Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu was published in 2009 in Kodansha’s Monthly Magazine Z. Unlike Ito’s seminal works of existential horror and grotesque surrealism, this autobiographical series documents his real-life experiences moving into a new home with his fiancée and two cats. The manga emerged from a desire to pivot toward a more humorous, lighthearted narrative, exploring the domestic absurdities of pet ownership through the lens of a man who perceives mundane feline behaviors as terrifying supernatural encounters.

The artwork maintains Ito’s signature meticulous line work and high-contrast shading, which serves a comedic purpose here by applying the visual language of body horror to the simple actions of cats. The design approach emphasizes the contrast between the cats' innocent intentions and the author’s melodramatic, gothic interpretations of their presence. It was well-received by fans for offering an intimate look at the creator’s softer side while retaining his unmistakable aesthetic style.