Hey everyone! Hotaru here.
This time, I was completely taken by surprise — Editora JBC sent me two incredible manga , along with a pack of tissues (yes, tissues!) to wipe away the tears that, honestly, are impossible to hold back after reading these.
The works in question are Pino and The Dog Who Guards the Stars , both by the author Takashi Murakami , who seems to have a supernatural ability to touch our hearts with simple stories, but full of meaning.
Pino — A small robot, a big heart
In Pino , we follow a small robot equipped with artificial intelligence, created to care for animals in a pharmaceutical company. The story takes place in the near future, and the author brilliantly balances technological advancements with what is most human: affection and the bond between living beings.
The manga deals with growth, loss, and emotional connections , and it's impossible not to identify with how the author portrays loneliness and love, even through an artificial character. Pino is both a machine and a mirror—he reflects the most sensitive aspects of our own humanity.
The JBC is gorgeous: larger format (15 x 21 cm), textured cover with flaps, colored pages, and it even comes with a free bookmark . It's one of those editions that you read, cry over, and then carefully store on your bookshelf.
The Dog Who Guards the Stars — An unforgettable farewell
" The Dog Who Guards the Stars" is simply one of the most moving stories I've ever read. We follow the journey of a penniless, jobless, and family-less man who travels through rural Japan with his dog.
The most beautiful—and painful—thing is that the entire story is told from the dog's point of view . Seeing the world through his eyes is a unique experience: pure loyalty, love, and innocence. It's one of those manga that breaks you into a thousand pieces, but leaves you with a sad smile at the end.
It's only 132 pages , but the emotional impact is immense. Murakami makes you remember every pet that has ever been a part of your life—and how much they truly teach us about love.
These two manga from JBC are true works about what it means to love and to lose , each in its own way. Pino speaks of the future and technology, The Dog Who Guards the Stars speaks of the past and memory—but both touch on the same point: the heart.
And yes, the tissues that came in the package were very well used. 🥲
Thank you, JBC, for another unforgettable surprise.
