One thing I like about working in a bookstore is that there are always ways to get free books and/or books you wouldn’t purchase for yourself, therefore never read. And A Cat Is a Cat in Any Life by Ema Tohyama is one of those types of books. I got it for free and it wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.
Do you like manga, cats and off beat humor? Okay, they are here. I like cats. Enjoy manga. And do not mind off beat humor when it is funny. But I just couldn’t really “get into it.” The concept is simple: a cat dies in “their home world.” And the All Knowing wants to protect them so reincarnates one in a world where cars (the culprit of the death) are not. This cat is a typical cat: picky, a jerk, gives the cold shoulder, eats you out of house and home, and is cute, fluffy and well, you can snuggle it (sometimes). This cat meets The Hero. She’s not much of a hero, but hey! It’s a job. The Hero is sent off to stop the Demon King (I call him DK). Who is really already stopped by three baby fluffers (kittens). They have “sacred magic” so that’s why DK does all the stuff he does (WARNING: there is a thing you do to kittens when really little, and it stimulates the um….”gotta go” and it’s mentioned). So, while those things are happening, there is the Captain. She’s the best. Except she’s got a crush on one of her underlings, her cat has um… boy beans… that she finds fascinating and must poke…. Then, as the book goes along there are other cats, we get some info on the main breeds shown, and things like catnip, or understanding things cats can do, and so forth. The odd part is since they have never seen a cat before, they don’t even have a name for them, know anything about them, yet figure it out (The Cat is Boss. You? No.)
Okay, so yeah that works. There is the humor of DK trying to figure out how to take over the world, feed his kittens, and has to get a job with The Hero (only she doesn’t know he’s The DK) at a pub, which becomes the first cat cafe…… so that’s the offbeat stuff. There are a few other characters and things are all set in chapters that focus on one of them. The manga-anime artwork was enjoyable. Good color, could be a bit busy at times, but sets the setting well.
It doesn’t feel like there is a sequel, so that’s good, as it’s a one and done. I am not saying I won’t find more books by Tohyama, but maybe not right away.
