The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today

Adopting a cat isn't an easy endeavor, let alone if it's a kitten. You can't just take it home because you feel bad for it or simply because of its cuteness. There are many things to consider before doing so. First, determine whether it's a lost cat, feral or stray one. Then, find nearest vet if it looks sick or injured. Also, be prepared to provide its food, water and other necessities. Even after weighing all these matters, commitment to take care of it for the rest of its life sounds hard for some people. It's a time, energy and resources-consuming activity so it's a really big decision to make.

But what if that cat doesn't need much maintenance and better yet, takes care of you instead? That’s the main premise of Dekiru Neko wa Kyou mo Yuuutsu (The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today)

Meet Saku Fukuzawa, the main heroine of this show. On the surface, she's an office worker you wish to be. Dependable, reliable, respected by coworkers, she has an ideal image of what an office lady should be. Not to mention that she's good at taking care of herself and cooking... or so we thought. Turns out there is a great support behind this great figure: her cat. Her coworkers are aware that she pets a cat, but little they know it's not just your average black cat; it's a masterful one named Yukichi.

Yukichi was a nameless kitten when Saku found him under a snowy bench. In a half-drunk state, she named the cat (which on second thought, is pretty clever one) and took him home. Later, he discovered that her flat was such a mess. This poor kitten actually could just run away from that place, but there's something in her that made him stay instead: her warmth. Yukichi then was determined to make himself a masterful cat for her by growing big and learning to do house chores. Many times passed and now Yukichi is good at housekeeping and cooking, while Saku has a better lifestyle and works hard to buy her cat canned foods. This is where the adventure of their mundane life begins.

Besides the main casts’ dynamic, I find the story surrounding our leads pretty engaging too. From coworkers to neighbors, humans to cat (yes, Yukichi isn’t the only cat here), supporting casts brought something different to the table which keeps the slice of life element fresh. At the same time, the comedy aspect doesn’t feel repetitive and I had a good laugh while watching it.

The animation is... very GoHands, I guess? I don’t have much experience with series from this studio so not a lot can be said here. One thing I can say though is this studio seems to love flexing what they excel at in the first minutes of the show they work on. GoHands also loves to put their 3D CG treatment to the background art, combined with art style for the characters which looks soft and comforting. Never thought it would blend well here, making this anime is just nice to look at.

The music is another thing I love from Dekineko. It’s notable in most scenes and manages to build a fitting mood for the story. As for OP and ED, both are a feast for eyes and ears. Uryou Mon ni wa Fuku Kitaru by somei has a cheerful vibe that compliments the opening sequence. On the other hand, asmi’s Hakai Zenya no Koto as ending theme leans towards slow and chill vibes. It’s a song you’d listen to with earphones on while walking home from work.

Moving to voice acting department, this show's seiyuus really understood the assignment. I'm in awe of Yui Ishikawa's performance as Saku Fukuzawa. Despite having her character whine at times, she's still good at delivering a bulk of dialogue. The same goes for Hiroki Yasumoto who did a good job of voicing Yukichi. He really sounds as if a big cat could talk, although everyone in this show only hears his gasp, grump and 'kuh-kuh-kuh' laugh most of times. Side characters' voice designs are likeable too, especially the minimarket manager with his over enthusiastic tone towards Yukichi. Feels like every VA working in this project had a good time when voicing their respective character, and I love it!

That said, Dekiru Neko wa Kyou mo Yuuutsu is a fun little comedy anime with slice of life elements mixed in. I’m glad to follow each episode when it premiers, and it’s truly a good show for the end of the week. Even if you don’t have a pet, I’ll recommend this anime to those who crave something relaxing and undemanding to watch.