Initially posted on Twitter, this manga gained immense popularity in Japan. I remember the time the first Ojisama to Neko book was published in Japanese bookstores. Living in the US, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy seeing all the cool bookstore promotions for the first volume’s release.
So what’s the deal with “Ojisama to Neko”? It’s a story about an unwanted, not-so-cute cat who meets a gentleman who adopts him, and in turn, the cat changes the gentleman’s life. The gentleman, named Kanda, had named the cat Fukumaru – “Fuku” meaning happiness, as he felt fortunate to have encountered this cat.
Ojisama to Neko, Episode 3 (translation: “Fukumaru. Your name is Fukumaru”).
Kanda was actually a famous pianist, but due to some psychological reasons, he was no longer able to perform on stage.
In the beginning, the manga focuses on the daily interactions between Kanda and Fukumaru at home. There are many relatable scenes depicting the life of a cat owner – for example, when Kanda buys a cat bed, but Fukumaru decides to instead climb into a cardboard box. As a cat owner, you can’t help but understand Kanda’s reactions. Kanda may appear sophisticated at first, but his goofy side emerges when he’s with Fukumaru, warming the reader’s heart.
However, this manga is not just a cute story about Kanda and Fukumaru’s daily life. As the story progresses, more characters are introduced, and we learn that almost all of them have some kind of trauma or issue in their past. But their personalities gradually become more friendly and gentle, and Kanda’s circle of friends grows with each episode.
As of April 2024, there has been no announcement for an anime adaptation, but a live-action drama was aired in Japan in 2021. I didn’t watch the drama, but I was surprised to see that the producers used a stuffed animal for Fukumaru, instead of a real cat, likely due to budgetary constraints. However, from the reviews I’ve read, most viewers were quite positive about the drama, as the stuffed animal may have suited Fukumaru’s slightly silly personality.
One thing to note is that you may want to be cautious about reading this manga in public, as it’s the kind of story that can easily move you to tears. It’s a truly gentle and soothing world, and a wonderful story overall.
