Before You Go Extinct

Before You Go Extinct (original Japanese title Kimi ni Zetsumetsu suru Mae ni) is a standalone manga written by Takashi Ushiroyato and illustrated by Kanato Abiko.

The book is structured as a collection of interconnected short stories, each focusing on different animal species that are on the verge of extinction. Through anthropomorphised animals—ranging from penguins to other vulnerable creatures—the manga explores themes such as survival, purpose, love, reproduction, and what it means to live a meaningful life when time is limited.

Running through the volume is a subtle recurring thread involving two souls who repeatedly encounter one another across different lifetimes and species, giving the stories a philosophical and slightly surreal edge. Balancing dark humour with reflective, sometimes melancholic moments, the manga uses its unusual premise to examine existence, connection, and mortality from a non-human perspective.