Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an eARC of this title.

I’d like to start by saying I adored this and upon finishing I instantly recommended a few of my friends to pick it up on release and I went ahead and pre-ordered my own copy.

The story is unique, and somehow also funny at times even though I can’t tell if that was intentional or not. I throughly enjoyed the characters and the art style was different for me but definitely a style I’d like to see more of in the future.

I hope to read more of this authors works in the future and I’ll be eagerly anticipating more releases

I've enjoyed someone of Paru Itagaki's other work, but Drip Drip wasn't for me. It's definitely an interesting read, but I found that it dragged a little.

This was an uncomfortable read and weird in the wrong ways. It read like a shock factor narrative with very little character development or plot.

Mako has an obsessive compulsion for cleanliness. If she senses that something is not clean she will get a nose bleed. As an adult she has a desire for an intimate relationship and tests the boundaries of her condition. She gets a little hysterical about it. There is a flashback to her childhood as to why she has this condition. She thinks she might have overcome it but it's not what it seems.

I think there was unnecessary nudity in this title and too much innuendo about sex and life. It was an interesting concept but I didn't really like it.

Wtf did I just read?! 🤣 this was one of the most uncomfortable manga I've ever read. I thought the main character was really pretty. That was the only thing I liked about this lol.

One-night stands gone wrong, the anthology. This is a series of the pitiful Mako Higari who cannot seem to get score a partner to the best of her lustful endeavors. It is not that she wants to have sex only, rather this is a means to an end to find that "pure" individual to whom she can have an emotional connection and intimacy. The problem here is that her nosebleeds are a sort of vibe check, a potentially fatal one as it drips profusely.

The setup is ingenious as it is stimulating and unfortunate in the right ways. I am entertained by the lengths that Higari goes to find "him" only to see it fall down by either situational inconvenience or sheer desperation. Her frustration in her pursuit is both comically enjoyable and viscerally sympathetic - I just want her to be happy.

The work has an impactful message for many who seek fulfillment through a relationship - single or otherwise. In other words, this booty call has some substance so long as you take the time to be with it page-by-page. A forewarning, the ending was a tad abrupt and I wanted a bit more. Plus this was a steamy read so I recommend those who are interested to read it in private. And of course, this is for a mature audience as this does speak to a more nuanced aspect of love mixed with a lot of carnal desires.

Regardless, this is a good oneshot for those who want to delve into the complexity of connection and fulfillment that a relationship may or may not bring. Look beyond the gimmick and you will see beauty.

Itagaki's single-volume follow up to the wildly successful Beastars is an interesting look at intimacy and purity culture. I found the story interesting, but the pacing was a little off. The last few chapters felt like an abrupt twist that rushed a little too quickly towards a conclusion. It honestly felt like an ongoing story that had suddenly been cancelled, so the writer had to rush to finish the story, which was strange since, according to one of the two bonus chapters, this was conceived and written as a single-volume story from the beginning.
Overall, I liked what was here, but the story would've been better served if it was a few chapters longer.

Drip Drip has a very interesting concept that I really enjoy. Great artwork with a character that is put into a position that I think readers will want to see how it ends.

This was an odd one to read. And yet it was charming in some ways. Everything the character touches that is "dirty" causes her to get a nosebleed. While trying to find love and lose her virginity, she discovers more about herself. If you don't mind blood and like borderline horror-comedy, read this!

What happens when you experience psychological trauma at a young age and try to find love when you are a fully grown adult? Beastars creator Paru Itagaki gives her take in their one-shot graphic novel, Drip Drip. Meet Mako Higari. She is in her late twenties and trying to find love. Unfortunately, she has a problem. Mako is unable to touch anything that is “dirty.” Whenever she does, her body naturally reacts with severe nose bleeds. When I say severe, I MEAN SEVERE! Mako is forced to live a life of complete sterilization. However, she is desperately trying to find the person of her dreams to prove she is capable of being with someone. Drip Drip graphically depicts her crazy stories of trying to find the person of her dreams.

The Drip Drip graphic novel is eight chapters long with two bonus one-shot chapters. Each chapter contains a story that Mako experienced in her ideological crusade. My first impression of Mako as she came off as weird. Later, that changes when the graphic novel gives the background on her trauma to understand why she thinks the way she does. What makes Mako even more attractive as a character is that she is very aware the way she thinks is not normal, and throughout the chapters, she tries to prove herself wrong. In eight super graphic chapters, Paru Itagaki takes the reader on a roller-coaster adventure on how much Maki wants to be in a relationship. Some of her antics are wholesome, while others are questionable if you consider it a crime.

As crazy and zany the predicaments Mako puts herself through, you, as the reader, cannot help but root for her to find happiness. Several times in Drip Drip, I thought she needed to get arrested, but I hoped she got the man! The downside of the Drip Drip graphic novel is that the story felt rushed. The story’s pacing suddenly changed from Mako having one-shot adventures and abruptly transitioning to the grand finale. It felt like there could have been more to her dilemma, but time ran out.

Paru Itagaki’s art style shines throughout Drip Drip. Her two-page full-spread art looks as fantastic as ever. Some spreads show ridiculous black ink due to the excessive Mako nosebleeds. When you look at the art in Drip Drip, you immediately reference Beastars art style but in human form. One of the best pieces in Drip Drip is when Mako looks psychotic when chasing the man she is with after a nosebleed. She seems possessed, like the girl from The Ring.

Overall, Drip Drip is a fun, simple, One-shot manga to read. Due to the immense graphic nature and nudity, I would not advise young manga readers to read this book; however, if you are 18+, this is an excellent one-and-done series.

This was an interesting one. The main character, Mako, gets a nosebleed anytime she touches something that she thinks is dirty. We find out that this is because her mom instilled in her that men, sex, and money are dirty. At first, I was like this is strange and bloody but as I read on I liked it much more. I honestly think that this was a great commentary on the purity culture that gets shoved down women's throats throughout our lives.

Drip Drip is a standalone volume from Beastars author Paru Itagaki. Unlike Beastars, this title centers on an entirely human cast of characters, yet its interest in love, sexuality, and psychology will definitely feel familiar to fans of Itagaki's other work. Here, we are introduced to Mako Higari who is unable to have sex because the "filth" of the act triggers nosebleeds. As the volume progresses we follow her attempts to break through this and finally lose her virginity. The volume also includes a one-shot that serves as a precursor to her latest series Sanda.

I really enjoyed this. I find Itagaki continually offers a unique perspective and fresh ideas, Drip Drip is no exception. Fair warning if the combination of gore and sex puts you off, this may not be the manga for you, but I'll be excited to order this one in.

On my first look-through, I was not very hopeful. The pictures were quite graphic. However, A few days later when I sat done to read it... after the first few pages I was hooked. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. What makes it so readable was how Paru gets the reader to invest in the protagonist, Mako Higari. Indeed, before long I was rooting for Mako despite some of her more offbeat methods of resolving her problems. While the graphics and adult situations may not be for everyone, this is a solid read for anyone interested in Paru Itagaki's works or who's looking for a great off-beat story.

Drip Drip is a one-volume story written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, the creator of the BEASTARS manga.

Drip Drip
Written by: Paru Itagaki
Publisher: Nihonbungeisha Co., Ltd.
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: October 18, 2022

The main character of Drip Drip is a 29-year-old woman named Mako Hiragi. Whenever she sees something dirty (or physically touches something that she perceives to be dirty), she gets a massive nosebleed. She’s never had an intimate relationship, since just touching another person makes her bleed out. The manga follows Mako as she keeps trying to find a man she can be with that won’t cause her bleed when she’s intimate with him.

The first few attempts we see Mako make end in failure, and the guys she’s with end up walking away thinking that she’s absolutely nuts. When she meets a phlebotomist, it seems like she may have finally found someone who will tolerate her bleeding issue… but, unfortunately for her, that ends up not being the case. The climax of the story sees Mako reuniting with a guy she knew back in junior high who works at a restaurant that she regularly frequents. The guy has had a crush on Mako since their time in junior high, and it seems like she may finally found the guy she can have her “happily ever after” with.

Mako is originally depicted as being weird, but it’s revealed in bits and pieces throughout the story that her issues with things being unclean was beaten into her by her mother as she was growing up. While Drip Drip may have an unusual way of depicting the concept, this is ultimately a story about a parent’s trauma being transferred to their child. Ultimately, it isn’t Mako’s fault that she’s turned out the way she has, because it was indoctrinated into her by her mother. I really do like the concept of a character trying to deal with their parent’s trauma being transferred to them, but how this story is told and conveyed is a little on the strange, if not a little disturbing, side.

When it comes to the art, Itagaki has what I would refer to as a more “minimalistic” style for the humans she’s drawing. To be honest, I think her drawings of the animal characters in BEASTARS are a lot stronger. Since a big part of the story is about Mako trying to find a man she can sex with and not bleed out all over, it should be expected that there are some panels of Mako completely nude. And since bleeding is one of Mako’s major traits, there are also quite a few panels of Mako and her surroundings covered in blood. If you’re squeamish about manga’s depiction of blood, you’ll definitely want to avoid Drip Drip.

This volume also includes a one shot story titled, “White Beard and Boobs.” A prostitute is with an older man at a love hotel, but he’s more interested in chugging down junk food and typing away on his laptop instead of spending time with her. He claims to be the Santa Claus for Japan and explains that each country has its own Santa Claus. Of course, the prostitute thinks he’s trying to do some kind of weird roleplay. This story ultimately follows the discussion they have and his actions to prove to her that he’s Santa Claus. This one shot was short and to the point, and I found it to be a little more enjoyable than Drip Drip.

I liked the ideas behind Drip Drip, but I personally didn’t care much for the execution of the ideas. Then again, this just might be a “me thing.” I have a feeling that there are readers out there who will better appreciate the execution of this story, and that I’m just not quite in the target market for this title.

Before we begin this review, I would like to thank Viz Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Also, a warning that this review will contain Mature Themes.

Today’s review finds us exploring a strange area in Life, Love and Intimacy. Paru Itagaki brings us a story called “Drip Drip” about a young woman named Mako Higari , who has a strange problem. Whenever she comes across something she perceives as dirty, she gets a massive nosebleed. It is a big problem when you’re trying to find a partner or a meaningful relationship, whenever she tries to touch another person Higari bleeds uncontrollably. Can she find a way to stop this problem? Her first challenge will be learning to love herself.

From the creator who brought you BEASTARS brings you a story of a woman’s attempt to find love but with a horrible problem stems from the belief that her mother told her at an early age, that all men, money, and sex were filthy and not to be touched, when she does touch either one her nosebleeds uncontrollably to the brink of passing out.

While there are a lot of exaggerated situations in this manga, it does tackle several familiar situations that people have come across in their lives, infidelity, mental abuse, and intimacy. At a first glance, Mako comes across as someone who is “easy” and quick to jump into bed with any man she comes across but once you get further into the story you realize why she is going to great lengths in trying to have sex and that is trying to stop the problem.

Similar to Itagaki’s other stories, there is a solid emotional base to this single-volume story. This story is layered with generational trauma, the societal norms we have sought for ourselves, and how it intersects with fetishism and the individual approach to attraction and fulfillment. This story felt like more of something that the creator wanted to get out of her system, perhaps something she has studied in the past. Nevertheless, this was fascinating to read.

As for the artwork, I love her cartoonish art style that is blended in with an inky approach to it, to be specific, the tone of the story. The way Mako just bluntly spelled it out that it was generational trauma instantly makes the reader realize that for a story like this, it is warranted to be like this due to the strange feelings that were being represented in this story.

As a bonus, this book has two fun short stories to add to it. The first story was about Santa Claus and a Sex Worker. Yes, it sounds strange to have it in the same sentence, but there was more to the story than you’d expect. Finally, the other story was about how Drip Drip was created.

I actually really like Drip Drip- it's a cultural commentary. It's also definitely not for everyone. I was actually really surprised it got picked up, but it's exciting to see edgier titles that aren't Junji Ito actually getting licensed.

From the creator who brought you Japanese Sexual Stereotypes: The Manga comes Socially Conditioned As a Woman: The Manga. That's perhaps not entirely fair to say, but Paru Itagaki does have a deft hand with turning preconceived notions about sex and sexuality into interesting titles. Where <i>Beastars</i> took on the carnivore/herbivore stereotype (as in sexually enthusiastic and not), <i>Drip Drip</i> gives us a heroine whose mother hammered into her head that men, money, and sex are all filthy and not to be touched. As a result of her conditioning, Mako's nose geysers blood whenever she touches or attempts to have sex. It's an extreme version of the way so many of us socialized female have been taught and a statement on purity culture in general, especially because the man who gets past her defenses does so by simply saying the right things.

If you're squeamish about blood, you may want to give this a pass, but if you can stand it, it's an interesting piece. Plus there's a short story about Santa and a sex worker, fulfilling the promise implicit in Itagaki's works that you never quite know what you're getting when you pick one up.

As someone who really enjoys Paru Itagaki's other work, Beastars, I was happily surprised to see the human characters in this one-shot were just as dynamic and expressive as any of the creature characters in Beastars. This tale and the other short story included are sexy, funny, and in Drip Drip's case, a little bit spooky! This is a more mature read, with one story involving trying to successfully have love and sex without bleeding everywhere and on everyone, and other other involves a sex worker trying to seduce and the buffest santa I think I've ever seen. I had fun with both stories. While their work might not be to everyone's taste, I love seeing creators branch out. I will be delighted if Buff Santa appears in a future new series.

Definitely for an adult audience, this wacky and fast-paced manga touches on human relationships; both the emotional and physical aspects. Especially the physical side of things. Any time Mako Higari touches anything dirty, she ends up with a massive nosebleed. How can a girl find romance and a stable partner if she can't even touch them without triggering a geyser of blood. Failed attempt after failed attempt to establish a physical relationship with just about anyone leaves Mako frustrated and desperate. That is, until a blast from her past comes along.
This one-shot volume is meant for a mature audience, with several nude scenes, sexual scenes, and adult language. The humor is spot on though. It certainly may not be what you're expecting, but give it a chance and leave your inhibitions at the door.

Based on Beastars I thought would enjoy Drip Drip (or Bota Bota in Japanese) but I did not know how much I was going click with and end up loving this story and it’s hero Mako. “Drip Drip,” is an oddly moving journey that you will most likely read in one sitting and if you are anything like me. You’ll most likely want to read again right away. Mako Higari’s story is so not at all what you might expect from the description from Viz:

“Whenever Mako Higari comes in contact with something she perceives as dirty, she gets a massive nosebleed. How can she find a loving partner and commit to a meaningful intimate relationship when just touching another person makes her bleed out? Especially when most of the men she meets are sleazy creeps! Her first challenge might be learning to love herself… Plus, a short story starring Santa Claus as we’ve never seen him before!”

I found I really identified with Mako. Her quest for a normal “human relationship” and acceptance despite her “allergies” feels very personal. It is hard not to feel for her with all the bizarre difficulties in her life. She’s plagued by insecurities and problems born out of her childhood traumas (felt for her and cheered for her in this quest to overcome her childhood trauma). Her quest to be “normal,” her search for love/ sex is something so familiar it’s hard not to feel for her. When you learn the life events that traumatized her her extremely germaphobic reactions make sense. Yes she is germaphobic to the point that any time she touched something dirty her nose bleeds, dramatically, profusely, explosively. It’s both comedic and terrible at the same time. Mako Higashi’s story is by turns hilarious and heartbreakingly tragic. Seriously this book will most likely make you laugh out loud, most likely cry and for damn sure want to cheer for Malory by the end.

Paru Itagaki is pretty frank in her writing. This is a story that involves nudity and sex as much as it involves anxiety and disjunction. It’s amazingly deep if you want it to be, and transformative if you want to go on the full trip with Mako. The people she meets make rash human assumptions about who she is, what she wants. They read into her and judge her without actually knowing her. We at least get to see the this whole story, and it’s affects on Mako and on us. You alternatively feel hate or feel for the people who she nearly has sex with. It’s a tribute to Itagki’s art and storytelling that none of the blood and nudity is plays as titillating or salacious and neither is the blood played as gross. It is just how it is for Mako and Paru make you feel it as she would. We get to see her being disturbed by it, trying to overcome it, we see how she lives influenced by it and ultimately we see how she fully embraced it. We find out she’s more than a work legend, there is an urban rumor about her and we see how the urban legend of the dripping girl affects her. Paru Itagaki takes us on a journey and it’s one that ultimately worth taking, most likely multiple times because there is so much here .


Art Paru Itagaki
“Drip Drip” also contains two back ups. One a story called White Beard and Boobs that is, like “Drip Drip,” funny, weird and touching in equal measure. The other is a tale about how Bota Bota/Drip Drip came to be which if true is pretty interesting and there is no reason to doubt it’s veracity. It’s for sure an exaggeration but it’s a good tale.

I have to mention how idiosyncratic and charming her art is. The sketchy energetic line works that made “Beastars” so esthetically pleasing to me works amazingly well for humans as well as anthropomorphic characters. Her style is very cartoonish is a Jim Henson real seeming muppet kind of way. It’s a clumsy way to describe the art but it’s the way the story feels. The art is realistic in a way that is also impressionistic in a warm fuzzy kind of way. Things like cars, water kettles, money, clothes pins, the stuff of life all looks real. Her fashions and food and settings all are real enough that the exaggerated faces, expressions and blood sprays feel real too. Mako’s eyes are stunningly expressive and speak volumes beyond the words. She communicates with pose and posture in ways that are both subtle and dramatic. Itagaki’s art is an experience, she communicates in a way that only manga and comics can. Again I have to cheer for this manga, for Mako and for Itagaki, this is a triumph of a book.


Art Paru Itagaki
I do not know if others will feel this way but Itagai’s work really reminds me in the best way of the works of Kyoto Okozaki. Her storytelling is open and Frank and will possibly offend some people. Paru’s art too like Kyoko really doesn’t look much like anyone else’s. Neither of them follow a popular style and if you like the art you like the art. Their styles have little in common except that their styles are unmistakeable theirs. Itagai and Okozaki both draw with an energy that comes through her line work. “Drip Drip” clearly has something to say much like “Pink” and “Helter Skelter” but the message is not pedantic.

In addition to Mako story there is a short backup that also ran in the seines magazine that printed Bota Bota. It was a one shot called White Beard and Boobs. Like the main feature here it’s a comedy that has a heart and introduced a character that Itagaku is using right now in Sanda. The image below I has to assume was for the foreign edition and captures Itagaki’s humor