Paru Itagaki has quickly become one of the best-known names in manga and anime, thanks to the massive popularity of her series Beastars. Initially starting life as a manga in 2016, the franchise enjoyed a massive boom in popularity when the anime adaptation landed on TV screens in 2019. However, this isn’t all Itagaki has done; one of their best non-Beastars works has finally made its way to America, and it’s perfect for fans of horror and romance.
Drip Drip first launched in 2020 and was serialized in Weekly Manga Goraku magazine. Once the series ended, it was collected into a single volume, which launched in Japan in April and landed on American shores in October 2022 via Viz Media. Here’s what Drip Drip is about, and why it’s the ideal manga for both romance and horror fans.
The Plot of Paru Itagaki’s Drip Drip
Drip Drip follows a young lady called Mako Higari. While Mako may look like a regular woman, she has a strange problem; when she touches or sees something she considers dirty, her nose bleeds. It isn’t a normal nosebleed, however — Mako’s nose instead erupts in a torrent of blood.
Life is naturally hard for Mako as she believes many things — including kissing and physical intimacy — to be dirty, meaning her nose is almost constantly bleeding. This also makes finding a loving relationship very hard — and it’s made worse by the fact that Mako always seems to be surrounded by creeps, many of whom set her problem off. But Mako won’t stop trying, and thus she ends up trying increasingly strange things to solve her issue.
Why Drip Drip Is a Must-Read for Manga Lovers
Drip Drip stands out due to its unique premise, which puts a fun twist on several classic manga tropes. The nosebleed has become a popular visual shorthand for attraction in anime and manga circles, but Drip Drip subverts this by making it more visually over-the-top than those usually seen in the medium. And unlike most other manga nosebleeds, Mako’s is visible to other characters, which opens many avenues for set pieces and plot points. Plus, the nose is a surprisingly underused body part in body horror media, giving Drip Drip another layer of originality.
The artwork is excellent as well, flipping between several styles throughout the story — and Drip Drip uses each one to give readers an insight into different parts of the plot. Readers get to see how Mako Higari sees herself, but also how the world sees her and how those two images differ. When the book dives into Mako’s mental life, the art perfectly captures her confused and anxious mental state and her struggle as she tries to gain control of herself and her destiny.
Despite the over-the-top and exaggerated nature of the whole premise, Mako remains such a lovable protagonist. Her struggles to overcome her problems and understand her place in the world are relatable, and some of her internal talks will resonate with many readers. Once you get started, it’s impossible to not root for her. This helps Drip Drip stand out, making it feel like a script-flipped version of several classic horror movies.
Drip Drip is a testament to Paru Itagaki’s talent as a creator. While the elevator pitch may seem weird at first glance, readers who dive in will find a wonderfully realized and utterly unique storyline paired with some gorgeous art. The story jumps between several genres, perfectly blending horror, comedy and romance together in a way that perfectly plays to the strengths of all three.
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