Her Majesty's Dog 1

Her Majesty's Dog #1

by Mick Takeuchi

Amane's not like other girls. With her ice queen demeanor and naivete, she's become quite the misfit on campus. Even more unusual is her relationship with fellow transfer student Hyoue Inugami, the hottest guy in school. But the truth is that Amane is a powerful psychic and Hyoue is her guardian demon-dog whose powers are fueled by her kiss! And when Amane lets her "dog" off his leash, no vengeful spirit is safe!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Comics Manga, Demons

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Mick Takeuchi (竹内未来) has been making manga since 1994. Her breakout series was Ayakashihime Kurenai, published under Kadokawa’s Asuka imprint. In 2000, she began Joou-sama no Inu (Her Majesty’s Dog), her longest and most popular work. It started out as a part-time project, with quarterly chapters, but was so popular that after 2002, it ran monthly and was her sole project for a while.

Takeuchi-sensei has a talent for imitating anime voices. When she’s not busy working, she enjoys wandering around the city.

Reviews

[Amy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute series with a horror slant. I really like the female protagonist! She is kind and clueless but without being spineless. Plus I love that she still can't figure out how to use "modern" technology!

[Moonstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this manga entirely by accident. I was searching a library catalog for another book and the title of this manga was so odd, especially when taken in combination with the cover artwork of the volume, that I had to put a request in for it to see what it actually was. That said, I enjoyed this work. The art was well done and tasteful, the characters are endearing in their absurdities, and the story line holds your attention well. You always want to know what is going to happen next.

[Дени ★ Проданова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Отлагах тази манга толкова време, заради някакъв странен предразсъдък който ми се беше загнездил в главата от немай къде. Къде ми е бил акъла? Страхотна е! Макар и главната героиня да изглежда малко странно, то арта е приличен. Пък и при такава добра история, арта, бих казала, остава на заден план.

[Audry]

One of our best sellers. I was Creative Director for this one...and maybe Senior Editor, though Jake did almost all of the editorial work during our first year.

[Ana Dantas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reli todos os volumes depois de reencontrar esse mangá fazendo uma lista de histórias com laço mágico causando confusões de sentimentos. No fim teve o laço mágico E a confusão de sentimentos, mas não foi explorado um ser a causa do outro. Tinha esquecido de tanta coisa dessa história, mas ela é bem gostosinha. Reconheci influências dela em histórias que criei depois e que já tinha esquecido que eram influências.

[Kereesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mix of Rasetsu, Vol. 1 and like Kamisama Kiss, Vol. 1.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The blurb of this one actually says that the main character is "not like other girls", which made me laugh out loud and obviously have to buy it. It's a decent supernatural romance which seems too preoccupied with being edgy. A jarring homophobic joke spoilt the fun.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually liked this one a lot more than I thought I would! The characters are really fun & distinct & tho it's an older series, I really liked the art. I think I'd definitely be interested in continuing the series if I can find the other volumes.

[TT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Mandie Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

good manga

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun manga to read. I'm always a sucker for a mortal and demon pair. Onto the sequel!

[Yeoyu · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jolissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how dark this series is but at the same time, there’s humor! Definitely reminds me of Chika Shiomi’s works. I love it. Can’t wait to read more.

[Lidik · Rating 3 out of 5]

What am I reading😭😭

[Boo Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keinget Yurara's moon. Main chara punya kekuatan supranatural, terus nolongin spirit yang corrupt gitu. Inunya somplak dah

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amane is a girl with special abilities, bullied by her classmates, she just takes it and moves on. Hyoue is always at Amane's side, masquerading as her boyfriend when, in reality, he is her faithful bound servant, a guardian demon.

After saving and befriending Takako, the adventures truly begin...

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a multiple volume shoujo manga series. Mick Takeuchi states that it was supposed to be horror, but in the first volume it goes from slightly bone chilling to girly love story. As a result, it’s hard to know what will come next. Amane Kamori is a manatsukai (master of names) and has special powers. She can control others if she knows their true names. She and her demon protector, Hyoue Inugami, leave their village because the people there are close-minded (though, why she decides to go to high school is beyond me). Amane was always lonely in her village, so when she makes a friend, she wants to do everything she can to keep her. Demons and angry spirits appear throughout and Amane and Hyoue must work together to keep them from harming other people.

The artwork is lovely. All the characters are tall and thin and gorgeous, with huge luminous eyes. The horror elements are well done, too – a vengeful spirit has vacant eyes, and oozes blood from a wound she carves into her own neck. Similarly, a realistic inugami (headless dog) advances menacingly on Amane as she attempts to defeat it. Despite the spookiness of some elements, the story remains light-hearted and comical. Hyoue tells Amane that the only way he can feed from her life force is through kissing, so it appears that they are always making out at school – which annoys Amane’s new friend to no end.

This series was recommended to me by one of my teen manga fanatics, who appreciates a funny story and a hint of romance, which is aptly served up by Her Majesty’s Dog. I’m not sure where the story will go (probably more romance, as it ends with Amane and Hyoue recommitting themselves to one another), but I’m mildly intrigued. Since manga is generally a fast read for me, I’ll probably try volume 2 and find out what happens next.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last night I couldn't take reading about zombies so I picked up a book from the stack of "things I ought to put on shelves when I get a chance". It's been a few years since I've read Her Majesty's Dog but that doesn't hurt it any.

Amane is a naive teenage girl from the countryside, attending a typical Japanese school for the first time. The other exchange student, a handsome boy named Hyoue, seems to really like her, to the point that they make out in public (just not done in Japanese high schools!).

But there's more to this pair than meets the eye. Amane can see and control spirits, good and evil, and for those who are particularly dangerous, she can count on Hyoue, her demon dog, to mop up the remainder. The fact that Hyoue eats life spirit and the way Amane feeds him is by kissing him is not lost on the reader, though Amane doesn't really understand how that looks.

A cute story with some typical teenage romance manga stuff, but with a horrific slant. Definitely not scary as there's a lot of humor in amongst the ghosts. Some of the stories are downright touching.

I'm looking forward to this reread (and hoping I can buy the final books in the series, as I haven't yet).

[Starbubbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was soo good! My expectations were blown away, or more like to smithereens. I was expecting a "meh" story similar to Beast Master, only to read the first chapter and have it not narrated by either of the main characters. Sure, she's a key player, but not one typically telling the story. That set the tone for an incredible story filled with twists, turns, friendship, love, and most importantly, self-discovery. I believe that last part is what separates any story for an okay, or even good story from a great one. It's part of the reason why I have rated the entire series so high.

Yes, this volume has a bit of a slow start as you (or me in this case) tries to figure out what on earth is happening and making sense of the narration, but it picks up the story and starts running. Honestly, the pace just continues to increase until the end, which in most cases, I would count against a series. Rushed endings aren't thorough, or often, even good ones. But in this case, it just added to the sense of urgency and suspense. I was truly blindsided here, and it has knocked me out of my reading slump.

[sillyslicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 stars

Okay, I freaking loved this! I asked a girl who works at my local comic book store for a manga recommendation, and I'm so glad she picked this one!

Amane is very close with a boy named Hyoue, but no one in high school knows that he is actually a demon who needs to feed off of a person's life force. Hyoue and Amane have a very push and pull relationship - he protects and feeds off of her (with a kiss), but she can be very headstrong and has the power to control him and others, when she wants to. This results in some fun situations!

The characters are adorable, the plot lines are interesting, and I love the idea of a demon having this kind of relationship with a human. This story is funny, horror-filled, creepy, intriguing, and sweet, all at the same time! I know this kind of story won't be for everyone, but it's definitely up my alley. Great start to the series.


Trigger warnings: animal cruelty/torture/death, homophobia, manipulation for intimacy, violence, blood/gore, bullying

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute and interesting story that I highly enjoyed.
The art was ok, but the characters were what really kept me interested. I was able to relate to a lot of the characters from this story and even though this has a lot of paranormal aspects to it I think it really shows a lot of the things that teenagers go through, especially in high school.

I also liked the fact that whenever it started to get a bit too serious the Mangaka (sorry if I spelled that wrong) always found a way to the lighten the mood and had me cracking up laughing.
Amane is a confident and strong girl who I enjoyed getting to know. I could really relate to how she felt at times and admired her courage.
Hyoue is the character that really made the manga for me. He is just so hilarious without even trying to be. I also enjoyed seeing how he got along with Amane and I can’t wait to see how their relationship will continue to develop in the next volume!

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just okay. Kind of strange plot, and with pretty flat characters. Basically, our young teenage heroine Amane has been raised in a village noted for its powerful psychics. She can see ghosts and control spirits by learning their true names and using the power of her words to command them and help them find peace. She leaves her village to see more of the world, and attends a regular high school accompanied by her trusty demon, Hyoue. Hyoue has a contract of sorts with Amane. She allows him to feed on her spirit energy (through kisses), and in return, Hyoue helps protect her from all manor of bad spirits, etc.

This is another Go! Comi series, but it was completed before the company's demise...

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takeuchi Mick's art is quite pretty. Hyoue is drawn particularly well, and the slave/master relationship mixed with romantic tension between Hyoue and Amane is central to Her Majesty's Dog, and also one of my favourite elements.

Hyoue's such a conflicting character; he clearly loves Amane deeply, but she coldly maintains a distance between them and makes his status as her demon protector and not quite her equal, quite painfully clear. This seems to be Amane's way of protecting herself, and Hyoue hides his own hurt through his rebelliousness and rude words. What messed up characters! Interesting, though.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't entirely decide what to think about this series. It's a bit of romance and a bit of horror with a touch of drama as well. Amane is a bit clueless while at the same time coming across as aloof and still graceful. It's an interesting combination, especially in contrast to her relationship with Hyoue. It does seem like she's learning a bit about friendship along the way, though she seems to have a habit of talking about things she shouldn't be revealing to those who don't have similar abilities.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was skeptical about the art and story by just looking at the covers. I'm glad I gave it a chance though since it turned out to be a good first volume. Inside the art is better than what's on the front cover, so I was pleasantly surprised. Another thing I really enjoyed is how each chapter is a little story/situation that the characters get into. I know not all manga's are like that, but it fits really well for this series.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys magic, legends, and a little romance. I'll be continuing this series as well.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, rather predictable shoujo manga. It was funny, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't one of the best I have read. Each episode seems to stand alone so there isn't a big story arc. Good if you want to pick up a volume out of order - if the following volumes are the same as the first. Not like some manga series that go on for 20+ volumes see Fruits Basket without resolving the story!!! Argghhhhh!!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, but there are some way problematic things, so be forewarned:
Old demon has a crush on a teenager. His level of aging is never confirmed. Kamisama Kiss also has this, but I enjoyed them both, and I'm struggling.
Also MC's cousin is a creep as well.
This author has no problem with grown people being interested in a teenager.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Review: He Majesty's Dog is a unique and entertaining manga that is well worth the read. It is funny and lighthearted while keeping a series plot. The characters are amazing as they each have very different personalities that work wonderful together. I definitely recommend giving this manga a try!

[Tawnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoy the series, it isn't something that I feel the need to own. Fun enjoyable characters, but the plot really isn't that unique and for all the mystical elements, it is your classic high school love comedy. Well drawn and easy to read.