A Man and His Cat, Vol. 12

おじさまと猫 [Ojisama to Neko] #12

by Umi Sakurai

In this best-selling, heartwarming tale, a lonely older man takes home a pet-shop kitten that no one else wants. It doesn’t take long for the pair to warm up to each other, and soon, they’re inseparable. Told through the eyes of both the man and his cat, this sweet and hilarious story is a balm for the soul!

Kanda agonizes over the right cat tower for Fukumaru. Then, a lost dog shows up in Kanda's garden, and Sorako brings it inside?! A familiar face known online as "twinkle_bell" also intrigues a teenager who's stopped attending high school... Although Kanda and Fukumaru's simple life continues to change when Siam gets a new owner, the pair's bond grows deeper than ever.

Genres: Manga, Slice Of Life, Contemporary, Cats, Graphic Novels, Humor, Animals

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2023

About the author

Name (in native language): 桜井海 (SAKURAI Umi)

Pixiv: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=2...
Ojisama to Neko Twitter: https://twitter.com/ozisamatoneko

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

each volume gets better and more emotional than the last, and i fully embrace the tears

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Musicians with emotional problems adopting cats with their own emotional issues is the only plot this series has. Some volumes that works for me, and some volumes, like this one, I find myself wondering, how many more musicians and cats can we possibly get, and how many more musicians and cats can I possibly endure?

Anyhow, the new musician this time is a busking guitarist who has basically dropped out of high school due to bullying. And since he has so much free time, his sister wants him to foster a kitten with fragile health that was rejected by its initial owner. Meeting the titular "Man" is, of course, inevitable.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter 98. Fukumaru in a Terrific Mewd -- Chapter 99. Just Like Daddy -- Chapter 100. Twinkle Bell -- Chapter 101. Ten Billion Times -- Chapter 102. Siam -- Chapter 103. Fukumaru Paradise -- Daddy's Name -- Afterword -- Sneak Peek at Volume 13 -- Bonus Strip

[Katie❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannot get enough of this silver fox, his kitty, and crew. So cute.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just so nice. Good for Canon!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hach, ehrlich, ich shippe die alten Herren alle so sehr miteinander ...
aber ok :D wieder mega süß, wieder auch gleichzeitig sehr ans Herz gehend. Diesmal mit dem Thema Mobbing, hah ... trifft bei mir auch ins schwarze :/ aber natürlich mit einem guten (vorerst?) Ende. Aber der neue Junge wird vermutlich in den nächsten Bänden wichtig werden.
Ich liebe alle Katzen so sehr ;W; mir geht es immer total ans Herz, wenn die traurig sind - sogar mehr als das Mobbing-Thema..

[Shelby M. (Read and Find Out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall rating: 3.25 stars

Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 3 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Art: 3.5 stars

Trigger warnings: Bullying

[VvTired (Lauren) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am baffled by how high the average rating is on this volume. This series has just gotten worse and worse with time. I honestly don’t know if I’m gonna continue with it anymore, because I really feel like this series isn’t going to improve.

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

the pacing in this one felt a bit wonky, but it was cute and fun still! i do enjoy how everyone is at least a little in love with kanda in this series lol.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

This one was okay. Basically the story is about Fukumaru wanting alone time with his daddy and a break from all the kitties. Still adorable and love the graphics.

[raafi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ada satu quote yang saya suka banget: "... Tapi, melarikan diri sah-sah saja. Berjuang untuk hidup itu bukan berarti menahan diri dari orang-orang yang melukai kita secara fisik dan mental, melainkan memantapkan pijakan demi meraih impian kita."

[Tachan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Les histoires de chats, c’est vraiment l’une des choses les plus simples, les plus banales et pourtant les plus relaxantes qui soit !

Nous en sommes pourtant à 12 tomes d’aventures de Fukumaru et Kanda et toujours aucune lassitude, juste le plusieurs de suivre leur quotidien et de le voir s’agrémenter de leurs rencontres et évolutions.

Dans ce tome, j’ai vraiment pris plaisir à voir Fukumaru grandir, prendre confiance en lui, jouer les grand frère et réaliser son attachement aux petits nouveaux ayant rejoint sa vie. Pourtant, ce sont des situations banales mais c’est justement pour ça. Voir Kanda hésiter devant l’achat d’un arbre à chat, c’est nous revoir nous dans la même situation dans une animalerie ou un magasin pour un nouveau jouet. Voir Fukumaru jouer avec un carton, c’est se rappeler des nôtre qui font de même. Etc. Simple mais efficace.

En plus depuis plusieurs tomes, l’histoire s’agrémente de nouvelles rencontres que l’auteur n’oublie pas de filer. On retrouve ainsi notre petit siamois dans ce tome ainsi que son maître qui a trouvé une problématique à ce qui le gênait dans le tome précédent. Et on fait la rencontre d’un nouveau membre de la tribu, un jeune lycéen déscolarisé après avoir été harcelé qui retrouve le bonheur dans le plaisir pris à s’occuper d’un chaton et à jouer de la guitare, ce qui attire l’attention de notre amoureux des chats, pianiste également dans une autre vie. Le genre de rencontre improbable mais qui va tout changer. Et c’est ce que nous promet cette histoire, des trajectoires de vie surprenante et émouvante et un discours qui semble facile mais ne l’est pas.

Je ressors donc de cette lecture, encore une fois, avec le sourire et le plaisir d’avoir été accueillie chaleureusement le temps de quelques chapitres par nos amis les chats. C’était mignon de voir Fukumaru et ses chatons continuer de trouver leurs marques. C’était charmant d’assister à la nouvelle rencontre de Kanda. C’était émouvant de voir notre siamois trouvé un foyer et une identité. Et les petits chapitres bonus humoristiques font toujours leur petit effet. Un bien joli moment de tendresse encore !

Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 volumes in there is a consistent pattern across each book which I feel fits very well for the niche in which the series finds itself. The middle part of each book contains the majority of the emotional payoff/ongoing story. Usually this manifests as a new character being introduced who has some personal struggle/trauma that weighs on them, and the dual perspectives of the people and cats around them as they gradually accept the company of others and allow themselves to be vulnerable. The way emotions can be messy and awkward is conveyed well, as the characters grapple with behaviours and habits they often know aren't reasonable or useful but which have become their default response to the world around them. These emotional beats are naturally buffered in each volume by the beginning and end sections of the book, which usually consist of short, slice-of-life excerpts of the foolishness that the man and his cat engage in, as well as the other characters who have worked through their issues enough to join Kanda's platonic harem of cat-lovers. Overall, the series achieves very well what it sets out to do, which is tell a generally light but still emotionally engaging story about an older man learning to put himself out there later in life, with the help of his cat. Its exactly what the title says, and I think that simplicity is a big part of what has made me come back 12 times for more and eagerly await a 13th.

[Mitticus · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.4 stars

Como mencionaba alguien, este volumen es algo disperso. La casa de Kanda sigue siendo gato-central con los gatitos de pelo ondulado (lol), y Siam. Fuku es el hermano mayor y a ratos se siente responsable, otra agobiado, y quiere a su papa solo para él.

Por otro lado, Kanda esta en social media con fotos de Fuku, y sorpresa hace conexion con un chico joven que tiene problemas con matones hasta el punto que ha abandonado la escuela


Luego hay una parte muy típica de estas asunciones de quien esta detrás de un apodo jaja, pero no se resuelve bien lo del chico a mi parecer, quizás aparezca después en otros volumenes.

Siam mientras tanto tiene su momento angst ,, y tendra cambio de nombre.



Kanda sigue siendo muy cat lover owner .

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can resist Fukumaru-Chan and the foxy Kanda? Chock full of adorable kitties, this volume introduces a new member of the band, Makoto. TBH I think they need to spend more time on him - it was a quick chapter then switched to more 4-komi style panels and didn’t continue his story. I really liked the advice from his father (at first I thought it was Kobayashi)…not exactly about not going to school, but that school is only a very tiny part of your life. Too bad for Makoto that Twinkle Bell wasn’t a sweet, pretty girl 🤭 I did find those bullies very weird…were they actually going to beat up Kanda too? It’s strange for teenage bullies to go so far as to act like that in front of an adult. At least…maybe they’re still in HS? Ages aren’t clear.

Lots of short stories that I wish were expanded on, like Sorako knowing the corgi’s person. The dog ran all the way there in search? Who is this girl? Siam was adopted by curly haired guy, Kanda’s indecisiveness over the cat tree was kinda funny, and Fukumaru’s determination to play as long as the kittens were gone was adorable.

[Zibbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm… I’m finding myself more intrigued by the band storyline now, though I can’t shake the feeling that it’s more of an afterthought given how thin the plot feels at times. It also seems a bit too convenient that we’re suddenly introduced to a new character, Makoto, who (surprise, surprise) owns a shorthair cat, plays guitar, and will inevitably become part of the band. So now we have Hoshinari, Moriyama, probably Kuju, and Makoto. Are we stopping at four members, or is there more to come?

I’m curious how the story will continue to balance the focus on the cats, Kanda, and his journey with anxiety. Will this band storyline somehow help Kanda grow? I hope it weaves together more meaningfully in future volumes.

And now, the waiting game begins—there’s no English release for Volume 13 yet. Ugh.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another "cute cats are cute" update, with a side story about bullying leading to Kanda befriending yet ANOTHER musician: this time, a high school dropout busking to avoid facing his tormentors. The other side stories are also cute, but the bullied musician ("Mack") is the one that will have the greatest impact on the plot moving forward. I mean, Siam getting a new owner and "real" name will, too, but that's only moving where he sleeps—he's still very likely to keep showing up in the story.

There's so much to love about this volume that I'd have to review EVERY PAGE in depth to give it proper coverage, I think?? But that feels excessive, haha. There's a little bit that this could be easily enjoyed by a complete newcomer, too, since it's not in the middle of any major story, but maybe that's the cuteness of all the kitties blinding me to facts, hahaaaa.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every volume of this manga is so moving!
At its core it is a story about how pets (in this case mostly cats) can make a humans life brighter, warmer and less lonely.
Mr. Kanda is the kindest mc, gently breaking down the walls of people who have been hurt - himself included - connecting with them through their shared love for cats and music, and growing his circle of friends. His cat Fukumaru does the same for other animals who feel just as abandoned and sad as he was at the start.
The compassion with which this manga tackles the characters painful pasts regularly makes me cry.
It's gut punches interspersed with adorable and funny pet moments that make this series an absolute gem.

[Chetana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This volume saw Kanda venturing in to social media, the house emptying a little and the band Moriyama is building grow. a lot of development is taking place, the end result of which is not apparent yet. This is the issue with getting wrapped up in a manga series that is incomplete in its publication and translation. I hope the next few volumes come out soon so I can read more about Fukumaru and his friends.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical slice of life: Kanda debates what cat tower to get Fukumaru, Soraku decides to let a lost dog in the house, a lonely high school drop out gains the courage to pursue his musical dreams thanks to the friendship of fellow cat owner Kanda, with the stray Siamese cat in the house the social order of the cats is thrown off, but eventually Fukumaru and Kanda get a chance to reconnect

Cute, heartwarming, and calming

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The creator continues to use the “lonely musician gets a cat” trope. While I enjoyed the storylines of the other musicians in previous volumes, this one fell a little flat and didn’t have as much emotional impact. Maybe it’s just becoming overused?

Still looking forward to see how this series progresses!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favourite part of the volume is the stuff with Siam now officially renamed to Canon. I feel like their responses are accurate for what is going on in his life. Makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I'm glad Kanda and Fukumaru were able to get some time together as well. Love this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually made it through this one without crying. It was a lot more cat-focused, so that was nice. I do tired of the musician drama. It was still sweet, and I hope all the kitties and humans feel love and continue to find healing.

I am invested in Kanda, Fukumaru, and company. As long as the course remains steady, I will keep reading!

[Gordon Ambos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich dachte die ganze Zeit, dass das hier der letzte Band ist! Es geht aber weiter omg 😭😭😭 Hab ich am Ende trotzdem (wie bei jedem Band) geheult, als wäre es ein Abschied für immer? Ja.
Diese Reihe ist mein Kryptonit.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

More cuteness. I'd already forgotten the Siamese cat so its story was really abrupt. We get a new member of the band, some funny and some heart-warming short stories. Still hasn't palled.

[Carolynne Horstmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading my little slice of life about a man and his cat(s). I love that we keep meeting more people who come together over the love of cats, and I love seeing some of the cats get adopted and go home with their person. Adorable!

[nur'aini tri wahyuni · Rating 5 out of 5]

cerita tokoh barunya menjanjikan. paling lucu sama reaksi orang kalo ketemu Kanda pertama kali ✨pria ganteng✨

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[c · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAHHHH I FINALLY GOT TO READ VOLUME 12 !!!! i adore this series (and this mangaka!!)- i always come back to it and am never bored! can't wait to get my hands on vol 13 hehehehehe

[ASHLEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was so many different plots and characters and I'm losing track of everything now

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Social media mix up pahaahhaaaa