What's Michael?, Vol. 1 by Makoto Kobayashi

It’s like we’re getting a glimpse into this one kitty’s proverbial nine-lives. Michael’s owner and living situation shifts from story to story in one chapter he might belong to a family with bratty children who won’t leave him alone, then in the next chapter his owner is a single women with four other cats or a yakuza trying to hide his love of cats from his fellow gangsters so they won’t question his manliness. Michael, the titular orange tabby cat, is the one unifying element across the majority of these stories and we see this loveable feline get into all kinds of trouble, as he alternatively annoys and amuses his owners and is constantly confounded by their behavior in his turn. I’m going to skip doing my usual synopsis of the story, since What’s Michael? is comprised of a series of humorous vignettes instead of a linear narrative. I was, thankfully, wrong! Michael is back in this oversized omnibus release, which collects the first 6 volumes of this unusual kitty’s adventures, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Originally published in Japan in the 80’s and first translated into English by Dark Horse Comics in the 90’s and early 2000’s, What’s Michael? has long been out of print and was one of those titles I had heard frequently praised but didn’t expect that I’d ever get a chance to read. Well, here’s a real blast from the past! What’s Michael? is a comedy manga by Makoto Kobayashi that celebrates the delightful peculiarities of cats and the humans who love them.

What's Michael?, Vol. 1 by Makoto Kobayashi