Sumio Kemori's 'Ash-covered Uncle and Cat Prince' Manga Series First Volume on Shelves
The new sweet and surprising face of the manga world, Sumio Kemori's series "Ash-covered Uncle and Cat Prince" (Ash-covered Uncle and Cat Prince) first volume was published on June 12, 2025 in Japan by East Press. The series, as the name suggests, begins with a small kitten taken in from the street by an ordinary-looking uncle, who freezes upon realizing how handsome the uncle actually is. This unexpected encounter appeals to both animal lovers and readers who enjoy cute and beauty-themed stories.
Although not much is known about author Sumio Kemori, this work stands out as his first solo volume in his professional manga career. Known especially for his drawings shared on social media, Kemori quickly built a fanbase with his soft pastel drawing style and the subtlety in characters' expressions. The "Ash-covered Uncle and Cat Prince" series, with its title's "ash-covered" term evoking both an uncle covered in ashes and a fairy-tale prince, invites readers into both a realistic and fantastical world.
The joy that the kitten, the main character of the story, brings to the uncle's daily life and the revelation of the uncle's hidden beauty form the core dynamics of the series. The first volume covers the meeting of this duo, the development of their bond, and the reactions of other characters around them. East Press publishing house has previously hosted similar warm and emotional manga, and promotes this new series as 'a heartwarming story'.
Stories of this type have gained great popularity in Japan and worldwide in recent years. Although the formula of 'friendship between an old (actually young) character and a small animal' is known from series like "Cat Wizard" (Nekozuke) and "Old Dog and Cat", Kemori's work handles the characters' mutual enchantment moments in a more comedic and surprising tone. On the cover of the first volume, the kitten's innocent expression as it nuzzles the uncle's cheek and the uncle's bewildered gaze immediately draw the reader in.
Further volumes of the series are planned, with the second volume expected to be released in fall 2025. Although a Turkish translation has not been announced yet, if demand is high especially on online manga platforms, licensing is likely. "Ash-covered Uncle and Cat Prince" is a candidate to be added to the follow list of both cat lovers and those seeking surprising, heartwarming friendship stories.
