Jiu Jiu, Vol. 1

Jiu Jiu #1

by Touya Tobina

A dark, sexy drama of a demon hunter and her werewolf familiars

Born into a family of “Hunters,” Takamichi’s destiny is to pursue and slay demons. When her twin brother is killed, she is saved from despair by a pair of Jiu Jiu — shape-shifting familiars — in the form of two wolf pups named Snow and Night. Now Takamichi is in high school and an active Hunter. Snow and Night can’t wait to attend school in their human form to “protect” her. But are they ready to go off leash...?

Takamichi’s Jiu Jiu Obedience Training Goals

1. Stop them from following you to work

2. Don’t expose them to the full moon

3. Save them from execution

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Shojo, Comics Manga, Supernatural

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Forthright . · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl whose clan produces "dark hunters" adopts two half-wolf pups. In just three years, they've grown taller than their mistress and are well on their way to becoming formidable protectors. And cuddlers. Light on plot, big on blushing and naked nestling. I found the whole thing adorable. So there.

[Knight Of · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute and surprisingly emotional story about a girl and her shapeshifting wolves.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 2/5 volumes and I probably won’t finish.

Not a *bad* manga but the lanky art style can make the action scenes confusing. I’m not sure what I’m looking at half the time. The story is fine; I personally don’t care for the tsundere personality.

Overall, a fine manga but not my cup of tea.

[Kaitlynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I've had some time to process, and I am still upset. This review is for the entire series which I binged in one night, thankyouverymuch

I should have known from the very beginning when it made me cry not too far into volume 1, that this was going to cause me emotional trauma. Despite the fact that the pacing of some things was weird, and it jumped all over the place, this series had promise. Was it completely unique? No. Have I already read similar story lines? Yes. It made me stay up until way too late reading, which is cool but also annoying especially with how it all ended.

The ending was also all over the place? Like, I guess it sort of makes sense (not really) but at the same time, there are so many other routes the ending could have taken that didn't end in the wolves/demons/whatever you're going to call them. To lose all their human side and turn them into normal house pets? And like, all of a sudden Takamichi is all grown up and pregnant, but which of the other possible suitors is the dad? I have theories, but I'd like to know for sure.

Initial Thoughts after binging the whole series:
I DON'T APPRECIATE BEING WHIPPED AROUND LIKE THIS. DON'T MY FEELINGS MATTER AT ALL.

Excuse me while I process my feelings and broken heart, I will try to review better later. BUT I DON'T APPRECIATE THIS

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

as someone else said cute, but not really in a hurry to continue the series anytime soon the main is waytoo mean to those sweet doggies

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably one of the most different and unique shoujo manga I've read because I can't even remotely compare it to anything I've read before.

At first, I maybe thought Demon Slayer, except Nezuko, would need to be a wolf? That's probably the closest I could come…wait! Tanjiro needs to be an extreme tsundere who is pretty much the opposite of who he is. LOL!

Combine that with two brothers who are half human and half demon and enjoy showing A LOT of affection for their mistress, that is probably what Jiu Jiu is.

I will go ahead and get it out in the open that I might have enjoyed this story more if the humor in this volume wasn't at the expense of the brothers being "stark naked" every time they transform. While there isn't any romance in this series, that doesn't mean there are not any sexualized moments because there are few of those such as when they sleep with her or one of them sits on top of her. There is no nudity thankfully, but it does seem nakedness is more than once a strong emphasis for the sake of humor which was something I wasn't fond of.

Outside of that, this is an interesting story! Takamichi has a lot of hurt and pain, and because of that, she can be SUPER harsh to Snow and Night. I'm not the biggest fan of tsundere characters, but I think from what I've seen she IS going to grow and be less mean. (There was already good character development that I liked seeing!) The healing that took place later on was really beautiful and am curious as to where the story is going to go.

I really liked Snow and Night! I think they were my favorite part because they are always so full of energy! Their loyalty definitely surprises me because I think they should have left Takamichi personally, but I also think it's what makes this story have you turning pages because regardless of any treatment they've had, they still want to do their best to protect and love her.

The art style is awesome! I really really like how the characters are drawn!

Overall, this wasn't too bad! Hoping the "stark naked" stuff calms down and that will see Takamichi genuinely smile more often.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but not really in a hurry to continue the series anytime soon

[Ashley]

Randomly spotted it at the library grabbed all of them really loved the series was sad it ended

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just kinda weird and all over the place and the art wasn't my fav, but maybe it gets better?

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a strange story, not much is explained about the world or setting in this entire volume. The wolf characters are the only saving grace

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s ok, but not great. Part of that is the artwork, which is very…stretched out and weird looking IMO. The eyes were particularly disturbing to me.

[Judyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4.5/5
[Also available at my blog.]



This book was fantastic. I wasn’t even aware that Shojo Beat was releasing a new series, which is very unlike me, but I saw it on the shelf at the bookstore and immediately decided to get it. It looked pretty, and I only skimmed the back, as my faith in Shojo Beat is very big. I was excited to start it, and I’m glad that it was even better than I’d thought it would be.

It’s about a girl, Takamichi, the daughter and heir to a clan of hunters. Her twin brother died, which resulted in her shutting out her heart and deciding not to get close to anyone. Several years later, she was forced to take care of two half-demon, half-human puppies. They were to serve as her servants/fighting companions, called her Jiu Jiu. Now, three years after that, the pups are two adult-like men that hugely adore her, while she tries to keep them at a distance. Most of the time, she’s trying to push them away, and yelling at them, and unknowingly doing the whole tough-love thing, while they ignore it and run after her anyway.

I love the two pups. Their names are Snow and Night and I love them. I want them; both of them. I don’t know which one I favor right now, as they’re pretty equal in my mind. Snow is hyper and cuddly while Night is smart and quiet and wears glasses, and they’re both super cute and sweet and I love them. They look like new adults, older teens maybe, but are still very much puppies. They love going for walks and wrestling, but they’re very protective of Takamichi, and they love her endlessly. It’s super sweet, and I have no doubt that it’s making its way into a love triangle.

That’s all I can really say at the moment, I think: that I love them.

In this book, Takamichi pushes them away one too many times, and realizes that she actually does enjoy having them around and maybe should treat them better. They’re very loyal through all of it, never leaving her alone, persistent to stay by her side through everything. I understand why, as she is kind of their mother in a way (not in a creepy, incestual way, but in a she’s been with them since they were born and kind of takes care of them way), and they’ve grown up with her, but she’s a quite a bit too harsh on them. I mean, she’d never given them a bath before, or a birthday present. The bath thing isn’t creepy, though, since they’re in dog form for it. Although, a lot of the time when around the house in human form, they are naked. This is kind of weird, but I think she’s grown used to it, having been around them for three years, and with how much they dislike being in clothes. (They are dogs at heart, after all.) Oh, and they always sneak out of their cage at night and lay with her, a lot of the time naked, which is just adorable.

They end up going to school with her, which she protests, where they learn more about normal human life things, like Birthdays, and even end up fighting over her at one point. By the end of the volume, she’s grown to accept that they are going to be around her, they love her and want to share her hardships between them, and that she loves them just as much.

There’s another chapter where Takamichi finds Nights diaries. She starts going through them, finding out how he felt about certain things when he was really young, how much he loved her and wanted praise. We’re shown when he first gets glasses; and another time when him and Snow fought and then when Night got scolded, thinking that Takamichi didn’t love him, he ran away, only for both of them to come after him, and both pups found out how much she really cared about them.

The last chapter is where we're shown what happens to the two pups when they are out during the full moon: their fear and dissatisfaction is bumped up a few levels, and they end up biting her. They don't mean to, as they are fighting with each other, and it's a very sweet and emotional moment for the three, but jiu jiu are never supposed to harm their master/mistress. And so they are to be punished. This is kind of a cliche moment, where she has to go against the set hunter rules, but turns out just fine.

This book was just… really sweet, and adorable, and funny, and I am so impressed. I really enjoyed it, like a lot, and I’m really looking forward to the next one.

[Stevie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this one. The art work was pretty choppy and the characters weren't very interesting. It's a shame too because the premise sounded promising.

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first volume of this, but I do have to say that the #1 issue with this manga is that it really is a stereotypical series. All of the most common story lines, characters, and ideas of a supernatural manga series are seen here. Loner chick with a tortured past? Check. Love triangle with two hot guys? Check. Supernatural creatures that pop out to further the story along? Check. There really isn't much here that you haven't seen in a bajillion other series in the genre.

Yet somehow I really fell hard for this first volume. It's just that adorable. I do have to say that part of the strength of the series is that they tend to focus more on the interpersonal relationships and family politics than on the actual monster hunting. The monster hunting is there, but it's delegated more to the background of the series, although at times this does sort of weaken the series. We're also plagued with the problem that we have a main character that's not particularly well developed. I'm aware that this is the first volume and I do admit that we get more character development later in the series, but much of Takamichi's role in the series is to the just "be" while Snow and Night dance attendance around her.

The guys are what truly saves the series from fading into the background. They're not only adorable looking, but they're endearing as well. Takamichi is their entire world and they'll do whatever it takes to stay around her. It's occasionally a little creepy when you realize that they're only about 3 years old in human years, but this does pose an interesting problem for the inevitable love triangle that you can already see forming. The two boys are beginning to see each other as competition for Takamichi's affections, but there's also the issue of how quickly they'll age and what the life span of human/canine hybrids would be.

This is ultimately a fun series but one that I'll suggest that you read in store first. For those who love it, you'll totally love it. For the others it'll just be something that you'll kind of shrug and go "meh".

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I’m putting out a review on the first book but I’ve read the entire series so I will go through it all. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you. I have to say that I loved the artwork and Touya-sensei took a story that seemed like your run of the mill harem manga and went a different way with it.

Takamichi is the main character and a female born in a Hunter’s family where the heir, her brother, died at a young age leaving her to succeed the family. As a gift and a way to take her mind off things her father gave her two jiu jiu pups to raise. And so begins her very strange life with Night and Snow, who are beyond adorable as pups(wolf btw), a bit annoying as adolescents but then again who isn’t. The one thing that doesn’t change no matter what is how utterly devoted to Takamichi they are.

You do see some good character development as the story progresses though and I was very happy to see that. The relationship between Takamichi and her jiu jiu evolve and as they become more “human” and they learn the hardships of human emotions, namely love and how it impacts all of them. There is more to the story though than just the seemingly apparent love triangle. You meet the heads of the other Hunter houses and see how they are all connected, their relationships with their own jiu jiu’s and the intrigue that is happening behind the scenes.

I will tell you that the last book went a direction that I was not anticipating and you may need a box of tissues. It’s not bad in any way but you certainly won’t see it coming but I think that at the same time it was a good way to end the series. Anyways, yes this seems like your run of the mill harem type Manga but don’t let that stop you from picking it up. It’s worth the read and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: I've finished a couple of manga series lately and am looking for a new one to start.

I liked the idea of this series being about a female "Hunter" who pursues and slays demons and the pair of wolf cub shapeshifters she's given as her familiars to protect her. Unfortunately this is not how it read for me. Takamichi is a spoiled, rude, obnoxious girl who gets what she wants except for having the wolf pups dumped off on her. So she treats them cruelly, with disdain and no show of affection at all. She has a wounded ego and a sad past she cannot get over. The book mostly revolved around her being rude and mean to the pups while they slobbered and worshiped all over her. This could have been cute had they been tiny little pups, but no they were 3 years old and when transformed to adult form they were the same age as Takamichi herself, naked, and inevitably found in bed with her all snuggled up. There is no s*x in the book but these images have been drawn for their sensuality, Two n*ked men and a girl in bed? And later on there is a scene with one of them on top of her saying he wants her. (Is it innocent? We never find out as they are interrupted) So no demons, I guess that's waiting for the second volume and while volume 1 allows us an introduction to the characters; I found them all off-putting and would say this is not my type of Manga or story-line. My rating is actually 2.5.

[ariane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute and touching, if not very original. Takamichi is a proper bitch with a very sharp sword and I love her for it, but beyond the characteristics of the "sullen girl" stereotype there isn't much to her. Snow and Night, her Jiu Jiu werewolf puppies, are completely adorkable but could have easily come out of any boy-harem type book. The antics that follow the clashes between Takamichi's personality and those of her 100%-puppies-in-human-form are funny, especially if you've ever owned a dog, but after awhile it gets repetitive. Towards the end of the book I was bored with the humor and ready for a more substantial story. The jokes hold up a flimsy storyline that doesn't appear to have been completely thought-out, even though the concept is interesting and holds potential. And funny though they are there isn't much difference between Takamichi, Snow and Night, and Haruhi and Tamaki from Ouran High School Host Club (or any number of similar shoujo titles), except that Jiu Jiu is about demon-hunting tweens and naked werewolves, which to your's truly is much more interesting.

I don't expect subsequent volumes of Jiu Jiu to be masterpieces but I do think that this series could end up being a lot of fun. Here's hoping that the second volume develops the characters and their world a bit more.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this on a whim while perusing an issue Hana to Yume magazine, and luckily for me, discovered the first volume had just come out.

As member of the Hachiouji family, 16 year old Takamichi is Hunter, and it's her job to destroy the Monsters who plague humanity. For three years, she's been the owner of Setsu and Yuugure, half human half wolf brothers born of a human and a Monster. Having lost her twin brother (he died saving her from a Monster) she's prickly and does every thing she can keep herself from letting anyone into her heart. But Setsu and Yuugure, who switch back and forth between wolf and (often naked) human form, are as loyal and affection as any normal dog, and Takamichi's defenses can't hold for long...

The author does a good job of making Yuugure and Setsu adorably dog-like (they love walks, and beg to go out with Takamichi whenever she leaves the house), and also human enough to sympathize with. It's a delicate balance but Tobina succeeds so that that the fact that they often sleep naked with Takamichi never seems awkward or inappropriate.

A fun, quirky series that also handles some darker themes, but never gets dark enough to be anything other than a good time.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takamichi is a Dark Hunter, a hunter of demons. Along with her "dogs", she fights to protect mankind. Rather than focusing on a particular plot, the author prefers to relate stories about these characters that define their unusual relationship, and personalities. Takamichi's daily life with her jiu jiu, half-wolf, half-human hybrids, Snow and Night, is full of never-ending worry for her, and absolute amusement for us.This pair is utterly loyal to her, however Takamichi finds returning their feelings difficult. She has deep seated issues about being needed, as well as trusting others. The art is less refined than some, but it always matches the mood, whether a more serious look for darker matters, or a cuter form for the innocent glee of the jiu jiu. These two provide lots to laugh at. Even when in human form, they have dog like traits, especially in terms of exuberance, and there are also the times where they try to act more human. They are sweet, cute, and funny, and their love for their master is sure to help her. Along the way all three will help each other grow.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was surprisingly entertaining.

I got it from the library simply because I hadn't seen it before and I'm always up for trying something new.

So far, this is like someone took Natsume's Book of Friends and spliced it with the demon hunting of Blue Exorcist.

It's cute. It follows the story of a "hunter" named Takamichi and her pets Jiu Jiu, Snow and Night.

So far, it's a little light on plot, but sometimes, fun characters and an interesting concept is all a manga needs.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I'm reserving judgement a bit on this one. Takamichi is pretty obnoxious. BUT. I can understand why. She has lost someone very dear to her and she is determined never to let anyone else get close. Doesn't make her any more likeable, but at least the reader can relate. The series also jumps around in time without any warning, which took a bit of adjusting, but I can see promise here. I think it will be very popular with my teens.

[Filia Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My actual rating is something like a 2.5. This book took way too long, in my opinion, to get anywhere. The first few chapters were really slow, and nothing important seems to happen. It takes until the last two chapters for the series to show some potential.
When it does start to get somewhere, though, it does become a compelling read. As it does show potential, I will continue to read it.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun start to an interesting manga concept involving a supernatural hunter and her familiars (or Jiu Jiu as they're called). It was fun to see how eager the two "pups" are to prove their worth to Takamichi. I can't wait to see how they develop from here on out.

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a case of the premise and main character being massively my kind of thing so I'm going to give the author a few volumes to actually get good at writing it. Potential! Potential all over this mess! 3 stars

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this manga from a friend and I am glad I did. It was cute at times and had its chuckles but there didn't really seem to be much of a plot (although this might change in later volumes) and I wasn't overly invested of excited about what was going to happen next.

[Elsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hoo boy, this is sort of a hot mess. Will have to see if further volumes improve.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The plot is unusual but still cute. It's a must read in my opinion.

[Lucie Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting manga that I wait impatiently to see more.

Lucie

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read. I enjoyed it, and think that it should be more well-know than it is now.

[P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do love drawings of cute little wolf puppies.