Kinoko Inu Mushroom Pup Volume 1

Losing a beloved pet is always hard to get over and since his dog Hanako died, horror writer/illustrator Hotaru Yuyami has found it impossible to write. Which, understandably, is causing his editor (and childhood friend) Komako considerable concern; she needs material to publish! So when the strange pink-spotted mushroom that has appeared in Hotaru’s garden transforms into a dog-like creature and wags its stumpy tail hopefully, somehow Hotaru can’t resist letting it into the house.

But the strange little creature (one ear and side of its face are spotted white and pink, just like the mushroom) has a singularly determined character and sets about doing what Hotaru has been unable to bring himself to do: burning dead Hanako’s collar and other effects. And Hotaru begins to write and illustrate again, producing a successful new story about a mushroom pup that’s very different in tone from his earlier work; Komako even calls it ‘heart-warming’.

It turns out that her Editor-in-Chief’s son is a scientist whose work involves research into mushrooms, so he asks to meet Hotaru and his new pet. Yara takes a liking to both Hotaru and his unusual dog – and it’s Yara whom the mushroom pup goes to see when there’s a major falling out between the two. Has Mushroom Pup gone for good? 

Kimama Aoboshi’s first series has been a success in Japan, although, unusually for a series given a 13+ tag in the US, it was first published in a seinen magazine. Her drawing style is attractive, although without frills, and she avoids falling into the trap of portraying Kinoko Inu, the mushroom pup, as just a cute little creature; it has remarkably strong feelings and is quite capable of displaying a fierce temper. It might be a local kami or nature spirit that has been watching over Hotaru, observing the way he used to interact with Hanako and now fiercely determined to replace her. It’s a swift read as Kimama Aoboshi relates the story mostly through images, with minimal dialogue. The translation by Jocelyn Allen reads fluently, although honorifics are also translated, which may not please everyone. And there’s one significant plot point which puzzles me towards the end; my instinct says that a name has been mistranslated in one particular frame – but, no spoilers here, so I can’t reveal which one.

It’s interesting to note that this first volume (of five?) contains only two chapters (1 and 3) that were published in the magazine; the other three must have been added to flesh out the story and characters for the tankoubon.

This is a quiet, charmingly quirky and gently humorous tale that is bound to appeal to dog lovers and it’s nice to see DMP bringing us a new, fresh ‘voice’. I’m looking forward to seeing where the mangaka takes the story in the next volume.