Cat Mask Boy

by Linus Liu

In 1970s Hong Kong, a mischievous and clever cat-masked boy ventures into the lawless Kowloon Walled City to retrieve his lost report card before his mom finds out.

Tiger is a seven year old boy, growing up in 1970’s Hong Kong. He prefers being clever to working hard, gets terrible grades in school, and dreams of being a superhero. One day, his world is turned upside down when his report card somehow ends up in one of the most dangerous areas of Hong Kong: Kowloon City! Armed only with his homemade cat mask and determination in his heart, Tiger must dive into the twisting chaos and shadowy streetcorners of the Walled City to recover the document.

Can Tiger and his streetwise new friend Dragon find his report card before his mom calls him home for dinner? Or will he be lost in the dangerous maze of Kowloon forever?

Cat Mask Boy is a kinetic journey into another time, full of cultural flavor, warm-hearted humor, and nostalgic urban realism. This thrilling coming-of-age graphic novel explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and growing up with a touch of retro whimsy.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Comics, Historical, Fiction, Graphic Novels Manga

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just have to go with it...a little boy who wears a cat mask loses his report card in a bad part of town. He has to get it back (mom has to sign it). Along the way he gets involved with some pretty shady characters; he seems to be getting more and more lost...and making more and more people upset with him! Unique story and solid art!

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This may just not be the graphic novel for me. We follow a boy with a cat mask on called "Tiger" who gets bad grades and has to get his report card signed by his mom. But he loses it on the way home and ends up searching the "rough" part of town to get it back.

I found the story to be really disjointed, the dialogue super simplistic, and I'm not really sure who the target audience is. Because it's written so simplistically, you'd think it would be good for kids, but there were a lot of heavy topics discussed such as drug and gambling dens. I didn't enjoy it as an adult, and I'm usually super down to try books out of my age range, but I'm just confused what age this is written for. Maybe something was lost in translation? The art style was not my favorite, but it was clear what was happening. The artist used 4 drab/dull colors for every panel, which worked fine, but was unexciting. There wasn't much character depth or world building - I don't really know why the kid wore a cat mask, or why the other 2 kids he befriended wore cat masks.

While this didn't work for me, I'd say give it a try if the story sounds intriguing; it's a standalone and takes maybe 3o minutes tops to read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[alina; · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an advanced readers copy!

i'm not sure how i fell about this story. the artstyle is interesting, it's so whimsy and fun. the story itself left me conflicted. i can see that the author had a vision of what he wanted to convey but i as a reader didn't get it.
i'm also not sure what audiences this is meant for. because the dialogues are quite simple and we're simply told some "life lessons" that this story could provide without letting the reader make their own conclusions.

now what i liked: as i said previously, the art is really cool. the setting of Kowloon Walled City is what excited me. i liked how it got incorporated into the story while also explaining some things for the reader, because not everyone would know about such place existing before. the drawback is that sometimes it seemed like info dumping which was epsecially weird to read as a dialogue by a 9-year-old.

[Amille · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follow little vignettes of a boy named Tiger who isn't doing well in school, has an ambition to become a superhero- the cat masked boy while his peers aim to become doctors or police officers. The story is set in 1970 in Hongkong where there is a lawless Kowloon Walled city, and Tiger somehow ends up there to find his lost report card without his mom knowing.
I'm kinda torn about this manga as I can see that the author really tried to include a lot of impactful topics despite the mundane life of 'tiger' a high school kid, but I felt like the vignettes were quite distorted and didn't quite work together somehow. While the pacing was fine, the dialogue was unfortunately really a case of bad writing and that may have been the reason to be why I felt absolutely nothing after reading the book.
While I love the art style, unfortunately, this book is not for me. Maybe the manga gets better as it goes on but based on this volume alone, I could not appreciate it.
Nonetheless, I want to thank #NetGalley and #MadCaveStudios for a free copy. I wish #Linus Liu good luck!

[Sabine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Mask Boy is about a 7 year old boy named Tiger who's not doing well in second grade, while being at his cousin's house he loses his report card because it accidentally fell into a man's bag and he has to go on a dangerous adventure to get his report card back.

Personally i liked the art style and the simplistic color choices, however im not sure about the age demographic for this graphic novel? The style and start of the story feel more childlike while it later turns darker with talk about drugs and gambling.

all together it was a decent enjoyable story!


Thanks so much to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Josephine]

very cool and funny art. this is like a G-rated beta of Kill La Kill with boys instead of girls. an inspired story!

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I heard that this was a Hong Kong-based graphic novel being published in English, I knew that I had to request this book right away! The story revolves around the titular cat-masked boy, a seven-year-old boy named Tiger growing up in 1970's Hong Kong. Despite appearances, he is not an actual cat a la Zootopia. Instead, he is a regular kid who decides to don a cat mask one day in imitation of his favorite superhero TV show, a take on Kamen Riders / Power Rangers.

Overall, Cat Mask Boy is a fun-filled, all-ages romp that will appeal to fans of manga like Doraemon, Ultra Man, or Pokemon. If I had to compare it to a comic in the Western canon, I would liken this book to Calvin and Hobbes, because both Calvin and Tiger are carefree and have wild imaginations. One thing that I enjoyed about this book was the clean and simple art. Another thing that I enjoyed was that this is an #ownvoices graphic novel by a Hong Kong-based graphic artist. As you can read in my bio, my parents immigrated from Hong Kong, and I have had the privilege of visiting this place many times. I am so proud to be able to support this book with my review. If you're intrigued by the synopsis above, don't forget to check out this book when it comes out in October!

[Solaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Mask Boy is a coming of age story about a kid named "Tiger," an aspiring superhero whose most pressing foe is his grades. After losing his report card, he tracks it down to the infamous Kowloon Walled City, meeting friends and foes along the way.

Linus Liu does a great job of making us want to root for Tiger, who is just trying his best to stay out of trouble and help his friends. He has that sort of shounen protagonist charisma (think Naruto) that people can't help but love. I thought the character designs were good, and the sepia skies color palette achieved a retro look. (Definitely want a cat mask of my own!)

For most people, this is probably their first introduction to the Walled City (a very real place), and while Tiger doesn't know the history, I think the reader could have benefited from a short informational blurb at the end. This would have grounded the story in reality, provided some needed historical context, and allowed for an educational moment for young readers.

Overall, I enjoyed this, and I am curious to see what Linus Liu does in the future.

Thank you NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, Nakama Press, and Linus Liu for the ARC!

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Mask Boy is a funky little 1970s story about a rascal child not the greatest in class but liked enough not to be humiliated for wearing a cat mask around (the vibe is a lot more OH, YOU... than shame, which is fun). It's very, in the tradition of the adventure elements of Tom Sawyer or the weird little kid humor of Crayon Shin-chan. We have a few chapters establishing who Tiger is as a person, then a great adventure off to Kowloon Walled City to retrieve his lost report card! Meeting all sorts of characters, both adult and child, along the way! It was a weird little romp and I say that as a positive. Why not!

The illustrations were appealing to me too; the color palette was rough and earth-tone-y, the feeling of a scrappy kid running around doing scrappy kid things, and the translation was smooth enough where I didn't have to go back and wonder if it was done by genAI like I wondered re: a similar comic I had read recently. (I mean it could have been; only the conglomerate BookBuddy Media was credited and not a human translator by name which, don't like that.) Enjoyable quick little read.

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios/Nakama Press for the eARC in exchange for review!

[East of Reality · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical story set in 1970s Hong Kong with soft, charming art about a boy wanting to prove to his mom that he’s doing better in school, going from last place in class to third from last. And he’s so proud of it! He doesn’t care that others might mock him for still having low scores because he knows he’s improving, that he’s doing better and it makes him happy. He’s optimistic, cheerful, brave and foolish in equal measure and finds a kindred spirit in Dragon — another boy wearing a cat mask in the walled city of Kowloon which … yes, has its dark alleys and dangerous areas, but is also a place where a variety of people live, where people care for their neighbors, raise their children, and do their best.

This is cute, and fun, and I think this would be a great book for younger readers. (Though some parents might not be fans of the literal bathroom humor, or a toddler not wanting to wear clothes; these are universal childhood moments.) Anyhow, thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC!

[Siina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Mask Boy is perhaps manhua? It's set in the 1970s and in Hong Kong, which is super great. The main character is Tiger, a boy with a cat mask, since he wants to be a superhero of sorts. He's not so good at school and ends up losing his report card in the lawless Kowloon Walled City and gets help from a boy named Dragon. He too has a cat mask. I enjoyed the time and space a lot! Tiger is such a normal weirdo kid and it was so much fun to see him being idiotic. The societal background too was interesting as I know nothing of Hong Kong at that time. The aloofness, strange depth and the atmosphere were wonderful and fit the story very well.

The art looks great and it works nicely with the story line. The story is heavy and light at the same time. It takes time to see the beauty of it all - you need a keen eye to see what is behind this. I'm glad stories like this are told, since a realistic childhood with cultural spices is so wonderful. I love actual child's perspective and this one nailed it!

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manga is so cute and whimsical.

In Cat Mask Boy, we follow Tiger - a 7-year-old boy who always wears a mask with a cat face. He hates school and prefers playing and pretending to be a superhero. He loses his report card and has to venture into the dangerous Walled City to get it back. Thankfully, he meets another Cat Mask Boy, Dragon, who lives there and can show him around.

Firstly, I love the art style here, especially the character design of the Cat Boys. Some people are drawn a little funky, but it works really well, it feels like we're seeing it through child's eyes. And the colours are amazing. The whole comic book uses only a few colours, but it makes it look even more interesting.

The story is fun, and very child-like. I'm not sure what message it passes to the readers, but I still enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly peculiar story, in a manga with a reduced palette, of a kid who wants to present as a superhero. There are friends to help out, and others to demand things from (basically, the one and the same kid) – but when his report card goes missing before his mother can sign it then he might actually enter a lot of trouble. The odd thing is that so much of this will be recognisable to the typical western child – report cards, playing marbles, hop-scotches and so on – and yet the whole thing feels like something you need to have come from Hong Kong, like the creator, to really get enough out of. I didn't really appreciate the flash-forward a certain beat of this proves to be, either. It wants to have profound things to say about how junior years are formative – basically, whether school grades maketh the man – but proves to be too oddball to really have much credence. Two and a half stars.

[Paulibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Linus Liu takes you back to the 1970s and the seedy side of Kowloon Walled City, in search of his main character Tiger's lost report card. No report card = punishment from Angry Mum. Tiger, seven, is the wearer of the Cat Mask of the title, and while it has no effect on his terrible grades, he believes the mask gives him superhero powers. Marble games with street punks and shady gamblers in sometimes-lit grungy streets pepper the minimally-coloured pages of this compact manga. These colours enhance the journey immensely. Tiger is not alone in his treacherous journey - yet ANOTHER Cat Mask wearer is on the adventure too. Dragon and Tiger unite to battle Kowloon's baddest baddies and track down the errant report card. Tiger frustrates you with his inability to hold on to anything, his terrible decisionmaking, and yet you are barracking for him by the end. Volume 1 of...? Recommended 10+ with a bit of language, violence and one scene of public peeing, seen from behind!

[Omar Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to give this a 3 or 3.5 but the more I settled on it, I think its a 4 depending on how you take in this one shot short story. While growing up I was a bit late to the superhero party and I for the most part got good grades, I can totally see an alternative self of me thinking and being obsessed with being a superhero. Thats sort of how I am as an adult. Playing games and being true to your super hero mask would be more important than school work. I think alot of kids may enjoy this story and realize that you need a mix of all things, books smarts, playfulness, imagination and learning some street sense. As adults its not difficult noticing the folks who are brilliant but lack total common sense and street smarts. Maybe Im looking to deep but thats how I interpret that story. Cat Boy is in 2nd grade, im handing this off to my 3rd grade son to read so we can discuss it.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not for kids...older teens and adults. A lot of content that children 16 and below would not be able to handle well without guidance from adults. I realize the author may be writing from their experience growing up in Hong Kong in the 70's...but it's sad any child has to live like he portrayed, honestly.

CW: drugs, violence, physical child abuse, gambling, smoking, anti-school/anti-education sentiment, swearing, etc...

This book just seemed strange to me overall and I can't quite place my finger on why (the cat mask bit was weird as well...), but these are some of the things that I just felt were very strange to have in a book that was placed in J from the library I took it out from. Cover says 10+ but I would argue 16+ at least.

[literarilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art was quite whimsy and funky and added to the overall mood of the story. I was a bit excited about reading this in the beginning but it quickly trickled down to indifference further into the book. What I think happened here is the translation coinciding with the fact that this is written to be from a kid's perspective. The simplistic nature of the language and dialogue appropriate to the age, translated into English, came off a bit clanky and awkward.

I can see why this book is the way it is; on some days, it might come off as whimsical. But it was not today.


Thank you to Nakama Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cat Mask Boy" was one of the books the Nakama Press had on display at their Anime NYC booth. The name and cover caught my attention and the artwork got me to buy it. I don't have the graphic vocabulary to describe it properly but it's like color-blocked drawing in a high-grade newsprint sketchbook. The story itself is a sketch of a boy's day lost in Kowloon City. It's a sketch of a childhood in Hong Kong - and Kowloon through Dragon. Dragon in particular offers some insights into the poverty and the displaced. His explanation for why he gave the Ngau brothers back their cards after he won them made me a little sad. He makes a comment about childhood loneliness.

[Allen Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Image-wise, this is stunning graphic novel. I really love the art style and the main character's aesthetic. We're following a young boy who wears a cat mask. He loses his report card and goes on a hunt for it. Plot-wise, this felt a bit unfinished and unsure of it's intention and audience. It's written simply in a way that would be appropriate for a younger audience, but it deals with topics / experiences that aren't necessarily kid friendly. I think the art style is more impactful than the actually story. I'd be interested to see what the author creates in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review!

[Anneasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the eARC copy ! 🙂‍↕️✨

It started off lighthearted, but as the story progressed, it dove into dark, heavy topics that made my heart ache and worry for Tiger’s safety! The art style totally suits me—minimal coloring, yet it still packs a punch. The plot felt a bit rushed and left me hanging, especially with the mystery of Dragon’s whereabouts toward the end. Could’ve been better, in my opinion, but still a fantastic read!

“I don’t know for sure if I’d go astray if I don’t get good grades. What I do know is that my ass’ll get beaten if I get bad grades.”

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

We follow a boy in a cat mask called “Tiger”. He isn’t doing too well in school and has dreams of becoming a superhero. When he gets his report card, he’s moved up from last place to third from last, he’s proud, and he has to get his mom to sign it. He loses it on the way home and has to get it back, searching through the “rough” area of town, he finds another boy with the same dreams.

It has a simple but charming art style that really matches with the story it is portraying. Probably more suited towards a young audience.

Thank you Net Galley and Mad Cave Studios for the eARC.

[Maxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios | Nakama Press for The ARC!

The art style was a bit different that what I'm use to. The plot and art were simple in the most easy to read and palatable style, Which bring this almost juxtapose to the overall theme of the story. I really liked how it made us see this almost calm and mundane life, where darkness hides in plain sight as if in the eyes of someone naive or much younger. Though I do feel a bit confused who the target audience for this book is.

[Lua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the main character, both in terms of character design and his personality, as well as the scenario in which the story takes place. However, I found everything else a bit too plain, from the dialogue construction to the art style and the way the short scenes were connected. Anyway, in a way it is entertaining, and I thought the ending was adorable. Thanks to Netgalley and Nakama Press for the ARC!

[Emelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat Mask Boy did a good job of immersing me in 1970s Hong Kong. I enjoyed the art style with its simple colouring and felt that it represented the story well. The plot was simple, and I understood what it was trying to convey. However, I was a bit unsure about the intended age range of this book, as the childlike atmosphere didn't align with the much darker themes within the walled city. Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios | Nakama Press for providing this e-ARC for an honest review.

[Tasnim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and NetGalley for the ARCbof Cat Mask Boy by Linus Liu, in exchange for my honest review.
The story is about the quest of a notorious kid in a dangerous area to find lost his report card after failing his exam. In simple writing and drawing style, we get to enjoy the mischievous moments of a kid in 1970s. It felt more like a children's illustrated fiction book compared to usual graphic novel. But I liked it.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

it toes the line between whimsical and tragic very closely.
We follow the story of three kids, all wearing cat masks, but mainly the boy tiger, who's like any normal boy, just wants to play and have fun and also excape his mother's scolding. he managed to fiscover the underbelly of his city and make some memorable memories on the way, and I ended it feeling sad to all kids like him.

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, and Nakama Press for this arc!

3.5/5 stars rounded up

This was good, but I think maybe just not for me and I unfortunately and surprisingly kept getting bored while reading this. It was a little silly, a little dark, a little whimsical. I really enjoyed the art style!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid in 197Os (?) Hong Kong as he dons a cat mask and goes on an adventure to retrieve a lost report card. It's a thin story but the action was clear and the mood was well evoked in weak lines that look crudely done and the limited palette of browns and subdued blues.

[Amberlyn Irons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute and a quick read. I felt like the translation was off and there were a few jumpcuts that messed with the flow of the story. Love the color palette and cat mask expressions (also why is the dentist so hot?)

[july · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

hero's journey through kowloon walled city (← i'm collecting books on kowloon just like pokemon cards);
totally different genre (and length), but if you liked adventure time, chances are you might want to read this too.