A Man and His Cat (Vol 1-3) by Umi Sakurai

First, a word from the publisher: “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 core relationship in the story is between Kanada (the eponymous man) and his cat, Fukumaru. The first volume focuses on establishing the relationship of the principle characters, while future volumes further develop their relationship and grow the supporting cast. If you’re not into sweet, slow-paced slice-of-life manga this won’t be for you. Otherwise, there’s plenty to enjoy. If you need a deeper review than that, read on.

What Worked For Me:

The main character of this work is definitely outside the “typical” (or at least stereotyped) norm for manga. I know not every manga involves plucky high schoolers fighting god, but it’s also nice to see a high-profile release that really breaks from that cliche.
The story is sweet (bordering on saccharine), and animal lovers are sure to resonate with this work. It also hints at a deeper, sadder story without forcing it on the reader (at least in the first volume or two).
Some of the side-characters, such as the main character’s co-worker, are given more run-time to develop as the story goes on. Though I appreciate the exploration of the relationship between a man and his cat, I think the work is better for having an expanded cast.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

Fukumaru’s “cat speech” is grating (i.e. adding “meow” into every word), but it seemed to become less common as the story went on.
The story offers only a slow drip of plot and characterization beyond “the main character loves his cat in myriad adorable ways.” If you come into this work expecting a fast-paced story you will certainly be disappointed.
The chapters of volume 2 can feel a bit disjointed. This was at its most difficult when there was a jump from a chapter about the main character to a chapter about the childhood of one of his coworkers. (Perhaps this has something to do with the work starting as a webcomic?)

Conclusion:

If you want a quick, easy read that’s packed to the gills with cuteness this is the manga for you. Don’t expect too much in the way of deep lore or plot development, though; this is a slice-of-life manga, after all. It also unfolds at a leisurely pace, but I think that’s a good fit for the story’s laid back attitude. Animal lovers / pet owners will likely get a special kick out of A Man and His Cat.

Check it out here.