Lovely Girl from Mestonia

If you had no prior knowledge of it, you might assume What’s Michael is just another mundane cat manga, crafted to be "cute" and cater to housewives as an easy sell. However, nothing could be further from the truth, and you'd likely miss out on a fantastic manga.

What’s Michael is utterly wacky and absurd, akin to some classic comedies like Urusei Yatsura or the works of Fujiko Fujio. It features very short chapters (typically six pages long), with most acting as parodies of various genres, especially hard-boiled detective stories. Yet, there's great diversity in the settings—characters can appear as salarymen, boxers, yakuza, fight like Ultraman, or even participate in variety shows. There's also a wide array of recurring characters involved in different narratives, such as the criminal vet who sneaks into homes to treat random cats, or a yakuza member concealing his love for cats due to fear of ridicule among his peers. Some chapters focus on regular households with ongoing storylines, reminiscent of Chi, though they're never typical slice-of-life tales and always carry an element of absurdity. Notably, the manga features many odd and disproportionate facial expressions that might put off readers unfamiliar with this style of humor but ultimately contribute to its uniqueness, showcasing the author's distinct style.

What’s Michael epitomizes 80s Japanese comedies, and there's a good chance you'll enjoy it if you appreciate works from that era. Although this manga isn't available online, it seems to get reprints frequently, with the latest being the Fatcat collection by Dark Horse. So, if you're intrigued, give it a try!

174 chapters
6/10/23

Love this book so much...

Hmmm okay thanks for clarifying. Then I'll probably start reading after I finish the book I'm reading right now.

Hmmp.. Failed ending..

Well, cultivation