Noe’s Comics Nook: Yuzu the Pet Vet Volume 1

Review

11 year old Yuzu is living through a lot. Her father died when she was 5, her mom is sick enough that she requires a long hospitalization, and now she has to live with her Uncle Akhito, a veterinarian whose home happens to also be the Blue Sky City Bow Meow Animal Hospital. If all of that wasn’t already enough, it turns out that Yuzu is rather scared of animals. That fear and Yuzu’s efforts to grow beyond it are a primary driver of the story in this first volume of Yuzu the Pet Vet.

This volume is broken up into 4 patient stories, each of which includes a self-contained story arc while also moving forward the metanarrative about Yuzu’s learning and growth. Forewarning to softies like me that you are all but certain to cry when reading about Leon the Momma Dog who just wants to protect their young human and about Koro the Lost Dog who has dementia, is really named Fuku, and has fond memories of Ginkgo trees. Don’t worry though, the artwork is a joy, drawn with an eye toward the cute and you will fall in love with jealous little Sora, mascot of the animal hospital, and their battles with Yuzu. Readers also have a chance to learn about the difficult decisions that vets have to make on a daily basis and the ethical battles waged over how much suffering is too much to continue on with.

Yuzu is a great addition to the small, but growing, genre of veterinary comics and is sure to be a favorite for young and old readers alike. This is a story that gently reminds us that everyone we meet is dealing with their own, unseen battles. That kindness and caring are strengths, not weaknesses, and that it requires bravery to practice kindness in the face of adversity. And that the love people feel for their animal companions is no less real than that we share with other people.

Elements of Story

Plot: Yuzu is only 11 years old when her mom falls so ill that she requires a long hospital stay. She finds herself now living with her Uncle Akhito at his animal hospital – trouble is, she’s afraid of animals!

Characters: Yuzu, Uncle Akhito, Yuzu’s Mom, Sora, Leon, Popo, Chibi, Mitsuba, Koro (Fuku), Yuuki, Lily, Emi, Kanae, Haruna

Major Settings: Blue Sky City Bow Meow Animal Hospital, Yuzu’s School, Blue Sky City (Presumably), Hospital

Themes: Fear, family, kindness, strength, caring

Lesson Plan Idea Using Common Core Standards (CCS)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 – Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

Directions: In Yuzu we learn not just about Yuzu’s life while living with her uncle, but also about the time before that – a few highs, but primarily about past trauma. We also know that from the very beginning she is more than a little afraid of the pets in her uncle’s care. For this assignment, students are to describe what they know about Yuzu using the pieces of her life we learn about in volume 1 of the manga. Students should identify 3 actions Yuzu takes during the course of the manga that are vital to the plot. For each of these actions, describe their motivation for making that choice and, where applicable, describe the feelings or past experiences that led to that choice.