Aloof tabby cat Kijineko doesn't really understand humans, especially his "owners," a man and woman who, for some reason, think everything he does is "cute." Kijineko's sharp inner monologue reveals the true inner turmoil of the common house cat, a divine creature who is simultaneously worshipped by humans and subjected to their cruel torture tactics, such as being forcibly sniffed. Will he--and equally aloof former stray Kuroneko--ever figure out the humans' goal? Or will something more important, like a piece of pork cutlet or a low-flying cicada, demand their immediate attention?

My Cat's Aura is Strong Today has story and art by Utako Uguisu. English translation is done by ACaroline Winzenried and lettering by Jaewon Ha, with an adaptation by Hattie Trick. Published by Seven Seas Entertainment (May 26, 2026). Rated 10+.

Rebecca Silverman
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Seven Seas has long since established itself as the prime purveyor of cat manga in English, and if they keep licensing gems like My Cat's Aura is Strong Today, they can keep going! As a certified Cat Lady (I legally have to call myself that, now that I have eight), I can say that this book absolutely nails two very specific types of cats: the one who is convinced of his superiority and the one who is sure you're up to something.

The former is Kijineko (which translates to “dark tabby cat,” so a brown or black tabby rather than a ginger). He is the master of his domain and knows that humans exist only to cater to his whims. Therefore, if he desires to be fed at four in the morning, he will be fed at four in the morning that there is nothing you can do about it because he is extremely annoying. He is also a professional Knocker Over of Things, a job he takes very seriously, and failure to do what he wants will be met with teeth and claws. Also, you may look at the belly, but never touch it.

He begins as the sole cat in the humans' household, but later is joined by Kuroneko (black cat), a stray they take in. Kuroneko believes that he is there to infiltrate the human realm, and he spends most of his first month or so conducting surveillance activities from an upside-down cardboard box with a hole cut in it. Eventually he ascertains that the food is not poisoned and that the humans will not kill him and ventures out, his infiltration successful…even if he thinks Sumire (the wife) might not be all there, mentally, because she insists on talking about his “widdle toe beans” and other such nonsense.

It's a sheer delight. Utago Uguisu's art and writing expertly capture the experience of living with cats from both the human and cat perspectives. Who among us hasn't baby talked the clearly intelligent furry animal who lives with us? And who hasn't read judgement in that animal's eyes? Or fallen for the clever trap of an exposed belly? It's made all the better by the excellent feline body language on display, and the full-color art really enhances this, especially since the colors used are muted. For a manga narrated by cats, it's remarkably realistic in many ways.

I'm not sure how much appeal this would have outside of cat lovers (or people forced to live with cats), but if you fall into either category, it's probably my favorite cat manga to date. And with next volume set to introduce a kitten to the mix, something I recently did after finding a stray under a car, I can only see it getting better from here.