Moon's Curse of Love "A Werewolf Story"

I'm also wary about reaching full circle in the near future - Brendan starting to lie (out of embarrassment), therefore Deirdre distrusting him all over again, blah blah blah... the usual boring shit.

Story: 10  

One of the first things I want to do in this review is clarify a few points that might not be immediately obvious, which can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the manga if you're aware of them beforehand. If you're familiar with Japanese culture, you'll likely already understand the setting and scenario, as well as why certain events unfold as they do.  

Here in America and other Western cultures, there's a strong emphasis on individualism—standing out and excelling isn't seen as negative. However, in Japan, the cultural focus is on the group rather than the individual. As a result, those who don't conform to societal norms often find themselves excluded or even criticized.  

This concept lies at the heart of *Cat Street*. It revolves around a group of kids who are so individualistic that they become outsiders because of it. Sometimes they're teased, while other times they simply feel like they don't belong.  

What makes *Cat Street* truly special is its exploration of these feelings—dreams, struggles, and the ups and downs of life. Many stories about acting, singing, or becoming a star gloss over the challenges and focus only on the glamorous aspects. In contrast, *Cat Street* balances both the highs and lows effectively.  

Art:  

The artist excels at conveying the characters' emotions vividly. The evolution of the characters over time is evident, and the attention to detail ensures each character looks distinct. You can easily recognize locations and objects within the panels.  

Characters:  

At times, the protagonist may seem indecisive, but considering her past—living in isolation—it becomes understandable. Readers grow alongside her and the supporting cast, forming deep connections with them. There were moments when I had to set the manga aside because I feared something terrible might happen to the characters I'd grown to care for. Their friendships faced trials, but ultimately, positive outcomes emerged as well.  

The relationships between the characters are rich and rewarding to follow. Watching how their bonds develop adds layers of intrigue to the narrative.  

Enjoyment:  

I became thoroughly invested in this work, despite not being particularly fond of romance genres. I found myself cheering for the protagonist throughout the story.  

Overall:  

If you struggle with seeing beloved characters endure hardships, this manga might not be for you. That said, it's captivating and emotionally resonant.

Hmm, it really does feel like the most generic shoujo out there. There's an overwhelming amount of melodrama, contrived conflicts, and whimsical breakups followed by reconciliations of all kinds.  

While other series, such as Paradise Kiss, also include plenty of drama, they are balanced with genuine bonding and meaningful relationships. In Cat Street, you're lucky to get one or two chapters' worth of compassion, romance, or real connection. For the most part, the story is saturated with melodramatic backstories, confrontations, and endless emotional turmoil.  

Our protagonist, Keito, finds herself at the heart of all this chaos. As someone who tends to avoid confrontation, she often ends up stuck between a rock and a hard place in numerous situations throughout the story. However, she somehow manages to escape these dilemmas thanks to fortunate circumstances, supportive friends, or pure luck. Despite being an actor, we barely see her work on more than one or two projects, and the theme of acting—supposedly her passion—is largely forgotten except for the occasional reminder that "acting is her dream."  

If you're looking for a showbiz-focused series like Skip Beat, this is definitely not it. The majority of Cat Street revolves around melodramatic nonsense rather than any substantial exploration of its supposed central premise.

<p>Well, how can I possibly put all my thoughts into words? Ahaha... I read tons of MANGAs, but Cat Street is the first one I've reviewed. It's been four years since I started reading manga, and I've come across many beautiful and unique stories. Cat Street revolves around a child star who left showbiz after being deeply affected by an incident at the theater. Over time, her life became miserable. She meets an old man, and from that encounter, her life takes a significant turn for the better. She goes to El Liston, a free school, where she meets a lot of fascinating people who make her life worth living again. She faces numerous challenges and heartaches along the way. I thought I'd already read all the great MANGAs, and reading typical stories had become a dull routine. But when I saw the intriguing title of Cat Street, it sparked something different in me. The story is indeed realistic, and before I realized it, I was completely hooked, only noticing the time when I glanced at the clock and remembered my other tasks. This MANGA made my day complete. Keito, the protagonist, is an inspiration to those who have faced numerous failures, the kind where they believed they'd hit rock bottom. The pairings are totally unpredictable. I adore the flow of the story, and words can't fully capture its uniqueness. The way Kouichi and Keito touched my heart captivated me with every small event. Unlike characters who fall in love easily and follow predictable patterns, the Manga "Cat Street" stands out as something truly different, and I highly recommend it. So don't waste your time on everyday, old-style stories—embrace the change right now! Read Cat Street and be fascinated just like I was.</p>

Out of five emotions, when I learned the meaning of anger, everything began to crumble.  

Most of us want them, some of us need them, eventually we all feel lonely without them—friends. Not just any friend, but true friends. That’s what Cat Street was for me—an extraordinary story of friendship. This manga proves that even if you think you're a misfit, wounded, or that no one understands you, there are still people out there who will appreciate you for exactly who you are, no matter who that is.  

In Cat Street, we follow Keito, a successful young actress. All she ever wanted was to live a normal life, go to school, and have friends. Living in the shadow of her own fame and never having time made that impossible for her. Her acting career comes to an abrupt end when her best friend betrays her, causing Keito to freeze on stage. Now, seven years later, she's an empty shell, merely going through the motions of living without any real purpose. One day, she meets a man who introduces her to El Liston, a free, no-strings-attached, come-as-you-please-and-study-what-you-want kind of school. This is Keito’s story—about living with her past, surviving her present, while moving forward toward her future, wherever that may be.  

Even the summary doesn't do this manga justice. Cat Street portrays the lives of kids who are like alley cats—stranded and alone, trying to find their place in this big blue world. The characters evolve right before your eyes and are beautifully unique. They grow into individuals while still retaining the essence of who they are. The story centers around Keito and her journey of forgiveness, acceptance, and the universal pursuit of happiness. Each character brings something special or heartwarming to the table, whether it’s Keito, Kouichi, Momiji, or Rei—all so different yet so alike. You see them transcend their high school years and develop into functioning members of society.  

I won't delve into individual details, but there's a character for everyone: Rei, the soccer star whose tough attitude cost him more than he bargained for; Momiji, the creative outcast shunned by her school because of her unconventional taste in designing her own clothes; Keito, the aloof and wounded soul who can't come to terms with her past; and Kouichi, the quiet computer programmer who deeply cares for his friends but whose introverted nature makes it hard for others to truly know him.  

The art is solid. The characters' appearances align perfectly with their personalities, creating a cohesive flow that helps you fall in love with them, one at a time. The prevailing mood of this manga is melancholic. There are happy moments, but they feel so genuine that even beneath them lies a subtle undertone of sorrow. Through the art, you can almost feel those moments as if they were happening right beside you.  

All in all, Cat Street does an incredible job of portraying the lessons we learn early in life—before we even learn how to speak, it's a simple truth: if you fall, just get back up and try again. That's how we learn to walk. So simple, and yet as we grow older, the falls become harder, and getting back up feels heavier. We meet people who change our lives with their humor, intelligence, love, and take a piece of us when they leave. Life through the eyes of high school kids has never felt this sorrowful or this amazing.  

"Just because you’re special doesn’t mean God will give you more time. You must sacrifice something!"

I've lost count of how many times I've read this manga. Every time I feel lost, sad or empty, Cat Street's story fills me with hope, self-forgiveness, and patience to deal with my problems. It's Kamio Yoko's masterpiece, and I'm grateful that she wrote it.  

Cat Street is a story much deeper than it seems. When I first read it (6 or 7 years ago), I couldn't fully understand what it was about, but as the years passed and I had to grow up and experience what it's like to be an adult, Cat Street became more and more relatable. For me, it became a mirror of reality—how easy it is to blame others, how sometimes we are trapped inside ourselves, how much harder it is to apologize to people we love, how our own house can feel like a prison instead of a home, and that time is the most valuable thing we have to offer.  

Cat Street is about healing, forgiveness, and being grateful for what you have; about family, friendship, and positive relationships; about the past, regrets, being wrong, and saying sorry; about dreams, hope, and the future; it's about changing and trying to be better. There's romance too—it's a Shojo! But the good part is that the romance doesn't overshadow the message of the manga; it's part of it. It's incredible how Yoko creates her characters and molds them through the narrative. Their transformation doesn't happen overnight—it's a process that takes time, just like in real life. They don't become 100% perfect; they still have worries, fears, and regrets all the way to the end, but they learn how to deal with them to become better people—not only to others but also to themselves.  

Maybe when you read it, you won't feel the same way as I do, but it took me time to understand and sympathize with this story, so give it another chance! I'm sure it's a manga that has a lot to teach, because I keep learning and accepting new things about life and myself every time I read it. It has become my life guide, helping me find myself every time I'm lost.

Following the synopsis, it's clear that the main character doesn't feel like she fits into society. Her reasons are somewhat unique, yet they remain relatable in some way. As a college student, I've frequently experienced a sense of disconnection and being out of sync with time at my university. Perhaps it was due to drifting apart from friends, uninteresting classes, a loss of motivation, or the challenges I faced as a student-athlete. I can't pinpoint exactly when, but I am certain that I've felt the urge to isolate myself from everyone and everything. This manga does an excellent job of conveying the emotions of those who have momentarily lost their way, and it tells a powerful story of rediscovering motivation and positivity. I apologize for not providing a detailed review of the art and other aspects that others often discuss, but I believe this story is less about explanation and more about personal connection. Give it a read, and perhaps you'll understand what I mean. <p>

Wow, Cat Street truly took me by surprise. As I read through the first volume, the story unfolded smoothly but seemed like it might turn into a typical generic shoujo. However, I was clearly wrong because Cat Street is far more than just an average shoujo.

Cat Street emphasizes the importance of bouncing back from traumatic experiences and forming genuine friendships with people you can relate to, laugh with, and who will honestly tell you things you may not want to hear.

The romance development in this manga is probably the most impressive writing I've encountered in a shoujo in a while. It feels incredibly realistic and aligns closely with what many girls in real life would appreciate.

My only issue with the story lies in the portrayal of the school and the principal, particularly the principal's past. It felt like they introduced these elements to build up to something significant, but they were somewhat glossed over later on.

The art wasn't flawless, but the panel placements were well thought out, so I never got confused. The character designs weren't overly exaggerated or unappealing; they were simply decent. I did notice that Kouchi's aging process was depicted quite well.

If you're searching for a relatively short manga centered around friendship, resilience, and a touch of romance, I highly recommend giving this one a try.