Take a coffee break in this supernatural spin on a cat cafe!
For some people, the daily grind of city life is exhausting. Yet somewhere between busy streets there's a mysterious cat cafe that can only be found by weary souls. What's on the menu? A delicious cup of coffee, specially brewed for each customer…by a cat barista!
"During a slump, it's hard to stay motivated and focused on improvement. You really have given it your all, haven't you?"
This was a good final conclusion to the series!
While I confess I was not very interested in knowing Hachi's backstory, it did pull my heartstrings when reading. Truthfully I just wanted more customers to come in and see how Hachi would help them and encourage them. *hides* Maybe that sounds bad, but this series has been a huge boost of serotonin and encouragement for my heart. Right from the start, the customers were relatable and was grateful to see that no problem was too small or irrelevant because we all have different struggles.
I LOVED the introduction of Tama! While I know this series is completed at two volumes, I would have loved loved loved to see more of him working with Haichi! He honestly was the perfect balance to Hachi's personality and felt this volume had more "fun" vibes than the first because of it. And I mean that in a good way, not a bad way! It still has the soulful vibes of the first volume, but with more happy delight thrown in because of Tama's expressions and infectious happiness. It was such a joy to read him on page!
Overall, this was a very rewarding series that I definitely think is underrated! I learned about drinks/foods that can help with certain "ailments" such as allergies, anxiety, and warmth. I feel this series is a really great pick-me-up that meets you right in the midst of busy everyday life and reminds you that you have value and importance and should take care of yourself. I definitely appreciated reading this series and is one I will pick up again when I need that kind of reminder. <3
'Cats are always there for you when you need them.'
This quote says it all...I thought this was a light read, as I didn't read the first volume. The story is based around Hachi (the cat barista) and Tama (the dog pattisier). Every chapter is about a different character that comes into the Café Hachiware with their problems, big our small. Hachi listens to everyone with the same compassion and attention, and giving the individual attention the person needs. Tama is there for the lighter note and the pastries. At the end of every story Hachi gives his client a perfect brew made to comfort them and see the light at the end of their problems. Instantly, the customers feel themselves lighter and happier. Hachi also has his own happy story with a sad ending and I didn't expected that. It made me think about my cat that I lost. It would be 3 years after the day that I've finished reading. After reading it, I was in pieces and needed my own brew of Hachi. I have a soft spot about Japanese books involving cats. This one has a place in it. If such place could exist for real, then I would be the first customer.
Oops I forgot to say I finished this and leave a review yesterday 😭 It was as good as the first one and the background was a little sad. It made me think of my cat that I lost :( but other than the sadness it was super cute and made me want to have a cafe like this. It also describes how the cat barista is a cat barista, I feel like that should've happened in volume 1 but that's alright.
Forgot to add this to goodreads! I loved this volume more than the first. We get some backstory on our cat's life before becoming a barista. It's sad but very well written.
This is a beautiful series that revives this weary soul of mine. Why can’t a cafe like this exist in real life? I need a place where I can consume sweets and coffee while sharing my feelings. I want a barista as a friend and confidant too. I’ll be a regular customer, of course. I need a safe place outdoors ( a homebody like me is picky!)
To be frank, I haven’t been doing that well these days. I am happy that I decided to read this today because some of the advice truly resonated with me. This is such a simple yet heartwarming series. I implore you to read it. You won’t regret it!!!
What a wholesome sweet read this was. Learning Hachi’s backstory was so heartbreaking and bittersweet, I cried while reading. I love this series and can’t wait to pick up the next volume when it releases. The artwork is always so stunning and stories within are unique. I love seeing the different characters come and go, building the story and world of the Hachiware Cafe.
I Am a Cat Barista, Volume 2 by Hiro Maijima (2020) continues the episodic stories of a cafe run by an anthropomorphic cat. This volume also includes the cat's backstory and lore that explains the existence of beast people.
What would you do if you found a coffee shop that always knew exactly what you needed to lift your spirits and enrich your soul? What would you do if you learned that the barista of said coffee shop is a cat?
Yeah, you'd probably visit every day. That is the lesson many people are about to learn as they desperately seek ways to recover from their working and otherwise chaotic lives.
Review:
In truth, I Am a Cat Barista Vol. 2 is just as endearing as the first volume. Hachi's endeavor to run a practical and helpful coffee shop is still strong. Every client that enters the shop walks away feeling relieved and relaxed.
That said, I should warn readers that a surprisingly somber and dark (ish?) story is woven into this narrative. I'm talking about Hachi's backstory. While I won't complain that we learned more about how Hachi came to be, his backstory hit me without warning. It's really sad and does involve death, so consider yourself warned.
Other than that, I Am a Cat Barista Vol. 2 is as sweet and relaxing as I had hoped. The perfect slice-of-life (with a cat) story. I'm looking forward to the third volume of the series (I hope I can get my hands on it).
Highlights: Cats! But seriously, a cat barista Coffee love Slice of Life
Unfortunately, I have to choose between cats and an allergic spouse, and... ugh, RESPONSIBILITY AND STUFF.
Still, a very cute book about a cat who can FOR SOME REASON* work as a perfectly perfect barista (and his dog friend who helps out after his bakery is randomly shuttered by the owner)! The first story is particularly inspirational: A runner is despondent because younger athletes can perform so much better, but he finds Hachi's café—less popular/crowded than the one down the street—where Hachi tells the runner that he doesn't want to compete with the other café, just serve delicious food and drink to weary souls. The runner realises that he is also only truly competing with himself; what everyone else is doing doesn't matter to his own goals.
*That is actually explained in this volume! ...sort of. Essentially... it's magic! (from ) Sure, whatever gets me this cute story!["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
How long has it been since I read the first volume of this strange series? A little more than a year, I think. Here's what I recall from it: the whole book had this wonderfully magic and cozy atmosphere, with an episodic story that could benefit from having more continuity.
Toward the end of volume one, some exciting things were foreshadowed, and volume two follows through. It actually fixes the main criticism I had with the first: advancements are made in the overarching story. Plus, some returning characters make the first book seem a lot less pointless. That's not to say volume one shouldn't exist - it just lacks a consistent storyline.
This probably could be five stars if not for a few small criticisms I still have. For example, a character might be going through a tough time, coming to the magical café for support. But then their problem gets fixed within just a couple minutes, making the whole endeavor feel less serious than it should be.
The other criticisms are mild spoilers that I simply won't talk about. Despite the small issues, it's still a good book.
Overall, I Am a Cat Barista is a delightfully weird and wonderful series, and the second volume is just as great as the first (if not better). There are only these two volumes for now, but as far as I can tell, a third volume might happen eventually.
Of all the volumes of cat manga I read during the end of last year and the beginning of 2022, I Am A Cat Barista was easily one of my favorites. Volume two doesn't disappoint. Small snippets of narrative where a human has a problem, encounters the cafe, is given the perfect beverage or sandwich, and then given advice that makes them content. Then we move on to the next chapter where it happens all over again.
In this volume we meet a new character, a dog pâtissier, and we learn the origin of the cat barista and why he has set out to make the world happy through running a cafe.
This is a book that's just the right level of wholesome. It's not sickly sweet but every plot point is obvious and meant to be comforting. This a is a perfect stress-free read.
I'm really beginning to fall in love with this series. The tale of the mysterious coffee shop that only appears to the weariest souls is so cute and uplifting. Seeing how Master Hachi, the cat barista, consoles and gives wisdom to the tired individuals that enter his shop is honestly tear-jerking and just in general wholesome. If you like manga, cats, or coffee (or perhaps are a barista yourself) and you want to read a simple and uplifting story, this series is definitely for you! Can't wait to get vol. 3!
Like the last volume, this collection of little stories is as sweet as cotton candy, with just as much substance. A new character is introduced, who only serves as comic relief. (Pupper really is cute, though.) Again, all problems people have are solved with a snack and a pep talk by the end of each chapter.
Hachi's backstory was longer and had a little more depth, compared to any of the customers' stories, and is the only remotely interesting part of the series so far for me. It was nice to have some kind of arc more than 20 pages long.
What's better than a cat serving coffee? A skilled doggo baker! I love the idea of a cafe run by a magical beast.
However, after reading a lot of other manga, I was a little disappointed with the quality of the transition pages in this series. Usually transition pages have a full page of artwork, but these only had the manga title and no artwork.
Overall a fun slice of life series with a great mix of humor and drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I can't believe that this manga managed to have me howl with laughter then tear up in a single panel, get me to laugh again, then absolutely DESTROY ME for two chapters. The origin story? Uncalled for. I'm suing for emotional damage. I ugly sobbed for an hour. I loved this so much. Where's the next volume, I don't know how I'm supposed to survive without it.
This series is starting to develop an overarching plot and even gave some background information on our protagonist. The "scientific" explanation was certainly interesting. The little stories are so sweet, and Hachi is the most affirming character ever.
More backstory here of how this crazy cat barista stuff came about. Spoiler: That's sad, but still, a book with such positivity is rare in a manga. Add in a dog patisserie, and it's even better. Gonna suck having to wait until April 2023 for the next one.
I picked this up saying "cat book, make me happy" and IT DID, IT REALLY DID. I shed a few tears, I'm not gonna lie, but they were the kind of tears that make you warm inside and make you wish that the world was as kind a place as Café Hachiware.
So adorable, love it. Second one was just as good as the first. This time we get the cat barista’s origin story, and he hires his dog friend to be the patissier. Wasn’t super excited about a dog joining the party, but he turned out alright.
This was a really fun title. I like the idea of someone being there for you knowing just what you need, and it seems like it's the sort of wholesome title we can really use these days. The characters are likeable and I really can't wait for the next volume.
I said a lot of nice things about the first installment of this series annndd the follow up is AT LEAST as good. So heartwarming that I sobbed from the pure overwhelming emotion. My heartstrings have been thoroughly plucked.