Already known in France for his Love in Progress series, Mika Satonaka returns to Delcourt with Stray Cat and Sky Lemon, a seemingly light but promising shôjo! In the city of Onomichi, Nagisa Seto's life is well regulated. The days pass quietly, between high school, discussions with friends, and the countless photographs she takes of her city and its inhabitants. But behind her smile, Nagisa hides a painful wait. Indeed, Ryô, the boy she was in love with in primary school, left for the Japanese capital leaving her behind. Since then, the teenager has been patiently waiting for their reunion. However, his well-compartmentalized daily life will be turned upside down by the arrival of Yamato Kamijô. This young star actor arrives in Onomichi to escape a thorny situation… A turbulent relationship is about to begin!
A classic story…
This first volume of Stray Cat and Sky Lemon appears at first glance rather classic, both in substance and form. This is particularly the case with character design. Indeed, we find in the character of Nagisa the big eyes and the slight naivety (in appearance only!) of Shôjo's heroine. The frames are sometimes decorated with flowers and light shapes that we imagine pastel … The duo she forms with Yamato reproduces the scenario found in many high school romances: they really have trouble getting along at first, but their bickering is gradually tinged with much sweeter feelings. The relationship between the two main characters evolves rapidly. The cutting of the boards and the expressions of the characters reflect it perfectly. But this is not to displease us, because it gives rise to very touching scenes! Stray Cat and Sky Lemon is a fairly short series, since its broadcast ended in Japan with six volumes on the clock. The certain speed with which the love intrigue is set up between Nagisa and Yamato is therefore explained. However, speed does not mean surface treatment… And that's where this manga scores points!
… But with potential!
Thus, where Mika Satonaka stands out is in the treatment of his characters. Behind the carefree Nagisa and the coldness of Yamato, we guess much more complex emotions! Nagisa clings to the promise made by her friend as she is afraid of losing this fundamental landmark. For his part, Yamato appears much more fragile and sad than he would like to show. It is these scenes, short but moving, these seemingly innocuous little sentences, that give strength to this first volume and constitute the cement of this story full of potential. In addition, the mangaka does not forget her secondary characters, such as Mii Hirata and Anko Arakawa, Nagisa's two friends. By giving thickness to the people who gravitate around the main duo, Mika Satonaka creates a solid backdrop and an interesting dynamic between all the characters. Under rather light exteriors, Stray Cat and Sky Lemon would then seem well on its way to questioning important stages of life: mourning, the persistence of friendship, regrets and ideals… All these notions are implicit in this first volume, and we hope to see them fully exploited in the next ones!
A city in the background
Stray Cat and Sky Lemon is set in a small port town, Onomichi. Mika Satonaka integrates her perfectly into the story, and almost transforms her into a character in her own right. Will it be the place Yamato chooses to take the path of his new life? Will it become "a place to land" for him, as Nagisa suggests? Or will the young teenager remain lost, like a stray cat, torn between two worlds? The way in which the urban landscape supports and integrates into the narrative is reminiscent of another manga in which the city of Onomichi plays a large role: Éclat(s) d'âme, by Yuhki Kamatani (four volumes, Akata editions). We wish Stray Cat and Sky Lemon the same success! The potential is there, the emotional power too, and the characters are just waiting to blossom and develop, just like their feelings! In summary, if Stray Cat and Sky Lemon does not revolutionize the very codified genre of shôjo, this first volume remains a very pleasant read. The themes that are emerging deserve to be developed, and some passages are already very moving. Between the lemony bitterness of adolescent time and the feline sweetness of love, here is a perfect manga to warm your heart! Series planned in 6 volumes, at Delcourt/Soleil. To read an excerpt, it's here !
