What do you think?
Rate this book
What's Michael? #10
What's Michael?, Vol. 10: Sleepless Nights
Described as "Japan's version of Garfield, Heathcliff, and Krazy Kat all rolled into one," Makoto Kobayashi's What's Michael? combines true-to-life feline behavior every cat-lover (and hater!) will recognize along with off-the-wall trips into the realms of the fantastic (vampires?) and the ridiculous (cat high school?!). Whether unlocking the mysteries of where cats sleep or analyzing the structure of the cat pecking order, the answers always come with loads of laughter!
88 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
43 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2022
Even though What's Michael? is obviously very popular in Japan, I hadn't heard of this manga until a friend introduced me recently. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the material. This isn't a slight against the art, but rather that most of the vignettes just didn't land with me.
Unlike long-form manga, What's Michael? is set up more like an American newspaper comic strip, with the stories told over just a few pages. There's not much in the way of continuity -- and that's sort of the point. What's Michael? is meant to poke fun at how humans interact with cats while imagining the secret lives of our feline friends.
Cat owners (like myself) will no doubt get a chuckle out of certain anecdotes, but many of the gags came off as either nonsensical or just not that funny. Often, the vignettes went nowhere.
On the other hand, Kobayashi's art style is a wonderful snapshot of 80s manga, and I'll add my voice to others who have noted that he has a fantastic grasp of cat body language.
What's Michael? was diverting enough for the short time it took me to read it, but I likely won't seek out any further volumes. However, it would probably be great for young readers or folks just getting into the manga medium.
Unlike long-form manga, What's Michael? is set up more like an American newspaper comic strip, with the stories told over just a few pages. There's not much in the way of continuity -- and that's sort of the point. What's Michael? is meant to poke fun at how humans interact with cats while imagining the secret lives of our feline friends.
Cat owners (like myself) will no doubt get a chuckle out of certain anecdotes, but many of the gags came off as either nonsensical or just not that funny. Often, the vignettes went nowhere.
On the other hand, Kobayashi's art style is a wonderful snapshot of 80s manga, and I'll add my voice to others who have noted that he has a fantastic grasp of cat body language.
What's Michael? was diverting enough for the short time it took me to read it, but I likely won't seek out any further volumes. However, it would probably be great for young readers or folks just getting into the manga medium.
July 3, 2018
Cute but random collection of cat strips. Sometime it's realistic "life with cats" strips and sometimes its the misadventures of talking cats. The realistic ones are far better.
September 15, 2010
This graphic novel is a series of humorous short stories centered around a group of cats and the people around them. There are also two stories about a cat food company who's product is terrible.
Very fun and cute.
Very fun and cute.
January 23, 2012
this was the only volume of "what's michael" we had left in the graphic novel collection i inherited, and sadly most of the others don't seem to be readily available. cute little comics about a cat named michael who turns up in various odd places.
January 31, 2011
A gift, this wa... OOoOh, look at the cute kiItttiIIes!
October 3, 2012
This book I don't like much! It has to much stuff about cats. K.Y.
February 11, 2013
A fun, witty Manga with charming art work.
June 3, 2016
Horror stories with The Count, attempted promotion of a horrible cat food, and the woes of the local boss cat! Also, why cats don't make good students.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews