It's all very repetitious as yet another side character gets a sad pianist backstory. Someone get that man a cat, stat! Oh wait, is that a stray there in the corner?

Sheesh! Figure out another plot already, dude!

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter 80. Fluffy Attraction -- Chapter 81. A Purromise with Daddy -- Chapter 82. We're All Crybabies -- Sorako and Hoshinaru -- Chapter 83. I Hope Mew Like It -- Chapter 84. What's "A Life with No Regrets"? -- Chapter 85. Mew, Me . . . We Were All Little Once -- Afterword -- Bonus Strip ( )

The heartwarming adventures continue and the characters learn how to overcome personal roadblocks: Fukumaru's tendency to cry, and Hibino's hang-up about buying expensive gifts to show that he cares about people (instead of going with his instinct and getting something the person will appreciate, regardless of cost). Also a dog makes an appearance in this volume with some words of wisdom and a possible connection to another new friend! ( )

I really loved the first few volumes of this series, but its quality is seriously declining as it continues to drag on.

Readers are treated to a little bit more cuddly cute cat shenanigans in this volume than have been present in the previous couple of installments, but—at this point—it’s just too little, too late.

There are already way too many characters in this series, and so many of them are variations of the same. How many angst-ridden musicians do we really need? Well, the author seems to think there are never enough because we get yet another tormented and insecure wannabe pianist; this one used Kanda’s son in the past to try to further his career aspirations and is now so guilt-ridden and ashamed he can barely face the always jovial Kana when he accidentally runs into him. Ho-hum…I just don’t care anymore.

The beauty of A Man and His Cat was Kanda and his relationahisp with his cat Fukumaru. Now, Umi Sakurai almost completely ignores the two of them in favor of a never-ending slew of interchangeable and uninteresting characters I don’t even want to be bothered keeping track of.

I am so bored and disappointed with A Man and His Cat that vol. 9 is where it ends for me. ( )