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Boku no Mei, in the essence, is a story about trying to cherish life, to live up to a hundred, to see your beloved niece grow up. However the storytelling was rushed, the pacing is terrible. It's a half-baked manga, as a reader I am not really sure where the author is going with this one.
The art style... I love Natsume Ono's artwork so I actually have a predilection to "flowy" art style like this Boku no Mei. But coupled with a shoddy storytelling, there's nothing much to adore in this book.

It's a short manga anyway, so you can read this for the hell of ... it.

This manga is a log of the author's (Nekojiru) curious dreams and imagination. It's a distinct slice of slice series: stitching a seam between what seems to be controversial and solemn topics--such as religions-beliefs, dissociation, existential crisis--and the insolent-laden humor.
Everything is random, but interestingly, it somehow feels cohesive. In other words, it's "consistently inconsistent."

Another good thing about this manga is the simple and adorable art that serves as a perfect counterpoint to the stripped-down violence.

Something that sticks out to me is this rather serious-sounding excerpt from chapter 11:
"Try staying still everyday somewhere there are people around. Your body will start to fade, and you'll gradually ... turn invisible. As you repeat this, you'll become less and less a person of this world day by day, just like I have," said the now disappearing clown.

It really sent shivers down my spine of how accurate it is. People will walk past you and overlook your existence if you choose to stay inert and unwilling to open up your heart. It hits close to home.
But like most of the chapters, it was only an enactment of Nekojiru's dream. Perhaps it had been altered to an extent too, so there's nothing inherently profound and philosophical in this manga.


Let's be real, Nekojiru Udon is not for everyone. But it's definitely worth a try to experience the world in the glum lens of the late Nekojiru.

Ah, also check out the anime if you're squeamish, since the adaptation exhibits less pugnacity and is more of an acid trip.

Expect the unexpected.
This is the work of Paru Itagaki after all.

Bota Bota shares similar controversial themes to Itagaki's previous cult classic series, Beastars, concerning sex and relationship.
This mini series commenced at high intensity, introducing a bloodbath right off the bat. Provided with mature dialogue and graphic nudity, Bota Bota comes off as solemn at first until nearing the end of chapter 1, where the readers start to unearth its comical side.

The first half of the series follows the life of the main character, Mako, in her search of a soulmate and her subsequent failures. A slice of life with great pacing. The art is sloppy, ... yet expressive. The concept of Mako bleeding profusely as an allergic reaction to unsanitary environment is absurd and witty. It screams Paru Itagaki.
The second half, roughly at chapter 5, a promising structure begins to develop. Mako finally gets a redemption, only for another plot twist comes into sight, piquing our interest. Wonderful. However, due to the limited chapters, the hasty plot denouement ended up in a calamity. Besides, the dramatic crow appearance seems out of place and Mako's monologue at the end is saccharine in many ways possible. A bummer.

I wouldn't recommend this manga to anyone but avid manga readers, hence the Mixed Feelings flair. I would say this is apt for obscure content fanatics and those who is in need for page-turners to kill time... and for Paru Itagaki's fans obviously!