Next-Desk Neighbors Tetsu Tsutsui and Rei Taki Team Up for New Cat Manga

(Last Updated On: September 15, 2023)

Kodansha’s Morning Two online magazine unveiled the debut chapter of Tetsu Tsutsui and Rei Taki’s latest manga, “Tada Ōki na Neko ni Naritai” (I Simply Desire to Transform Into a Majestic Feline), on September 7th. Tsutsui is acknowledged for the original narrative, while Taki is the artistic talent behind the manga’s illustrations.

The story revolves around Rika Kuroki, a 28-year-old unattached woman who has relinquished hope of ever experiencing love or matrimony. However, when her roommate leaves to tie the knot, Rika’s fear of growing old in solitude compels her to contemplate adopting a rescue cat.

Yet, during a cat adoption event, she is informed that solitary individuals are ineligible to adopt a cat. Nonetheless, she manages to find a sympathetic companion to assist her in her quest to bring a feline into her life.

Tsutsui, alongside Koyubi Sugawara, embarked on their manga journey with “My Idol Sits the Next Desk Over!” (Oshi ga Tonari de Jugyō ni Shūchū Dekinai!) on Kodansha’s Comic Days platform in 2020. The manga’s inaugural volume was published by Kodansha in April 2021, concluding with its seventh and final volume in August 2022. Kodansha USA Publishing introduced the English digital release of this manga.

Meanwhile, Taki introduced “Love-kyo: Kateikyōshi ga xx Sugite Benkyō Dokoro janai” (Love Teaching My Private Tutor is So Irresistible I Can’t Concentrate) in Kodansha’s Shonen Magazine Edge in December 2020, wrapping it up on February 17. The manga’s fourth and concluding compiled volume was issued by Kodansha on May 17..

Further, Taki embarked on “Last Gender” (Last Gender: Nanimono demo nai Watashi-tachi) on Kodansha’s Comic Days platform in February 2021, concluding it in April 2022. Kodansha digitally published the manga’s third and final volume in May 2022. Kodansha USA Publishing secured the rights to this manga and released the third and ultimate volume on June 13.