I was just browsing the shelves of manga and I saw this one with it's very literal title of "I Am a Cat Barista," the front-forwardness of this made me chuckle. I was going to put it down but then I felt that the front cover was embossed. Now, this is a ridiculous reason for purchasing a book, but man I don't regret it one bit!
This book is a slice-of-life following multiple human protagonists who end up finding a strange supernatural café. Be it due to tiredness or whatever ails them, they stop in for a drink, only to be surprised by the barista. The barista, as the title implies, is a cat!
Once inside the café they are treated to the upmost care of our main character, Mr. Hachiware. His advice is helpful as his drinks are hot, giving the patrons genuine advice and helping calm their nerves about anything. From needing help talking to boys to whipping up special concoctions to ease the mind of an overworked business-person, this cat knows his stuff!
The second volume, sadly not brandishing an embossed title, brings along new friends, new drinks, and even a dog pâtissier! Joining the staff of Café Hachiware in their day to day operations and seeing them take care of customers just makes me wish that I could go to this world and experience the impeccable customer service for myself. We even get to see more about just where this magical cat café came from and just who Mr. Hachiware is. Learning more about him really does help flesh out why it is he helps everyone the way he does, only making me fall further in love with this character.
Throughout the series of this black and white manga we get plenty of visual treats, whether it be the visual gag of the loyalty card or the amazing detail put into the drinks. The artwork really helps depict the mood of any given scene and helps as a non-verbal cue for what the reader should be thinking or experiencing. Hiro Maijima, the author and artist, truly went above and beyond with the visuals.
I don't know precisely what I liked the most about this book, but I wholly vibe with it. The author really put his heart into this, claiming that he has such a deep love for this work. I wish there was more to read, though the author said that it ended where he felt was right, only making this that much more of an intimate and passionate work. This short series is absolutely wonderful and I can't help but recommend this to anyone who just needs a low-key manga to curl up and read.
If you ever find yourself cold on a winter's day with a heart full of doubt and sadness, visit Café Hachiware and let all your woes melt away. Everyone deserves somewhere to be happy and somewhere to relax. Let this series inspire you to find your own Café Hachiware.
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