A Man and His Cat by Umi Sakurai

 

  

Reviewed by Jeanne

 

Since I seemed to be on a roll with magna after Cat + Gamer, I went for the first two volumes of A Man and His Cat by Umi Sakurai.  This one really tugs at the heart strings in a very good way.  A chubby, unattractive kitten waits and waits in the pet shop, seeing all the cute kittens being adopted.  No one seems to want him, and as he grows into a cat it seems he will live out his life in the pet shop. Then one day an older man named Mr. Kanda comes in and, astonishingly, wants to adopt the cat!

Now named Fukumaru, the cat is deeply grateful even though he doesn’t understand why he was chosen.  It turns out that Mr. Kanda is a lonely widower. His late wife loved cats and he had promised her they would get one, but she died before that happened.  The story is told from both the point of view of Fukumaru and Mr. Kanda.  Fukumaru adores his daddy and wants to please him, but sometimes isn’t sure how to do that.  Mr. Kanda is learning about the charm and most especially the comfort of cats.  In fact, he’s turning into something of a cat aficionado, delighting in cat sweaters and such, much to the consternation of some of his friends and co-workers. 

I was surprised at how moving I found these stories to be. Mr. Kanda and Fukumaru are two lonely souls who find hope and love together.  Mr. Kanda is a kind, generous man who is a superb musician, which sometimes causes others to envy him and to offer slights to which he is annoyingly oblivious.  I am so rooting for continued happiness for Mr. Kanda and Fukumaru, and since there are at least four more volumes in the series there should be ample opportunity.

The emotional depth was unexpected, or maybe it’s just that I’m finally getting the hang of reading manga! I became more emotionally invested in these characters, and I am sort of getting used to the art style.  Fukumaru is very much a stylized cartoon cat, his eyes often welling with tears of happiness or concern.  Mr. Kanda seems to be an older man but the art doesn’t really convey that except as a few lines on his face. He appeared to me to be an attractive man, and a couple of reviews mentioned that as well—well, actually those reviews used the words “hot” or “hottie.” I concur.

Also, Mr. Kanda inspires me.  I’d like to be as kind, considerate, and gentle as he is. 

I am certainly going to read more of these!

Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatan

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

As a rule, I’m not really a manga person.  These became popular some years back, but not soon enough to become a part of my childhood which seems to be extending into old age, but I digress.  I had trouble with the reading back to front and from right to left, so I was always getting the story jumbled up.  However, some new ones featuring cats caught my eye and I decided to give them another try.

Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani is the story of a young woman named Riko who works in an office.  She’s very efficient but not very sociable with her co-workers, which puzzles them.  As soon as the work day ends, she’s out the door.  What they don’t know is that Riko is an avid gamer and she heads home to settle into her video games, determined to conquer each level.  Then a stray cat shows up at the office and almost before she knows it, Riko has agreed to take the cat.  She’s sure she can “max it out” just like a video game.

The charm in the series comes from Riko’s enthusiasm but cluelessness about owning a cat. The first thing is to name it—no, wait, she has to figure out if it’s a boy or a girl. Or maybe a name that would fit both! She comes up with “Musubi,” which is a rice ball.  Now the cat will know when she talks to it. (Cat: “She says ‘musubi’ a lot recently. What does it mean??”)

Much to her surprise, she finds herself interacting with the cat at times instead of gaming—what a shock! It’s a sweet, funny comic with delightful illustrations.  I’m already on board for volume two. I’m anxious to see where the series goes from here. This is despite the fact that I’m not a gamer and am pretty clueless about some of the references.

There are some bonus scenes from the cat’s point of view as he tries to figure out this creature who seems to be his new mom.

I found myself really enjoying this manga.  Maybe I’m finally getting the hang of reading them! I noticed the common theme so dear to cat lovers, i.e. the unsuspecting person who adopts a cat only to find himself or herself besotted.  The tone is light-hearted, relaxed, and I love the way Musubi (finally revealed to be a boy after a rather humorous emergency vet visit) is drawn.  The artist really captures the postures and expressions of a cat very well.

I think I’m getting hooked on this series!

Tuesdays with Ambrea: Manga Favorites

Reviews by Ambrea

Recently, I’ve been on a kick of reading (and, in some cases, re-reading) Japanese graphic novels – better known as manga.  For some reason, I’ve been devouring all kinds of manga:  action-adventure, historical, romance, intrigue, science-fiction, humor.  If it’s come across my radar in the last few weeks, I’ve tried to give it a chance, even if it’s not usually my cup of tea.  This week, I’ve been re-reading some of my favorite titles:

 

In Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kenshin Himura is a wanderer – a rurouni.  With his reverse-edged sword, the sakabato, he protects those he can and fights only when he must.  When he arrives in Tokyo, he meets Kaoru Kamiya, Yahiko Miyojin, and a cast of other characters, who quickly become his friends and companions.

Rurouni Kenshin is one of my favorite manga series; in fact, I think I can credit it as the series that drew me into reading manga and watching anime in the first place.  Billed as a historical romance, it delves deep into the history and the culture of Japan during the Bakumatsu and the Meiji (roughly 1853 to 1879) – and, of course, tells the story of a swordsman who survived a horrific civil war and his quest for redemption.

It’s dramatic and it’s unrealistic, I know, but I still love it.  I love the characters and their interactions; I love the action and adventure and drama; I love the snippets of history and the imagery of an industrializing Japan.  It’s a fascinating mixture of fact and fiction, and it’s just so much fun to read.  It will forever hold a special place in my heart.

 

In Black Cat by Kentaro Yabuki, Train Heartnet – formerly known as the “Black Cat” – is an assassin turned sweeper (i.e. bounty hunter), who bags criminals, saves ladies in distress, and tries to stay ahead of the bills he and his partner seem to rack up.  When Train and his partner, Sven, team up with a thief named Rinslet to take down a weapons smuggler, he discovers he may have bitten off more than he can chew and bad luck might just be coming to the Black Cat.

Set in a fantasy world with nanotechnology and almost-magical scientific discoveries, Black Cat is a fun story with quirky characters and crazy adventures.  Granted, it’s not the best series I’ve ever read, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed re-reading it.  It’s mindless fun:  you don’t have to think about what’s happening, you can just enjoy watching Train and his buddy, Sven, dismantling criminal organizations and being awesome.

Probably my favorite part of Black Cat, though, is the characters.  I love Rinslet with her sass and her affinity for money; I love Sven for playing the straight-man and being an all-around gentleman; I love Train for his lackadaisical attitude and his commitment to living a life free of any restraints; and I love Eve for her innocence and her desire to be better than her background.

Overall, it’s a fun romp – and it’s worth reading if you want something filled with action and adventure and shoot-em-up gunfights.

 

In Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, Edward Elric and his brother, Alphonse, are on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone, a powerful alchemical artifact that can help grant their dearest wishes.  After an alchemy experiment went awry, nearly killing them, Ed and Al now work as State Alchemists, searching for answers to their questions – and a way to recover Al’s lost body.

Fullmetal Alchemist is another favorite of mine.  Like Rurouni Kenshin, it’s one of the earlier series that really got me into manga and anime.  It’s also one of the series I most admire, because it’s written well, it’s beautifully illustrated, and it’s wildly imaginative.  The story has an intricate plot – and a whole lot of threads to tie up – but it’s plotted out carefully, maybe even lovingly, and it never slows down.

It’s action-packed and propulsive, constantly pushing you forward to find out the next twist, the next dark turn, the next cliffhanger.  There’s a lot of character development and a lot of history put into this manga – and it’s simply magnificent for its complexity and its ability to pull at your heartstrings.

I love this manga with every piece of my heart.

 

Tuesdays with Ambrea: New in Manga

Reviews by Ambrea

Recently, I’ve been on a kick of reading (and, in some cases, re-reading) Japanese graphic novels – better known as manga.  For some reason, I’ve been devouring all kinds of manga:  action-adventure, historical, romance, intrigue, science-fiction, humor.  If it’s come across my radar in the last few weeks, I’ve tried to give it a chance, even if it’s not usually my cup of tea.  Here are some of the brand-new manga I’ve come across and enjoyed immensely:

 

In Cells at Work! by Akane Shimizu, cells – red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, killer T cells, and more – are tasked with keeping the human body active, healthy, and happy.  It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!

As silly as the premise of this manga sounds, it’s actually surprisingly good.  It made me think of the 2001 animated film Osmosis Jones:  it all takes place inside the human body, depicts the various changes within said human body (whether healthy or ill), and anthropomorphizes all the various cells that keep the human body healthy.  It was funny and quirky and weird, but it’s action-packed and it has just a hint of science thrown in for good measure.

I was particularly tickled by how the book depicts allergies and influenza, and I loved the pop-up boxes that explain the roles of every cell.  For someone who hasn’t taken a science class in almost a decade, I found it unexpectedly fun and oddly informative – and, truthfully, I wished I’d had this book to read when I was taking that rogue anatomy class in college.

 

In Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo, professional spy Twilight is the best at what he does.  He’s a master of disguise, a cunning manipulator, and a terrifying fighter.  He’s never failed a mission – and he’s not about to start.  So, when he’s tasked with an impossible mission, which involves a deep cover assignment with a wife and child, he tries his best to make the best of a crazy situation.  Too bad his fake wife is an assassin and his adopted daughter is a telepath.

 I adored Spy x Family.

 It feels similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005), because you have two married individuals who are completely unaware of the other’s real occupation, but throw in a quirky kid with special powers à la Matilda (1996) and you have a recipe for disaster – or, maybe, the perfect manga.

It’s a good balance between action and humor.  On the one hand, you have Loid eluding criminals and stealing misbegotten artifacts, and Yor killing people for a paycheck; on the other, you have Anya listening to their thoughts and letting her overactive imagination run wild, because she’s so excited that her parents are so very cool.  I just loved reading about all the hijinks in which this oddball family finds themselves involved.

 

In The Ancient Magus’ Bride by Kore Yamazaki, Chise Hatori is a sleigh beggy – a magical individual who’s not-quite-human, but not-quite-fae, either.  After suffering innumerable tragedies as a child, she’s now set to become an apprentice to an inhuman mage named Elias and learn more about the strange new world of magic she inhabits.

I really enjoyed reading The Ancient Magus’ Bride.  I loved the various elements of fantasy and magic the story incorporates – such as the portrayal of all different kinds of fairies, like pixies, leannán sídhe, banshees, and selkies – and I enjoyed seeing Chise learn, grow, and (I hope) heal.  It’s described as a slice-of-life romance, so it isn’t buoyed by suspense or very much action, but it has beautiful artwork and lovely stories that run the gamut from tragic to heartwarming to surreal.

Probably my biggest complaint about the entire series is that Chise is very young – possibly no more than 15.  I really don’t like that she’s set to marry someone that’s literally ten times her age, and I don’t like that she was technically sold into slavery.  While I can appreciate that Elias does free her and he plans to make Chise his apprentice first, rather than his wife, I still have very mixed feelings about their entire relationship.

Tuesdays With Ambrea: Manga Humor!

Reviewed by Ambrea

Recently, I’ve been on a kick of reading (and, in some cases, re-reading) Japanese graphic novels – better known as manga.  For some reason, I’ve been devouring all kinds of manga:  action-adventure, historical, romance, intrigue, science-fiction, humor.  If it’s come across my radar, I’ve tried to give it a chance, even if it’s not usually my cup of tea.  Here are some of the funnier misadventures I’ve come across:

 

In One-Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata, Saitama is a hero—for fun!

Saitama seems like an unlikely hero.  From his bald head to his lifeless expression, he’s the most average-looking guy you can imagine.  He’s just got a not-so-average problem:  he can beat every monster or villain he faces with just a single punch—and he’s bored beyond belief.  Turns out, being a hero isn’t all that fun.

There’s something about One-Punch Man that I love.  It’s humorous, it’s silly, and it’s completely over-the-top in the best way possible.  Saitama is so much fun, because he never quite realizes his strength and, more importantly, he never quite realizes he’s in dangerous situations.  It’s hilarious to see him stumble into the middle of a monster battle and walk away unscathed.

I’m always excited to see what kind of trouble Saitama can wander into…and what other quirky Hero Association groupies he can meet.

 

In Mashle:  Magic and Muscles, Mash is just an average guy.  The only problem?  He lives in a world full of mages and wizards, who don’t look kindly on non-magical people.  To keep him safe, his father trains him to become the strongest person in the world.  But can muscles really beat magic—and will he be able to survive magic school with only his brawn to save him?

Mash, like Saitama, is an unlikely hero:  he has a bland expression, a ridiculous haircut, and a poor sense of self-preservation.  He’s a bit of a dope and a weirdo—and, well, that gets him into more than his fair share of trouble.  It’s hilarious to watch Mash fight his way out of situations that anyone else would use magic.

Although I don’t like Mashle nearly as much as One-Punch Man, it’s still enjoyable to watch Mash use brawn to outmaneuver brains.

In Way of the Househusband, Tatsu was once the legendary yakuza, the “Immortal Dragon.”  These days, though, he’s content to be a stay-at-home husband.  He cooks, he cleans, he shops for bargains at the supermarket—and accidentally menaces everyone in the neighborhood.  He can’t help he has resting gangster face.

 Way of the Househusband is manga with a single gag at the center of it:  Tatsu using his experiences as a former yakuza to survive his day.  If that so happens to mean he’s racing down the street with a suspiciously large suitcase to deliver “the goods”—his wife’s lunch—then so be it.

I love the fact Tatsu is completely and entirely oblivious to how frightening he can be.  Despite his happy Shiba Inu apron, he always looks so menacing that most people mistake his intentions—well, that is, until the realize he really is just your average househusband going about his daily routine.  He’s more than happy to teach anyone to cook, or help the neighbor kid complete his latest project, but it’s going to be on his terms, capisce?

Overall, it’s silly and wholesome and downright funny, and it’s definitely worth reading.  It’s also the 2020 Eisner Award Winner for the Best Humor Publication.  I think it definitely deserves the accolades.