The top manga launch in Japan in the first half of 2018, A Man and His Cat was also voted one of the Top 10 manga of 2018 by Japanese bookstore employees nationwide.
Having won hearts and topped charts in Japan, this hotly anticipated series about an older gentleman and his unique, adorable cat is available in English for the first time!
Rival pianist Geoffroy and five kittens (!!) have taken up residence at Mr. Kanda’s house, and things are livelier than ever!
But when an outrageous young woman who claims to be Mr. Kanda’s daughter comes calling, Geoffroy is bewildered and has no one to turn to with Mr. Kanda away!
What will become of Geoffroy when a visiting Hibino joins the fray, and cats and (found) family collide?!
We get to see what kind of father he is as -- sure enough! -- his child has problems that may only be solved through the healing power of cats. Fortunately Kanda has seven handy . . .
Lots of slapstick this time . . . between the bouts of traumatic drama, that is.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapter 74. The Scent of Joy -- Chapter 75. Smile -- Chapter 76. Daddy's Children -- Chapter 77. I Can Do It Meowyself -- Chapter 78. Cat-pturing Happiness! -- Pretty Cat -- Chapter 79. Mew Can't Stop Me Now -- Afterword -- Bonus Strip
At this point I consider it wicked sorcery that this gets more complex and tender with every volume even though the lens of analysis is pretty much… cuddling cats :D
Cute, as always. The four-panel about cats wanting food just after they've been fed is spot on. But the children appearing out of nowhere is a little bit much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This volume still offers a feel-good, pick-me-up experience, but the pacing and plot progression feel clunky and disjointed. I wish Sakurai had allowed more time for the relationships and connections to develop naturally, especially considering the introduction of new characters in this volume.
In volume 8, we finally meet Mr. Kanda’s two children, both grown up (or almost grown up; I never did figure out their exact ages) and home for a visit- not realizing that their father has houseguests now, both human and feline. With his own cat, his cat’s sister, and the box full of kittens, the house is full. These kids had never had a pet growing up, so the cats presence is a huge surprise. And an unwelcome one for his son, who is both afraid of cats, and hates them. We get to see him heal from the childhood wounds that caused this, along with seeing the joy of family, both blood and found. Five stars, as usual.
Ahh I've missed this manga! It's been a while since I picked up the last volume, but this one recently became available from my local library via the Libby app, so I immediately put myself on the waiting list, and when it became available I binge-read it in one day! Although, to be honest, it wasn't a very long read so it wasn't hard to read it in one day!
This volume takes a deeper look into Mr. Kanda's past, and more specifically, his family. We see him and his wife with their children, a son and a daughter, who are both very different and yet quite similar to their parents as we meet them in present day.
His daughter is a wild card, the complete opposite of Kanda, but it's clear that although she didn't follow down the musical path as he did, she still loves her dad dearly. It's interesting to see Kanda from her point of view, from a daughter looking at a father, as that perspective can often differ to that of friends. His son is quite similar in appearance and has followed his father down the musical path, yet we see the toll it has taken on him being the son of the great Mr. Kanda, and how people have used him for his connection rather than wanting to form genuine connections, leaving him to be distrustful of people. They both have their own issues to solve, and when they meet Fukumaru, things begin to change, as the cat appears to be the catalyst to a chain reaction of change in everyone.
I adore how Fukumaru has an affect on everyone he meets. He wins over those who love cats and even those who don't. Animals have such charm and are emotionally intelligent, and I find it hilarious that cats in particular always chase the people who claim not to like cats, forcing them into liking them in the end. They're unpredictable and can be difficult to read at first, but once you get to know them they're just as loving and fun as any other animal, they just have different approaches to get there.
Overall, this was such a fun volume. Although the plot is now more involved than simply about cat ownership--although that is still sprinkled in generously throughout the volume--it's also about musical careers, family dynamics, growing friendships, and overcoming personal challenges. It's been wonderful seeing Kanda grow into himself, and now it seems Fukumaru and his fellow cat friends are going to work their magic on Kanda's friends and family as well.
Is this the most uplifting and heartwarming series ever created? It just might be.
Mr. Kanda is a polite and caring old man who recently lost his beloved wife and he’s been trapped in a state of perpetual grieving ever since. Fukumaru is an oddly shaped cat who lost his mother and siblings and no one seems to want to give him a home. They’re both all alone in the world and they feel abandoned and unloved. They haven’t smiled or felt a sense of purpose in a long time. When they cross paths at a local pet shop one fateful day, the lonely old man adopts the unwanted cat and they quickly begin to fill the painful void in each other’s lives.
Warm and cozy enough to melt the ice off the coldest of hearts. I’m admittedly a sucker when it comes to sappy tearjerker animal stories, so my high rating might be a little biased in that regard. This one definitely punched me in the gut with sheer wholesomeness and made me teary eyed more than once throughout the series.
The protagonist is a very lovable old man with great manners, always dresses in an elegant suit, plays piano and treats everyone around him with fatherly compassion and respect. His bond with his new cat companion really pulls on the heart strings. The first few volumes of the series take the form of very short stories depicting a day from their casual lives together which usually ends on a funny or wholesome moment. It occasionally shows figments of their tragic pasts which ties back to a happy resolution in the present. The later volumes are much more detailed and fleshed out with side characters that support each other in really moving ways through hard times.
The author truly captures the odd behavior, expressions of affection and the funny routines that most cats develop once they get comfortable in your home. The story does a good job portraying how animals deal with abandonment issues and trauma after being neglected and it shows how they can overcome those issues through bonding with a loyal and caring owner little by little. The internal dialogue for the animals is just the icing on the cake.
As someone that’s had very close friendships with pet cats and dogs during difficult times in my life, I couldn’t help but love this series.
Was soll ich hier noch sagen, außer das ich die Reihe liebe. Fukumaru ist einfach so goldig und die Story so süß und emotional. Da es sich hier um den achten Band handelt, kann meine Review Spoiler enthalten, aber ich glaube eher, dass diese nicht wirklich bedeutend sind. In diesem Band kommen nun endlich die Kinder von Kanda ins Spiel. Ich dachte ja schon, dass die Mangaka vergessen hat, dass sie diese am Anfang angesprochen hat, weil sie dann in den ganzen anderen Bänden nicht einmal mehr erwähnt wurden. Jetzt tauchen sie plötzlich wieder auf und sind so eng mit ihrem Vater, dass ihre Abwesenheit in den ganzen anderen Bänden noch merkwürdiger wirkt. Da ich die Story allerdings so liebe, habe ich mich gezwungen einfach nicht weiter darüber nachzudenken und das Ganze einfach zu genießen. Vor allem Kandas Tochter gefiel mir ungemein, weil dieses herrlichen Insekten-Tick hat. Auch die Rückblicke auf die Kindheit der der beiden und dadurch auch auf ihre Mutter, waren einfach herzerwärmend und teilweise auch wieder traurig. Vor allem Kandas Sohn hat eines an Altlasten mit sich rumzuschleppen. Ich denken in den folgenden Bänden wird es viel darum gehen und vielleicht kommt ja sogar noch eine Liebesbeziehung ins Spiel, denn Sorako (Kandas Tocher) scheint Gefallen an jemandem zu finden. Fukumaru ist und bleibt natürlich der Star der Reihe und es gab wieder sehr viele witzige und süße Momente mit ihm. Der Zeichenstil ist wie gewohnt toll und ich liebe es, dass man oft viele kleine Details im Bild findet und dass die Mimik des Katers so ausdrucksstark ist.
Pros: - The story is still wholesome, even if I didn't cry this volume (I came closer than volume 7, though!) - The art is cute, with plenty of kitty cuddling and sappy moments - The story's scope and cast of characters continues to widen. I'm happy for this, though I could imagine someone who was only reading for Fukumaru (the eponymous cat) might be annoyed.
Cons: - Fuck Square-Enix - (nit-pick) The author pumps up a new mobile game for the work, but it's relegated to a single page so I can't complain too much. - (nit-pick) Also, I'm listing this as a nit-pick because the second issue will probably be resolved over time. - 's facial expressions are excellent, even if he
Conclusion: Fans of the series and pet-lovers are sure to enjoy this work. It's cute, heart-warming, and and a quick read. The cast continues to grow, too, both on the human and the "pet" side. Ultimately, this manga still has my recommendation.
Another installment of (title goes here)! Exactly what it says on the tin!
The humour of this series is how much this sentimental elderly man (Mr. Kanda/Kanda-san) loves this objectively ugly cat, but Sakurai bumped up the humour by introducing Kanda's excessively bug-loving daughter (Sorako). Even the bugs are drawn cute, which adds to the hilarity of other people freaking out about them!
The main story is, as usual, interspersed with clusters of one-page shorts, where there's a joke in (usually) four panels on a single page. The main story contained in this volume involves Sorako and her younger (VERY HANDSOME) brother (Hoshinari) finally visiting their dad, and their reactions to the cats (positive/VERY NEGATIVE, respectively). Also, a short bit where Hoshinari's agent tries to convince him to join the band Kanda filled in for.
Super cute book, recommended for anyone who read the prior books! A little hard to follow for anyone who hasn't, maybe.
Wir lernen endlich Kandas Kinder kennen und omg :D they are hilarious! Vorallem seine Tochter ist so gut. Sie ist ein totaler Insektennerd und bereist die Welt, um Insekten zu fangen (und ihren Bruder damit zu nerven). Sie ist super witzig. Der Sohn ist super schüchtern und findet Katzen ganz schrecklich und vertraut niemanden - natürlich will Kanda, dass er sich mit dem jungen Mitarbeiter aus der Musikschule anfreundet :D was auch prompt durch ein Misstverständnis passiert. Man kann die zwei auch sehr gut shippen HUST.
(und es scheint echt so, als ob jeder in dieser Reihe, der mit Musik zu tun hat und ein Mann ist, eine tragische Vergangenheit zu haben - der Sohn auch, der nämlich nur ausgenutzt wurde, damit andere an Kanda rankommen. Nur die Tochter nicht :D die liebte Insekten als Kind und das wars)
Okay...I in the past 7 volumes had no idea they would pull something like this out. I truly was shocked...that Fuyuki Kanda is a father!!! I feel like it came from out of nowhere because I feel like it should have come up or pictures in his home would have had her and for so many visitors to come and never notice or him to never bring it up. The only saving grace is that he teaches such young children and while that is not necessarily a hint he knew how to deal with kids, his patience with everything shows he definitely could have been a battle warn parent. The story and added character continue to add layers of entertainment.
I love Kanda family, especially Hoshinari. This book hit me again because something Sakurai-sensei promised reader was that she would soon show Kanda's family, here we have just it, the lovely parents and their two fantastic children. It's all so beautiful and perfect that it made me cry in almost every chapter. A Man and His Cat is one of my favorite uplifting and heartwarming series. Once again, Hoshinari is my second favorite character, he's brilliant.
Basically 3.5 but again, GR doesn't allow to half-stars. This installment was OK, still quite a few cats, but now, 2 extra people from Mr. Kanda's past (no spoilers here).
The one thing I noticed and can't find any info about...why does the character Teruaki Kuju have fangs?! Or maybe those are supposed to be normal incisors? They sure look like fangs, which had me thoroughly confused. I thought maybe the series was veering off in vampire territory.
I was a little disappointed in this one because it needed more cats! So as Kanda's house is getting full with the kittens and Geoffrey as well as the two older cats and Kanda's friend, Kanda's daughter and son show up... he has kids! All heck breaks loose after that. I enjoyed the cats with the family. The thing I didn't like was the fighting between Kanda's son and his friend. It just went tirelessly on and on. I'm hoping the next volume gets back to more of the cats.
I swear, I go through volumes of this manga series so fast—I enjoy the story and characters that much that I don't realize how quick I am with reading the chapters.
In this volume, we see both of Mr. Kanda's children and Fukumaru meeting them. Furthermore, we also see Yoshiharu meeting Mr. Kanda's son. This manga series started off light-hearted, but as we got more volumes, I like that we get to see more stuff aside from cats. Can't wait to read the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Yeezy, I was right, this one is filled with Kanda's family. And I love them. He has two kids and their personalities couldn't be more different. They were a lot of fun to watch and to meet and I can't wait for more. I've also been loving all the kitty galore in the past volumes. They are so cute all together with Fukumaru!
We get to meet Kanda's daughter and son in this one. The daughter seems well-adjusted (about the only character who is) other than some grief and self-doubt about her mother's death. The son has his own traumas to work through. Kanda remains pretty much perfect. Fukumaru and the kittens are cute AS ALWAYS.