Mameshiba: On the Loose! - VIZ Kids Manga Review

Jul 28, 2011
Angela Eastman

Mameshiba: On the Loose! Kids Comic from VIZ Media - Cover Image © 2011 VIZ Media, LLC

Mameshiba on the Loose, from manga publisher VIZ Media, is a light, goofy comic, but you might be inspired to pick up some new toys when you're finished.

If you don't know what mameshiba are, don't feel too bad. Originally created by Sukwon Kim, it literally means "bean dogs". Mameshiba are personified legumes (with dog ears) that started not as a cartoon or a comic, but as collectable merchandise, like stuffed dolls. VIZ Media decided to introduce the bean dogs in their own comic, Mameshiba: On the Loose!, written by James Turner and drawn by Jorge Monlongo. Extra comics between chapters, called "Mameshiba Shorts", are by Gemma Correll.

Mameshiba: On the Loose! Comic from VIZ Kids

Mameshiba cheats with character introductions, giving a pictured list, from our hero Edamame, to Chickpea and Pistachio (the names are pretty straightforward). The list is complete with personality traits of all the bean dogs in the story. With twenty to meet, this lets the writer skip over characterization and get to the story and jokes. This also gives an extra challenge with the Scream, a tiny mameshiba hidden within the pages.

The plot is pretty much powered by humor. While nothing deep, the goofy, sometimes gross, jokes will get quick laughs out of just about any kid. (Moldy hot dogs anyone? How about a booger replacing a pea?) The story moves along fast, allowing for quite a bit to jammed into the short 80 pages. Generally a plus, occasionally the writer forgets to explain things, leaving the reader lost.

Mameshiba Bean Dog Art by Jorge Monlongo

Art is suitably simple, with characters being mostly made up of round and lumpy bean dogs. It gets a little odd on the rare occasions the artist shows a full-sized human character. It momentarily takes you out of the Mameshiba world, but the stiffly-featured human also has a monstrously oversized head.

Coloring is also simple, as characters and backgrounds are filled in with flat colors. Color choices aren't always complimentary, and that can sometimes give the panels an off look.

Mameshiba: On the Loose! by James Turner and Jorge Monlongo

Mameshiba: On the Loose! is a cute story that's good for some laughs from kids, though parents will likely find it too silly. At less than $10, it's a pretty cheap buy for a full-color comic, though watch out - there are plenty of stuffed toys and other merchandise out there, so this comic may only be a gateway to a whole new collection.

Mameshiba: On the Loose! gets 3.5 out of 5.