TV-Series
Description
"What's Michael?" is a comedic slice-of-life anime centered around the daily antics of Michael, an orange tabby cat, and his interactions with various humans and other animals. The series presents a series of loosely connected vignettes rather than a continuous narrative, offering a humorous and often satirical look at the lives of cats and their owners. Michael is portrayed as a clever, mischievous, and sometimes aloof feline, embodying the quintessential cat personality. His behavior ranges from endearing to absurd, capturing the quirks and unpredictability of real-life cats.

The humans in the series are depicted as ordinary individuals whose lives are frequently disrupted or influenced by Michael and other cats. These characters include a young couple, office workers, and a yakuza member, among others. Each episode explores different scenarios, such as Michael causing chaos in a household, navigating the challenges of outdoor life, or interacting with other animals. The humor often arises from the contrast between the humans' attempts to impose order and the cats' instinctual, carefree behavior.

The series also delves into the lives of other cats, providing a broader perspective on feline behavior. These cats, like Michael, exhibit distinct personalities and engage in their own humorous or poignant adventures. The anime balances lighthearted comedy with occasional moments of reflection on the bond between humans and animals, though it primarily maintains a playful tone.

The episodic structure allows for a variety of settings and situations, from domestic environments to urban streets, ensuring a dynamic and engaging viewing experience. The humor is accessible, relying on universal themes of pet ownership and animal behavior, making it relatable to a wide audience. The characters, both human and feline, are portrayed with a mix of realism and exaggeration, enhancing the comedic and observational aspects of the series. Overall, "What's Michael?" offers a charming and entertaining exploration of the everyday lives of cats and their human companions.
Information
What's Michael?
ホワッツマイケル
Type: TV-Series
Anime episodes: 45
Date: 04/15/1988 – 03/28/1989
Categories
Genre
Everyday DramaComedy
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Episodes
Staffel 1
1Michael appears
2My best companion, Shinosuke/Michael's day/Nyajira appears/The missing Niboshi
3Dancing Michael/Betting in the ring/I hate injections/Narcotics officer, Michael
4Michael on-stage/The terrifying Nyajira/Story of Poppo
5Hayashi-san has turned into a cat/The story of the judo cat/Runaway/Michael and the customer
6Michael was it
7Nyajira's story
8Search for Nobuyuki's happiness
9Michael Foreplay
11We would not like to borrow either the hand of the cat
12Turn off the rival
13Michael and the lost child
14Michael's world
15The way the cat likes
16A cat's nails
Cast
Comment(s)
Staff
  • Chief Director
    Masakazu Higuchi
  • Storyboard
    Kunitoshi Okajima
    Masami Furukawa
    Hiroshi Ishiodori
    Satoshi Okada
    Shingo Kaneko
    Takatsuna Senba
    Hideki Hiroshima
    Katsumi Takasuga
    Takumi Noda
    Seitarō Hara
    Yūji Himaki
  • Music
    Michiaki Katō
    Kōji Makaino
  • Character Design
    Yoshio Kabashima
  • Animation Director
    Yoshio Kabashima
    Kisaraka Yamada
    Hidenori Ōshima
  • Producer
    Hyota Ezu
    Tomoyuki Ikeda
    Yukio Kawasaki
  • Screenplay
    Mami Watanabe
    Hiroyuki Kawasaki
    Aya Matsui
    Tomoko Konparu
    Nobuaki Kishima
    Hiroko Naka
    Yoshio Urasawa
    Katsuyuki Sumisawa
    Yumi Kageyama
    Masumi Hirayanagi
    Hiroko Hagita
    Taeko Okina
    Rumiko Asao
    Mayumi Shimazaki
    Masaaki Sakurai
    Kōji Tanaka
  • Episode Director
    Kunitoshi Okajima
    Masami Furukawa
    Hiroshi Ishiodori
    Satoshi Okada
    Shingo Kaneko
    Takatsuna Senba
    Hideki Hiroshima
    Katsumi Takasuga
    Takumi Noda
    Seitarō Hara
    Yūji Himaki
  • Original Manga
  • Art Director
    Katsuyoshi Kanemura
  • Sound Director
    Hiroshi Yamazaki
Production
  • Production
    Kodansha
    SHAFT
    TV Tokyo
    Kitty Films
  • Animation Production
    Daume
    KK.C&D ASIA
Music
Opening
“マイケル音頭”
“Michael No. 1”
“マイケルNo.1!”
Ending
“星空のエトランゼ”
“失恋ブギ”