Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai

In medieval Japan, surviving as a stray cat is a brutal daily trial. Feral felines face relentless hardship and prejudice, enduring oppression from cats bound to cruel masters and extortion by ruthless catnip drug lords. Yet, for those who embrace the wandering life, this harsh existence breeds an unyielding sense of pride and fierce independence. Among these untamed survivors walks Norachiyo, a masterless samurai who roams the countryside with unparalleled swordsmanship. Though he claims no owner, he still wears the distinctive bell traditionally given to cats belonging to humans—a lingering mystery that sets him apart from other strays. As he journeys across the land, Norachiyo dedicates his blade to defending the vulnerable and striking down those who have abandoned the noble virtues of a free life. He leaves behind little more than whispers and a fearsome reputation, but his righteous crusade has earned him a growing number of enemies eager to claim his head. Beneath his enigmatic exterior lies a shadowed history, raising the question of whether his past will eventually corner him, or if he can finally spend his nine lives in absolute freedom.