OK, let me not be deceptive. I love cats. A lot. I’m one of those weird people who prefers the company of cats to people, doesn’t really trust people who don’t like cats, etc. But there are other people who take it way too far even for me. Like Nakagawa Shoko, to name one, who likes to put her mouth all over (and I mean ALL over - see bottom right) her cats (photo source).
But here’s one crazy cat thing we have in common: we both love the way cats smell! In an interview at Anime Expo last year, Japanator asked her which of her cats tastes best. Her response:
The most delicious cat is called Mamitasu, which is my cat. I’ve had so many cats in my life so far, but Mamitasu is the only female cat. I love her to death. Everyday when I go home, I smell her whole body [room explodes with laughter] and I kiss her fur.
[in English] Smell. Good Smell. [laughter]
I just love her to death. And I’ve even worked with her in a collaboration with Hello Kitty. Also, I published a Mamitasu photobook.
[again, in English, grinning] Mamitasu, good smell.
Yeah - cats smell great. Not when they pee on things, but just their fur in general. Sometimes when Marten curls up with me in bed I bury my nose in his back breathe in deep. It’s a cat person thing. Chalk it up as evidence that cat affinity is genetic. My mother, for example - who is definitely more of a dog person - doesn’t like the way cats smell at all.
There is, by the way, a photobook of Mamitasu available for purchase here. Having a cool cat of my own, I’ve no need for it, though.