My Roommate is a Cat

phiraeth★ 10

My life as a child growing up was a lonely one. I was socially awkward, didn’t have many friends, and preferred to stay inside reading/playing video games rather than going out. I pushed a lot of people away from me, even people that were trying to reach out to me, especially my parents. In fact, my best friend in high school wasn’t even a person: it was a kitten that I adopted from the veterinarian’s office we’d take our older cats to. Daisy was a gorgeous kitten and loyal to a fault, but there was obviously something with her different from most cats. She was veryslow, didn’t move around a lot, didn’t eat much, was very small, and altogether had a very sicky appearance despite being in “good health”. Daisy and I were an absolute perfect match for each other. Both of us highly valued our alone time and didn’t like being bothered by other people. However, I suspect as was in my case, she was also feeling very lonely. Our 3 other cats loved to play together, and she was mainly terrified by them, so she’d always end up hiding in my room. I also hid in my room, reading alone, holing myself in a corner and walling my heart off from the rest of the world. Daisy and I developed a close bond: she would curl up in my lap or on my desk as I would be reading or playing games, never begging me for attention, but just being there for me. Perhaps she could feel how alone I felt, how fragile and lost I was. She was the absolute perfect pet for a companion. Unfortunately, midway through high school, she started having seizures. Something was obviously very wrong, the vets couldn’t figure out what it was, and she stopped eating almost altogether after only a few months after her first seizure. It was then she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart: there was nothing they could do to save her, and a few weeks later, her poor huge little heart eventually gave out for good. Personally, I’d like to believe that she was just too pure, innocent, and loving for this world that her heart was proportionally sized, and her body wasn’t able to support all of her love. At the time though, I was absolutely devastated. Losing the thing that was closer to me than anything broke me. I was actually alone and I fell apart almost entirely. What resulted from this, however, wasn’t a similar sad ending for me. From the impact Daisy had on my life, I was able to gather the courage and strength to reach out for help and rejoin the world. Because of Daisy, time unfroze for me, and I began to grow within myself exponentially. Perhaps this is why My Roommate is a Cat resonates so strongly for me. I see myself in Subaru, who as a child had a very similar experience to mine, and finally grew into a confident, strong young man because of the impact a single kitten had on the path of his life. Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue. is a story told in a unique way I have never before seen. I had always wondered what Daisy would say to me had she been able to speak, but I felt as though we had a bond that was stronger than what could be expressed in words. Through the perspective of Haru, hearing her thoughts and feelings on her relationship with Subaru, I can hypothetically affirm that the feeling I had might have been the case. At the very beginning, our protagonist Mikazuki Subaru is in a similar state to how I previously described myself, dealing with regrets and loss. Meeting Haru is the start of a journey of self-reflection and self-discovery as he begins to learn how to love himself for who he is and starts to see other people as aspects in his life. Although at first I was frustrated and annoyed with some of his actions, the way the story unfolded piecing together his past and how he ended up where he was began to warm me up to his character, enough so that I became personally invested in his development and found myself rooting for him to pick himself back up and face his fears of society and other people. The development in Subaru throughout the story is what is truly what makes My Roommate is a Cat worth watching. Meanwhile, our trusty sidekick, Haru, also has a past full of regrets and loss. I never thought I’d ever get to say this, but I honestly can sympathize with a cat after all was said and done. The way Haru devotes herself to protecting Subaru, seeing herself as the strong one and him as the subordinate, plays off the usual tropes whereby pets think of themselves as the real ‘owners’, but My Roommate is a Cat really crafts this in a beautiful fashion. Haru’s unwavering dedication to protecting Subaru isn’t described as just an air of superiority but rather an undying love for him because of the care he provides for her. Ultimately, Haru isn’t just a plot device used to promote Subaru’s growth and development; she, too, has her own development and free will. Although the art and animation weren’t anything special, Zero-G did an adequate job for the type of show Doukyonin wa Hiza is. For a show where character development is at the forefront, simple animation in this case was a positive because it didn’t overshadow or distract from the main purpose of the show. Meanwhile, the OST was likewise simple but delicately crafted to highlight the emotional moments and stress the theme of hope throughout the entire show. A soundtrack is perfect for me when it touches my heart, and that is what the music here was able to do. And don’t get me started on the OP and the ED… While the music in both does an excellent job of setting the atmosphere for the show, the direction for the OP is absolutely sublime and accurately symbolizes the entire show all within a minute and thirty seconds. There are so many metaphors in the OP that I could write an entire review just on the OP itself! The beginning of the OP depicts the transition of night to day symbolizing Subaru shrouded in darkness being lit up by the entrance of Haru to his life. It is followed by the shot of Subaru alone looking down, surrounded by piles upon piles of books, symbolizing the wall between him and society, until all the books come crashing down upon him with Haru, falling from the sky onto his lap. Again, I could go on and on about how fitting the direction of the OP is for the show, but I’m sure you could see that for yourself. This anime for me is one of the most personally impactful and cathartic shows I have ever seen. It deals with themes of loss, loneliness, failure, and recovering back onto your feet in ways so realistic I can place myself directly inside the story. Every episode has emotionally resonated with me, be it happy or sad moments, causing me to tear up on each one from the strength the character’s emotions are being conveyed. If you’re coming into this expecting ‘just another slice-of-life’, you’re sorely mistaken. All of the characters in My Roommate is a Cat undergo realistic development and change for the better, highlighting the hope this world possesses even in your darkest hours. Regardless of where you are in life, regardless of how alone you feel, how depressed you are, how much you think the world may be against you, My Roommate is a Cat shows that there are people out there that care about you dearly, and there will always be hope. There is and always will be a way up - so never give up! *edit - changed some things to make myself more anonymous

Kipo0007★ 10

"I don't do well when people do things i didn't expect. but its after those unexpected things happen,that you find little discoveries and new encounters. So once in a while it might not be bad" - Subaru There are many slice of life genre anime out there, most of them simple and sweet,for a nice enjoyable time. Then there comes those special kinds of slice of genre,which just capture your heart in the most unique way, and this season we have one, the beautiful hidden gem called My roommate is a cat. Sometimes in life, there is someone who will come along and change your life and your perspectiveon it. But it doesn't necessarily mean, it has to be a human, a change can come in different and smallest of forms. In this case its a sweet little adorable cat named Haru. The story begins with our MC a 23 year old man named Subaru, who is a writer by profession and has recently in unfortunate circumstances has lost his parents.A sad but a soon to be what is a beautiful beginning of a beautiful story and relationship between two amazing characters After his parents death,Subaru who already was a book lover & a introvert, has started to seclude himself more, alienating himself from the society and any forms of contact. Be it fate or Gods calling as one day when he is paying homage on his parents grave with some food, enters our 2nd MC a little curious looking cat lured by the food, and subaru on an unknown instinct decides to take her in. Then begins this wonderful journey between the human and his pet, which was quite interesting to see because it was something new for a story. The most amazing thing i found about this anime series it provides us Two POV's in the daily episode storyline. One from subaru's perspective and then from Haru's perspective. Which was really creative and quite a amazing view from the viewers point to be honest. Their journey begins from a basic Master and pet relationship, that is shelter and basic food provision. But slowly you see this amazing change, which mostly initated and caused by Haru. For example as Subaru, shut himself up in his house with hardly any contact, while working on his novels, hardly used to pay attention to himself,including his eating habits, he hardly ate anything for himself,but somehow made sure to feed haru and even took some efforts in it. Surprising right? but the more surprising fact was, while looking at haru Eating,he started eating his meals. And when we See Haru's POV,while she is in the house,carefully studying everything around her including subaru. She always wonders why he doesn't eat, and in her inner monologue, wants subaru to eat,as her personal belief is Food is important. This just a showcase of how simple but quite amazing the perspective of animals can be, we sometimes think what our pets or some animals We see in our daily lives might be like, what they think or why they do certain stuff, the curiosity,simple beliefs,the connection between humans and animals everything is shown in beautiful spectrum. And this one example was just one of the many beautiful plot scenes of the storyline. There are so many instances and scenes which make you go like just "Wow" and something near to heart which will make you smile and might bring a tear or two to your face. Not only Haru,the POV's of other animals and pets which are show in the series, also are really well presented which shows and teaches something every now and then. Another great thing about this show,they show the struggles of an introvert through our MC. It also shows that animals can actually be a form of therapy for people who are struggling in daily life Subaru who exhibits social anxiety, his life was on the verge of a gloomy standstill point until haru came in his life, he slowly starts understanding the meaning of creating bonds and relationships the people by being with her. But not only with support form haru,Subaru also display's his personal weakness, and how difficult it is to overcome it,even that you might not be able to overcome it most times, but taking the first step is winning halfway and moving on forward is the next step. That's how beautifully this concept is presented, that i cant find much words to appreciate it. Not only the animals,along with Subaru the viewers can get the notion what the anime tries to tell us. The people present in your life right now, those who care for us, support us and are there for us.We might not realize their value right now until their gone. Which was mainly shown with flashbacks of Subaru with his parents, when he realizes all those conversations and time he spent with them, how much it actually meant to him, how much he misses them and that painful feeling which remains. And now he has all these people with him who are supporting him and care for him, how he should reciprocate and regard the value of those people. All of which he slowly learns and changes himself with his daily life with Haru. That said the other side characters including the animals are really interesting to watch, as not only they help in the plot with supporting and being a part of Subaru's life,but also have good character personality and are a absolute joy to watch too. That's the reason i consider these kind of slice of life a great piece of work,not only does it show us heartwarming and light moments, but keeps giving us the harsh reality checks. A real perfect balance. Coming to animation, no complaints, infact it really quite adapts to the series.It gives out quite a calm and collected feel.I never seen Zero G's works before, but its quite going to be a upcoming studio for sure as they delivered quite well from the plot and story narration, character development and presentation. The consistency of the animation in each episode.Its quite the delight to your eyes which makes it more attractive to the viewers. Good stuff. Sound wise, great work again. I would even give it a amazing certificate, as the OST's are superb,from the heartwarming scenes to the slight dark events, the music just adapts and releases itself in perfectly.Even during important parts where the characters are having really wholesome but conversations with feelings it really helps with the background music. The OP is my favorite, it has a nice catchy tune,which is uplifting and really heartwarming,i myself cant help but shake my head along with the tunes xD The ED is a nice calming track, which is perfect for a show like this,just relaxes you more at the end of each episode. Overall i just wanna say, if i might be so bold, this show is a masterpiece in its own way.There is not a single episode, that will disappoint you.Each episode with its wholesomeness,bit of feels and sentimental values,mixed with a glaze of nice fun comedy and most importantly Haru's cute antics will just entice your heart with variety of emotions. I loved this series, and i consider it to be one of the underrated shows of the season, it deserves more attention and love from viewers and i do hope it does. If you are looking for a real piece of slice of life, with all the beautiful concepts of life presented in a delightful yet in a meaningful way, and something to relax and de-stress you, make you smile and bring a few tears with feels. then this is the show for you. Highly recommended.