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Cat Shit One
Apocalypse Meow, Volume 1
A hard-hitting historical graphic novel... with cats and rabbits! Rabbits are fighting in the Vietnam War?! That's right-the characters of this pseudo-historical account of Vietnam War are rabbits, cats, and other animals representing various nationalities involved in the war. It's the story of the life and adventures of the Special Operations unit lead by Sergeant "Perky" Perkins. The reader will experience and feel the danger and life or death excitement of the battlefield alongside Perky and his rabbits as they face terrible battles in the jungles of Vietnam. A remarkable synthesis of gritty realism and fable-like characters. Apocalypse Meow is a unique masterpiece!
146 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Motofumi Kobayashi
80 books3 followersMotofumi Kobayashi (小林 源文) is a japanese mangaka.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 20, 2020
Quite good and informative.
January 5, 2012
In the tradition of Art Spiegelman's Maus I: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began (1986) comes Apocalypse Meow, Volume 1 (by Motofumi Kobayashi, 1998) - a manga about the Vietnamese war from the perspective of a small group of American soldiers portrayed as rabbits.
At first, I just wanted to read something with as great a name as Apocalypse Meow. After getting into the first 8 chapters, however, I would recommend this manga to teachers of American or World History. Anyone interested in wartime history might also enjoy it. I do have some issues with the characters - I think some more depth could be added to the three main bunnies. I also believe the storyline lacks intensity at some crucial moments. The art, however, is absolutely incredible.
Most strikingly similar to Spiegelman's "tail" (forgive my pun) is the use of animals to portray various values such as religion, politics, ethnicity, and country affiliation. To get a feel of the manga, take Kobayashi's character set:
Rabbits = American troops
Cats = Vietnamese
Bears = Soviets
Pandas = Chinese
Chimps = Japanese
Pigs = French
Dogs = Koreans
Kangaroos/Koalas= Australians
Mice=British
I'll start by explaining the cats. They vary in their coats and shading. Unless there is something one would otherwise notice in the colored version, they are all similar. Those who have learned anything about the Vietnamese War (hereby termed "the war" for simplification) might recall that the Americans had difficulties distinguishing between friends and foes. So long as one side or the other doesn't have collars with little bells so we can tell who's who, this is a brilliantly exemplifies the problems U.S. troops had in trying to face the enemy.
The rabbits are actually quite a good choice for the Americans. During the Cold War (scratch that... during most of the 20th century and beyond) the United States has focused on certain objectives in global policy - stopping "undesirable" ideas that don't have to do with democracy and capitalism and spreading these "values" as far and as fast as rabbits procreate. (I'm not saying it's wrong, but I'm not saying it's right, either.) In chapter 8, one rabbit (Bova, I think?) echoes the sentiments of many Americans by saying (paraphrased): "Why do they attack us? Don't they realize we're here to help them?" Perhaps they feel they are there to help, and perhaps that was the original intention. But the road to Hell is often paved with good intentions, and sometimes American intentions are as helpful as rabbits in the World's garden.
The U.S.S.R. and China are represented by animals that work well with their homeland. In addition to pandas representing the Chinese military, one also can take note of various defectors from the People's Republic as well as prospectors and semi-legitimate businessmen.
Chimps as Japanese businessmen and scouts might be confusing to many, but I feel that Motofumi Kobayashi is putting Japan at the top of the evolutionary chain. In the 1950s-60s, Japan, in accordance with the strictures placed upon them following WWII, turned the majority of their attention to business and industry. They went from making the worst products on the market (pre-war) to the best.
Finally, the French in this case are equated to pigs, or rather, colonial "slobs" who did little but live off the work off the work of the native people. Essentially, they are quite Orwellian/Animal Farm in their presentation. Not only that, but the pigs who did not leave the country have no desire to change their lifestyles...if the war touches too close to home, they simply bribe the right people to make it go away.
Kobayashi gets plenty right - the feelings of the soldiers during combat and at rest, camaraderie between the men, and I was particularly moved with his depiction of how soldiers were treated when they were back on U.S. soil. A great read with great art.
At first, I just wanted to read something with as great a name as Apocalypse Meow. After getting into the first 8 chapters, however, I would recommend this manga to teachers of American or World History. Anyone interested in wartime history might also enjoy it. I do have some issues with the characters - I think some more depth could be added to the three main bunnies. I also believe the storyline lacks intensity at some crucial moments. The art, however, is absolutely incredible.
Most strikingly similar to Spiegelman's "tail" (forgive my pun) is the use of animals to portray various values such as religion, politics, ethnicity, and country affiliation. To get a feel of the manga, take Kobayashi's character set:
Rabbits = American troops
Cats = Vietnamese
Bears = Soviets
Pandas = Chinese
Chimps = Japanese
Pigs = French
Dogs = Koreans
Kangaroos/Koalas= Australians
Mice=British
I'll start by explaining the cats. They vary in their coats and shading. Unless there is something one would otherwise notice in the colored version, they are all similar. Those who have learned anything about the Vietnamese War (hereby termed "the war" for simplification) might recall that the Americans had difficulties distinguishing between friends and foes. So long as one side or the other doesn't have collars with little bells so we can tell who's who, this is a brilliantly exemplifies the problems U.S. troops had in trying to face the enemy.
The rabbits are actually quite a good choice for the Americans. During the Cold War (scratch that... during most of the 20th century and beyond) the United States has focused on certain objectives in global policy - stopping "undesirable" ideas that don't have to do with democracy and capitalism and spreading these "values" as far and as fast as rabbits procreate. (I'm not saying it's wrong, but I'm not saying it's right, either.) In chapter 8, one rabbit (Bova, I think?) echoes the sentiments of many Americans by saying (paraphrased): "Why do they attack us? Don't they realize we're here to help them?" Perhaps they feel they are there to help, and perhaps that was the original intention. But the road to Hell is often paved with good intentions, and sometimes American intentions are as helpful as rabbits in the World's garden.
The U.S.S.R. and China are represented by animals that work well with their homeland. In addition to pandas representing the Chinese military, one also can take note of various defectors from the People's Republic as well as prospectors and semi-legitimate businessmen.
Chimps as Japanese businessmen and scouts might be confusing to many, but I feel that Motofumi Kobayashi is putting Japan at the top of the evolutionary chain. In the 1950s-60s, Japan, in accordance with the strictures placed upon them following WWII, turned the majority of their attention to business and industry. They went from making the worst products on the market (pre-war) to the best.
Finally, the French in this case are equated to pigs, or rather, colonial "slobs" who did little but live off the work off the work of the native people. Essentially, they are quite Orwellian/Animal Farm in their presentation. Not only that, but the pigs who did not leave the country have no desire to change their lifestyles...if the war touches too close to home, they simply bribe the right people to make it go away.
Kobayashi gets plenty right - the feelings of the soldiers during combat and at rest, camaraderie between the men, and I was particularly moved with his depiction of how soldiers were treated when they were back on U.S. soil. A great read with great art.
January 13, 2018
Tebeo bélico sobre un astronauta usamericano que acaba en una Tierra paralela donde la humanidad ha sido sustituida por animalitos parlantes, con tan mala suerte que cae en pleno conflicto del Vietnam donde los americanos ahora son monísimos conejitos que se están pegando con gatos nortvietnamitas. Obra de un milicofriki (confesado por él mismo, celebró su treinta aniversario como mangaka yéndose a Mongolia a pegar tiros, darse unos rulos en tanque y pegarse el gusto de tirar unos RPGs antitanque contra montones de chatarra. Además que en Mongolia se come y se bebe de puta madre, tomen nota), el tebeo tira básicamente hacia la acción desde un punto de vista norteamericano, algo a medio camino entre el Equipo-A y Desaparecido en combate. Desgraciadamente una narrativa algo confusa y las historias en exceso sencillotas, demasiado orientadas a la acción pura y dura, no me ha acabado de enganchar.
October 14, 2019
I was not a huge fan of this manga. I found the beginning to be confusing and also a little dull.
Apocalypse Meow tells the story of the Vietnam War but uses animals to represent the countries instead of people. For example, the Americans are rabbits (Rabbit is Usagi in Japanese, which may be a play on words U.S.A. G.I.), the Koreans dogs, the Vietnamese are cats, etc. It's definitely an interesting concept, I just do not think it was well executed. The parts I enjoyed were the long sections just describing the Vietnam War and events leading to the war. I thought this was interesting and would rather read a whole book on just those historical sections instead of the manga format.
Overall, I'd give this 2-2.5 stars.
Apocalypse Meow tells the story of the Vietnam War but uses animals to represent the countries instead of people. For example, the Americans are rabbits (Rabbit is Usagi in Japanese, which may be a play on words U.S.A. G.I.), the Koreans dogs, the Vietnamese are cats, etc. It's definitely an interesting concept, I just do not think it was well executed. The parts I enjoyed were the long sections just describing the Vietnam War and events leading to the war. I thought this was interesting and would rather read a whole book on just those historical sections instead of the manga format.
Overall, I'd give this 2-2.5 stars.
December 10, 2020
It was very cute and very informative, I really enjoyed learning about the Vietnam war during school so reading this made me learn even more than what I already knew.
The only thing I don’t like about this are the slurs and the stereotypes they give the different cultures but it is meant to symbolise how they spoke back then but it still doesn’t sit well for me.
The illustrations are also so so so adorable you forget these are meant to be actual spillers and not bunny rabbits in uniforms.
The only thing I don’t like about this are the slurs and the stereotypes they give the different cultures but it is meant to symbolise how they spoke back then but it still doesn’t sit well for me.
The illustrations are also so so so adorable you forget these are meant to be actual spillers and not bunny rabbits in uniforms.
December 8, 2020
The Vietnam War meets The Wind in the Willows and produces something that is equal parts allegorical fantasy and finely detailed military adventure. If there was ever a manga to win over Western audiences, it’s this.
June 3, 2020
É como se Esopo fosse um mangaká e resolvesse contar uma história sobre a Guerra do Vietnã.
Detalhada, assustadora e bem contada. Super recomendo.
Detalhada, assustadora e bem contada. Super recomendo.
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July 8, 2020DNF 1/3 of the way.
Not my cup of tea, though I tried.
Not my cup of tea, though I tried.
November 24, 2020
A big thank you to Ray Baker to introducing my to Cat Shit One. This is what that video is based on. A Vietnam War graphic novel fought by rabbits and cats. What more could you ask for.
September 9, 2022
No new vietnam history here for me, the illustration is great but the manga small book format is a killer on my old tired eyes...6pt font should be unpublishable.
December 6, 2024
Un peu dense pour les personnes ne connaissant rien à la guerre mais les dessins sont sympathique.
Je ne sais pas si l'histoire est biaisée, j'en ai l'impression.
Je ne sais pas si l'histoire est biaisée, j'en ai l'impression.
August 29, 2025
Great one! Read it after watching the anime episode set in the Middle East. Read it before reading Vol. 0.
January 23, 2013
Há algo de delicioso na premissa de coelhinhos de ar simpático que são duros soldados de forças especiais, capazes das mais arriscadas e sangrentas missões. Este manga revisita a guerra do Vietname sob uma perspectiva antropomórfica em que os vietnamitas são representados como gatos, chineses como pandas, russos como ursos, franceses como porcos, japoneses como macacos e americanos como coelhos. Simpáticos, de olhar homicida e armados até aos dentes com metralhadoras pesadas. E se tudo o resto falhar com a capacidade de despoletar um ataque aéreo de napalm incendiário.
O conceito de retratar uma guerra através de criaturas antropomórficas não é inovador. Art Spiegelman é o seu praticante mais bem sucedido, com o genial e provocador Maus. Este manga é formulaico. Os personagens vivem aventuras no cenário dos combates, sem qualquer elemento crítico ou analítico. Troque-se coelhinhos queridinhos por personagens convencionais e nada mudaria. Apesar disto, enfim, coelhinhos bonitinhos armados até aos dentes? É uma ideia irresistível, mesmo que o resto seja sofrível.
O conceito de retratar uma guerra através de criaturas antropomórficas não é inovador. Art Spiegelman é o seu praticante mais bem sucedido, com o genial e provocador Maus. Este manga é formulaico. Os personagens vivem aventuras no cenário dos combates, sem qualquer elemento crítico ou analítico. Troque-se coelhinhos queridinhos por personagens convencionais e nada mudaria. Apesar disto, enfim, coelhinhos bonitinhos armados até aos dentes? É uma ideia irresistível, mesmo que o resto seja sofrível.
May 19, 2010
Historical fiction about the Vietnam War told with different animals representing different nationalities. Some of his character choices were amusing (rabbits as Americans) others were disconcerting (slant-eyed cats as the Vietnamese, and pandas as the Chinese). I usually get bored by military stories but this one mostly held my interest and I felt like I learned quite a bit since he did a good job footnoting the slang terms, military maneuvers and such. And I loved that the unit of American bunny rabbits he followed called themselves "Cat Shit One". Besides the stories of particular soldiers, there were sections devoted to describing the big picture of what was going on at that time period and some historical background, which I appreciated. Overall I thought it was decent, but I am not clamoring to read the next one in the series either.
August 12, 2008
the premise of this work - a retelling of the vietnam war with americans as rabbits and the vietnamese as cats - is instantly appealing. but, the bunnies certainly aren't fluffy. it's a detailed rendering of the vietnam war, each chapter a mission. historical details are in abundance and explain aspects of the war. if i enjoyed reading war narratives more, i would love this book. and while images of rabbits throwing grenades is infinitely appealing to me, in the end there wasn't enough character background for me to find the subjects compelling.
July 17, 2015
Apocalypse Meow: Volume 1 is a retelling of the Vietnam War using anthropomorphic animals such as rabbits, cats, monkeys, pigs, etc. Included in the retelling, there are pages that discuss the historical record of how the Vietnam War started and the things that were happening on the US side, the Vietnam (North and South) and even with the French (since Vietnam was originally occupied by the French). I think this work was well done, the story itself is one that captivates you as well as the illustrations. Overall, I would recommend this work to others.
January 13, 2010
The Apocalypse Meow trilogy truly represents a stunning achievement. The artist gives us a story about rabbits and cats fighting the Vietnam War without ever being cloying. Supplemental sections offer illustrated facts about the real Vietnam war.
July 1, 2025
Me había encantado el dibujo y no recuerdo nada de nada de la historia, creo que porque me aburrió bastante. Igual le daría otra oportunidad aunque sea para pegarle otra ojeada.
June 21, 2012
I don't know what I think about this one. War movie mixed with Art Spiegelman's Maus.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews