The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today – Episode 5

I started playing Baldur’s Gaye 3 yesterday and let’s just say I relate to Sako a lot today. I’m a useless slug of a human who can barely function and is just thinking about getting back to my game. I think I might have said this after every single episode, but I wish I had a giant cat to take care of me like Yukichi… This probably says as much about me as about the show.

The two first short sequences, everything before the party invite, were actually extra strips from the back covers of the volumes. I particularly liked the second one and I have mentioned it before on the blog. For reference, here is what it looked like int he manga:

It’s just so cute!!! This “review” might turn out to e mostly screencaps but I have a feeling that’s the best way to review The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again today, anyways!

Lucky us, we get to see adorable Yume chan again so soon! Admittedly, there is only so much you can do with a premise like Masterful Cat so it’s not surprising that they are already getting into the hijinks. We know that Saku is terrified of people finding out that Yukichi is an actual giant cat that cooks and cleans because she is afraid they’ll take him away. The they is a general vague bad guys sort of they. We haven’t actually met anyone so far that would do that. In fact, I’m pretty sure everyone we have met would have a generally positive reaction to learning the truth about Yukichi. Maybe except Kaoru but he seems too lackadaisical to do anything about it. Still, an lot of the show is concerned with putting Yukichi in social situations where he has to figure out how to blend in even though it’s of course impossible for a giant cat to blend in.

They do confirm again that Yukichi goes to the supermarket regularly so I’m thinking Saku might be overreacting here. Then again, this is her boss’ family and all so it hits a little closer to home.

Yume using Yukichi as a throne was adorable. I bet it’s super soft and comfy. Although it might be a little hot in the summer. The stuffed animal Yukichi is also adorable. I couldn’t find one for sale but while I was looking, I found this inexplicable plushy of a kitten pretending to be a shark. I don’t understand it but I really want it!

Sheesh, Yume really takes after her mom, doesn’t she? And maybe I’m reaching here, but I think their mom, as in Yume’s grandmother, looks like Kaoru. There’s a family resemblance there for sure. If that was done on purpose then kudos! It’s really….masterful… character design. I absolutely love it when design elements take into account genetics. Especially when it’s a bit more subtle.

At first, I thought it would have been considered weird that two adults are going to a very small kid’s birthday party without any kids of their own but it turned out great. You just have to accept certain things.

My favourite screencap of the episode is the last one in the gallery above. I just love how derpy yet cute both Yume and her mom look. It also really perfectly captures and over-excited and probably a little overtired kid going slightly frantic at the end of the day while the eternally patient mom indulges. Once again, I may be reaching but I just found that shot so endearing!

At first, I thought they might be insisting a little too much on Saku and Yukichi’s first meeting. It’s very sweet but we have seen that flashback a lot now and it could start to feel a bit lazy to put it in over and over again like that. However, I’m giving it a pass because it had a clear purpose here. I’m a little miffed the show is underestimating me but I’ll accept it. They probably think most people aren’t paying that close attention. And since most people aren’t reviewing every episode, I can see where they’re coming from.

Here’s the deal, we needed to have the park and bench fresh in our minds because that’s the same bench where Yukichi goes to pick her up after her work drinking party. And that’s cute, isn’t it? They have come full circle! He really is taking care of her like she did for him. Again, don’t overthink it, it’s cute, o.k.!?!

I really like seeing Yukichi resting his face on his fist. It’s a gesture of annoyance and impatience that I’m not sure I have ever seen a cat do before but now that I have seen it, it seems like the most natural thing in the world. In fact, I’m amazed real cats don’t do it all the time!

Previous Episodes

• The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today – Episode 1
• The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today – Episode 2
• The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today – Episode 3
• The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today – Episode 4