Vital Stats:
Title: Cat ParadiseJP Publisher: Akita Shoten
Licensor: Yen Press
Mangaka: Yuuji Iwahara
The Story
The story of Cat Paradise so far is remarkably simple and familiar to any manga fan: a girl goes to a new school with her cat and they turn out to be a magically bonded pair with special powers to fight demons.In more specific detail: klutzy Yumi Hayakawa and her cat Kansuke start their first day at a new high school, which Yumi has picked out specifically because they allow students to have a cat in the dorms, and she didn't want to be separated from Kansuke. On her first day she's late due to a run-in with the student council secretary (he's a hottie, natch), resulting in her having to clean a statue as punishment. A sudden downpour strands her outside, and of course, a demon shows up.
Cue the entrance of Kansuke, the student council and their cats, and the spirits of a princess and her cat who offer Yumi and Kansuke power in exchange for committing to the battle against demons. Kansuke rushes into the agreement-- he wants power with which he can protect Yumi in thanks for saving his life --and mega-knitter Yumi suddenly has the power to summer yarn, which can become magic-powered suits for Kansuke, who can become mildly humanoid.
After the battle with this first demon it's revealed that the school was founded in part to train students like Yumi and the rest of the student council to fight against a sealed demon who is due to bust out soon.
The Review
Perhaps it's just due to the contrast with Zone-00's muddled mix of plot and characters, but the simplicity of Cat Paradise winds up more charming than boring, for the most part-- especially once you get past the introductory explication of the first couple of chapters. The tale of a student council member who uses her cat's (and her own) immense physical power to try and force the enemies in a parley-- to "talk it out" --is especially promising when it comes to the development of all of the characters, even if our intro characters are fairly simple from the get-go.In retrospect I wish I had shown more interior art in the above video, although it would have ruined the comedic effect. I've quickly become fond of Iwahara's art here, which is almost entirely lacking in screen tones, favoring that cool dark sketchy pen look instead (sort of a softer Hellsing style). Iwahara is also the artist for the Darker than Black manga, by the way. The monsters and action are as nicely done as the occasional blushing schoolgirl.
This is a shounen series (from Akita Shoten's Champion RED), but I had to double-check to be sure given the schoolgirls and hot boys element; it's very girl-friendly for those of you who get sick of all the action series featuring male leads (not that Hime is much of an action hero at this point) and boobalicious fanservice. The manga is rated older teen, but I'm guessing it's for later content (or perhaps Hime's friends talk of a particular faculty member being a "flamer"?).
All in all, this manga isn't going to change anyone's life, but it's a pretty pleasant excursion for fans of fantasy action. It looks like a solid, if not particularly innovative, story, with strong art and characters who have the potential to be interesting.
IF, THEN
If you like these manga, you might like Cat Paradise.- InuYasha
- Amatsuki
- Kekkaishi
Release Info:
Released: Aug. 4, 2009Length: 192 pages
Features:
- Omake comic page
- Translation notes
