Doomsday With My Dog Volume 2 continues the exploits of the last human, known only as Master, and Shiba Inu dog named Haru. Despite the end of the world, there’s plenty to do, existential questions to ask, and hilarity found. This volume has less drag as the series finds a hilarious rhythm, and fans of dogs will understand some of the inside jokes about certain breeds, especially Shiba Inu and Huskies. World’s end doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, as evidenced by the Doomsday With My Dog Volume 2, which fills the pages with animals, gods, and aliens.
Created by Yu Ishihara, the full-color illustrated four and 8-panel stories take up a half-page or page. With translation by Athena and Alethea Nibley and lettering by Elena Pizarro, the second volume, serialized in English from Yen Press, has a lot of snapshots that feel more cohesive. Broken up into eleven parts, plus a bonus story, Haru and Master’s escapades continue. Though some sections remain brief, some stories stretch over the four or 8-panel style, like a “to be continued.” This allows readers to sit in a particular situation rather than abruptly leaving a story after a page.
Doomsday With My Dog Volume 2 Has Plenty of Animal Hilarity
The second volume is an easier read thanks to returning characters, including the beloved huskies and tanuki—raccoons—with their usual comedy and dramatic antics. Husky owners will adore and laugh at relatable mischief and emotive dogs in this issue. They might even see stark similarities to their furry pets. However, if you do not know much about the temperament of huskies and Shiba Inus, the jokes will not have the same impact. While the story isn’t dull, Doomsday With My Dog is for a niche market of readers.
Egyptian Gods and Freaky Friday Switcheroos
Alongside animal comedy and continued existential questions, Egyptian gods make an appearance. As a fan of films where two characters switch bodies, seeing something similar, Egyptian gods and people with pointy animal ears, was fun. Pace-wise, the second volume moves steadily with less inconsistency on that front. Haru and Master’s lighthearted fun makes the world’s end look bearable.
Glimpses at Master and Haru’s Past
I love the way this volume shows the backstory without a flashback. There is still too little about Master and Haru before the world ends, but the series gradually adds it. After all, Master appears well-adjusted, and it raises questions about her life before the world’s end. Sometimes life can be so awful that a drastic shift does not have as much impact. It reminds me of Zom 100, highlighting the soul-sucking capitalistic society and toxic workplace that makes the end of humanity feel like a blessing. I hope they explore that more in later volumes.
Doomsday With My Dog Volume 2 finds its groove with blends of deep philosophical discussions combined with hilarious moments with animals, gods, and aliens. While I enjoy the series, I prefer other stories because there’s an arc for the characters, along with tension. Here it’s a strange slice-of-life, but there’s still too little about Master and Haru in Doomsday With My Dog Volume 2, so it’s challenging to care about a character you know so little about. However, this series is worth reading if philosophy and animals are your entertainment.
