A man and his cat vol 2 by umi sakurai

Fukumaru continues to explore his new domain and gets himself into a little bit of trouble, like when he finds himself on top of a high shelf of a family altar and can’t get down. He wages war on “the black thing” (Kanda's piano) but brings a shelf of Kanda’s CDs down on himself instead. While slightly mad about his broken possessions, Kanda is surprised to find himself more concerned for Fukumaru’s safety than his belongings. We also learn about Kanda’s upbringing and how strict his mother was with him, and why his relationship with Fukumaru is so special. Kanda continues to heal and grieve with the help of Fukumaru’s restorative kitty-cuddles as he fondly remembers his wife’s affinity for cats, especially now that Fukumaru is helping him understand her feelings.

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This story is told in two formats: short chapters that are loosely connected with an overarching story, and yonkoma: 4-panel comic strips. The yonkoma provide some comic relief peppered throughout the chapters, which usually deliver emotional punches. Sakurai knows how to grab onto the cat-lover’s soul and mix in some touching or devastating tributes that resonate with anyone who has lost an important loved one. Just with volume 1, there are plenty of moments that cat owners will recognize and relate to with their furry family members, as I related to this moment with Fukumaru's war against his own reflection.

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Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 4-12

Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1

Publisher: Square Enix
Publication Date: July 14, 2020​
ISBN: 9781646090273 (Paperback)

​Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: Elementary School, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Slice Of Life, Iyashikei, Square Enix