Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are worried about leaving a story on a cliffhanger, you can breathe easy. What’s Michael? consists of episodic stories focusing on the daily lives of cats and their owners. Because there is no continuity from one episode to the next, you won’t find an overarching plot that requires a grand finale to feel complete.
While the anime adaptations provide a satisfying experience on their own due to their nature, those who want more can look into the original source material. The manga was serialized from 1984 to 1989 and has seen English collection releases. If you find yourself craving more cat-centric comedy after the anime, you can buy the What’s Michael? manga here.
What is What’s Michael? All About?#
What’s Michael? is a delightful blend of comedy and slice-of-life. It is best suited for animal lovers—specifically cat enthusiasts—and viewers who enjoy lighthearted, low-stakes storytelling.
The series captures the humorous and sometimes chaotic side of pet ownership. From the struggles of Michael catching fleas and the owners finding him a mate when he goes into heat, to a full-scale attack on a teddy bear by Michael, Popo, and their kittens, the show finds humor in the mundane. It even takes a detour into educational territory by explaining the Freyman Reaction.
If you’re looking for something relaxing to unwind with, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Recommended Watch Order#
Because the series is episodic, the order in which you view the content is less critical than it would be for a plot-driven drama. However, for those who want a structured approach, here are our recommendations. For a visual guide on how these entries connect, please refer to the relationship tree below the article.
Release Order#
To experience the series as it originally aired, follow this timeline:
- The original anime (1985)
- The anime series (1988-1989)
- What’s Michael? 2 (1988)
Completionist Order#
For those who want every single piece of content, we suggest starting with the manga (1984-1989) to get the full breadth of the original stories, followed by the 1985 anime, the 1988-1989 series, and finally the sequel, What’s Michael? 2.
For Manga Readers#
If you don’t mind continuing with the source material, reading the manga first provides a great foundation before diving into the various anime adaptations.
Useful Extras#
Beyond the screens and pages, you can celebrate your love for Michael and his feline friends by picking up some What’s Michael? merchandise.
If you found this guide helpful and want to support our mission of helping anime fans avoid the dread of an unfinished story, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi!
What's Michael? • manga • 1984 to 1989 (serialized in Morning)
└─(adaptation)→ What's Michael? • anime • 1985-11-25
└─(sequel)→ What's Michael? 2 • anime • 1988-07-25
└─(adaptation)→ What's Michael? • anime • 1988-04-15 to 1989-03-28
