Suro Senen
By Kara Dennison | August 27, 2025
For decades, the name Tsukasa Hojo has stood as a titan of the manga industry, a visionary whose work defined the aesthetic and narrative pulse of the 1980s and 90s. With the recent high-profile release of the City Hunter film on Netflix and the buzz surrounding an impending Cat’s Eye anime adaptation, Hojo’s dual masterpieces have regained a level of cultural prominence not seen since their original serialization.
For new readers and long-time devotees alike, the timing could not be more auspicious. Abrams Books, through its prestigious Kana imprint, is set to release deluxe omnibus editions of both City Hunter and Cat’s Eye. Collecting the first three volumes of each series into single, meticulously crafted tomes, these releases serve as more than just reprints; they are a celebration of manga history. Having had the opportunity to peruse these volumes ahead of their September 23, 2025, release, it is clear: these collections are the definitive way to experience these iconic tales.
The Legacy of a Master: A Chronology of Hojo’s Worldview
To understand the weight of these omnibus editions, one must look at the historical context of Hojo’s work. His career is marked by a unique ability to blend high-stakes action with grounded, often humorous, human drama.
Cat’s Eye (1981–1985)
Before the gritty streets of Shinjuku became his trademark, Hojo introduced readers to the glamorous, high-stakes world of Cat’s Eye. The series centered on the Kisugi sisters—Hitomi, Rui, and Ai—who operate the eponymous cafe by day and moonlight as high-profile art thieves by night. The series is perhaps most famous for its central irony: Hitomi’s romantic partner, Toshio Utsumi, is the very police detective tasked with hunting down the elusive trio. Spanning four years, the manga established Hojo’s flair for character-driven mystery and sleek, kinetic action.
City Hunter (1985–1991)
Following the conclusion of Cat’s Eye, Hojo launched his most globally recognized work, City Hunter. Revolving around the enigmatic "sweeper" Ryo Saeba, the series pushed the boundaries of the "detective-for-hire" genre. With his signature blend of Ryo’s irrepressible, often chaotic personality and his lethal precision as a marksman, the series became a cultural phenomenon. It wasn’t just about the jobs Ryo took—often signaled by the cryptic "XYZ" on the Shinjuku Station message board—but about the evolving dynamic between Ryo and his partner, Kaori Makimura.
Anatomy of the Omnibus: Quality Meets Preservation
Abrams Books’ decision to bundle the first three volumes of each series into single, oversized omnibus editions addresses a common frustration among manga collectors: the difficulty of tracking down complete, high-quality original runs.
The Cat’s Eye Experience
The Cat’s Eye omnibus is a masterclass in production value. Spanning 23 chapters, the volume does an exceptional job of establishing the series’ stakes. We are introduced to the sisters’ mission to recover their father’s missing art collection, a narrative thread that remains compelling even decades later.
From a physical standpoint, the book feels premium. The inclusion of full-color pages printed on high-gloss stock ensures that Hojo’s original art—noted for its sharp, clean lines and dynamic character designs—truly pops. The addition of 48 pages of two-color inserts is a treat for the eyes, and the sturdy, beautifully illustrated dust jacket makes this a centerpiece for any bookshelf.
The City Hunter Standard
The City Hunter omnibus follows a similarly rigorous standard, collecting 25 chapters. It serves as the perfect introduction to the tragic, yet heroic, origins of the Ryo/Kaori partnership. Beyond the primary narrative, the volume shines in its editorial choices.
Hojo himself provides commentary between chapters, offering a "behind-the-curtain" look at the creative decisions that shaped the series. The inclusion of an exclusive interview at the end of the volume provides context on the series’ inception, while the translation notes—specifically those clarifying the cultural nuances of terms like mokkori—are invaluable for modern readers navigating the slang of the 80s.
Supporting Data: Why These Titles Matter Now
The resurgence of these franchises is not accidental; it is a response to a global appetite for "retro-cool" storytelling. The 2018 French-produced live-action film, Nicky Larson et le parfum de Cupidon, proved that the City Hunter DNA translates well across cultural borders, maintaining the original’s balance of absurdity and action.
The 2025 Netflix film further cemented this, introducing a new generation to Ryo’s world. Simultaneously, the upcoming Disney+ Cat’s Eye anime is expected to lean closer to the source material than previous adaptations, specifically re-integrating the character of "The Rat," a fan-favorite who was often omitted or sidelined in past iterations. By reading the source material in these new omnibus editions, fans can better appreciate the fidelity of these upcoming adaptations.
Official Perspective and Editorial Insight
In reviewing these volumes, the quality of the translation stands out as a primary pillar of success. In many older manga localizations, the nuance of character interaction—particularly the "tsundere" dynamic between Ryo and Kaori—was often lost. The current translation team has taken great care to maintain the snappy, rhythmic dialogue that makes the series so readable.
Furthermore, the physical size of the omnibus is a strategic choice. By increasing the dimensions, the publisher allows the reader to appreciate the intricate paneling that Hojo is famous for. In action sequences, the detail in the movement and the environmental storytelling is far more legible than in the standard, smaller tankōbon formats of the 1980s.
Implications for the Industry
The release of these collections signals a shift in how classic manga is being treated by Western publishers. We are moving away from the era of "disposable" paperback releases and toward a "collector’s library" model. By framing these works as high-end, durable, and content-rich volumes, Abrams Books is effectively canonizing Hojo’s work alongside other legendary manga authors like Akira Toriyama or Rumiko Takahashi.
For the reader, the implication is clear: the barrier to entry for these foundational series has never been lower. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast looking to replace worn-out copies or a newcomer intrigued by the recent wave of adaptations, these books offer a comprehensive, respectful, and aesthetically pleasing entry point into the "Hojo-verse."
Final Thoughts
As we look forward to the September 23, 2025, launch date, it is safe to say that the market is ready. The Cat’s Eye and City Hunter omnibus editions are more than just books—they are a commitment to the preservation of manga history. They honor the legacy of Tsukasa Hojo while ensuring that his brand of high-octane, emotionally resonant storytelling remains accessible for another generation of fans.
If these first volumes are any indication of the quality of the series to come, the City Hunter and Cat’s Eye omnibuses will undoubtedly become the benchmark for how classic manga should be presented to a modern audience. Make space on your shelves—you are going to want these.
Siti Muinah
Sagoh
