Cat + Gamer Volume 6

猫暮らしのゲーマーさん / Neko Gurashi no Gamer-san #6

by Wataru Nadatani, Susie Lee (contributor), Zack Davisson (translator)

Office worker Riko Kozakura has successfully expanded to a two-cat party at home, and she continues to level up in pet ownership!

Living with cats Musubi and Soboro every day is an adventure, and in her daily quests, Riko couldn’t ask for a better team! “Leveling up” in skills, surprises, and adventures, Riko discovers what it’s like living with two cats!

Wataru Nadatani’s hilarious manga series is translated by Zack Davisson (Demon Days, The Supernatural Cats of Japan) and lettered by Susie Lee of Studio Cutie. Nominated for the “Best Manga” Harvey Award in 2022 and 2023!

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

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2021

About the author

Name (in native Japanese): 灘谷航

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 This series is the best. I am not a gamer but all the cat stuff is so adorable and true to life.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musubi and Soboro continue their efforts to be just the dang cutest couple of cats, while Kozakura games away in the background. Somehow, this still works.

Which is a joke - I know exactly why this has continued to work. Adding those bonus pages at the end of each chapter that show things from Musubi and Soboro’s viewpoint has really added some needed “depth” to things.

The writing makes them a little simpleminded, but they do have wee little brains, so incredibly clever wouldn’t make much sense. And, given that my cat can only jump into my lap without falling off 85% of the time, this is more accurate.

There are some better than average jokes sprinkled throughout, although part of what holds this series back isn’t so much the gaming, but its depiction of gaming. Obviously this stuff has to be changed for copyright, but it doesn’t quite get it right sometimes.

The Animal Crossing parody is actually really well realized, right down to a perfect rendition of Kozakura. Yet the Apex Legends chapter, admittedly only interested in commenting on online behaviour, gets almost nothing right minus the death boxes. It’s oddly inconsistent - a couple of times the games aren’t based on anything at all except vague genre concepts.

Subsequently, the cat side outweighs the gamer side pretty heavily, which is fine by me, since cats are cuter. Watching their personalities emerge amidst weight struggles and biscuits and using an object for everything besides its intended purpose is peak cat behaviour and a balm for the soul.

I’m going to especially call out the mirror chapter, which results from Kozakura scaring herself with a horror game, as especially brilliant. It is incredibly playful, poor Musubi gets dunked on pretty hard, and there’s a twist at the end that’s so out-of-nowhere brilliant that I got a huge laugh from it.

Otherwise, business as usual. As long as I can get some hi-jinx, and don’t think about the gaming part too hard, this is totally acceptable as cozy read that helps buoy my spirits when life gets me down.

4 stars - yep, gamer cat dad reporting for duty to endorse the gamer manga about cats. A really fun outing.

[:¨·.·¨: `·. izzy ★°*ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute as always xox

[Kierston Foutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable as always!

[Burcu · Rating 5 out of 5]

yine çok ciciydi 🥹 evrensel bir kedi dili vardır ve bu gerçektir. %100 gerçek.

[Ana]

Idk why it’s showing up as the French version but this volume was super cute

[Cat123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’adore ces mangas avec des chats 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Quel manga devrais-je lire maintenant?

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! The two cats keep being cuter and cuter! I love their interactions after every chapter--they really show their personalities. I am also enjoying the little parodies of IRL companies/games that make their appearances in the series. This series is becoming more and more enjoyable!

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that if I got a cat treat robot on wheels like that where I could talk to my cat, he be be absolutely scared out of his mind. Also I really likes that bit with Soboro and the mirror at the end - that was a bit creepy!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute

This series just keeps getting cuter. I really enjoyed the stories in this volume. It was funny to see how the author showed cats not knowing what to make of their own reflections. I have seen my own cats fight with their reflections before.

[Tara Cignarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani (Vol 6-7)
Writing: A
Art: A
Story: A-
Characters: A
Setting: A-
Best Aspect: Cats- they are the best.
Worst Aspect: The sections where the cats ‘talk’ could be a little longer.
Recommend: Yes.

[Vicky Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series so much! I think that I preferred the English translation to the French but I don't want to wait for the English to be out :)

[Sneha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could read these forever!
So cute <3

[Kai Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

cw: a minor fatphobia/diet culture moment

[Ylenia Damiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homey volume. I love the robot toy she controls when she is at work!! And Soboro - even though a munchkin cat — trying to jump on top of furniture!! Her cats are so adorable

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so cosy, I love them so much, Cats and Gaming what’s not to love!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo cute. A perfect series. I never want it to end!

[Nichole Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the best ongoing cat series. It is just a good time and makes you feel good. Perfect for any occasion including pulling yourself out of a slump.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat + Gamer Volume 6 was a fantastic addition to the Cat + Gamer series following Riko as she continues to settle into life with two cats.

Riko Kozakura has successfully adjusted to life as a two-cat household with her cats Musubi and Soboro. With each day full of new adventures and challenges, Riko continues to discover new quirks about her feline companions. From stocking the house with cozy spots for winter to playing with the cats via robot on her lunchbreak, this volume perfectly captures life with cats.

The Cat + Gamer manga series continues to be a favorite and this volume was no exception. There were several fun stories including Riko buying cozy beds for the cats, realizing she's spending too much money on the cats, the cats playing with their reflections in a mirror, and more. The cats reacting to their reflections in the mirror was one of my favorite stories in this volume. Musubi being terrified of his reflection and Soboro being fascinated by the cute cat she sees were so much fun. We once again got several bonus scenes from the cats' points of view which were an absolute delight. The bonus scenes are some of my favorite parts of this manga as I love getting to see that cats' reactions to Riko's antics.

Overall Cat + Gamer Volume 6 was a great read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next volume soon.

[Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was the most fun one in this series so far 😗

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is still a very cute manga series! I love the two cats, and the way they interact with each other and their owner. While the specific "new cat owner" parts are no longer quite as prominent in recent volumes, there are still new things for Riko to learn about cat ownership.

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨Writing a grouped review for the volumes published and read at the time of writing (volumes1-6). As it's been a few months since I read them and don't remember specifics other than ratings ✨

The dichotomy of this series is that it is simultaneously great and not-so-great for the exact same reason.

It's cat manga.

It's cute, it's wholesome, it's like a warm hug and each volume is a super quick read. But, there is nothing really of substance here.

Will still keep reading it though.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute addition to this series. This one did seem to have less substance than previous volumes.

[Enairolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je continue tranquillement mon petit marathon. C’est dingue à quel point ce manga se dévore en un rien de temps. Les pages défilent à toute vitesse, on ne les voit pas du tout passer. J’ai à peine le temps de réaliser qu’au final je tourne déjà la dernière page! En même temps quand un manga nous plaît autant, c’est tellement un plaisir de se plonger entièrement dans notre lecture. On s’enferme dans une bulle, en tout cas c’est mon cas que ce soit dans les mangas ou bien dans les romans, c’est toujours comme ça avec moi. Avec la fin du cinquième tome, j’avais hâte de découvrir ce sixième et surtout voir quel drame allait découdre du bain qu’elle a donné à Soboro…

Dans ce sixième tome, le temps continue de passer chez notre geek. Les chats grandissent bien, leur vie s’épanouie. Kozakura est toujours autant une geek. Elle passe littéralement son temps libre chez elle enfermé dans sa pièce à jouer encore et encore à ses jeux vidéos. Elle passe également son temps à comparer ses chats aux situations qu’elle rencontre dans ses jeux vidéos… Ah cette Kozakura ne changera jamais…

Je ne m’attendais pas du tout à ce drame concernant le bain mais ça m’a bien fait rire pour le coup. Et puis les têtes que nous offre Soboro et Omu par moment, elles sont complètement épique ça me tue. Kozakura va faire face à un problème que tous les propriétaires de chat connaissent.. Pour qu’ils se sentent bien, elle va dépenser une petite fortune dans des paniers pour chat. Sauf que pas de bol ils ne veulent pas aller dedans et préfère s’allonger à côté de sa console.. On ne va pas se mentir, on a tous vécu ça à un moment ou un autre.. Les miens, par exemple, dès qu’ils voient un carton on a même pas le temps d’enlever ce qu’il y a dedans qu’ils essayent déjà de rentrer dedans pour s’installer.. Ah ces chats, ce sont tout de même des créatures fascinantes! Le coup du robot qu’elle contrôle à distance, j’ai adoré. Qu’est ce que j’aimerais avoir un truc pareil chez moi!

Sans surprise, c’est encore une fois un tome tout simplement génial qu’on a là. Je sais que je me répète beaucoup concernant ce manga mais que voulez-vous, j’en suis complètement fan.. De plus, je suis une amoureuse inconditionnelle des chats alors ce genre d’histoire me plaît particulièrement. On s’identifie beaucoup en voyant certaines situations, c’est là qu’on voit qu’ils ont beau avoir un caractère différent, comme nous les humains, sur certains points ils sont tous pareils en vérité! Je n’ai plus qu’un tome à lire avant d’être à jour.. Et j’ai hâte de voir ce qu’il nous réserve celui là!

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is still an incredibly cute series, but it's also hitting that plateau, where everything starts to be sort of samey since it's now yet another "cute cats are cute" book. I mean, I wouldn't expect Riko to go and get a THIRD cat for the sake of progressing a "plot" that doesn't matter, but ALL of the stories are "cute cats are cute oh and sometimes I play games" in this volume.

Granted, there's more "cute cats are cute" this time around, vs. I think the prior books had just the littlest bit more gaming content. It also has the "show the same scene but this time from the cat point of view" like in My roommate is a cat (or Chi's Sweet Home, I guess, but Chi is more "cat talks but the humans don't understand her" than change in point of view).

I would once again recommend this to *adult* gamers who love cats... not that underage gamers wouldn't enjoy it also, but more of the game jokes have to do with being an adult than a gamer in specific.

[Mandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a delightful and engaging story to dive into? Look no further than the latest installment in Wataru Nadatani's series. The experience of reading this review will take you on a journey filled with excitement, curiosity, and a touch of mystery. As always, Nadatani has delivered something special that readers of all ages will enjoy.

The heartwarming tale follows the adventures of two lovable cats as they navigate through new games and obstacles. The growth of these furry companions is beautifully portrayed as they tackle challenges together, showcasing the power of friendship and teamwork. Each page is filled with lessons of resilience, determination, and the joy of learning something new.

One of the most captivating aspects of this story is the exploration of knowing and not knowing. The cats face trials and tribulations that test their knowledge and abilities, leading to moments of discovery and growth. As a reader, you will be drawn into their world, eagerly anticipating each new obstacle they encounter.

As the story reaches its climax, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat. The suspense builds with each turn of the page, culminating in a cliffhanger that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment. While the ending may be fierce, it is a testament to Nadatani's skill as a storyteller to keep readers engaged and invested in the journey.

In conclusion, the latest review by Wataru Nadatani is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good adventure. The story is filled with heartwarming moments, exciting challenges, and a sense of wonder that will captivate readers from start to finish. Don't miss out on this delightful experience that showcases the expertise and creativity of a talented author.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riko continues the adventures of being a cat owner and the quest to level up in her skills just as much as she focuses on leveling up in her gaming. They celebrate New Year and enjoy winter break together. Riko worries that the cats have put on weight and aren't getting enough exercise. Musubi and Soboro suddenly seem to be fighting a lot and Riko has to figure out why. Soboro's quest to achieve new heights inspires Riko to complete a new challenge in her video game. Riko gets startled by her cats after playing a scary game. And Riko is given a new robot that lets her play with her cats even from afar.

Another fun collection of everyday cat owner adventures with Riko who humorously views everything through the lens of gaming. This was the perfect cozy read to keep me just engaged enough while fighting off jet lag. I love how the author has Riko draw parallels between gaming and her cats' antics. It is so funny, but believable.

Notes on content:
Language: 1 minor swear.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Riko also plays a fighting game and some fist fights are shown.
Ethnic diversity: Humans are all Japanese in real life. There are some characters of other ethnicities in the games Riko plays.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Riko is playing a scary game and one scary woman's image that startles her is shown.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Another sweet volume of gaming adventures featuring Musubi, Soboro, and their human Kozakura. This volume is so heartwarming and fun, complete with new home furnishings, New Year's celebrations, glitches, and the perfect way to revive your HP.

From horror games to social games, I love how this series explores different aspects of gaming and relates them to cat ownership. Fun humor. I'm also really enjoying the Bonus Stages after each chapter that show Musubi and Soboro's perspective.

Adorable artwork. Wonderfully sweet and relatable. That remote robot feeder is absolutely perfect for Kozakura.

Plenty of relatable cat moments such as kneading, winter coats, and overspending on cat accessories. Such a fantastic series for gamers and cat-lovers. Looking forward to reading the next volume.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

These volumes are all quite good, and at about the same level since it's a continuing story of their everyday lives, but this one had some standout stories.

I liked the one where Kozakura gets a robot she can control from work to play with the cats (and it was also nice to see that the author factored in her family missing her birthday from the last volume) and the story with the mirror, where Kozakura was scared of the ghost/creature from her game and the kitties were confused seeing themselves.

With only 2 more volumes to go, I'm sure the quality will stay at this level of wholesomeness.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing adventures of Musubi, Soboro and their person as they navigate life. Contains the great bath aftermath, Riko makes a classic cat owner blunder (buying them fancy things that they don't use or play with packaging instead), Soboro believes she can fly! and both kitties discover the stranger-danger of "mirrors".

I feel like this volume particularly leans into the "slice of life" side of the story, nothing super intense or surprising for cat peoples, just the "normal" moments of laughter and "why... what are you doing?"

No content issues.