This is a cool sci-fi manga with a very original premise. It takes place in a world like ours where a phenomenon called flow can alter reality. Flow comes and goes but when it accumulates in one location it can cause changes to the physical world. In the story we see some examples of flow disturbances, one type is when flow interacts with humans and adapts the area around them based on their fears or worries. Other examples are when flow creates a wormhole or path into an alternate reality or when flow causes a time warp, sometimes making buildings disappear as a location reverts to the way it looked a number of years ago.

In the story we follow Chima who has been affected by flow that changed her 35-year old body into that of a 12-year old. After this causes problems for her at work she gets a new job working with Hirota who is a flow specialist. When flow causes problems people call him to come and try to get things to go back to normal. Helping him is his not-so-faithful sidekick Shacho the cat. Chima is an organised and structured person whereas Hirota works mostly based on gut feeling out of his cluttered office, which causes some frustration between them at times, but they generally get along well.

Each chapter in the manga covers one flow incident that Hirota and Chima are called to solve. The cases are not connected and there is no real overarching plot other than Hirota and Chima getting to know each other and Chima learning about flow. I enjoyed reading about this fantastical world, but I would have liked a stronger main plotline in order to really connect with the story. I enjoyed reading it and will probably continue when the next volume comes out.

When a Cat Faces West, Volume 1 by Yuki Urushibara, is a manga that follows a company that has a cat that smells and tracks something called 'flow'. 'Flow' is something that is caused by stress I believe it was a little bit unclear but it was still a very nice read. The art was really cute and I would read the next volume. I've never read a sci-fi manga before and I really enjoyed this one. I rated this book 5 stars. Thank you, to NetGalley for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

When a Cat Faces West, a new series from Yuki Urushibara, the author of Mushishi, follows the employees of Hirota Flow Inc. Chima Kondo becomes a Flow Disposal contractor and begins working with Hirota and Shacho of Hirota Flow Inc. after an incident where Flow changes her from a thirty-five-year-old woman to a twelve-year-old girl. The entire world of this manga is affected by a phenomenon called Flow, which occurs when matter falls out of balance and changes form. Flow creates oddities big and small that can be disruptive or delightful in equal measure, and it's up to Flow Disposal departments and independent contractors to shepherd the Flow back to its natural form.

This manga is completely a slice-of-life story, with a slow and relaxed plot. The way chapters are broken up makes each chapter feel like it's an episode of an anime. One of our main characters, Chima, is very interesting. Prior to her flow accident, she was a businesswoman. But due to the incident changing her into a twelve-year-old, her clients and coworkers stopped respecting her or trusting her, even though mentally she is still very much a thirty-five-year-old adult. The first volume didn't dive too deep into this plot point, though hopefully, it will in later volumes. The small parts I did see, of Chima having to try to balance the fact that she's got a thirty-five-year-old mind in a twelve-year-old body is an interesting struggle. Hirota, the owner of Hirota Flow Inc, is an incredibly laid-back guy. Seeing the way that he handles Flow incidents, and his way of correcting Flow errors, all done in a completely relaxed manner, was interesting. I do love the small plot point of cats being able to sense Flow. It reminds me of a bit of myths about cats in real life, where it's commonly believed that cats can sense or "see" the supernatural. This story is a lovely blend of slice of life, with supernatural and fantasy elements. Also, the author's note where she mentions that "it's the kind of manga that features a lot of evocative scenery...like traffic mirrors, rusty guardrails, narrow alleys, and dirty concrete." was so charming. I also personally love that type of style in manga, so I completely understand where she is coming from! The art style itself is also really nice. Simple but charming, and the scenery is just so good to look at. Looking forward to volume two when it releases!

"Flow—the phenomenon that occurs when matter falls out of balance and changes form. Flow creates oddities big and small that can be disruptive or delightful in equal measure, and it's up to Flow Disposal departments and independent contractors to shepherd the Flow back to its natural form."

I really enjoyed this manga. I think the idea of splitting the plot up in to short stories or smaller instances of the Flow disruptions was a clever way to tell a story like this. The characters are likeable and the art is really pleasing to look at. Of course I absolutely loved the cat (thats why I requested this ngl). Overall I think a lot of people can easily enjoy this one if theyre looking for something new and different from the usual manga.

First, my gratitude to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this series in exchange for an honest review.

The story began with Chima Kondo as a city hall's recommendation for Hirota Flow Inc. The boss, Hirota, took Chima with him to the client's residential area in order to solve another problem which is called the "flow".

When someone's thoughts and feelings resonated with the flow of the world, a bizarre phenomenon emerges in a particularly misty spot. Chima Kondo was a "victim" of this irregularity in the flow of time. Lost in thought, she passed a mist while going home and found out that her physical body traveled back in time making her exist like a 12-year-old girl in appearance. Because of this physical problem in her, she quit her office job and found work in Hirota Flow Inc.

The art is so pretty with vivid and refreshing scenery. The characterization arcs are top-notch, and each case solved is mystifying if not haunting (I'm afraid of mirrors, okay) that it brought me to tears. This series is just raw and that's what made it compelling.

I can't even begin to tell you how this series made me smile. And there is a cat!! It is so wholesome and simply beautiful. This deserves the 5 of 5 stars (or even greater than that.) I would so love to read the next volumes!

And I'll definitely say yes to an animated movie adaptation of this series directed by Hayao Miyazaki, please!

Another fantastic manga by the author of Mushishi! This story features a phenomenon called Flow, which happens when matter gets disrupted and changed based on a person's intense thoughts/wishes. A 35 year old woman named Chima Kondo is changed by Flow into a 12 year old version of herself. Unable to keep her office job, she seeks employment with Flow Disposal contractors Hirota and Shacho of Hirota Flow Inc. There she comes to find that there is a lot more to Flow than she expected and realized.

The plot is comprised of smaller Flow incident stories that connect together to form a whole, much like Mushishi's plot. I think the author is very masterful with this type of storytelling and, as a result, I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to the next volume!

Love the illustration for this one but sadly the stories fell a bit flat.
I didn’t vibe with this one at all

When a Cat Faces West, Volume 1 tells the story of a world with Flow, a mysterious, unyielding force connected to human emotion. The main characters, Chima Kondo, Hirota, and Shacho (a trusty cat) are Flow Disposal contractors tasked with dispersing Flow and returning life to a sense of normality. They'll tackle any job, no matter how big or small. But sometimes Flow cannot be controlled, In those cases, what are they to do?

Since finishing Mushishi, I've been looking forward to another one of Yuki Urushibara's works in English, and When a Cat Faces West definitely satisfied that itch. This story shares many traits with Mushishi—both feature an indescribable supernatural force that affects humanity, both tackle themes of mortality and human connection.; however, unlike Mushishi, this is a tale set in contemporary times. The contemporary setting is interesting and lends itself to very tangible situations.

Mari Au's translation is smooth and carries a playful tone that reflects the character's personalities well. Monika Hegedusova's lettering is clear and the subtitling work is unintrusive and adds to the overall tone of the manga.

I would love to see this title get a physical release sometime in the future.

Story and Art by Yuki Urushibara
Translation: Mari Au/amimaru
Lettering: Monika Hegedusova/amimaru

Dystopia with a detective plot and a cat that senses the flow, the moving fabric of life. Entertaining and thought provoking

A great read, I'm looking froward to the next instalment.
The whole story was brilliant, the idea that the world is affected by emotions and changes. The two main characters are funny and cool, but I'd have liked alittle more depth to them and background for them to help create a strong bond towards them.
Flows are made by emotions and they have to get the help of their trusted cat Sancho, to suss out where is started and who is connected. The drawings were great and detailed and captured a beautiful China.

Id say its kind of dystopian due to the whole flow concept and the fact they appear and after a period disappear. I want to learn more about Chima Kondo, a 35-year-old woman stuck in the body of a 12-year-old (after being caught in a flow before meeting Hirota.

A supernatural story, with disappearing buildings, multiple worlds in a mirror and more.

What an interesting concept!
A lot of world building went into this first volume, so it was a little light on character development, but I hope future volumes can balance that out a bit as readers become more familiar with the concept of Flow and it's idiosyncrasies.
I really want to see Chima especially develop as a character and perhaps pick up some Flow related skills.
Also, always hoping for more Sacho (the cat).

This was a super cute read, and I'm definitely looking forward to more installments!

The idea of the world being affected by emotions, and that the world itself can change like other forms of matter is really cool, and I kind of wish it was real. It's a fascinating idea, to say the least. The characters are cool, not super fleshed out, but well established in terms of their personalities. I enjoy that they managed to throw in a little rivalry into this and I hope that continues! I think this would be manga that could easily be adapted into a show!

It feels very episodic already, which is good and bad? It's nice in that the story has a distinct beginning middle and end, but it also feels, currently, like there is no over arching problem. The main character being stuck in a flow is definitely one, but it doesn't really appear to be a problem or a help yet, so it doesn't feel very pressing.

This definitely has a lot of potential though, and I am looking forward to more!