My Dog is a Death God (Manga) Vol. 1

優しい死神の飼い方 [Yasashii Shinigami no Kaikata] (Comic) #1

by Ritsu Aozaki (Adaptor), Mikito Chinen

In this heartfelt and bittersweet tale, a gentle god of death takes the form of “man’s best friend” to help patients at a countryside hospice ease into the next life without regrets–illustrated by the artist of The Dragon Knight’s Beloved (Manga) , also from Seven Seas.

God of death, Leo, has been dispatched to Earth on a mission to save human souls, and has found himself at a small hospice called Okanoue Hospital. For this task, he’s been granted a special one with four legs, a tail, and a keen olfactory sense. Thanks to his canine assets, Leo can seek out patients at the hospice who are plagued by a lifetime of regret. With his wet nose and doggy good looks, little death god Leo eases patients into their next life, setting them free of both the quiet hillside hospital and any lingering doubts.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Young Adult, Animals, Josei, Dogs

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2022

About the author

蒼崎律

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In interesting concept that so far has a rather strong start. I am so far very curious to see where this 'tail' will take me.

[Caitlyn G · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Lainy122 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea and cool artwork. Seems very character focused as not much happened, but it was a good setup for a series. Would probably work very well as an anime.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this series fits right into my favorite genre of storytelling—quaint fantasy.

In this first volume, we’re introduced to Leo, a god of death who has been dispatched to earth to save human souls from lingering on the mortal plane rather than passing on. Much to Leo’s surprise and chagrin, he is not sent to earth as a human but as a dog—which, adds some notable challenges to his mission.

Fortunately, Leo meets a young nurse who works at a local hospice center who decides to take him in. The hospice center proves to be the perfect place for Leo to seek out souls in need and provide them with the comfort and insight they need to pass on without regret.

This series has a very compelling and heartfelt intentionality. There’s something deeply sympathetic and profound to wanting to comfort people at the end of their lives. Add a dog into the mix and this story is really ripe for pulling on those heart strings.

Definitely looking forward to reading more! This is a great choice for readers who enjoy a thoughtful, slice-of-life series with a dash of fantasy~

[amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially picked up this manga because the premise was intriguing and also my own dog is named Leo, so I was curious enough to give it a shot. The art was fine, though not particularly impressive. The story felt like it ended abruptly in this volume - I had expected (and would have preferred) that each volume would cover the whole story of Leo helping people come to terms with/get relief from their guilt, rather than only learning what caused the guilt and leaving the final part of the journey for the next volume. I will probably still continue with the series, at least for another volume or two, to see if it improves. Overall, though, it's a fine manga to pick up without needing to be too invested.

[Siobhan Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was cute, but not amazing; the plot was easy to understand and steady, but not gripping enough to make me feel distraught that I didn’t have the next volume; the whole idea of having a death god come to earth in the form of a dog in order to release humans from the regrets that would keep them tethered to the human world after their death was cute, but I didn’t realise that would mean the doggo straight up punched into their memories in order to diagnose what the cause of their regret was. It was, overall, not what I thought it was going to be like. Eh.

[Jane Night · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this book but I felt that volume 1 wasn't enough for me to decide if the story was going to work for me.
I felt a bit let down after reading it as if I had read a preview rather than a completed part of a story. The ending felt abrupt and I didn't get a sense of closure from it.

[Jurnee Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! I liked this but I feel like I didn’t get much from this volume. I wish it was longer or we covered more of the story here. I will definitely continue once the next one is released to see where it goes.

[Charlotte R.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much like the concept and the story is interesting so far. Kind of annoyed at the cliffhanger ending, but if there’s more to this particular story in all for it. Intrigued to see where this story goes in the next volume.

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is interesting enough. I also love reading manga that's in the perspective of an animal.

The art is decent, and the story is... fine? There's nothing wrong with the volume, but it's also not great either. It just felt a little lacking, to be honest

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this at The Last Bookstore. The concept seemed interesting and fun, right up my alley.

The focus was so intense on one person's story (one person the death god needed to guide/save) that I lost interest. I was more compelled by the mythology and the death god than the human; it seemed like subsequent volumes would continue to focus on this person, so I won't be continuing the series.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I SWEAR IF THIS TURNS INTO A ROMAINCE BETWEEN HER AND THE DOG IM GONNA LOOSE IT.
This is right up there with rooster fighter in the category "Wtf did I just read and why do I like it." I will be needing the next volume please and thank you. I need to know what's up with the dark secrets in hospice and the vampires.

[Sara SR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to a book with a talking dog who is a deity, but it turned into a book about WW2 and the regrets of an old man. That just wasn't what I had signed up to. I will not continue with this series.

[Tib · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume felt a little too short, but it was definitely just as sweet as I was expecting. Can't wait to read more of this one!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a cliffhanger so I'll have to read the next volume to find out what happens next.

[Kathryn Catania · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has potential to be a good series

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

the poor grandpa :(

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Completely sucked into the story. Can't wait for the next volume.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable!!! I cannot wait to read the next volume and more!

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling kinda meh about this story. I like the art and I'm intrigued enough to read one more volume but this was very much just exposition.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic start to the series, extremely excited to see where it goes!

[Pao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much that I looked up when V2 would be coming out😭 I cant wait!!!! Its actually a deep manga I thought it was going to be a cute/dumb indulge. But instead I got a great story that keeps me wanting more!!!

[Ashlee Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this idea and already have volume 2 preordered!