Cats are the lifeblood of the internet. No matter where you go, you’ll find pictures of cats, posts about cats, and hundreds of cat memes. But if this doesn’t quench that natural thirst for cute kitties, then The Evil Secret Society of Cats is a must-read manga that’s packed full of clever and creative cat and pet-themed humor.
Created by Pandania, the writer behind cult-hit manga Yokai Cats, The Evil Secret Society of Cats launched on the Matogrosso website in 2019. Seven Seas Entertainment quickly picked up the rights to distribute the series in America, releasing the first volume in late 2022 and the second in early 2023. Here’s what the hype is all about and why it’s the ideal manga for cat lovers.
The Story of The Evil Secret Society of Cats
The story follows the titular Evil Secret Society of Cats, a group led by the evil Feline Commander, a cat who always wears a bright purple cape. Feline Commander and his minions, Dr. Meow, Queen and Destroyer, aim to make humans fear felines. They do this by devising evil plans to bring people down, from blocking humans’ access to information to making them late for work. But humans need not fear — Doggoman and his little sister are always on the lookout, ready to fight back against the evil cats and stop their schemes.
The Evil Secret Society of Cats is a collection of four-panel gag strips. Some of these strips, called “Secret Society Initiative,” show the cats plotting and enacting their evil schemes. Others have the characters interacting with each other in various comedic scenarios, from Doggoman confronting Feline Commander to many other dogs and humans going on their own adventures.
Why The Evil Secret Society of Cats Is Perfect for Cat Lovers
What makes this manga stand out is its style of humor. The Evil Secret Society of Cats takes frequently-memed cat behaviors — like sitting on a human’s laptop while they’re trying to work — and explains why this behavior is actually part of one of the cats’ evil schemes. Of course, while the cats may perceive their actions as one thing, their human owners frequently perceive them as something else, leading to plenty of humor when the two perceptions diverge. Because this humor is based on universal pet-owner experiences and visual gags, jokes don’t get lost in translation, avoiding a common issue many four-panel comic localizations have.
This manga also parodies loads of classic Japanese superhero tropes, adding another fun layer to the comedy that fans of the genre are sure to appreciate. These tropes also make the contrast between the cats’ perception of themselves and the human’s perception of them even more distinct, only further bolstering the comedy.
Pandania’s manga also features some exceptionally cute art. All the animals are drawn in a semi-chibi style, which means they’re all adorable and expressive. Along with the accessories and details all the main characters have, this means each one is brimming with personality that jumps off the page, making it impossible to not fall in love the second they’re introduced. This manga is also in full color, making the whole book a visual treat and the various animals look even cuter.
The Evil Secret Society of Cats is an utterly charming manga that’s perfect for animal fans. Anyone who owns a dog or cat will find the various strips ultra-relatable, but there is plenty to love here even for those who don’t. The story’s grounded, good-natured style of comedy makes it a perfect entry manga for those new to the medium or those who want to share a manga with younger children.
