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see the cat teasers in the general thread!
pick anything with a cat. Meowsers!

I think I will start with a new manga called
Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi Vol. 1, story and art by Yuri Sonoda before meowing on to more serious feline literature.

I will be starting with the only book on my TBR with "cat" in the title - The Guest Cat

Then for afters I have Kafka on the Shore and A Wild Sheep Chase, which both feature cats, but as I've yet to find a Murakami book I actually like I also have The Lantern of Lost Memories (includes a cat on the UK cover) or The Cat Who Saved Books (a reread, but I loved this book so that's okay!) as my backups.

I'm far too excited about Cat Week!

Jeshika wrote: "I will be starting with the only book on my TBR with "cat" in the title - The Guest Cat

Then for afters I have Kafka on the Shore and A Wild Sheep Chase, ..."

The Cat Who Saved Books is my stretch read for cat read week!

If I may add, there are tons of ideas on Alison's site: cats in Japanese lit: .
There was 'Reading the Meow' week in June, and I already read quite a few Japanese books for that event, so I'll probably not participate this month

Emma wrote: "If I may add, there are tons of ideas on Alison's site: cats in Japanese lit: .
There was 'Reading the Meow' wee..."

Emma has a great blog site called "Words and Peace"
"Book reviews and good books for you to read"

and her book list for Reading the Meow:


also, in June Emma posted a number of Reading the Meow reviews, of which many books made it into my tdr and recently read piles.

her reviews are purr-fect!

Jack W wrote: "Emma wrote: "If I may add, there are tons of ideas on Alison's site: cats in Japanese lit: .
There was 'Reading ..."

Emma is awesome!

And also, I just did an update/separate list of Japanese cat books.

thanks for the tiny url kitten list!
I will try to put one together for cat themed manga since that is where i am starting since I am meowdivated to clear, at least, the first volumes from my tbr list.

so starting that:
A Man and His Cat, Vol. 1 by Umi Sakurai, translated by (tbr). 4*s
"A kitten languishes in a pet shop, unwanted and unloved. Even as his price drops with each passing day, no one spares him a glance unless it's to call him names. Having practically given up on life, the kitty himself is most shocked of all when an older gentleman comes into the store and wants to take him home! Will the man and the cat find what they're looking for..in each other?"

The man is recently widowed. He and the cat both need to love and be loved unconditionally. This story really worked for me. It is a slow paced, slice of life, warm drama.

è¤È¥­¥¹ 1 Neko to Kiss 1 (A Kiss with a Cat, V1) by Miko Senri. 2*s
"Erina is a high school girl who looks straightforward, but actually loves cats.One day, she rescues a stray cat that has wandered into her garden, and is so taken by how cute it is that she can't help but kiss it. Then, a naked handsome man appears in front of her!!
Could it be that... this handsome man is the cat from before!?!?
Then the secret cohabitation life with the mean cat boy begins!"

A teen rom-com. The male MC turns into a cat or back with a kiss. Yes, his character is cat like. It is interesting how the author/illustrator describes/develops the cat/boy. Yes, he is cat like but i am bit uncomfortable with how he treats the female MC. (I should give the second volume a try to be fair but my cat tbr pile is catastrophically high.)

oops, one more....
Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan, Vol. 1 by Sasami Nitori 4*s
"An adorable, full-color manga about a young man who rescues a very special cat... and the friendship that blossoms between them.
There's more to this kitty than meets the eye! Kyuu-chan loves snacks, cuddles, and bow ties, but above all, this mischievous wondercat loves Hinata, the young professional who adopted Kyuu-chan into his home.
As the two adjust to life together, they discover that they have a lot to learn from each other. The ordinary and the extraordinary live side by side in this delightful slice-of-life manga!"

I think I am on-a-roll with slice of life cat manga. This especially worked for me since I have a close family member and his cat who are very similar to Hinata and Kyuu-chan.

I¡¯ve just started The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa, and I spotted it in my local library so I feel quite lucky to have found it this week!

Jack W wrote: "thanks for the tiny url kitten list!
I will try to put one together for cat themed manga since that is where i am starting since I am meowdivated to clear, at least, the first volumes from my tbr l..."

I've read Junji Ito's Cat Diary and the first volume of My Cat Is Such a Weirdo¡ª13yo got it for me as a birthday gift. My kids like Chi's Sweet Home.

The White Cat's Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King's Lap: Volume 1 by Kureha, translated by Christina Rose. (David Evelyn translated the LN version.) 4*s
¡° Ruri just can't get away from Asahi! Her clingy, oblivious childhood friend is beloved by absolutely everyone, making Ruri the target of resentment and jealousy from Asahi's horde of groupies. When Asahi is summoned to another world to be their "Priestess Princess," of course Ruri gets dragged along for the ride-and branded a traitor who must be exiled to the woods! But now that Ruri is finally out of Asahi's shadow, she may just find that a new world is the perfect place for a new beginning...¡±

Reincarnated into an isekai, Ruri is beloved by the fairies who appear to be the source of all magic in this world. What¡¯s up with Asahi? Why is everyone so enamored with her?
The story is cute and funny and hold¡¯s my interest. You don¡¯t find out the cat connection until near the end of the first manga volume. I will probably come back and read the rest of the manga series and, maybe, the light novel.

When a Cat Faces West, Volume 1 by Yuki Urushibara, translated by Mari Au/amimaru. 3*s but maybe more
¡° Flow¡ªthe phenomenon that occurs when matter falls out of balance and changes form. Flow creates oddities big and small that can be disruptive or delightful in equal measure, and it's up to Flow Disposal departments and independent contractors to shepherd the Flow back to its natural form. For Chima Kondo, a 35-year-old woman stuck in the body of a 12-year-old thanks to the effects of Flow, understanding how Flow works and how to disperse it has become critical. But when she joins Flow Disposal contractors Hirola and Shacho of Hirota Flow Inc., she finds that there's more to Flow than she once knew, and plenty more to find out... A supernatural story from the author of Mushishi!¡±

Shacho, male cat, helps the team find and understand flow events. Speculative fiction or magic realism? The style clicks if you have read her Mushishi Series. It is probably better than the 3*s I initially rated it. I will read the whole series later after cat week is over¡­

A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1 by Hiro Kashiwaba, translated by Kathryn Henzler. 4*s
¡° A sweet tale starring a gigantic cat who's summoned to a fantasy world by a lonely, elderly witch.
In her youth, Jeanne was a powerful witch who vanquished the evil Demon King and saved the world¡ªbut over time, the people she rescued have forgotten her. Now she is a lonely old woman living in a secluded forest...until she accidentally summons a cat from Earth to her home! The former city kitty is now gigantic and must acclimate to this new world. Can a cat from another world soothe the loneliness of the forgotten witch?¡±

Transmigration Isekai: Cat gets summoned to a new world as a the biggest house cat (protector) in the world. I read two volumes of this series (broke my inner rule for cat read week) because I found the tale so engaging. Jeanne has a great back story that ties the episodes together.

Manga is very quick to read compared to LN, short stories and novels. I am finally making a dent in my Cat Manga tbr list. I will move onto some LNs in a day or two.

I'll read this one; hopefully it will bust me out of my 9-month long reading slump!

Jessica wrote: "

I'll read this one; hopefully it will bust me out of my 9-month long reading slump!"

All the versions of She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai are wonderful.
I remember clutching my pillow and being floored when I first saw the 1999 Japanese original video animation.

This article has the background:

One more manga then on to a light novel.

Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi Vol. 1 by Yuri Sonoda, translated by Michelle Tymon. (August 27, 2024 by Seven Seas) 4*s
¡° An odd couple of stray cats team up to share the trials and tribulations of life in this heartwarming manga.
Maruru lived a pampered life till one day, he ran after a flock of sparrows and couldn¡¯t find his way back home. He encounters Hachi, a tough stray, who says he doesn¡¯t need a spoiled house cat on his territory and chases him away. But then Maruru helps Hachi out of a jam, and they team up to face life on the street together.¡±

Cat slice of life? I found this an enjoyable read with multiple thoughtful episodes. I will look forward to future volumes.

Jack W wrote: "Jessica wrote: "

I'll read this one; hopefully it will bust me out of my 9-month long reading slump!"

All the versions of [book:She and Her Cat|339121..."

I really enjoyed the novel, haven't read the manga version yet or seen the anime - do you know if it's streaming anywhere?

Alwynne and forum friends,
The best place to watch the original film is on the Criterion Channel, if you have access:

I think the picture quality and subtitles are the best there.
The film is 4:54 mins.

Thanks for the question. It pushed me gently to rewatch a favorite video. - Jack

Also, here are probably several posts on YouTube like this one:


-- I forgot:
there is a 20l6 4 episode series called She and Her Cat - Everything Flows. Each episode is 8 mins. There is a full set of music tracks/album that go with them. The only place I know to watch this is at Crunchyroll.

Now, I have to go back and read She and Her Cat and She and Her Cat: Stories by Makoto Shinkai¡­

I did read a a few LNs:
RVing My Way into Exile with My Beloved Cat: This Villainess Is Trippin' Volume 1 and volume 2 by Punichan. 4*s
¡° When a video game-loving office worker reincarnates as Mizarie Kraphtia, the villainess of an otome game, she¡¯s determined to have a better life than the original character. Yet despite her best efforts, the game self-corrects and leads Mizarie to an ending where she¡¯s sentenced to exile¡ªjust what she was hoping to avoid. There¡¯s a twist, She had no idea her game-breaking skill could summon a...modern RV?!

Mizarie now decides to make the most of her exile and sets out on a journey with her beloved cat, Ohagi. Not only does she get to drive around the world, but she gains experience as she goes, unlocking convenient features like a bathroom, kitchen, and more for her RV! Lighting campfires and cooking outdoors like she always dreamed of doing in her last life, Mizarie takes her time exploring this new fantastical setting with her adorable feline travel companion. Her storyline in the otome game may be over, but her leisurely vacation in exile is just getting started!¡±

Isekai, Slice of Life ( in another world), an easy read that I thought funny and relaxing. I only intended to read the first volume but I was having a fun time so¡­.

I am about half way through this one (completed now) then on to a novel:
The Drab Princess, the Black Cat, and the Satisfying Break-up Vol. 1 by Rino Mayumi 3 1/2 *s (i cant make up my mind if it is a 3 or 4...)

"Are Sweets and Cats the Key to Peacefully Calling Off an Engagement?!
Seren, the eldest daughter of a duke, has grown up being teased for her plain looks, nicknamed ¡°Princess Drab¡± in comparison to her younger sister, who is a real beauty. One day she overhears her fianc¨¦, Prince Helios, and his friends talking about how her sister would make a much better wife.
In order to avoid marriage with the prince, Seren plans to become a top-level magician and gain the freedom that comes with the title. To achieve this, she teams up with a black cat, a familiar lent to her by Viol, leader of the Ice Magicians, after she finds out about his secret weakness to sweets! Together they¡¯re going to do whatever it takes to bring a peaceful end to her unwanted engagement!"

Fantasy, Romance, Cat, Magic.... I enjoyed this more than I anticipated when I started it.

On to She and Her Cat: Stories by Makoto Shinkai

It is hard to believe that I first saw the short film "She and Her Cat" 20-25 years ago. If I remember correctly, Makoto Shinkai made it as a graduate project and to have a completed example of his work, a portfolio project, to help with the job search. He then printed some thousands of CDs and sold them at events.
"She and Her Cat" was released in 1999. Shinkai then released the science-fiction OVA "Voices of a Distant Star" in 2002 as his first feature with CoMix Wave. I loved this movie also. His debut feature film was "The Place Promised in Our Early Days" in 2004.

(per Wikipedia article)
Shinkai's films have consistently received highly positive reviews from both critics and audiences, and he is considered to be one of Japan's most commercially successful filmmakers. His three most recent films "Your Name" (2016), "Weathering with You" (2019), and "Suzume "(2022) are all among the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time both in Japan and worldwide at the time of their release.
---
"She and Her Cat" was the original ~5min movie,
There is now a manga, a novel, an audiobook of the novel, and a 2016 4 episode short (8mins each) animated series with a music album. The series has subtitles in several languages.

It is also available in Italian as Lei e il suo gatto and Lei e il suo gatto, translated by Anna Specchio.

I just started reading the novel after recommendations from here and our discord channel. I liked the beginning of the novel and switched over to the audiobook after I discovered it. I am really enjoying the audiobook reading. The story is translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori! It is narrated by: Winson Ting, Julia Strowski, Jacqui Bardelang, Hana Teraie-Wood, and Nile Faure-Bryan.
"With clever narration alternating between the cats and their owners, She and Her Cat offers a unique and sly commentary on human foibles and our desire for connection. A whimsical short story anthology unlike any other, it effortlessly demonstrates that even in our darkest, most lonesome moments, we are still united to this wonderous world¡ªoften in ways we could never have expected."

I really liked this one!

Jennifer wrote: "I¡¯ve just started The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa, and I spotted it in my local library so I feel quite lucky to have found it this week!"

Wow; I had no idea! I started reading translated Japanese works, in earnest, a couple years ago and this one popped up at a local bookstore in NC last year. It looked like something I'd probably like. Now I'm really excited to read it this weekend!

Jack W wrote: "I is hard to believe that I first saw the short film "She and Her Cat" 20-25 years ago. If I remember correctly, Makoto Shinkai made it as a graduate project and to have a complete..."

I finished She and Her Cat: Stories. It was really, actually brilliant. I feel like this is a book I'll read again, and again, because the nuances are small but the contexts are huge. I also loved those stinkin' cats AND their (sometimes) reluctant owners.

started reading The cat returns shrine by free jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita, famously known for playing a burning piano on the beach. his music is also really quite good, i recommend his live trio album Clay.

in the preface, Yosuke compares cats to his own field of improvisational arts, and in general his writings are very simple and just light-hearted fun musings about his own cats

For cat week, I finished The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Kashiwai Hisashi (translated by Jesse Kirkwood). Was a pleasant read with lots of food, and the occasional appearance of Drowsy the cat.

It was an interesting and fun week. Thanks to all that participated.
The thread will still be open after the 15th for those that want to add to in the future.

Finally finished up She and Her Cat: Stories on a long flight last night. It was a great book of intertwined vignettes to (belatedly) celebrate the end of cat reads week. I enjoyed being in the head of people and their cats, and cats and their people. Solid 4 stars.
I didn¡¯t get into all the sub-genres of cat literature for cat read week but I did a substantial tbr stack reduction, got some ideas for library purchases, and meowandered pretty far afield. ?

I got to say that Cat + Gamer is super cute.

Interesting article from The Smithsonian on the history of Cat Folklore in Japan:

That¡¯s Zack Davisson! Love his work! The article is sort of an abbreviated version of his Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan. Hopefully the indie printer will do another run? It¡¯s GORGEOUS and also really informative.

A friend alerted me to this article in yesterday¡¯s Japan Times 2 Nov 2024:
¡° Cat companions and the 'healing fiction' boom¡±

Jack wrote: "A friend alerted me to this article in yesterday¡¯s Japan Times 2 Nov 2024:
¡° Cat companions and the 'healing fiction' boom¡±
..."

I've been interviewed for two of these articles (I think only one has come out) and also a PhD dissertation. Everyone is interested ATM. ?