Review by Frank Plowright

A question that can reasonably be asked about Cat + Gamer is just how many stories Watanu Nadatani is capable of producing around the mystique of cats and their habits. As the final volume Cat + Gamer 8 provides the answer as 74. The good news is that she quit while still at her peak, having worked on the strip for four years.

Truth be told, there has been repetition, with cats interrupting either Riko’s gameplay or her office conference calls being a frequent theme, if not always the entire purpose of a story. It recurs in the opening tale of Riko nearing the end of a game, and again as she tries to assess the weak spots of a dragon in a later game. In that case it equates with the weak spots of a cat, yet contradictorily also the points where they most like to be petted.

Other activities include the Musabi and Soboro being taken the cat salon, the online wall/cat challenge and cat merchandise. The sample art shows Soboro with what’s apparently called an Elizabethan collar, fitted to prevent her scratching her eyes as she recovers from conjunctivitis.

Nadatani’s art has been exemplary from the start, showing Riko in all kinds of moods, and what folk really want: loads of cute cat illustrations. Although not a major element, there’s been considerable progression as we learn the entire series has taken place over roughly a year. It’s been several volumes since Riko had to call anyone for advice, and she now trusts her own instincts when it comes to the cats.

A crisis is provided for the final chapters as the company Riko works for is moving premises. Finding an apartment near the new offices that will take the cats along with her is problematical, and strangely provides a series highlight. That’s down to the clever way an alleged cat translation app is worked in.

If you’ve loved the previous volumes, you’ll love this, and anyone who loves cute cat pictures is going to love the entire series.