Ugoku! Neko Mukashibanashi [Season 1 Episode 11]

“Wagahai wa Neko de Aru” Reimagined: Episode 11’s Purr-fect Blend of Classic Lit and Cat Chaos

Let’s cut to the chase—Ugoku! Neko Mukashibanashi Episode 11 didn’t just adapt a story; it took a Japanese literary legend, stuffed it with catnip, and let it loose. For anyone who’s ever wondered what Natsume Soseki’s Wagahai wa Neko de Aru (I Am a Cat) would look like if the narrator was actually a sassy stray with a penchant for knocking over inkwells… well, this episode is your answer. And yes, it’s as chaotic as it sounds.

First, let’s get the basics straight. This web anime by Kadokawa (they know their way around cute—see: Is the Order a Rabbit?) has been serving up global folktales with a feline twist since its October 15, 2025, debut. But Episode 11 dives deep into Japanese culture, pulling from Soseki’s 1905 satirical masterpiece. For those who slept through lit class: Wagahai is a sharp critique of Meiji-era society, narrated by an unnamed cat who roasts human absurdity with dry wit. Here? The cat’s still roasting—but now he’s also stealing fish from the professor’s kitchen and napping on his manuscript. Priorities, right?

The episode opens with the Professor (voiced by the always deadpan Yoshino Aoyama) muttering about “philosophical contradictions” while our feline hero—let’s call him Stray-san—stares at his inkwell like it’s a personal enemy. The animation? Soft, watercolor backgrounds that make every scene feel like a watercolor painting come to life, with Stray-san’s fluffy orange fur popping against the muted tones of the professor’s study. It’s classic Kadokawa: cute enough to make you coo, but with a visual style that never feels lazy.

But the real star is the humor. When Stray-san knocks over the inkwell (on purpose, obviously), the professor wails, “My thesis!” while the cat just blinks and thinks, “Humans get so worked up over black water.” It’s a perfect nod to Soseki’s original satire—trading the novel’s academic jabs for slapstick, but keeping that core truth: cats see us for the ridiculous creatures we are. And let’s talk about the voice acting: Snow Man’s Daisuke Sakuma guest-stars as a snobby neighborhood cat who calls Stray-san “a commoner with no taste in tuna.” His delivery? Equal parts posh and petty—exactly the kind of cat who judges your choice of cat food.

Now, let’s hit the fan reactions. Over on MyAnimeList, one user pointed out the episode’s “deep cut” reference to Soseki, saying, “I only caught it because my mom made me read the book in middle school—but seeing the cat roast the professor? Chef’s kiss.” Another fan laughed, “The part where Stray-san steals the professor’s tea? Relatable. My cat does that with my matcha every morning.” Even if you don’t get the literary nod, the chaos is universal: who hasn’t watched their cat destroy something important and thought, “They did that on purpose”?

What makes this episode work is how it balances nostalgia with modern humor. Soseki’s original is a classic, but let’s be real—100-year-old satire can feel stuffy. Here, the cat’s antics (chasing a butterfly mid-philosophy lecture, hiding in a bookshelf labeled “Boring Human Books”) make the commentary accessible. It’s not just for lit nerds; it’s for anyone who’s ever loved a cat—or been annoyed by one.

And let’s not sleep on the heart. Mid-episode, Stray-san curls up on the professor’s lap after a long day of chaos. The professor, still grumbling about his ink-stained thesis, scratches the cat’s chin and says, “You’re the only one who listens to my rants.” It’s a quiet moment that reminds you: for all their chaos, cats are our quietest confidants. Soseki would’ve loved it—even if he’d pretend to be annoyed.

By the end, when Stray-san narrates, “Wagahai wa neko de aru… and humans are just my entertainment,” you’re not just laughing—you’re nodding. Because let’s be honest: we are their entertainment. And Episode 11 celebrates that with every purr, every stolen snack, every perfectly timed eye roll.

Is this episode a must-watch? For cat lovers? Duh. For anime fans who want something light but smart? Absolutely. For anyone who’s ever needed a break from the world’s chaos? Stray-san’s here to remind you: life’s too short to take yourself seriously. Just steal a fish, nap on a manuscript, and let the humans deal with the mess.

Final verdict? 9/10. Deducting one point because Stray-san didn’t get enough tuna. But hey—there’s always next episode.

Wagahai wa neko de aru, indeed. 🐱✨