Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Ogata Megumi, Toya Kikunosuke Take on Cat Roles in Nekotan! Reading Play Opening Report

A total of 36 voice actors and actors take the stage for Nekotan! ~Nekomachi Kaii Kitan~, a Showa-modern cat detective story that opened its fourth chapter, “Yukiyasha Densetsu Sacchi Jiken” (The Snow Demon Legend Cat Murder Case), on September 16, 2026, at Owl Spot (Toshima Ward Performing Arts Exchange Center) in Ikebukuro. The 13:00 matinee report from opening day has arrived.

The series is based on the world of Nekomachi, the one and only novel by Hagiwara Sakutaro, often called “the father of modern Japanese poetry.” This original Showa-modern cat detective story unfolds in Nekomachi, a town inhabited only by cats. Protagonist Mayoiji Somali and her partner Amemiya Shota — the two cats of the Ameji Detective Agency — take on a variety of incidents alongside a cast of uniquely colorful characters.

Chapter Four is set at the upscale snowy resort of Nyaseko, where the duo faces an “impossible crime”: cat murders connected to the ancient Yukiyasha legend handed down through the distinguished Tooneko clan. Can the detective pair identify the culprit and return safely to Nekomachi? This fast-paced deduction drama unfolds as the bumbling detective buddies chase the truth hidden within the case.

Opening Day Report

Hagiwara Sakutaro’s sole novel, Nekomachi, gives life to the charming detective story Nekotan! ~Nekomachi Kaii Kitan~. The reading play follows the adventures of Somali and Shota, two cats who run a detective agency in a town of felines, and this production marks the fourth installment. Featuring a rotating cast each day, the play opened on September 16 (Wednesday) at Owl Spot. Here is the report from the 13:00 matinee.

This performance stars Suzuhara Nozomi as Somali, Suzuki Tatsuhisa as Shota, Tachibana Miku as wealthy cat Saibe Rian, Toya Kikunosuke as free-spirited cat Ashura Hyo, Ogata Megumi as villainous cat Oshii Futaro, and Okiayu Ryotaro as elder cat Sakutaro. Taki Kahoko serves as the narrator, delivering a kodan-style storytelling performance at every show. As one would expect from this lineup of proven voice actors, the vocal work is outstanding, and the performers bring expressive faces and movements to the stage. Every cast member except the narrator also wears cat ears, making the visual presentation just as polished.

The play is set in the early Showa era, and the stage art evokes this through window shapes and the colors of stained glass — simple and abstract, yet somehow perfectly fitting. Before the show even begins, sounds of steam and train whistles set the scene. As the volume swells, the house lights go down to the sound of a resounding whistle, pulling the audience directly into the world of the story.

Somali opens the piece, and once Shota joins in, their rapid back-and-forth builds with perfect comedic timing. The detective duo — or rather, duet of cats — pairs Somali’s laid-back pace with the sharp retorts of Shota, a former ace detective. Suzuki’s low voice and crisp tsukkomi anchor the scene with a reassuring steadiness. Suzuhara, in turn, makes Somali a bright, energetic presence with plenty of deadpan charm.

The supporting performances are just as striking. Tachibana gives Saibe Rian an unmistakably aristocratic laugh and an air of elegance. Toya brings Ashura Hyo to life with breezy, carefree energy. Ogata’s Oshii Futaro balances a menacing weight with moments of gentle contrast. Okiayu’s Sakutaro carries a meta-aware quality — the character name nods to the original author — wrapped in a nonchalant, layered depth. One of the production’s biggest draws is how each actor also takes on multiple side roles. Scenes shift on a dime, with performers switching characters in an instant — a demanding task executed with formidable range. There were also ad-libbed gags tied to the actors’ signature roles that drew big laughs, masterfully steered by Taki’s narration.

The truth behind the case is eventually uncovered through Somali and Shota’s investigation, and one actor’s portrayal of the victim in a side role offers a striking contrast to their main character — a performance well worth catching.

After the case is solved and the story wraps in a fitting conclusion for Somali and Shota, the afterglow lingers warmly. With different performers each day, the mood of the show will shift considerably — a variation definitely worth experiencing.

(Text: Kanai Mayumi)

Performance Schedule

September 16 (Wed) – 20 (Sun), 2026 — 9 performances

• 9/16 (Wed) 13:00: Suzuhara Nozomi, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Tachibana Miku, Toya Kikunosuke, Ogata Megumi, Okiayu Ryotaro
• 9/16 (Wed) 19:00: Date Sayuri, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Suzumoto Akiho, Masuyama Takeaki, Tadokoro Hinata, Abe Atsushi
• 9/17 (Thu) 19:00: Tsukine Kona, Terashima Junta, Mineta Mayu, Miyazaki Masaya, Kishio Daisuke, Masumoto Takuya
• 9/18 (Fri) 13:00: Tsukine Kona, Hosoya Yuki, Yukimura Eri, Hinata Sako, Ogata Megumi, Yamanaka Masahiro
• 9/18 (Fri) 19:00: Tsukine Kona, Hosoya Yuki, Aida Rikako, Yamamoto Kazunari, Nakazawa Masatomo, Yamanaka Masahiro
• 9/19 (Sat) 12:30: Date Sayuri, Kitamura Kento, Suzuki Minori, Nagao Ryuto, Hosogai Kei, Kamio Shinichiro
• 9/19 (Sat) 17:30: Suzuhara Nozomi, Kitamura Kento, Suzuki Minori, Shigematsu Chiharu, Hosogai Kei, Kamio Shinichiro
• 9/20 (Sun) 12:30: Suzuhara Nozomi, Ura Kazuki, Uchida Aya, Ichikawa Aoi, Yamaguchi Tomohiro, Fukami Toshinari
• 9/20 (Sun) 17:30: Date Sayuri, Ura Kazuki, Uchida Aya, Ichikawa Aoi, Yamaguchi Tomohiro, Nogami Sho

Narrator Taki Kahoko appears at all performances.

Venue

Owl Spot (Toshima Ward Performing Arts Exchange Center)
Rise Arena Building 2F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
Directly connected to Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Higashi-Ikebukuro Station exits 6 and 7; 10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station (East Exit) via Green Boulevard; 2-minute walk from Toden Arakawa Line Higashi-Ikebukuro 4-chome station.

Tickets

All seats reserved: 9,000 yen (tax included)
General sale (first come, first served) opens July 25 (Sat) at 10:00 — L-code: 36056

Music

“Mayoi Kaze”
Vocals: Mayoiji Somali
Lyrics, composition, arrangement: obas

Staff

Cooperation

Aoni Production, Across Entertainment, Aptopro, Apollo Bay, Amulet, VIMS, 81 Produce, Osawa Office, Kuraisu, Gekidan S.W.A.T!, Ken Production, Kenyu Office, Stardust Promotion, Sony Music Artists, Haikyo, HIGH PINE, Breathe Arts, Production Ogi, Mitt, Music Ray’n, LIVE VIEWING JAPAN (Japanese syllabary order)

(C) Nekotan! Partners