# Red Cat Ramen

Red Cat Ramen (ラーメン赤猫, Ramen Aka Neko) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Angyaman. It began serialization as an independent comic published on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app and website in March 2022. It later became a full-fledged series in October 2022. An anime television series adaptation produced by E&H Production aired from July to September 2024. A second season has been announced.

## Plot

Red Cat Ramen centers around the titular establishment, a ramen shop established and run by talking cats. Focusing on Tamako Yashiro, a human woman who is working as a part-timer behind the scenes, the series focuses on the day-to-day antics of her and her fellow feline employees: Bunzo, the head chef; Sasaki, the owner and finance/business expert; Sabu, the sous-chef; Hana, the customer service manager; and Krishna, a tiger in charge of making the base ramen noodles in-house.

## Characters
### Bunzo (文蔵)

    Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda
    An orange tabby cat and the softspoken head chef at Red Cat Ramen. He was originally a stray before being rescued by the old owner of a ramen food cart. After the owner retired to a nursing home, Bunzo took over the business for him. He then eventually partnered with Sasaki to upgrade his food cart into a full restaurant.

### Pudding Sasaki (佐々木 プリン, Sasaki Purin)

    Voiced by: Noriaki Sugiyama
    A grey tuxedo cat and the laidback owner of Red Cat Ramen. He primarily manages the business' finances and office work, but also helps out his staff by serving customers. Like Bunzo, Sasaki was also a stray before being adopted by a wealthy businesswoman. When his owner became terminally ill at a young age, he acted as her caretaker up until her death. He then received a large inheritance, using it to open the restaurant.

### Sabu (サブ)

    Voiced by: Michiyo Murase
    A black cat and the cheerful sous-chef at Red Cat Ramen. He is responsible for cooking side dishes, such as gyōza, and plating the ramen. Sabu grew up as a stray in Chinatown before being scouted by Bunzo. As a result of his upbringing, he is very food-motivated. Outside of work, he is an avid gamer.

### Hana (ハナ)

    Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya
    A white cat and the customer service manager at Red Cat Ramen. While she puts on a cute, bubbly persona for her guests, her real personality is more sassy and sharp-tongued. Prior to working at the restaurant, she was a social media influencer named Love Pipi. An animal abuse scandal erupted after she had her ear willingly pierced. She then closed her account due to the harassment her owner faced from the incident.

### Krishna (クリシュナ, Kurishuna)

    Voiced by: Saori Hayami
    A tiger and the timid noodle-maker at Red Cat Ramen. The offspring of a Siberian tiger and Bengal tiger, Krishna was born and raised in a zoo before being recruited by Bunzo. Her imposing size sharply contrasts her shy and kindhearted nature. While she normally stays in the back of house, she is sometimes brought out front to scare away unruly customers.

### Tamako Yashiro (社 珠子, Yashiro Tamako)

    Voiced by: Kurumi Orihara
    The sole human employee at Red Cat Ramen. Her main responsibilities are washing dishes and brushing the staff. During service, she wears a kuroko outfit to blend into the background. Tamako left her former career at an advertising design company due to the toxic work environment. She admits to being more of a dog person than a cat person, which helps her land the job at Red Cat.

### Jewel (ジュエル, Jueru)

    A grey long-haired cat and a customer service specialist at Red Cat Ramen. He is flashy and charismatic, often striking a pose whenever he introduces himself and handing out his personal business cards. Jewel first joins Red Cat with the dream of owning his own feline host club, in the hopes of finding the host who cared for him as a kitten before disappearing. After Sasaki locates the host and reunites the two, Jewel takes on a new goal of traveling to Italy to teach other cats about hospitality and how to avoid shedding in the workplace.

### Yuzu Yamasato (山郷 ゆず, Yamasato Yuzu)

    A Siamese cat and trainee at Red Cat Ramen. She is noted for her intelligence and strong sense of independence. Yuzu is fairly reserved, which initially causes her to remain distant from her coworkers and struggle with the customer service aspects of the job. She eventually warms up to the others and finds a suitable spot manning the register. She previously worked at a government-affiliated charity, albeit acting mostly as a mascot.

## Media
### Manga

Written and illustrated by Angyaman, Red Cat Ramen was originally published on Shueisha's Jump Rookie website from November 26, 2021, to February 20, 2022. It later began serialization as an independent comic published on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app and website on March 14, 2022. It later got promoted to a regular serialization on October 2, 2022. Its chapters have been collected in ten volumes as of February 2025.
The series is published digitally in English on Shueisha's Manga Plus platform. The series is also published in France by Kurokawa.
Red Cat Ramen collections :
| No. | Release date | ISBN |
| 1 | October 4, 2022 | 978-4-08-883279-1 |
| 2 | December 4, 2022 | 978-4-08-883398-9 |
| 3 | February 3, 2023 | 978-4-08-883402-3 |
| 4 | June 2, 2023 | 978-4-08-883619-5 |
| 5 | September 4, 2023 | 978-4-08-883713-0 |
| 6 | December 4, 2023 | 978-4-08-883811-3 |
| 7 | March 4, 2024 | 978-4-08-883859-5 |
| 8 | July 4, 2024 | 978-4-08-884056-7 |
| 9 | October 4, 2024 | 978-4-08-884244-8 |
| 10 | February 4, 2025 | 978-4-08-884430-5 |

### Anime

An anime adaptation was announced on November 27, 2023. It was later confirmed at Jump Festa 2024 to be a television series produced by Good Smile Company and E&H Production, directed by Hisatoshi Shimizu, with Toru Kubo overseeing series scripts, Michinori Chiba designing the characters, and Hirotaka Matsuoka composing the music. The series aired from July 4 to September 19, 2024, on TBS and its affiliates. The opening theme song is "Akaneko" (赤猫, lit. 'Red Cat') performed by Wednesday Campanella, while the ending theme song is "Honjitsu no Osusume" (本日のおすすめ, lit. 'Today's Recommendation') performed by Rikon Densetsu. Crunchyroll licensed the series. Medialink licensed the series for streaming in Southeast Asia and Oceania (except Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam) on its Ani-One Asia YouTube channel.
A second season was announced at Jump Festa 2025 on December 21, 2024.

#### Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Storyboarded by | Animation directed by | Original release date |
| 1 | "A Closed-Door Hire" Transliteration: "Kōkai Motome ka" (Japanese: ⾮公開求⼈) | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Michinori Chiba & Masataka Akai | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) |
| 1 | "The Athletic Black Cat" Transliteration: "Kuroneko Asurechikku" (Japanese: 黒猫アスレチック) | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Yumiko Hara, Miyako Nishida & Jōji Yanase | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) |
| 2 | "Hana-chan's Professionalism" Transliteration: "Hana-chan no Puro Ishiki" (Japanese: ハナちゃんのプロ意識) | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Shiori Hosaka & Min Hui | July 11, 2024 (2024-07-11) |
| 2 | "The Tiger in the Noodle Room" Transliteration: "Sei Menshitsu no Tora" (Japanese: 製麺室の虎) | Kōki Aoshima | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Azuma Tozawa | July 11, 2024 (2024-07-11) |
| 3 | "Nothing Wrong With That" Transliteration: "Ijan" (Japanese: いいじゃん) | Chie Nishizawa | Chie Nishizawa | Chie Nishizawa | July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) |
| 3 | "Service First" Transliteration: "Sekkyaku Ichiban" (Japanese: 接客⼀番) | Masataka Akai | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Masataka Akai | July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) |
| 3 | "The Masked Handyman" Transliteration: "Masukudo Enjinia" (Japanese: マスクドエンジニア) | Takayuki Sano | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Takayuki Sano | July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) |
| 4 | "The Fluffy Tiger" Transliteration: "Funwari Taigā" (Japanese: ふんわりタイガー) | Hisatoshi Shimizu & Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Chie Nishizawa | July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) |
| 4 | "Tiger Paw-Made Noodles" Transliteration: "Taiga Damen" (Japanese: ⻁打麺) | Hisatoshi Shimizu & Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Takayuki Sano | July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) |
| 4 | "The Late-Night Cat" Transliteration: "Yoru Fukashi Neko" (Japanese: 夜更かし猫) | Hisatoshi Shimizu & Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Mariko Takeda, Min Hui & Tsutomu Ono | July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) |
| 4 | "A Story Just a While Ago..." Transliteration: "Chotto Mae no Ohanashi" (Japanese: ちょっと前のお話) | Hisatoshi Shimizu & Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Tow Nakazaki | July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) |
| 5 | "Brushing Makes a Cat Talkative" Transliteration: "Burashi wa Neko o Nyō ni Suru" (Japanese: ブラシは猫を饒⾆にする) | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Toyohiro Okada & Shiori Hosaka | August 2, 2024 (2024-08-02) |
| 5 | "The Calm Superior" Transliteration: "Senpai Kaze wa Nagi" (Japanese: 先輩⾵は凪) | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Tow Nakazaki | August 2, 2024 (2024-08-02) |
| 5 | "Way To Go!" Transliteration: "Yaru Jā〜n" (Japanese: やるじゃぁ〜ん) | Kōki Aoshima | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Maho Takahashi & Takayuki Sano | August 2, 2024 (2024-08-02) |
| 6 | "Intrigued" Transliteration: "Ki ni Naru" (Japanese: 気になる) | Ayumu Ono | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Michinori Chiba | August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) |
| 6 | "I Want to Know" Transliteration: "Ki ni Nacchau" (Japanese: 気になっちゃう) | Ayumu Ono | Kōki Aoshima | Maho Takahashi & Kazuya Saito | August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) |
| 6 | "To Blend and Blend In" Transliteration: "Najimi Najimu" (Japanese: なじみなじむ) | Ayumu Ono | Yann Le Gall | Jōji Yanase & Momo Amai | August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) |
| 7 | "Tough Love" Transliteration: "Kyūchi no Oni" (Japanese: 旧知の鬼) | Saki Fujishiro | Chie Nishizawa | Min-Gi Han & Maho Takahashi | August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15) |
| 7 | "Today's Reflection" Transliteration: "Kyō no Kagamizō" (Japanese: 今日の鏡像) | Saki Fujishiro | Chie Nishizawa | Tow Nakazaki | August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15) |
| 7 | "Ambition and Animals" Transliteration: "Yabō to Shishi" (Japanese: 野望と獣) | Saki Fujishiro | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Hea Jung, Sung Seung Taek, Eunhee John, Park Eli & Han Sung Hui | August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15) |
| 8 | "All Ages Welcome" Transliteration: "Okyakusama ni Nenrei Seigen Nashi" (Japanese: お客様に年齢制限なし) | Chie Nishizawa | Chie Nishizawa | Chie Nishizawa | August 22, 2024 (2024-08-22) |
| 8 | "A Highly-Rated Brushing" Transliteration: "Kō Hyōka Burasshingu" (Japanese: 高評価ブラッシング) | Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Shiori Hosaka & Toyohiro Okada | August 22, 2024 (2024-08-22) |
| 8 | "Crazy About Ramen" Transliteration: "Rāmen Baka" (Japanese: ラーメンバカ) | Chie Nishizawa | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Tow Nakazaki & Momo Amai | August 22, 2024 (2024-08-22) |
| 9 | "The Case of the Missing Confit" Transliteration: "Kieta Konfi Jiken" (Japanese: 消えたコンフィ事件) | Saki Fujishiro | Hiroshi Kōjina | Chie Nishizawa, Mariko Takeda & Amai Momo | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) |
| 9 | "Unable to Learn From The Tiger's Might" Transliteration: "Tora Noi Manabezu" (Japanese: 虎の威学べず) | Saki Fujishiro | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Tow Nakazaki & Maho Takahashi | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) |
| 9 | "It's Not Really a Secret" Transliteration: "Himitsu De mo Naikedo" (Japanese: ヒミツでもないけど) | Saki Fujishiro | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Jan Vegricht, Im Ji-hyun, Sung Seung Taek & Minki Han | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) |
| 10 | "Heart Heart" Transliteration: "Hāto Hāto" (Japanese: ハートハート) | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Sunghoo Park, Masataka Akai & Chie Nishizawa | September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) |
| 10 | "Lovely Pipi-chan" Transliteration: "Raburī Pipi-chan" (Japanese: ラブリーぴぴちゃん) | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Tow Nakazaki, Kazuya Saito, Tsutomu Ono & Kwtm | September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) |
| 10 | "Work" Transliteration: "Oshigoto" (Japanese: おしごと) | Kōki Aoshima | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Asumi Katō, Amai Momo, Puk & Tegaray Galiano González | September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) |
| 11 | "Vague Memories" Transliteration: "Ayafuyana Kioku no Hanashi" (Japanese: あやふやな記憶の話) | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Chie Nishizawa, Mariko Takeda, Toyohiro Okada, Momo Amai, Min-Gi Han & Shiori Hosaka | September 12, 2024 (2024-09-12) |
| 11 | "It Depends on the Cat" Transliteration: "Neko Niyoru" (Japanese: ねこによる) | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Tow Nakazaki | September 12, 2024 (2024-09-12) |
| 11 | "My Specialty" Transliteration: "To Kuina Shigoto" (Japanese: とくいな仕事) | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Yui Miura | Im Ji-hyun, Goyeja & Sung Seung Taek | September 12, 2024 (2024-09-12) |
| 12 | "Choose the Team!" | Kōki Aoshima | Kōki Aoshima | Chie Nishizawa | September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19) |
| 12 | "As Always, Thanks for Coming!" Transliteration: "Itsumo go Raiten Arigatōgozaimasu" (Japanese: いつもご来店ありがとうございます) | Kōki Aoshima | Yui Miura | Mariko Takeda, Maho Takahashi & Amai Momo | September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19) |
| 12 | "Congratulations" Transliteration: "Omedetō" (Japanese: おめでとう) | Kōki Aoshima | Hisatoshi Shimizu | Tsutomu Ōno & Tow Nakazaki | September 19, 2024 (2024-09-19) |

### Game

On July 1, 2024, a licensed game, Ramen Akaneko ~ A Lovely Ramen Shop (ラーメン赤猫 ～ニャンて素敵なラーメン店～, Rāmen Aka Neko ~ Nyante Sutekina Rāmen-ten), was announced for Android and iOS phones. The game will have animated cutscenes for the game and new lines recorded by the cast.

### Radio show

On June 7, 2024, a web radio show, Ramen Akaneko: A Lovely In-Store Announcement (ラーメン赤猫 ニャンて素敵な店内放送, Rāmen Aka Neko Nyante Sutekina Ten'nai Hōsō), began streaming online through Good Smile Company's YouTube channel. Kurumi Orihara, who plays Tamako Yashiro in the anime, serves as the host.

## Reception

The series was nominated for the eighth Next Manga Awards in 2022 for the web manga category and was ranked fifth out of 50 nominees. The series was also ranked fifteenth in the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2023. It ranked nineteenth on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga of 2024 for male readers.