Inubaka

Inubaka: Crazy for Dogs (いぬばか) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukiya Sakuragi. It started in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump in September 2004 and was later transferred to Monthly Young Jump in August 2009, where it ended in April 2010. Its chapters were collected in 22 tankōbon volumes. The series was licensed in North America by Viz Media, who published 17 volumes from 2007 to 2010, before ceasing its publication. A live-action film adaptation premiered in November 2009.

Plot
Sheltered and controlled by her parents for most of her life, and owner of a loyal mutt named Lupin, 18-year-old Suguri wants to move from the country-side to the big city, Tokyo, to find a career and a new life. After being kidnapped and stranded at a rest area, Lupin mates another dog while her owner Teppei is not looking, shattering his dream of a litter of purebred puppies. To make up for her mongrel's wayward wooing, Suguri accepts Teppei's offer to work at the pet store he manages which leads her to numerous adventures of canine antics.

Main characters

 * Suguri Miyauchi (宮内すぐり)
 * An innocent and clumsy 18-year-old girl who adores dogs. Her best friend is her mutt Lupin, whom she considers her alter ego. Suguri was kidnapped as a child but rescued by Lupin's grandfather; this trauma led to her overprotective upbringing. Despite her sheltered life, Suguri has a strong bond with dogs and can sense their needs. She works part-time at Woofles Pet Shop and develops a crush on her boss, Teppei, displaying jealousy like a protective dog. Suguri comes from a wealthy family and plans to breed her dog with Lupin. However, her research into Lupin's lineage reveals unsettling connections to her own past, including discovering that her kidnapper is linked to Lupin's family.
 * An innocent and clumsy 18-year-old girl who adores dogs. Her best friend is her mutt Lupin, whom she considers her alter ego. Suguri was kidnapped as a child but rescued by Lupin's grandfather; this trauma led to her overprotective upbringing. Despite her sheltered life, Suguri has a strong bond with dogs and can sense their needs. She works part-time at Woofles Pet Shop and develops a crush on her boss, Teppei, displaying jealousy like a protective dog. Suguri comes from a wealthy family and plans to breed her dog with Lupin. However, her research into Lupin's lineage reveals unsettling connections to her own past, including discovering that her kidnapper is linked to Lupin's family.


 * Teppei Iida (飯田哲平)
 * Teppei manages the pet shop "Woofles" and lives in an apartment above the store. As a child, he collected stray dogs despite his struggling single mother's objections. Despite his aloof demeanor, Teppei cares deeply for both dogs and people, allowing friends to work and stay with him until they find their own place. He is highly knowledgeable about dogs, excelling in groomer, diet, and breed history. Teppei's business decisions sometimes lack foresight, prioritizing matching dogs with good owners over profit. He owns a black Labrador retriever named Noa and hires Suguri at Woofles after witnessing her skills with dogs, despite occasionally finding her naive behavior irritating. Teppei harbors reservations about mixed-breed dogs due to concerns about genetic diseases and mistreatment but is willing to sell them if assured of a good home, as seen with a client's request for a half-Dachshund, half-Chihuahua puppy.
 * Teppei manages the pet shop "Woofles" and lives in an apartment above the store. As a child, he collected stray dogs despite his struggling single mother's objections. Despite his aloof demeanor, Teppei cares deeply for both dogs and people, allowing friends to work and stay with him until they find their own place. He is highly knowledgeable about dogs, excelling in groomer, diet, and breed history. Teppei's business decisions sometimes lack foresight, prioritizing matching dogs with good owners over profit. He owns a black Labrador retriever named Noa and hires Suguri at Woofles after witnessing her skills with dogs, despite occasionally finding her naive behavior irritating. Teppei harbors reservations about mixed-breed dogs due to concerns about genetic diseases and mistreatment but is willing to sell them if assured of a good home, as seen with a client's request for a half-Dachshund, half-Chihuahua puppy.


 * Kentaro Osada (長田健太郎)
 * A high school friend of Teppei, Kentaro is an amateur musician who performs guitar on the street. Teppei hired Kentaro to work at Woofles after seeing he had no home or job and also allows him to sleep in the doghouse in the kennels atop the store roof. Although at first he did not like dogs, Kentaro came to tolerate them and even became friends with Lupin, sharing his beer with him and composing songs about him. Kentaro is addicted to pachinko gambling to the point that he once stole money from Suguri to feed his addiction and subsequently lost all of it. He has a crush on Kanako-sensei but continually fails to attract her attention. He has younger sister named Mika, a junior high school student and a dog lover.
 * A high school friend of Teppei, Kentaro is an amateur musician who performs guitar on the street. Teppei hired Kentaro to work at Woofles after seeing he had no home or job and also allows him to sleep in the doghouse in the kennels atop the store roof. Although at first he did not like dogs, Kentaro came to tolerate them and even became friends with Lupin, sharing his beer with him and composing songs about him. Kentaro is addicted to pachinko gambling to the point that he once stole money from Suguri to feed his addiction and subsequently lost all of it. He has a crush on Kanako-sensei but continually fails to attract her attention. He has younger sister named Mika, a junior high school student and a dog lover.


 * Momoko Takeuchi (竹内桃子)
 * A girl licensed in dog grooming, Momoko was hired by Teppei to assist with the increased number of clients for Woofles pet boutique services. As a young girl, Momoko was ostracized by her classmates due to a weight problem except for a boy named Yuu. Momoko's relationship with Yuu inspired her to lose weight in a healthy, balanced way and the two eventually became a couple. Unfortunately, Yuu's true self was manipulative and controlling; frequently sponging money off of her even as he dated other girls behind her back. The resulting strain from Yuu's abuse caused Momoko to become cold and withdrawn to the world around her except when she is grooming dogs. With the help and support of Suguri, Momoko found the strength to break up with Yuu and she and her Toy Poodle Mel move in with Suguri into the "Woofles Girls Dorm", which is an apartment leased by Teppei above the store. She is still fairly shy around people.

Recurring characters

 * Chizuru Sawamura (澤村ちづる)
 * Chizuru, a smug and spoiled customer of Woofles, desires a Chihuahua after holding a puppy at the store, irritating Suguri. Her senior golden retriever Ricky alerts Suguri to a Chihuahua's heart condition before passing away, prompting Chizuru to adopt the Chihuahua named Melon. She becomes close friends with Suguri azind takes a hostess job to cover Melon's medical expenses. Despite her caring side, Chizuru exhibits bullying behavior towards others.
 * Chizuru, a smug and spoiled customer of Woofles, desires a Chihuahua after holding a puppy at the store, irritating Suguri. Her senior golden retriever Ricky alerts Suguri to a Chihuahua's heart condition before passing away, prompting Chizuru to adopt the Chihuahua named Melon. She becomes close friends with Suguri azind takes a hostess job to cover Melon's medical expenses. Despite her caring side, Chizuru exhibits bullying behavior towards others.


 * Kanako Mori (森 香奈子)
 * A piano teacher and a regular customer at Woofles. She adored her Pomeranian, named Czerny, like a daughter, spoiling her with human food, aromatherapy, and even birthday parties. After Czerny's sudden death, Kanako spiraled into denial and self-blame, shutting down her piano school and turning to alcohol and casual relationships. Kentaro intervenes, urging her to move on, and Kanako eventually finds solace in memories of Czerny. She initially moved to Tokyo for music college but struggled to find students for her piano school until she adopted Czerny, who brought her a four-leaf clover on their first walk. Kanako adopts a piebald Dachshund after sensing Czerny's spirit guiding her.


 * Hiroshi Akiba (阿樹場博士)
 * A young otaku, introduced by Suguri to the unconditional love dogs have for people. He purchases a French bulldog named "Zidane" and becomes passionate about dog breeds. He works as a government employee. He had a crush on Chizuru, however this crush quickly ended because of her disrespect for him. He puts Zidane on a strict diet due to weight gain and leads "Doga" classes. Living with his parents, he dreams of taking Zidane to Paris and making him a show dog. His last name references Akihabara's otaku culture.
 * A young otaku, introduced by Suguri to the unconditional love dogs have for people. He purchases a French bulldog named "Zidane" and becomes passionate about dog breeds. He works as a government employee. He had a crush on Chizuru, however this crush quickly ended because of her disrespect for him. He puts Zidane on a strict diet due to weight gain and leads "Doga" classes. Living with his parents, he dreams of taking Zidane to Paris and making him a show dog. His last name references Akihabara's otaku culture.


 * Show Kaneko (SHOW・金子)
 * Teppei's superior and owner of Woofles chain. He prioritizes business over dog welfare, but genuinely loves dogs, and advocates against dog mistreatment. He teases Teppei as his little brother and owns an Afghan Hound named Alfred. Show recognizes Suguri's bond with dogs after she impresses Alfred, labeling her "interesting." Nervous about competition from Wan Kan pet shop, he often brings large dogs like Standard Poodle or Borzoi. Show coaches Suguri for a Dog Dancing Competition, showcasing his support for staff development despite his pragmatic approach to business.


 * Mari Yamashita (山下 マリ)
 * A supermodel, known as "Yamarin" by fans and colleagues. She starred in a commercial with a Papillon from Show's store, later replaced due to drooping ears, causing her depression after her Cocker Spaniel's death. Inspired by Suguri's care for the papillon, Yamarin buys it and names it "Lucky", forming a strong bond. Lucky saves Yamarin in a time of trouble, and Yamarin values his choices, such as selecting a magazine for a bikini shoot. Despite Lucky's demand for attention, Yamarin supports Kannako in coping with grief after Czerny's death.


 * Kim Hyung-Joong (キム・ヒョンジュン)
 * Kentaro's South Korean friend and exchange student. He initially fears dogs due to their cultural association with food and a past encounter with an aggressive stray. He develops a crush on Suguri and adopts a Shiba Inu puppy named Chanta to overcome his fear. Despite initial difficulties, Kim becomes a dedicated owner but struggles to discipline Chanta due to his overwhelming love. Chanta's presence makes Kim popular among female pet owners, and he creates a photo book featuring Suguri alongside Chanta.

Dogs

 * Lupin (るぱん)
 * Lupin is Suguri's beloved mixed-breed dog. His grandfather (whose collar Suguri wears around her neck) saved Suguri when she was kidnapped as a child. Suguri considers Lupin to be her alter ego and is unable to function without him near her. He has a knack for escaping his kennel to join her at the shop, annoying Teppei. Named after Lupin III, he shows an affinity for females and displays unusual understanding of commands, often submitting to dominant dogs. Suguri and Kim plan to breed Lupin with Chanta, hoping for predictable offspring given Chanta's pure Shiba Inu lineage. Lupin's lineage reveals a mix of German Shepherd, Kishu Inu, and other native Japanese breeds, explaining his Spitz-like appearance mistaken for a Kishu Inu by Ryusuke.


 * Noa (ノワ)
 * Noa is Teppei's Labrador Retriever. She was intended to breed with a champion, but mated with Lupin instead, narrowly avoiding pregnancy. Well-behaved and maternal, she adopts a stray kitten and defends it from harm. Despite Teppei's reluctance, she remains sociable with Lupin and humans. Named after the French word for black, noir, she gives birth to seven puppies with a Golden Retriever named John, two of which are black like her, while the rest are golden like their father. Teppei relinquishes his desire to keep one of the black puppies when it's requested for service dog training.


 * Czerny (ツェルニー)
 * Czerny is Kanako's Pomeranian. She shares a telepathic bond with her owner, alerting her to a fire during Kanako's European work assignment. Spoiled and energetic, she bounces to express desires and showcases athleticism by catching a tennis ball and engaging in playful interactions with other characters. Czerny died due to kidney stone disease, but her spirit appeares before Kanako, approving her decision to adopt a homeless dog, leaving with a smile.


 * Ricky (リッキー)
 * A senior Golden Retriever belonging to Chizuru that died of old age. He alerted to Suguri that Melon had a heart condition and in gratitude for Ricky's love, Chizuru adopted Melon as her own. His picture is worn on a collar around Melon's neck. Before he dies, he has a flashback of himself and Chizuru playing fetch when they very young.


 * Melon (めろん)
 * Chizuru's long-coated Chihuahua. He was given to her by Teppei due to a heart condition, which was successfully treated through surgery. Mischievous and attention-seeking, he once attacked Chizuru's purse for attention and "mounted" Chanta during training. Trained to obey Chizuru, he forms a close bond with Zidane. Despite being neutered later in the story, he exhibits territorial marking and dominant behaviors but no longer pursues female dogs in heat.


 * Zidane (ジダン)
 * Akiba's rare French bulldog. He is implanted with a chip for security. He aids in catching a pet store owner selling stolen dogs. Friendly and obedient, he gains weight from being fed human food by Akiba's parents. Zidane shares a close bond with Melon and conforms to Japan Kennel Club standards. Akiba aspires to make Zidane a show dog.


 * Rosetta (ロゼッタ)
 * Part of a litter of Papillon puppies whom Show split up to be sold between his and Teppei's stores. Show took Rosetta, saying he had huge hopes for her to be a show dog. Rosetta stars in a bread commercial with Yamashita. However, after the practice, one of Rosetta's ears droops, revealing that she is a Phalène, or a drop-eared Papillion. She is still owned by Show in a loving environment.


 * Lucky (ラッキー)
 * Part of a litter of Papillon puppies whom Show split up to be sold between his and Teppei's stores. He replaces his sibling in a commercial due to drooping ears. Trained by Yamashita and Suguri, he successfully completes the shoot. Show tries to buy Lucky as a mascot, but Yamashita adopts him instead. Lucky shares a close bond with Yamashita but demands all her attention for himself.


 * Chanta (チャンタ)
 * A Shiba Inu originally purchased by an elderly man who died shortly after. He is adopted by Kim and named after the tiles she mixed up during a game of mahjong that Kim was playing with Suguri. Chanta exhibits teething issues and survives electrocution thanks to Kim's quick thinking and Teppei's guidance. Affectionate and diverse, she adores Kim and is intended to be bred with Lupin to fulfill Kim's dream of seeing her happiest. Despite an incident with Melon, she is too young to bear puppies.


 * Alfred (アルフレッド)
 * A pedigree Afghan Hound owned by Show. Alfred is characterized by his aloof demeanor and is trained to only obey commands by Show. Lupin finds him rather intimidating and will slink away if Alfred so much as looks at him. Alfred only obeys Show and Suguri.

Manga
Written and illustrated by Yukiya Sakuragi, Inubaka: Crazy for Dogs started in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump on September 22, 2004. It was later transferred to Monthly Young Jump on August 18, 2009, where it ran until April 28, 2010. Shueisha collected its chapters in 22 tankōbon volumes, released from February 18, 2005, to May 19, 2010.

In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Viz Media. 17 volumes were released from February 20, 2007, to November 9, 2010. In March 2011, Viz Media confirmed that they put the manga on hiatus, finally canceling it.

Live-action film
A live-action film adaptation premiered on November 21, 2009.

Reception
Carlo Santos praised the realistically drawn and very cute dogs, but was disappointed by the fanservice in the early chapters, and felt that the story relied on sentimentalism. AE Sparrow for IGN endorsed the first volume, but compared it to Old Yeller in its themes.