alcohol. The content is predominantly philosophizing mixed with various types of comedy and reminds me a lot of the American comic series “Calvin and Hobbes.” Like Hobbes, Haru shouldn’t be able to talk, but he serves as his master’s chatty best friend, and the narrative swings from highly intellectual discourse to silly childish pranks in the blink of an eye.

Doomsday with My Dog, however, has an edgier tone than “Calvin and Hobbes.” It’s probably due to the apocalyptic landscape, but more because of Haru’s master. The 17-year-old is a former shut in. She’s impulsive and frequently thoughtless, which gives her a bit of a mean streak. Despite owning a dog, she’s more of a cat lover and doesn’t bother to hide that preference from Haru. She’s also quick to pinch Haru’s face when she’s annoyed by his remarks.

Haru, the other half of this comedy duo, is the quintessential loyal canine. Despite his master’s many faults, he’s utterly devoted to her. Most of the series’ philosophizing stems from Haru, so he comes off as the smarter of the two. Even so, he definitely retains canine impulses, such as the urge to flee from baths.

Illustrations are rendered in full color. The quality of the drawings are top-notch all around. The dogs especially are adorable, and Ishihara-sensei does an excellent job conveying their emotions. If you are a dog person, and especially if you like the Shiba Inu breed, you’ll probably fall in love with Haru.

Extras include the bonus story “Ten Years Later with You,” translation notes, afterword, and illustrations printed on the inside cover.

In Summary

A post-apocalyptic four-panel comic series that’s at times philosophical, at times crude, and at times childishly silly, but consistently wonderfully drawn. There’s no overarching story arc, just a series of interactions with creatures – many of whom are fantastical – amid the ruins of civilization. Our main characters may look like a teenager and her dog, but they interact more like a comedy duo than a master and her pet.

First published at the Fandom Post.