Takayuki Mizushina

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

-- 3.5 stars --

Muco is a shiny-nosed Shiba Inu who lives in the mountains of Akita, Japan with her human, Mr. Komatsu. Muco spends her days chewing up towels, sneaking dips in the pond, inventing new games, taking walks with Mr. Komatsu, and accompanying him on trips to town (preferably to buy kibble). She admires Mr. Komatsu's hand-blown glass art, but insists that her nose is shinier.

Sometimes the pair gets visitors - usually in the form of the gruff but lovable Mr. Oshiko, a web designer who finally convinces Mr. Komatsu to create a website for his business, Glass Studio. The studio gets little traffic, and on the days when this gets Mr. Komatsu down, Muco tries her best to raise his spirits.

LOVELY MUCO! is an adorable manga for lovers of dogs and snappy tees both (see the afterward, people). Muco is an adorable protagonist, and it's rather fun to view the world through her eyes (or try to, anyway). She is silly and warmhearted and loyal - a very good girl, 13/10.

My only complaint is that Mr. Komatsu has a habit of grabbing Muco's snout in his fist when he's annoyed with her. Though I don't think it's meant to come off as especially aggressive - I've done the same when fooling around with some dogs, as a display of affection - I think Mr. Komatsu's perpetually sweaty face makes it seem an angrier gesture than intended. (From the glass blowing, duh!)… (meer)