Tomorrow, a manga is going to come out from Yen Press that involves humans. Gangs. And cats. Specifically stray cats. All of that is combined into a work called Nyankees, a manga where you have to protect your turf…and survive as a stray cat. Mixing humans and cats is a thing in this manga, and to get a bit more information regarding this title, Editorial Assistant Janet Kang shares some things you might want to know before reading it.
TheOASG: In one sentence, how would you describe what Atsushi Okada’s Nyankees is all about?
Janet Kang: Atsushi Okada’s Nyankees is a sidesplitting take on what life’s like on the streets—stray cat style.
From when this was announced back at Anime Expo to it being ready for release, how long did it take to edit this manga?
The book hit our desks in October, and the initial editing and proofreading stages took about 3-4 weeks. However, the entire process leading up to distribution took another two months. Starting from when it was first announced at AX, it took roughly six months for it to be ready for release.
This manga relies on mixing the lives of stray cats and humans — particularly humans in gangs. Does this manga lean towards advertising the cat aspect more (like what type of cat they are, weaknesses, etc) or the human side?
I would say it leans towards portraying the life, habits, and different breeds of cats. The mangaka doesn’t hold back from sprinkling cat trivia facts or interrupting a badass gang fight with a shot of a cat stretching. Telling the story through humans makes it easier to relate to, and when you add gangsters to the mix, it adds plenty of endearing bro-moments you can’t get anywhere else.
What surprised you the most as you edited this title?
The mangaka’s godlike ability to draw cats dabbing and beating each other up on hind legs definitely took me by surprise.
Finally, what should readers expect when they check out Nyankees?
Expect to see tons of cat puns and close-ups that’ll make anyone—cat lover or not—pass out from cuteness overload. It’s a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and a good companion to have by your side.