Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

I'm a big fan of Junji Ito's work, and my brother became a fan not too long ago. I gave him this book as a gift so he could have a break from Junji Ito's terrifying world, a world where intense anxiety is felt in every pen stroke. Of course, that is just his style, so you get it in this book as well along with a healthy dose of whimsy. It's quite the unique pairing, and it deserves a place among everyone's Junji Ito collection!

Cat Diary: Yon & Mu by, Junji Ito is a unique and fascinating work. It's a departure from his typical horror style, offering a glimpse into his personal life as he adjusts to living with two cats: Yon, his fiancée's family cat, and Mu, a Norwegian Forest cat they adopt together. Here are some of my observations: Ito's signature dark humor is present, but it's often derived from the mundane and relatable struggles of cat ownership. Things like cat hair, litter box duty, and the cats mischievous antics are depicted with a wry wit. While the cats are the stars, Ito also provides subtle insights into his own personality and his evolving relationship with his fiancée. Even in this more lighthearted work, Ito's distinctive art style shines through. His detailed linework and expressive characters give the manga a unique visual appeal. Cat Diary: Yon & Mu is a charming and insightful look into the life of one of horror's most celebrated creators. It showcases his versatility as an artist and offers a refreshing change of pace from his more terrifying works. If you're a fan of Junji Ito or simply enjoy stories about cats, I highly recommend checking it out. Lastly, I have three cats of my own and react the same as Ito.

Stories of 2 humans and 2 cats and how they interact living together. Reverence for the cats and candor of author is unlike an American point of view but oh so interesting.

To be honest, his drawing is very elegant. This kind of horror has a sense of humor at the same time. Must read if you love cats. I missed my cats a lot.

This is one of the most touching works I've read about cats. The extra story at the end (pictured) was so amazing and emotional, especially for people who have ever bonded with a pet; be it with a cat, dog, bird, fish or any living entity. I am so glad I bought this! I showed it to my mom (who has never read any manga before) and she loved it. Mostly because it reminded her of our own kitty we have (her name's Jazz 😹). All in all, a great piece of work. Short, but very, very sweet.

Junji Ito's horror volumes stand tall among the best manga in the world and his art style is notoriously recognizable. This is a complete departure from his usual fare in subject matter but *NOT* in drawing style. Hilarious, well done, and absolutely not for those who will be disappointed if they aren't scared silly. However.... J-kun, as he calls himself here, is scared. And silly. VERY silly! He portrays the daily struggles of learning to live with cats and yearning for their affection with adorable terror. "Cat Diary" is easily the funniest manga I've read in a decade. A perfect blend of creepy and cute that keeps me coming back to re-read it, laughing aloud every time. If you love Junji Ito and are open to a different kind of experience from his typical horror, please give Yon & Mu a chance to wriggle disturbingly into your heart. I promise you laughs, "awwww~"s, and the occasional "WTFFFF".

If you've loved a cat, you're bound to find this little volume deeply relatable. Its short length does nothing to retract from this. The art is very much that of a horror-manga, but it's a slice-of-life series of small anecdotes about living (and loving) cats. The contrast between the two is extremely funny. Think a more sinister and realistic take on Chii's Sweet Home, or perhaps more closely, What's Michael (a longer manga I really recommend if you like this one.) You will have many of the same "that really is how cats are" moment. [SPOILER BELOW, SORT OF] This is why the sadness at the end of the book is so jarring, especially if you've lost a cat before. It ends with what is basically a love letter/homage from the author's wife to one of their cats. If you have lost a cat this will hit home in a very painful manner. But it was also uplifting. One always feels a little lonely in the horrible pain of losing a beloved pet, wondering, does anyone else feel it this way? Is it this hard for everyone? Yes, it is, for many people, as this book will help you realize. At the end of the day, if you're a cat lover who appreciates manga, I recommend this. You will enjoy it.

So Junji Ito ... my wife is addicted to his writing and manga ... so when he was at SDCC ... I knew I was in trouble. So we went to his speaking engagement and the man is really brilliant (honestly I had no idea who he was prior to this) ... I felt bad for him because his hands are very badly gnarled because of years of drawing. But no one can take away the horror he inspires with everything he writes and draws. He creates horrors that give nightmares horrors ... the things he writes and draws is amazing and terrifying and beautiful at the same time. The stories are all enthralling and tell tales that will give you nightmares but you will soon realize that even your nightmares pale in comparison to the nightmares he is writing. It's truly awe inspiring to be honest. One day we will lose this horror genre master but for now, I recommend everyone buy his books and be both inspired and terrified.