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The Gentleman, the Cat & the Tearoom Volume 1
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26Meet shy gentleman Taki and his cat, Keemun. They brighten the day of stressed customers with lovely pastries and a warm cuppa in this delightful slice‑of‑life manga—perfect for tea and cat lovers.In a little café tucked between city buildings, a gentleman and his cat have carved out a quiet space of comfort and calm. Taki, the soft‑spoken owner of the tearoom, runs the small café with the help of his cat, Keemun.Together, they greet customers, serve the perfect pairing of tea and snack, and help visitors with whatever ails them—often with nothing more than a gentle conversation and one of Taki’s meticulously brewed cups of tea.But Keemun isn’t the only reason people wander into the café. A dashing older gentleman who always seems to know exactly what to serve is a treat in his own right. Despite his shyness, Taki has a gift for reading others and understanding the quiet weariness they carry, offering warmth and reassurance with every cup. Winner of the 2025 Rakuten Kobo E‑book Next Breakout Comic Award, this gentle, heartwarming story has captured the affection of readers with its soothing atmosphere, kind humor, and comforting moments shared over tea.
- GenresManga
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, this was utterly delightful! Such a splendid and quick read that surprised me with how much it relaxed me, honestly!
Taki was absolutely wonderful, and I loved how passionate he is about not only making tea, but also knowing what tea to make for the customers who walk through his door! I also loved how he was able to admit, even embarrassingly, that he struggles with making eye contact because he's so shy but doesn't want to accidentally offend anyone either. He is downright precious, and he and his beautiful cat need to be protected at all costs!
I LOVED how different all the customers were, but honestly how relatable they were too! Each person was a different age and came from a different background, but I still saw parts of myself in all of them. I especially related A LOT to the very tired mom who is doing her best.
I found the artwork very lovely! The expressions were fun to see on the customers' faces and Taki's, but also how he made the tea. It was very interesting to see Taki explain the different teas and show how he makes them by hand.
Overall, thank you very much, NetGalley, for letting me read an early copy of this! I honestly enjoyed it so much that now I want my own physical copy to visit when I'm having a tired day and need something to help me relax! I would recommend this to cat lovers, but also to those who enjoyed I Am a Cat Barista but would appreciate a little more focus on the actual tea-making!
*(I received an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own!)*
Taki was absolutely wonderful, and I loved how passionate he is about not only making tea, but also knowing what tea to make for the customers who walk through his door! I also loved how he was able to admit, even embarrassingly, that he struggles with making eye contact because he's so shy but doesn't want to accidentally offend anyone either. He is downright precious, and he and his beautiful cat need to be protected at all costs!
I LOVED how different all the customers were, but honestly how relatable they were too! Each person was a different age and came from a different background, but I still saw parts of myself in all of them. I especially related A LOT to the very tired mom who is doing her best.
I found the artwork very lovely! The expressions were fun to see on the customers' faces and Taki's, but also how he made the tea. It was very interesting to see Taki explain the different teas and show how he makes them by hand.
Overall, thank you very much, NetGalley, for letting me read an early copy of this! I honestly enjoyed it so much that now I want my own physical copy to visit when I'm having a tired day and need something to help me relax! I would recommend this to cat lovers, but also to those who enjoyed I Am a Cat Barista but would appreciate a little more focus on the actual tea-making!
*(I received an e-copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own!)*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There have been some trends in the Japanese media being ported to the West in recent years. The two biggest are cats, and the beloved (yet disappearing) Showa era Western style cafe. We've seen them in countless books and manga, and they all seem to be trying to evoke the same emotions and thoughts, but only a few are succeeding.
I find that the overarching theme of these books are usually about slowing down and enjoying the quiet. I have also found that many books struggle to find the right wording (whether in the original or the translation) to properly describe this without feeling heavy handed.
However, The Gentleman, The Cat, and the Tearoom has done a fantastic job. Maybe it's because of the media of manga, where scenes can be spread out over many panels without words, but I felt the characters slow down and savor their time. It reminded me that sometimes I should take some time to enjoy my tea without doing anything else.
The calm tone of the manga was cozy, and the cat, Keemun-kun, was a very realistic cat. You can tell the mangaka is a cat owner.
My only gripe is a few of the localization choices. Having someone refer to our main character as a "Zaddy" felt extremely out of place, and I feel a broader term could have been used.
Overall, this was a very cozy manga that taught me a few things about tea, and I'm interested in reading the following volumes.
Thank you to Abrams Comic Arts, Kana, and Netgalley for the ARC.
I find that the overarching theme of these books are usually about slowing down and enjoying the quiet. I have also found that many books struggle to find the right wording (whether in the original or the translation) to properly describe this without feeling heavy handed.
However, The Gentleman, The Cat, and the Tearoom has done a fantastic job. Maybe it's because of the media of manga, where scenes can be spread out over many panels without words, but I felt the characters slow down and savor their time. It reminded me that sometimes I should take some time to enjoy my tea without doing anything else.
The calm tone of the manga was cozy, and the cat, Keemun-kun, was a very realistic cat. You can tell the mangaka is a cat owner.
My only gripe is a few of the localization choices. Having someone refer to our main character as a "Zaddy" felt extremely out of place, and I feel a broader term could have been used.
Overall, this was a very cozy manga that taught me a few things about tea, and I'm interested in reading the following volumes.
Thank you to Abrams Comic Arts, Kana, and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was smiling the whole time!
This is a wholesome, funny and cozy read about a fine older man, his cute cat, and his tearoom.
He explains about the teas to his customers and the science behind every tea cup is so interesting!!
Love the Assam and Darjeeling tea mentions, gotta love the Indian rep.
I can't wait to read volume 2 😍
Thankyou to NetGalley, Molicross and Abrams Comic Arts for the e-ARC. 🐈⬛
This is a wholesome, funny and cozy read about a fine older man, his cute cat, and his tearoom.
He explains about the teas to his customers and the science behind every tea cup is so interesting!!
Love the Assam and Darjeeling tea mentions, gotta love the Indian rep.
I can't wait to read volume 2 😍
Thankyou to NetGalley, Molicross and Abrams Comic Arts for the e-ARC. 🐈⬛
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this manga. People stumble into this hole in the wall tearoom and enjoy their consumables. They slow down and learn that his tea is really good. Then they learn far too much about tea because he infodumps to anyone who asks. I did learn a bit of stuff about tea from this. I always find that is always neat
I found all the little stories charming. In the first two, we follow the customers while the latter two have a larger focus on the server. The translation is mostly good. The characters felt alive and different from one another. There was a group of three in the last chapter and their interactions were good. One complaint is they did use the slang term "zaddy" and I just don't love relatively rare slang in manga. I feel like it'll date the book. Perhaps I'm simply not in the circles that still use the slang term though.
The customers did seem to overreact a little bit to the five dollar tea, but, at some point, I feel like he should've changed the menu to say that it's two cups worth of tea with a little treat on the side considering I'm sure he'd loose business needlessly if people thought it was over expensive. I wonder if he changes it in later chapters.
The art style is quite nice. I was delighted to see that the women look fairly cute. They were also quite distinct with head shapes and eyebrows. The second story had a visually older woman, which I don't often see in manga. The cat is simply a joy on page, very cat-like and very charming with their little bowtie. There was a weird thing about shading. Almost the entirety of the manga is in black and white, but at the very beginning it's in grey scale. I always wonder why mangakas do that sometimes.
Overall, very good :D
I found all the little stories charming. In the first two, we follow the customers while the latter two have a larger focus on the server. The translation is mostly good. The characters felt alive and different from one another. There was a group of three in the last chapter and their interactions were good. One complaint is they did use the slang term "zaddy" and I just don't love relatively rare slang in manga. I feel like it'll date the book. Perhaps I'm simply not in the circles that still use the slang term though.
The customers did seem to overreact a little bit to the five dollar tea, but, at some point, I feel like he should've changed the menu to say that it's two cups worth of tea with a little treat on the side considering I'm sure he'd loose business needlessly if people thought it was over expensive. I wonder if he changes it in later chapters.
The art style is quite nice. I was delighted to see that the women look fairly cute. They were also quite distinct with head shapes and eyebrows. The second story had a visually older woman, which I don't often see in manga. The cat is simply a joy on page, very cat-like and very charming with their little bowtie. There was a weird thing about shading. Almost the entirety of the manga is in black and white, but at the very beginning it's in grey scale. I always wonder why mangakas do that sometimes.
Overall, very good :D
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Abrams ComicArts, and Kana, the artist Molicoross, and translator Minna, for the ARC.
We have a manga about tea, its history and info about what pairs with it and how to steep it. Add to it a cat, a gentleman who loves tea and Keemun-the cat, and their tearoom where you can sit, enjoy the atmosphere, the tea and the sight of the cat with a bowtie on.
Loved this first volume so much, the art is great, the translation want to keep up with modern slang, although calling Taki 'zaddy' makes me wonder what the description was in the original.
It made me want tea while I was reading it, and pair it with a good dessert. It gives off cozy vibes, trying to teach you how to relax as well, at least while you are inside the tearoom. Loved hearing Taki infodump about a subject he loves and how his shyness evaporates at the moment as he shares all his knowledge.
Can't wait to see what other kind of customers will come at his tearoom and what type of tea he will serve them in the next volumes.
We have a manga about tea, its history and info about what pairs with it and how to steep it. Add to it a cat, a gentleman who loves tea and Keemun-the cat, and their tearoom where you can sit, enjoy the atmosphere, the tea and the sight of the cat with a bowtie on.
Loved this first volume so much, the art is great, the translation want to keep up with modern slang, although calling Taki 'zaddy' makes me wonder what the description was in the original.
It made me want tea while I was reading it, and pair it with a good dessert. It gives off cozy vibes, trying to teach you how to relax as well, at least while you are inside the tearoom. Loved hearing Taki infodump about a subject he loves and how his shyness evaporates at the moment as he shares all his knowledge.
Can't wait to see what other kind of customers will come at his tearoom and what type of tea he will serve them in the next volumes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I actually liked this even more than I had expected, because it really does what it set out to do. The pacing is consistently slow, making for a very calm and cozy read, and the characters are all lovely. We don't yet learn a lot about the tearoom owner and his cat, but they have a very sweet dynamic of Taki being shy until someone asks him about tea, and Keemun doing his best to lure customers in and stop him from rambling too much about tea.
It was nice to see the pattern with every visitor being surprised by their visit, always leaving happier than they'd arrived, and even coming back. On top of that I learned a lot about tea, and the story and artwork made it all look and sound so tasty that I got myself my own cup. I can't complain about a single thing, I just loved this.
I actually liked this even more than I had expected, because it really does what it set out to do. The pacing is consistently slow, making for a very calm and cozy read, and the characters are all lovely. We don't yet learn a lot about the tearoom owner and his cat, but they have a very sweet dynamic of Taki being shy until someone asks him about tea, and Keemun doing his best to lure customers in and stop him from rambling too much about tea.
It was nice to see the pattern with every visitor being surprised by their visit, always leaving happier than they'd arrived, and even coming back. On top of that I learned a lot about tea, and the story and artwork made it all look and sound so tasty that I got myself my own cup. I can't complain about a single thing, I just loved this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Abrams ComicArts, and Kana for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
What a delight! As a previous tea barista and a cat lover, I think this was made for me. I loved how much Taki gets passionate over tea (and how quickly Keemun cuts him off haha). The interactions with his customers are so wholesome and quaint—it was so cozy! I adored this, and I will be on the look out for future volumes.
What a delight! As a previous tea barista and a cat lover, I think this was made for me. I loved how much Taki gets passionate over tea (and how quickly Keemun cuts him off haha). The interactions with his customers are so wholesome and quaint—it was so cozy! I adored this, and I will be on the look out for future volumes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s pretty much a wholesome foodie manga about a shy waiter and his “Maine coon type cat” who own a cafe and meet various peeps with different stories. Very similar to restaurant to another world and Yotsuiro Biyori
Got this via Netgalley and publisher!
Got this via Netgalley and publisher!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital review copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
If you’re looking for a lighthearted manga that’s cute and fun and a quick read, this is what you’re looking for. A shy, older man running a tearoom with his bowtie-wearing cat, and the people who happen into the shop for a cup of tea and a dessert.
This is a lovely little mood-lifter of a manga.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted manga that’s cute and fun and a quick read, this is what you’re looking for. A shy, older man running a tearoom with his bowtie-wearing cat, and the people who happen into the shop for a cup of tea and a dessert.
This is a lovely little mood-lifter of a manga.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The first in the series. A very shy man opens a tea cafe. He quietly affects different people's days when he serves them tea and dessert combinations. Lovely story. I look forward to future volumes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This manga is a real delight—perfect for reading during the autumn season, curled up with a blanket and a hot drink!
The artwork is lovely and immediately creates a cozy, comforting atmosphere.
The shop manager is adorable, with his extreme shyness—and he’s even more charming when he talks about tea! Plus, it’s impossible not to fall for the little cat that keeps him company!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kana for the chance to discover this story.
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Ce manga est une vraie douceur, parfait à lire pendant la saison automnale avec un plaid et une boisson chaude !
Les dessins sont agréables et installent immédiatement dans une ambiance cosy et réconfortante.
Le gérant est adorable avec son extrème timidité de plus il est tellement lorsqu’il parle de thé ! Et impossible de ne pas craquer pour le petit chat qui l’accompagne!
Merci à NetGalley et Kana pour m'avoir donné la chance de découvrir cette histoire
The artwork is lovely and immediately creates a cozy, comforting atmosphere.
The shop manager is adorable, with his extreme shyness—and he’s even more charming when he talks about tea! Plus, it’s impossible not to fall for the little cat that keeps him company!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kana for the chance to discover this story.
------------------------
Ce manga est une vraie douceur, parfait à lire pendant la saison automnale avec un plaid et une boisson chaude !
Les dessins sont agréables et installent immédiatement dans une ambiance cosy et réconfortante.
Le gérant est adorable avec son extrème timidité de plus il est tellement lorsqu’il parle de thé ! Et impossible de ne pas craquer pour le petit chat qui l’accompagne!
Merci à NetGalley et Kana pour m'avoir donné la chance de découvrir cette histoire
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews