Cat manga is undoubtedly among the most popular genres out there. However, since there are so many titles to choose from, finding a good cat manga can be a little overwhelming. If you’re a lover of cute and adorable cats, you’re in luck. This list has the best titles for anyone who wants to indulge in charming stories about cats!
10. Something Like a Cat (Inori Azumi, 2020 – 2021)
Elementary school student Emiya Renya has never had a cat before. So, when he finds Nanika on one rainy day and decides to take him home, he is confused but not completely put off by the “cat’s” strange behavior. Because, well, he has never had a cat before, so why would he know that cats do not shrink when they get wet and are not supposed to be able to stick to the ceiling? Either way, Renya is just content to have Nanika, who has no visible mouth but can still devour his favorite food: melon bread!
Something Like a Cat is the story of Renya and his cat (who is not really a cat), Nanika. This is undoubtedly one of the cutest stories about cats out there. Even though Renya is confused about Nanika most of the time, he is quick to accept the strange quirks that his cat has.
Moreover, watching Nanika try to meet Renya’s expectations of what a cat should do and how it should act is tremendously wholesome. This is a fun and charming manga that is sure to warm your heart.
If you can read Japanese, you can find the Japanese version of volume 1 on Amazon Japan here: 猫のようなナニカ (Something Like a Cat) 1 Japanese Edition
9. Nights with a Cat (Kyuryu Z, 2020 – Present)
After Fūta’s sister, Pī, moves in with him and brings along her cat, Kyuruga, Fūta quickly gets attached to the little furball. Especially as he starts to discover what it is like to have a cat. He really seems to enjoy it, as he loves nothing more than spending time with Kyuruga, even when the little guy wants nothing to do with him because that’s just how cats are. They are the boss.
Nights with a Cat is a great manga that shows how Fūta cannot help but be fascinated with the mannerisms of Kyuruga. This episodic manga focuses on little bits that show what it is like to own a cat. Covering their moody behavior, the silly ways they lounge sometimes, the difficulty of spending quality time with them, and much more. This is a perfect story for anyone who loves cats!
Get volume 1 of Nights with a Cat here on Amazon: Nights with a Cat, Vol. 1
Volume 2 can be found here: Nights with a Cat, Vol. 2
8. Coffee & Cat (Yukiru Sugisaki, 2012 – Present)
After failing his college entrance exam, Kon Nishikori takes his pet cat, M’Lady, and runs away from Kyoto to Hakodate in Hokkaido. There, he meets Ayakane Tachikawa, who hires him on the spot after seeing the excellent condition that Kon’s cat is in. How was this enough to hire him? Well, Ayakane and his brother run a cafe that they inherited that also includes five cats that need to be taken care of. However, unbeknownst to the brothers, Kon has an ability that makes things a little easier for him. He can understand cats and can see them as humans!
Coffee & Cat is a very cozy read that is filled to the brim with chaotic energy. This manga is charming in many ways. However, what makes this story work so well is the usage of its characters. There are a lot of them, and while this can sometimes be detrimental, all of the characters contribute to the story in a very balanced manner. Moreover, the supernatural aspect helps the story build an intriguing tone and keeps the story focused on Kon. This is a fun and lighthearted story that will make you smile.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find an English edition of this manga. The Japanese edition of volume 1 can be found here on Amazon: 純喫茶ねこ (Coffee & Cat) Volume 1 Japanese Edition
7. I’m the Catlords’ Manservant (Rat Kitaguni, 2020 – 2021)
After losing both parents in a tragic accident, high school student Yukiharu Izumi is homeless, poor, and stuck with his father’s massive debt. Now, while Yukiharu’s father was not that great, he at least had the sense to leave a note and a key to a house where his son could go and look for help. However, Yukiharu is shocked when he arrives at this house. He discovers that it’s full of shapeshifting cat spirits! And although they have agreed to help him, there is one condition. He has to become their servant!
This is a fun and lighthearted story about a high schooler who just wants a normal life. With a slightly large group of characters, this manga provides a cohesive and funny account of the cat lords’ quirks and how Yukiharu slowly learns to handle them. Yukiharu’s relationship with the youngest cat lords, who spend most of their time in their cat form, is incredibly sweet and funny. This is a manga that you will not regret picking up.
Check out volume 1 here on Amazon: I’m the Catlords’ Manservant, Vol. 1
Find other volumes in this series here: I’m the Catlord’s Manservant manga series
6. The Walking Cat: A Cat’s-Eye View of the Zombie Apocalypse (Tomo Kitaoka, 2018 – 2020)
Zombies plague the world, and normalcy has been eradicated from the earth. However, humanity is not lost because when Jin Yahiro sees a white cat, Yuki, almost getting snatched by a zombie, he quickly intervenes and saves the little guy. Yuki clearly appreciates this as he decides to stay with the young man and accompany him as he goes on a journey to find his wife.
The Walking Cat is a very cleverly written story that uses Yuki as our guide through the zombie apocalypse. What makes this manga so interesting is that while it operates in a very grim setting, it uses Yuki in an ingenious way. Even though our protagonist is a pretty normal cat, he can make connections with characters like Jin and others that are incredibly charming and impactful. This story will definitely bring about many emotions, making it hard to put down.
The omnibus edition containing volumes 1-3 is on Amazon here: The Walking Cat: A Cat’s-Eye-View of the Zombie Apocalypse (Omnibus Vol. 1-3)
5. A Kiss with a Cat (Miko Senri, 2020 – 2022)
Erina Wada is a high school girl with a cool appearance that makes her seem hard to impress. While this might be true with many things, cats are the exception: Erina loves cats.
So when she finds a cat in her backyard being attacked, she does not think twice before saving it. However, after she brings it inside, she cannot help but give it a kiss. She is shocked when the kitty transforms into one of her classmates, Akira Nekoyama!
A Kiss with a Cat is a silly and charming romance about a shapeshifting boy and a cat-loving girl. This manga’s main charm is connected to the dynamic between Erina and Nekoyama, especially since Erina cannot stand Nekoyama as a human but is crazy about him in his cat form.
What’s even better is that Nekoyama acts like a cat even when he is a human. This provides an incredibly funny mess of a relationship. A Kiss with a Cat is a charming story showing how cats take advantage of their cuteness.
Check out volume 1 of A Kiss with a Cat on Amazon here: A Kiss with a Cat Vol. 1
Find other volumes in this series here: A Kiss with a Cat manga series
4. A Story of Seven Lives (Gin Shirakawa, 2018 – 2019)
Nanao is a stray cat from Tokyo who is just trying to survive along with his one and only friend, Machi. Their lives are already harsh, but they are faced with another tragedy. The people in the neighborhood who used to feed have slowly stopped, which spells trouble for the cats.
That is until one day, a pair of siblings running a bathhouse feed the strays. There, Nanao starts to bond with the siblings tentatively, and we discover a surprising connection between them.
A Story of Seven Lives is a manga that wastes no time capturing your heart. This story primarily follows Nanao, a former house cat who tragically separated from his owner and had to learn how to live on the streets. This is a bittersweet story that portrays a variety of characters that are carefully fleshed out and form authentic and hopeful relationships. And while this manga can be incredibly heartbreaking, it also never fails to be heartwarming. So, while I cannot promise you that you will not cry, I can assure you that you won’t regret reading the story of Nanao.
Check out this manga here on Amazon: A Story of Seven Lives: The Complete Manga Collection
3. A Man and His Cat (Umi Sakurai, 2018 – Present)
Fukumaru’s home has been a pet shop ever since he was a kitten, and after constantly being the subject of scorn and rejection, he has lost all hope of anyone wanting him.
That is until the day an older gentleman named Fuyuki Kanda comes into the store and decides to take him home. And so, although a little anxious, this is how Fukumaru starts his new life with his new dad. Who, by the way, instantly falls in love with his adorable new companion.
A Man and His Cat is a gentle story that follows Fuyuki Kanda and his cat, Fukumaru, as they begin their journey together. This manga is impossibly sweet and will immediately tug at your heartstrings. This is especially true as you see how much Kanda and Fukumaru’s adoration for each other grows as they get to know each other.
Anyone with a cat can relate to Kanda’s weak spot for his little guy. Because how could you look at that little face and do anything but melt?
Be sure to check out volume 1 of this amazing manga here on Amazon: A Man and His Cat 01
A 7-book set of this manga can be found here: A Man and His Cat Manga by Umi Sakurai: 7-book Collection set Vol 1-7
Other volumes are available here: A Man and His Cat manga series
2. She and Her Cat (Makoto Shinkai and Tsubasa Yamaguchi, 2016)
On her way home one rainy day, Miyu found Chobi on the street and decided to take him home. And just like that, their life together began. Now, while Miyu is trying her hardest to stay afloat and navigate her life as an adult, Chobi’s only worry is to keep his human company.
While he might not be able to understand Miyu’s struggles and the intricacies of the human world, he knows that his place is by her side, and that is what is important. So, even though life might be hard, at least Miyu has the unconditional love of Chobi.
She and Her Cat is a story that is permeated with melancholy and simultaneously maintains a sweet tone through the narration of Chobi. This story is told through Chobi and his interpretation of his surroundings. However, while he might not be able to fully comprehend what is going on with Miyu, it’s easy for the reader to grasp her situation.
Moreover, the art in the manga is delicate, and its exquisite nature helps tremendously to set the story’s tone. Ultimately, She and Her Cat is a tender story that will not stop pulling at your heartstrings.
You can get this wonderful manga on Amazon here: She and Her Cat
1. The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today (Hitsuji Yamada, 2018 – Present)
Saku Fukuzawa never imagined that the stray kitty she picked up from a park on one snowy night would become something akin to a housekeeping life partner. It just so happens that Yukichi, her house cat, grew enough to tower over Saku and became a very capable cook and housekeeper, which is lucky for Saku since she is a certified slob and overall hopeless when it comes to housekeeping. Nevertheless, while Saku and Yukichi might be incredibly different in more ways than one, they ultimately make a great team and are a delight to watch!
The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today is the most endearing and charming manga ever. This story has an abundance of things that make it undeniably great. However, what drives the story is Yukichi and Saku’s charm. These characters are so unforgettable that they can carry the story by themselves but are absolutely captivating when together. This is done in the messiest way possible since their charm arises from their bickering. This enchanting story is filled with spirit; you need to read this if you are a cat lover!
You can find volume 1 of this “Masterful” manga here on Amazon: The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today Vol. 1
You can find other volumes in this series here: The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today
