Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun – Anime Review

Tamagawa works at the front desk of a hotel, a stressful job with demanding guests who constantly nitpick. After work, he volunteers at a rescue cat café. He finds peace in the company of cute, cuddly animals. Tamagawa doesn't mind cleaning up after the cats since the routine feels therapeutic. The café manager, Kuroda, appreciates his dedication and loves having him around.

One day, after a particularly tough day at work, Tamagawa heads to the café to relax and surround himself with the cats. He rests on the floor, letting the animals gather around him with their comforting presence. While he unwinds, a new visitor arrives at the café. Shindo is visiting for the first time and seems interested in adopting a pet. After giving him a warm welcome, Kuroda explains the application process.

Shindo browses the cat café and stumbles upon Tamagawa with the other animals. Shindo makes an odd request by asking to adopt Tamagawa. It's not a joke. He seems serious. Shocked, Tamagawa refuses, insisting he's a human and not up for adoption. However, Kuroda feels amused by the situation. He plays along, treating Tamagawa like one of the cats. An exasperated Tamagawa follows Shindo home out of curiosity. Shindo promises to look after him like an owner would care for a real pet.

Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun is too bizarre for my taste. I can tolerate a bit of quirkiness in a story, especially for a lighthearted anime. However, it's hard to wrap my head around this odd premise. A human protagonist wants to adopt another human while pretending he's a cat. I'm sorry, but what on earth!? Why is BL so weird sometimes lol? This genre exposes me to the most random ideas for love stories. I don't know whether to review Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun seriously or treat it as a joke.

From the moment Shindo wanted to adopt Tamagawa, this anime lost me. My first reaction was laughter, but that quickly turned into discomfort. Shindo pretends Tamagawa is a cat and treats him as one. Oh, let me pet your body~ Aww, you're such a cute kitty~ This behaviour feels off-putting. But then, I think more about the scenario. It's similar to bringing a guy home to hook up with him, except they're roleplaying as a pet owner and an animal. Shindo's interactions are limited to casual touching and name-calling, so he never crosses extreme boundaries. Maybe he isn't as strange as my first impression of him.

Despite my attempt to be open-minded, I still struggle to connect with the couple's romance. Shindo becomes attached to Tamagawa too quickly. After meeting each other, they exchange a few words. Shindo suddenly invites him home based on a nonexistent connection, even though Tamagawa seems hesitant and doesn't show mutual interest. Tamagawa dislikes being identified as a cat, yet Shindo keeps forcing the label on him. The dynamic feels awkward instead of fun or flirty. Their physical intimacy also doesn't go further than hugging, so they never hook up.

Besides the cat theme, there isn't much else to discuss. The 20-minute special feels painfully short, offering only brief glimpses into the characters' lives. We learn about Tamagawa's stressful hotel job and Shindo's writing career, but these details are shallow and underexplored. With more time, their backstories may have the potential to be more engaging. Yet, the anime's short length limits its development. As a result, both protagonists feel one-dimensional, defined almost entirely by the cat gimmick. It's hard to connect with them on a deeper level.

The character designs are attractive. Tamagawa stands out due to his striking turquoise eyes. The beautiful shade adds depth to his expressions, making his gaze sincere and introspective. On the other hand, Shindo is a handsome blonde. He carries a hint of ambiguity in his eyes that complements his aura as a sophisticated writer. Aesthetically, everything looks decent. While the visuals may not be dazzling, they appear solid and presentable. I also appreciate the inclusion of many cuddly cats. Adorable animal imagery is always welcome and earns extra points with me!

Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun has its comedic moments, offering a flicker of amusement here and there. The playfulness makes the twenty-minute special pass quickly. However, I dislike the last scene. Maybe I'm overthinking a silly ending, but I'm bothered by the couple's power dynamics. A wealthy man uses his privilege to force his partner to act like a cat. As someone who was never on board with this romance, Shindo's behaviour made it less appealing. Overall, I can't warm to Neko ni Naritai Tamagawa-kun. It lost my favour early on and never won me back.