Inu mo Arukeba

## The Inu mo Arukeba Series

Kuro on the cover of the 1 edition in Japan.

The ***Inu mo Arukeba*** Series, fully known as **Inu mo Arukeba Fallin’ Love** (犬も歩けばフォーリンラブ ‘*If Dogs Could Also Walk I’m Fallin’ Love*’) is an collection of BL-based stories by Takashima. It encompasses three unconnected stories (though the themes are things not being as expected) and as such, has a complex publication history. Please see that section for more information.

## Plot Summary

The book is divided into three parts.

The first part is three chapters that follows Ukyou who rescues a stray dog that he names Kuro only to discover that Kuro can in fact talk and even transform into a human. Kuro isn’t very familiar with human conventions and gets into a lot of trouble. (There is a bonus 7-pg mini follow up manga in the Libre Edition as well.)

The second part is called **Mata, Natsu ga Kita** (また、夏が来た ‘*Summer has Come Again’*) and has a sequel that follows called **Pinpoint Lovers**. They follow Kentarou and Kasumi who meet again after a decade apart. Kentarou promised he would wait for Kasumi to return but was under the impression Kasumi was a girl.

The last part is a single chapter called **Kingyo Hime** (金魚姫 ‘*Princess Goldfish*’) which depicts how Keisuke rescues a goldfish from some kids and the fish transforms to thank him for rescuing him.

## Characters

* Takamura Ukyou
* Kuro
* Kentarou
* Kasumi
* Keisuke
* Kingyo-hime

## Publication History

Almost all of the parts were serialized in Biblos’ *Be×Boy* magazine, though at different times. The *Inu mo Arukeba* chapters were serialized in 2000, 2001, and then 2004. Subsequently, was *Natsu ga Kita* in 2000 and *Pinpoint Lovers* in 2001. Lastly, *Kingyo Hime* was actually the first part to be serialized in 2000, and it was in the now defunct Magazine Magazine's *virginM* magazine, which she also did the cover for. They were published together as a standalone volume in March 2004.

In 2006, Biblos and its parent company went bankrupt and Libre Publishing acquired all its licenses, including *Inu mo Arukeba*’s. Libre published a re-release Special Edition (Libre Edition) with a slightly new cover and the additional bonus story **Inu mo Arukeba: Elder Love**.

It was published by Blu Manga, a division of TokyoPop, in 2007. This version had a totally different cover and was renamed "Man's Best Friend: Inu mo Arukeba." A TokyoPop representative said that the reason for the change was because it was a 'safer choice.' There was a lot of extensive material in this volume, including an "interview" with Yuuen and Emba from *Wild Rock*, and lots of info about Takashima.

### Other Versions

It was published in the following languages:

* German by Carlsen Manga in 2015 as *Hot Dog*.
* Italian by Kappa Edizioni in 2005 as *Un Cucciolo in Amore* (A Puppy in Love).

A pinup of a naked Ukyou and Kuro was done in 2007 for *b-BOY Phoenix ④*.[Reference Needed]A black-and-white version of this was included in the Libre Edtion.

## Trivia

* On the subject of the German title, Takashima said she thought the choice was "superb."
* Kuro appears in Kentarou and Kasumi's story.
* The English cover is actually the frontispiece for the first chapter of *Inu mo Arukeba*.
* Takashima has said that both Ukyou and Kuro are dumb.
* She attributes the volume coming into being because "Kuro's dog-ness and stupid-ness as a man" were really popular.
* Since Princess Goldfish was the first work she did outside of doujinshi, so she found it really tough to decide on the plot. After attending a local festival, and saw the pet lottery game, she "boldly" decided to go with it.

## Gallery

First Edition CoverSecond Edition CoverEnglish Version by Blu MangaGerman Version by Carlsen MangaItalian Version by Kappa EdizioniKingyo Hime on the cover of *virginM*
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Takashima, Kazusa. "Inu mo Arukeba: ROJIN LABU" Libre, Inu mo Arukeba: Fallin' Love, 2007, pg 172.
2. ↑ https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/OZ189
3. ↑ https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%8A%AC%E3%82%82%E6%AD%A9%E3%81%91%E3%81%B0%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%A9%E3%83%96-%E3%83%93%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E9%AB%98%E5%B6%8B-%E4%B8%8A%E7%B7%8F/dp/4835215648
4. ↑ https://libre-inc.co.jp/catalog/detail.php?product\_id=11475
5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20101026095943/http://blumanga.com/series\_detail.php?series=mansbestfriend
6. ↑ http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue20/pagliassotti.htm
7. ↑ http://www.comicguide.de/index.php/component/comicguide/?controller=details&file=series&display=short&id=11964
8. ↑ http://www.kappaedizioni.com/kappa-edizioni-shonen-ai-boys-love-yaoi-un-cucciolo-in-amore-c52909000000.php
9. ↑ https://www.unilibro.it/libro/takashima-kazusa-de-giovanni-m-cur-/un-cucciolo-in-amore/9788874710744
10. ↑ Takashima, Kazusa. "Kuro&Ukyo" Libre, Inu mo Arukeba: Fallin' Love, 2007, pg 179.
11. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BJqEIIugKr6/
12. ↑ Takashima, Kazusa. "Bonus Gallery" Blu Manga, Man's Best Friend, 2006, pg 165-166.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Takashima, Kazusa. "Postscript" Blu Manga, Man's Best Friend, 2006, pg 176.