Review of "Kemono Chat": A deep look into the unique experience of talking to animals

"Chat with Animals": The appeal of a new type of nyanimation where you can talk to cats

■Overview of the work

"Chat with Kemono" was released as an OVA on October 23, 2009, and is based on the manga of the same name by Mizushina Takayuki. The original was serialized in the monthly magazine "Manga Club Original" (published by Takeshobo) and became a huge hit, selling over 300,000 copies in total. This OVA was produced in response to the popularity of the original, and depicts the school life of Kenomoto Chacha, a high school girl who can talk to cats, and the unique characters that surround her.

■ Story

A new type of Nyani-mation packed with the whims of cats has been born. The main character, Kenomoto Chacha, has the special ability to talk to cats. However, she is fed up with the realistic and raw content of the cats' conversations and finds her ability troublesome. Surrounding Chacha are her best friend, Higashi Mifuyu, who loves cats, and the student council president, who is also a cat enthusiast but cannot openly admit to her love of cats due to her position as student council president. In addition, a variety of unique and "grossly cute" cats appear, and a whimsical school story of cheeky cats unfolds.

■Character Introduction

Kenomoto Chacha

A high school girl with the ability to talk to cats. She lives her daily life while being troubled by the cats' realistic conversations. Her character is charming because she has an ability that cat lovers will envy, but is troubled by it. The voice actress is Maaya Sakamoto, who played Mari in the new movie version of "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance," and her voice is a perfect fit for the character of Chacha.

Student Council President

Although she is a cat enthusiast, she cannot openly admit that she likes cats due to her position as student council president. Her conflict and love for cats add depth to the story. Her voice actress is Kana Ueda, who played Saki in "Saki", and her acting realistically expresses the complex emotions of the student council president.

East Midwinter

Chacha's best friend, a girl who loves cats. Her cheerfulness and love for cats add color to the story. Her voice actress is Yahagi Sayuri, who played the role of Mashiro Rima in "Shugo Chara!", and she has gained immense support from young fans.

■Production background and staff

The OVA for "Chat with Beasts" was produced in response to the popularity of the original work. It was directed by Umoto Yuji, with production support from Enterbrain and Amusement Media Academy. It was produced by indeprox, and released and distributed by Takeshobo. The original author, Mizushina Takayuki, also participated as a producer and wrote the lyrics for the theme song.

■Cast and voice actors

The cast of this work is a luxurious lineup that will be a gift to fans of the anime and the original author. Sakamoto Maaya will play the main character Chacha, Ueda Kana will play the student council president, and Yahagi Sayuri will play Higashi Mifuyu. Additionally, Gochi-san and Fujii, characters from Mizushina Takayuki's work "Ii Denshi" (published by Enterbrain), also participate as voice actors. In addition, several members of the "Uwanozora Fujishiro Ichiza" theater troupe, which often appears in Mizushina Takayuki's manga, have also been cast, making this a work that fans cannot miss.

■Theme song and music

The theme song "Chat with Animals" was written by the original author, Takayuki Mizushina, in collaboration with Midori Fujii. The music and arrangement were handled by Ryoichi Kusakabe, and the song was sung by Nekokujo. The theme song is also attracting attention as the first production by Takayuki Mizushina, and further enhances the worldview of the work.

■Episodes and subtitles

The OVA for "Chat with Beasts" consists of 11 episodes. The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• #01 Meowling Gal
• #02 The Terrifying Cat Conference
• #03 Rival Appears
• #04 I want to be Chacha
• #05 Farewell Choro
• #06 First Conflict
• #07 That's what he said
• #08 Summer of Humiliation
• #09 Freezing
• #10 Forbidden Door
• #11 Animals and Cacti Campus

Each episode depicts the humorous interactions between Chacha and the cats, as well as the relationships between the characters surrounding her. The cats' realistic conversations and unique characters add color to the story.

■ Related works

There is also a special edition of "Kemono Chat." "Kemono Chat Special" was released as a special edition of the OVA and is a must-see for fans.

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Chat with Kemono" was loved by many fans as a new type of nyanimation where you can talk to cats. While inheriting the popularity of the original work, it has drawn out new charms as an OVA. In particular, the realistic conversations between the cats and the portrayal of the unique characters have been highly praised, and many fans have said that it is "a must-see for cat lovers." The participation of the stellar cast and the original author has also been a hot topic, raising the quality of the work.

■ Recommendation points

"Chat with Kemono" is a recommended work for cat lovers, anime fans, and fans of the original author. In particular, the following points are recommended:

• A new sensation: talking to cats
• Humorous interactions between unique characters
• A luxurious cast and the participation of the original author
• A high-quality OVA that inherits the popularity of the original

This is a must-watch work for cat lovers and anime fans. Please enjoy this whimsical school story about cats.

■ Summary

"Chat with Cats" is a work loved by many fans as a new type of nyanimation where you can talk to cats. While inheriting the popularity of the original work, it brings out new charms as an OVA. The participation of a luxurious cast and the original author has also become a hot topic, raising the quality of the work. For cat lovers and anime fans, this is a work you cannot miss, so be sure to check it out.