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Free Collars Kingdom

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Free Collars Kingdom
Front cover of Volume 1
フリーカラーズキングダム
(Furī Karāzu Kingugamu)
GenreFantasy, Comedy
Manga
Written byFujima Takuya
Published byJapan Kodansha
United States Del Rey
United Kingdom Tanoshimi
MagazineMagazine Z
DemographicSeinen
Volumes3

Free Collars Kingdom (フリーカラーズキングダム, Furī Karāzu Kingugamu) was written and illustrated by Fujima Takuya and was serialized in the magazine Monthly Magazine Z.[1] In total, three bound volumes were released from September 15, 2003 to August 25, 2004 by Kodansha.[2][3] Free Collars Kingdom was licensed by Del Rey in the United States and Tanoshimi in the United Kingdom.[3] In the US, the manga was released from January 30, 2007 to July 31, 2007.[4][5] In the UK, it was released from January 2, 2008 to August 2, 2008.[6][7] Free Collars Kingdom takes place in Ikebukuro, Japan, and revolves around the struggle of two stray cat groups. Cyan, a young newly-abandoned cat, joins one of them, the Free Collars. Each cat has two appearances; to humans, they appear as normal cats, but to other cats, they appear as catboys and catgirls. Each cat has their own attack, and some carry weapons.

Plot

Cyan is a young Abyssinian cat who lived with a boy named Kokoro and his parents in Ikebukuro, Japan. After Kokoro became sick, his parents abandoned Cyan, leaving him in the basement of their apartment complex, Nyan-Man. Soon he discovers a group of stray cats called the "Free Collars", who believe that collars hold down the cats' "Wild Spirit" and have control of East Ikebukuro. Cyan is given the opportunity to join, provided that he removes his collar, the symbol that he is still Kokoro's pet. Cyan declines and decides to keep waiting in the basement for when Kokoro would return. However, Cyan comes to the realization that he must join the Free Collars if he ever hopes to reunite with Kokoro. Cyan removes his collar and joins them[8] in their fight against Siam, who wants control of East Ikebukuro,[9] and plans to eventually rule the world and enslave humans.

Characters

Cyan is a young Abyssinian who quickly joins the Free Collars group after being abandoned. He tends to be childlike, which sometimes irritates other members of the group. Scottie is a Scottish Fold who spends much of her time with the Free Collars, though she's not one herself.[10] She was discovered by Amesho, an old American Shorthair who leads the Free Collars, in a bookstore. Char is a Chartreux and was once part of the "Cat House Kingdom",[11] a household of high-class cats, but left, feeling that she was being used by humans.[12] Rat is a Korat and the most talented in gadgets and technology among the Free Collars. Coon is a Maine Coon with a bad attitude and who specializes in swimming.[13]. Minky is a Tonkinese who befriends Cyan and Scottie and is named after her mink-like fur. Siam is a Siamese cat who controls all of the West Ikebukuro and is the leader of the Siam Army. Siam's principal henchman and general of the Siam army is Cline, who has a distinct hatred for men and sees them only as her potential slaves.[14]

Production

Free Collars Kingdom employs cat-related humor, making references to catnip, hairballs, and other aspects of cat life.[15] Throughout the series, panels show different cat breeds and information is provided on that breed.[16]

Reception

Free Collars Kingdom was received relatively well by English-speaking audiences. Matthew Alexander of Mania Entertainment praised the artwork, noting that characters were "cute and sexy with a wide variety of clothing that does a good job expressing the character's personality" and that, overall, the artwork was "very clean with attractive characters and well-detailed backgrounds."[15] In his review of the second volume, Alexander wrote that "so far, the story continues to be a fun examination of what life might be like from the cat's point of view, but I don't know how the whole Wild Cat storyline is going to be wrapped up in only one more volume."[16] In his review of the third volume, Alexander felt that "the story probably received an early ending", though did go on to write "despite the series only being three volumes, it really is a worthy read and quite funny if you’ve ever owned a cat."[17] Dan Polley of mangalife.com wrote in his review of the second volume that "Fujima does a very good job of laying down the framework and executing a plot for fun and carefree adventures."[18] In his review of the third volume, Polley wrote that "the art is enjoyable, but can sometimes be overloaded" and that "often there are sequences in which there is too much going on and it is hard to decipher exactly what the eyes are seeing." However, he noted that "fans of the series will continue to enjoy the animalistic cheekiness."[19]

References

  1. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (magazine run)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  2. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (ANN)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  3. ^ a b "Free Collars Kingdom (release)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  4. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (volume 2". Del Rey. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  5. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (volume 1". Del Rey. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  6. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (UK)". Tanoshimi. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  7. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom Volume 1 (UK)". Tanoshimi. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  8. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. I have to...and one reason is so I can wait for Kokoro-kun!! {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  9. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. She [Siam] wants to expand her territory to East Ikebukuro as well. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  10. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. A pet...So you [Scottie] and I are the same. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  11. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. She [Char] used to live here in Cat House with us up until just a little while ago!! {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  12. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. But...I couldn't help but think......I'm being used, just like a doll. It was a daily existance of being watched by humans, being fed, and being held by humans. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  13. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. And we [Maine Coon cats] specialize in swimming!! {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  14. ^ Fujima, Takuya (2007). Free Collars Kingdom. New York, United States of America: Del Rey. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-345-49265-4. Men are just perfect to be my slaves!! {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  15. ^ a b "Free Collars Kingdom (volume 1)--review". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  16. ^ a b "Free Collars Kingdom (volume 2)--review". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  17. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (volume 3)--review". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  18. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom vol. 2 (mangalife.com review)". mangalife.com. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  19. ^ "Free Collars Kingdom (mangalife.com review)". mangalife.com. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
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