Monday, 4 November 2024

Manga Review - 'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' by Hiro Kashiwaba

'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' is one of the best fantasy manga I have read. It is one of the best cat manga ever. And it is one the best isekai manga ever, by way of this subversion - it's an ordinary cat from our world (the title is self-explanatory) who is transported to a fantasy world. He's a giant in that world, and everyone else is small compared to him.

It's an isekai where the "hero" is a big fluffy pet kitty. But that's far from all...

'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' is both adorable and tragic. Adorable because OMG! THAT CAT!!! He's a precious pussycat! He curls up and sleeps all over the place, demands attention and affection, catches bugs, and molts fur everywhere. He's innocent and snuggly! Daw! (In case it wasn't obvious, I'm a big cat (heh) person). And tragic because, well, that would be everything about the shared titular character, the forgotten witch.

Her name is Jeanne. She summoned the cat by mistake, via a magic circle, out of desperation in a life-and-death situation. She is like Baba Yaga crossed with the Grinch, and I swear she has one of the most tragic lives and backstories ever.

Without spoiling too much, I will say that 'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' intimately knows how propaganda, bigotry, piousness and religious extremism work, and it is a horrific and devastating thing to witness. Whilst reading, I actually felt like crying for poor Jeanne.

Another detail I have to note is 'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' - in another surprising twist - is written like a sequel to a typical isekai story; furthermore it is a deconsrtuction of the genre, framed through Jeanne's backstory. It's the first volume, and not everything is revealed to the reader concerning how Jeanne's many traumas came to be, but enough is there for now to fully grasp her pain and sorrow. She deserves all the sympathy in every existing world.

Don't be fooled by the cover, reminiscent of 'Alice in Wonderland' - the fantasy cat manga will hit you with all the feels. I cannot stress this enough.

Much like how I cannot stress enough how vehemently I recommended 'A Cat from Our World and the Forgotten Witch Vol. 1' (it is a great title, isn't it?) for everyone to read. The premise, and its execution, are fantastic, and it is unflinchingly raw and emotional.

The isekai manga will make you feel loss and heartbreak, but also hope and salvation - in the form of a giant, innocent kitty cat.

Everybody needs a cat, big or small, to comfort them, and make them feel needed and wanted.

A tale of a cat and an elderly, outcast witch has no need to go so hard, and be as good as it is. But it is that good - it delivered all the goods - and I'm glad it went as far with the idea as it did.

Beautiful, warmhearted stuff, not to be missed.

Final Score: 5/5

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