03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
New mystery novel "Miri lives in the Cat's Eyes"
New mystery novel "Miri lives in the Cat's Eyes" credit- Yen Press
Picture having a conversation with someone from the past simply by gazing into your cat's eyes. That's where the inspiration begins for one of 2025's most innovative light novels.
Miri Lives in the Cat's Eyes
is an emotional and daring
supernatural mystery
by
Taiga Shiki
, illustrated by
Isshiki
and translated into English by Michael Blaskowsky. The novel was published on March 25, 2025 by
Yen On
and carries a T+ rating for teen and older reader audiences. The novel is a mix of romance, suspense, and just enough magical realism to leave you wondering what's real.
A strange power, a chatty cat, and a murder in the making
The central character here is Youichi Kamisuki, a reserved college student with a strange power: when he peers into a person's eyes, he can perceive his memories. But things only get stranger when he peers into his pet cat's eyes and views something impossible: a girl named Miri.
Miri isn't a dream. She's an actual woman living in another era, and she possesses her own powers. She can see into people's futures through their eyes, unlike Youichi. They both figure out that they can talk to each other through the cat's eyes even though they exist in separate timelines.
But this isn't just a cute fantasy. Miri delivers a terrifying warning: a series of murders will soon happen at Youichi's university, and he's the only one who can stop them.
Romance meets murder in a time-bending mystery
As Youichi makes efforts to get to know more about Miri, he finds himself entangled in a mystery surrounding his university's drama club. When a member of the club is murdered during lockdown, Miri encourages him to join the club himself so that he can investigate from the inside. She even teaches him acting—all through their strange bond.
The crime scenes aren't standard either. One of the chilling moments occurs during a Zoom rehearsal, demonstrating how the novel leverages the reality of COVID-19 to introduce new twists to the murder mystery genre. It combines real-life challenges such as remote learning and social distancing with the threat and tension of a thriller.
COVID-19 Isn't just a backdrop
Contrary to most fantasy books, Miri Lives in the Cat's Eyes does not turn its back on the actuality of the 2020 pandemic. On the contrary, COVID-19 is at the heart of the mystery. Isolation, online classes, and medical anxiety all feature prominently in how the murders occur and how they get solved.
Who Is Miri, and where is she now?
As the narrative progresses, Youichi not only searches for a murderer but also for the truth regarding Miri. Who is she, actually? Where is she today? And why is she involved with the drama club?
Their increasing connection provides an emotional depth to the story. Youichi comes to care for Miri, but there is always one giant question: Are they even in the same time period?
A charming combination of genres with wig surprises
With supernatural abilities, time-travel-like dialogue, and a complicated murder mystery at its core, this novel is in a class of its own. It combines the emotional draw of a romance, the tension of a crime thriller, and the dreamlike quality of magical realism. Consider Your Name crossed with Danganronpa, but with a pandemic twist.
Why you should read Miri Lives in the Cat's Eyes
Whether you're into Japanese light novels or new to the genre, this book offers something different. It explores grief, love, and fate all while trying to stop a serial killer through a cat's memories.
If you like tales such as Erased, Orange, or When Marnie Was There, this will hit you straight in the heart. With its brevity and rapid pace, it's ideal for readers who are looking for an instant but unforgettable read.
Miri Lives in the Cat's Eyes is finally out in print and digital English. Don't miss out on one of the year's most original light novels.
