INNU

Today’s manga pick is INNU, a relatively new series that hasn’t been running for very long yet. Here’s the short version of the story: A high school girl named Sally finds a pug abandoned by the riverside and decides to take him in, naming him “Innu.” (Inu means “dog” in Japanese, so she gave it a playful twist as Innu.) Innu can inexplicably speak human language and possesses superhuman combat abilities, making him the strongest dog in existence. Under a promise to Sally, he acts like a normal dog in front of everyone else, but secretly uses his powers to protect her. Sally, however, is the daughter of a powerful yakuza boss, meaning her life is constantly threatened by assassins and dangerous trouble. Innu throws himself into battle after battle, using his extraordinary abilities to keep her safe—this is the essence of INNU. There are plenty of manga about assassins—J↔M, SPY×FAMILY, SAKAMOTO DAYS, to name a few—but the idea of “the strongest character being a dog” really took me by surprise. Innu’s hardboiled lines and actions, paired with his comical pug appearance, create a hilarious contrast that’s impossible not to laugh at. One of INNU’s most entertaining features is the sheer number of homages sprinkled throughout the story. You’ll catch yourself thinking, “Wait, I’ve seen this scene before!”—whether it’s a recreation of a famous Slam Dunk moment, a nod to One Piece, or other Japanese pop culture references. The manga doesn’t stop there—it also includes Western pop culture homages, such as the famous Spider-Man upside-down kiss and a character who looks suspiciously like Donald Trump. This makes INNU easy to enjoy even for international readers unfamiliar with Japanese-only references. While comedy is the main driver of the series, the core storyline has intriguing mysteries and foreshadowing that keep you hooked: Why can Innu speak human language? Who is the mysterious “Nekko,” a cat with similar powers? What is the true role of Taker, the boss of an assassin organization? Many key details are still hidden, leaving readers eager for more. If you enjoy comedy-centered hitman manga like J↔M, then INNU is absolutely worth checking out.

August 12, 2025