My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1
Story and Art by Senko
Published 1/3/23
Seven Seas Entertainment
Age rating: 13+

If you ever needed a quick boost of serotonin, My Sister, the Cat is the story you must read. It is by far one of the cutest found-family stories I’ve ever read, and I don’t regret picking this book up at all. In a world where cats live like, and alongside, humans, we have a story that shows that blood doesn’t always make a family. 

When Nekota’s mother passes away, his human relatives are unable (some actually flat out refuse) to take him in. When his mother’s friend, Tamayo (who’s a cat) offers to adopt him, Nekota finds himself a new home and family, which includes new little sister Neneko. 

This is where the cuteness goes into full-blown overload. 

Neneko immediately takes to her new big brother, going as far as to wait by the door when Nekota leaves for school, and not leaving until he returns. The bond between these two is just too adorable for words, and very similar to healthy bonds between siblings. There’s a cute segment where Neneko plays dress-up to pretend to be like an idol on TV, and has Nekota pretend with her. This includes Nekota wearing a bow in his hair, knowing how embarrassing it is to do so, it makes his little sister happy and that’s all that matters to him. 

The artwork is beautifully done, and the close-ups of Neneko’s cute face are just enough for any cat lover to just fall in love with this little girl. Even the close-ups of Nekota and Neneko’s father (who’s the strong, silent type) are just laugh out loud fun. 

While My Sister, the Cat is rated for ages 13+, I would recommend this story for younger readers as well. There’s nothing violent or sexualized in the manga. It’s the adventures of a family that love each other unconditionally. The only thing that would be problematic would be Nekota’s friend being way too interested in Neneko because of her cuteness. Nekota handles this with great maturity, reminding his friend that Neneko is not a pet, she’s his little sister. 

What I love most about this story is the concept of family. While Nekota is not a cat, he is loved by his new family and that love is returned tenfold. While we don’t see much interaction with Nekota and his new parents, his relationship with Neneko is enough to satisfy readers. In addition, we don’t know if he is in contact with his human relatives after they rejected him at his mother’s funeral (which is beyond cold), we might find out in later volumes. But right now, readers (myself included) will love seeing how he is cared for by his new family, and how the relationships within are evolving. This story shows readers that it doesn’t take being a relative to make a family. It’s love. Pure and simple.

I recommend My Sister, the Cat for everyone. It’s a great take on families (blood and found), and finding a place where you are loved without question. 

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Manga, Reviews, Young Adult