Manga Reviews Reviews

Manga Review: Lovely Muco! Vol. 1 (2023) by Takayuki Mizushina

An upbeat comedy that will resonate with dog owners, particularly those who favor breeds whose personas are as chaotic as they are endearing

“In the beautiful mountains of Akita stands GLASS STUDIO amato, run by Mr. Komatsu and the shiny-nosed dog who loves him–MUCO!! Muco dreams of the day when Mr. Komatsu will become a dog, too, but in the meantime she spends her days chewing up towels, jumping in the pond, and inventing new games…all called “Komatsu”! Based on a real person, a real dog, and a real glass studio, there's something here for everyone–even cat lovers! (Disclaimer: no actual cats are featured in this volume)” (Kodansha)

Acting as a celebration of man's best friend, “” follows the titular dog and his owner through day-to-day activities. The series is presented as episodic, making for an easy-to-pick-up read, while carrying some elements of plot through each story. In exploring such relationships sincerity is always key, and 's work resonates a deep love for dogs and the pet/owner relationship.

The emphasis, however, is on comedy, and compared to one of my personal favorite celebrations of pets “Doomsday With My Dog“, “Lovely Muco!” stays consistently upbeat and focused on the silly moments of dog ownership, avoiding some of the sadder truths. Consequently, pet owners who favor energetic breeds will find abundant value in the humor, with Muco being sporadic and prone to ‘bad behavior' that is difficult not to find adorable. Furthermore, Takayuki Mizushina captures those moments of confusion with dogs when they are uncertain of how to act but eager to please. Every chapter leans heavily into Muco trying to understand her owner, and it consistently succeeds in accurately capturing the nuances of that relationship.

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Of course, building everything off of capturing that interaction between pet and owner is bound to isolate those who lack or are uninterested in those bonds. Though the synopsis teases that it is for cat lovers as well despite having no cats, this book is, undeniably, aimed solely at dog owners looking for a quick dose of cute humor that validates their own love of their furry friends. Without this connection, it is unlikely the release will resonate with a general readership–particularly when looking at the visuals.

Visually, “Lovely Muco!” is overly simplistic with the focus on capturing the antics and cuteness of the titular energetic pup. Outside of Muco, characters are very crudely drawn and at times can look amateurish. However, this proves a rare case where the failings of the art to impress are inconsequential as the star of the manga, Muco, has an abundance of personality in this particular style. Furthermore, the rudimentary art doesn't interfere with the book's comedic beats, and its simplicity is, in a way, charming. Essentially, any observations of crude design melt away when Takayuki Mizushina puts Muco center stage (which is always). 's decision to print various chapters in color also goes a long way to elevating the overall visuals and the joy the book resonates.

Overall, “Lovely Muco!” is an upbeat comedy that will resonate with dog owners, particularly those who favor the rambunctious breeds whose personas are as chaotic as they are endearing. Those who don't share the same passion for canines, however, will likely find the series to be utterly underwhelming in all aspects, especially with the simplistic visuals.

About the author

Adam Symchuk

Adam Symchuk is a Canadian born freelance writer and editor who has been writing for Asian Movie Pulse since 2018. He is currently focused on covering manga, manhwa and light novels having reviewed hundreds of titles in the past two years.

His love of film came from horror and exploitation films from Japan that he devoured in his teens. His love of comics came from falling in love with the works of Shuzo Oshimi, Junji Ito, Hideshi Hino, and Inio Asano but has expanded to a general love of the medium and all its genres.

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