Nukozuke!, vol. 1 | Review and Interview

For those who are pet owners, we tend to see our pets as part of our family. I relate to this as a cat mom of two, and grandmeow of three (yes, I have five cats. I’m a proud childless cat lady ^_^). So when I was offered a review copy of Nukozuke!, I wasn’t ready to be charmed by this cute story about a chosen family consisting of Yuya and his nukos, Kei and Sasame. Nukos are cats that have features that are closer to humans, which are adorably represented throughout the manga. When I dove further into Nukozuke!, I was loving every moment of each chapter and making my fur babies jealous in the process.

When Yuya Amane comes across a box of abandoned nukos, he immediately takes them home. These nukos, Kei and his sister Sasame, are grateful to finally have a home, However, they see that their new owner is a bit of a slacker who takes on a number of odd jobs to make ends meet. While Sasame is more sympathetic and carefree, Kei is a bit of a hothead who wonders if they have found the right place to live, which leads to some comical scenes. However, Yuya proves to be a wonderful caretaker as the trio goes through their growth individually and as a family. 

If you need a serotonin boost after a rough day, read Nukozuke! and witness the making of the most adorable found (or chosen) family you’ll ever encounter. It’s a fun, heart-warming story that warmed a cold, dead heart like mine. 

And if you need more convincing, please read my interview with editor Eric Margolis and translator Laura Egan. 

Q: Nukozuke! is a gem of a story. I think I made my own cats jealous while reading it. If you can describe Nukozuke in one word, what would it be?

Laura Egan: Adorable!!

Eric Margolis: Meowvelous. 

Q: Do you think only cat lovers would enjoy Nukozuke?

LE: The nukos (human-like cats) do act a lot like cats, so I’m sure if you already love cats, it’ll be very easy to fall in love with them. But I think if you’re a fan of cute things in general, it’s still a very soothing and funny read! (Also, way down the road, eventually inukos (human-like dogs) come into the story too!)

EM: Cat lovers will automatically love Nukozuke, guaranteed. But any fan of cozy slice of life stories will enjoy the series too. And I would also add that you’ll really appreciate this series if you enjoy learning about Japanese culture.

Q: Yuya starts to appear cat-like himself as the story progresses. How would you describe the dynamic between Yuya, Kei, and Sasame?

LE: I think they complement each others’ strengths. Kei (nuko) can be borderline mean but makes sure everyone’s in line and on time. Yuya (human) is pretty lazy but keeps the household running with his superior cooking and crafting skills. Sasame (nuko) is young and makes mistakes but has enough charm and bravery for all three of them. All together they really play off each other and help each other out!

EM: They’re a true “chosen” family. Even though Yuya is technically the owner, Kei and Sasame take care of him a lot of the time. But then in the end, Yuya also proves his love and caretaking abilities. There’s something very charming about each member doing their best to contribute to the household and putting a smile on the faces of their loved ones. That’s a big reason why this series is so lovely and soothing. 

Q: What do you think readers will take from reading Nukozuke!?

LE: I think readers are in for a healthy dose of the warm and fuzzies, whether it’s the first time they’re reading it or the tenth. Everyone’s just too cute!! I hope it will be an easy story to get into so it gets readers to pick up a manga for the first time and/or introduce readers who aren’t as familiar with Japan to some new sides of Japanese culture right alongside the nukos, who are learning too.

EM: (Laura’s answer says everything!)

Q: Final thoughts?

LE: I’m very excited for fellow cat-lovers to meet Yuya and Kei and Sasame. I just know they’ll warm your heart. I’m thankful to author Yugi Iro for sharing them with the world, and I can’t wait for later volumes to release as well so everyone can meet all of the other amazing characters that Kei and Sasame get to know, too! Volume 1 introduces our main cast with a string of adorable one-off episodes, but I hope readers will continue to stick around because the more you read, the more we see the depth to these lovable characters and their stories, in addition to their comedic timing and never-ending cuteness. A big thank you to everyone out there who picks up the book and gives these nukos the chance to brighten your day!

EM: This series has a lot of volumes and a lot to cover, so we’d really like to ask our readers to stick with the series for at least several volumes. Important characters get introduced in volumes 3 and 4, and the dramatic stakes get heightened considerably in volumes 4 and 5. So it will really be after the first four volumes or so that the full scope of the world and story reveals itself—which doesn’t include just cutesy feels and vibes, but a real story with depth to it. Please support the series as we slowly build out and develop the localization of this amazing manga!

Extra Special thank you to Eric Margolis and Laura Egan for taking time out to provide their insight on this absolutely precious manga. Be on the lookout for more titles coming soon from One Peace Books!

Filed under: All Ages, Interviews, Manga, Reviews