Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

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.

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.

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.

This is a super cute book. Not only is Ito great at horror, I enjoy his humor in this book as well. I've bought two copies of this book, one for myself and one for a friend as a gift.

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.

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.

Junji Ito is a horror manga legend, and I have loved his manga novels Uzumaki and Hellstar Remina for the incredible art that oozes discomfort and paranoia. When I discovered that an English translation of his autobiographical Cat Diary was available, I pounced on it right away! I'm a cat lady for sure, with two cats of my own, and Junji Ito perfectly captures the combination of adoration and frustration that comes with owning these adorable pets! This manga had me shrieking with laughter more than any other comic I have ever read, any cat person will be able to relate to Junji Ito and his fiancee as they incorporate their two kitties into their new house. I also thoroughly enjoyed that even though the subject matter is not particularly horrific (aside from stepping into cat poop and watching cats take over your life), Junji Ito maintains his horror aesthetic throughout this manga with demented visuals. The combination of cute and creepy is a winning juxtaposition for me - I can't stop recommending this manga to anyone who will listen, even via social media! If you like cats, or know someone who likes cats, you NEED this book in your life.

I've been reading Ito's works for 16+ years, somehow only came across this recently. Every page had me cackling. His amazing art and expert story-telling were still very present here; there was even a delightful horror aspect to this story. However it was very comedic. Highly recommend.