Appeal and Review of "What's Michael?": A Must-See Anime for Cat Lovers

"What's Michael?": Humor and life from a cat's perspective

What's Michael? is a 1985 OVA based on the manga of the same name by Kobayashi Makoto. The story follows the cat Michael from his perspective as he goes about his daily life and interactions with humans. The OVA was released by Kitty Enterprises and directed by Nagao Susumu. The 56-minute long story is a self-contained episode, and was produced jointly by Kitty Enterprises, Kodansha, and Kitty Films.

Background of the original work and anime adaptation

Makoto Kobayashi's manga "What's Michael?" was serialized from the 1970s to the 1980s, and became popular for its humorous episodes of the cat Michael in various situations. The satire of human society from the cat's point of view and Michael's unique character were loved by many readers. Due to this popularity, it was made into an animated OVA in 1985.

The OVA format was a new attempt at the time, and being sold as video software rather than broadcast on television allowed for greater freedom of expression. The OVA for "What's Michael?" retained the charm of the original work while adding movements and expressions unique to anime, appealing not only to fans of the original work but also to a new audience.

Story and Characters

The story of "What's Michael?" revolves around the episodes that the cat Michael experiences in various places. Michael is active in a variety of situations, from his daily life at his owner's house to adventures outside. The human society seen from his point of view is sometimes humorous, sometimes cynical, offering a new perspective to the viewer.

The character of Michael has the free-spiritedness of a cat and a unique perspective on humans. He does not hesitate to express his opinions to his owner and sometimes takes a rebellious attitude. However, at the same time, Michael is very affectionate and values ​​the bonds he has with his owner and other animals. The charm of this character underpins the entire work.

Animation and performance

The OVA of "What's Michael?" is directed by Nagao Suguru and features careful animation and skillful direction. Michael's movements are very realistic and capture the characteristics of the cat well. In addition, the scenes depicting the relationship between Michael and humans are full of humorous direction, entertaining the viewer.

Particularly impressive is the depiction of the world from Michael's point of view. The camerawork and use of color realistically recreate the world as Michael sees it, drawing the viewer into his point of view. Michael's facial expressions and gestures also allow us to read his emotions and thoughts, deepening our understanding of the character.

Music and Sound

The music in "What's Michael?" is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. Light-hearted background music colors Michael's adventure, and comical sound effects are used in humorous scenes. In addition, the voices of Michael and other characters are chosen to bring out the individuality of the characters, creating a good overall balance.

In particular, the voice actor who voiced Michael made a strong impression on viewers, as he portrayed the cat Michael so realistically. His voice conveyed Michael's free-spiritedness and affection, deepening the viewers' attachment to the character.

Evaluation and impact

The OVA for "What's Michael?" was highly praised by fans of the original work. By retaining the charm of the original work while adding expressions unique to anime, the work could be enjoyed from a new perspective. In addition, the OVA format was fresh, and by selling it as video software, the work was able to reach a wider audience.

This work resonated with many people by depicting satire and humor of human society from a cat's point of view. Michael's character was loved not only by cat lovers, but also by people who have pets and are interested in seeing the world from an animal's point of view. The theme and message of the work also touched many people's hearts by reminding them of the relationship between humans and animals and the small joys of everyday life.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed What's Michael?, you might also like:

• Crayon Shin-chan : Both series share the same humor and satire, depicting everyday life from a family's perspective.
• "Princess Arete" : Both films share the same theme of depicting human society from the perspective of animals, and are characterized by beautiful animation and deep themes.
• My Neighbor Totoro : Both films share the theme of depicting a life in coexistence with nature, and their appeal lies in the world where fantasy and reality intersect.

Also, be sure to read the original manga of "What's Michael?". The original manga contains many episodes and characters that are not depicted in the OVA, allowing you to understand Michael's world even more deeply.

summary

"What's Michael?" is a heartwarming story that depicts humor and life from a cat's point of view. While retaining the charm of the original work, the addition of animation's unique expressions allows you to enjoy the story from a new perspective. Michael's character is loved not only by cat lovers, but also by people who have pets and those who are interested in seeing the world from an animal's point of view, and the theme and message of the story reminds us of the relationship between humans and animals and the small joys of everyday life. Please pick up this work and enjoy the world of Michael.