Popular Travel YouTuber 'Ike-chan' (800k+ Subscribers) Releases First Essay Book 'I Want to Live Like a Cat' Today!
Travel YouTuber 'Ike-chan' released her first essay book, 'I Want to Live Like a Cat,' on May 29, 2026. With over 800,000 subscribers, she shares her survival strategy of 'Cat-ification,' derived from her experiences with depression and social maladjustment. The book offers tips for navigating modern society through 39 themes based on cat behavior.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 11:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 02:50 (63h 50m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 20:46 (17h 55m after Collected)
Cross Media Publishing, a publisher focusing on business and practical books, released the book 'I Want to Live Like a Cat' on May 29, 2026.
This book is the first essay by Ike-chan, a travel YouTuber with over 800,000 subscribers. Having experienced school absenteeism in junior high and depression in college, the author found a survival strategy after struggling to fit into human society: 'Cat-ification.' By observing cat behavior across 39 items, she shares insights on 'the importance of alone time,' 'environmental adaptability,' 'the instinct to be beautiful and strong,' and 'sharpening one's sensibilities,' woven with her travel episodes and daily experiences. The book also includes trivia columns about cats and illustrations/manga drawn by the author. It is a new type of essay that can be enjoyed from any page.
● Humanity is heading toward 'Cat-ification' — The survival strategy found by the author
'I want to live like a cat. I don't want to work as much as possible, but I want to be respected!'
The author, Ike-chan, says she couldn't fit into society since junior high school. In college, she struggled with part-time jobs and developed depression. She suffered from 'too serious values' and stereotypes like 'this is how it should be.'
The hint for living she found is 'Cat-ification.' Cats are appreciated by humans even if they spend their days lazily, and are loved just by sunbathing. They are unique beings that deserve the title 'Cat-sama.' The author observed cat behavior with high resolution and incorporated their principles into her own life.
Since the pandemic, with the spread of remote work and the establishment of 'loner' culture, the author points out that society as a whole is heading toward 'Cat-ification.' Living without leaving the house and only going out when you want to—that is exactly like a cat. Cats, which surpassed dogs in 2013 to become the number one pet, have created a huge economic sphere called 'Cat-onomics,' and in 2026, human 'Cat-ification' is accelerating.
● Cat behavior x Travel episodes — The philosophy of 'Cat-ification' in 39 themes
The book is uniquely structured, introducing cat habits in 39 items and overlaying the author's own experiences. For example, in the 'Solitary Action' chapter, she talks about the naturalness and freedom of acting alone. In the 'Territory' chapter, she realizes her habit of wanting to be in the corner of a room or standing by the door on a train is surprisingly similar to a cat's 'territory marker.'
In the 'Environmental Adaptability' chapter, she shares travel episodes of jumping into trouble in cheap inns, and in the 'Homing Instinct' chapter, she depicts her complex love for Akita, which she visits frequently despite calling it a 'shitty countryside.' In the 'Satisfying Hunting Instinct' chapter, she talks about her extreme fickleness in getting bored with certifications or poker, and the mystery of why she can only continue traveling and YouTube.
Each item includes a scientific column on cat ecology as 'Cat Trivia.' Whether you are a cat lover or not, you can enjoy new discoveries. Furthermore, it features digital illustrations and manga drawn by the author for the first time. With short chapters, it is easy to read for those who are not good at reading.
● To everyone living in an intolerant world — A prescription called 'Cat-ification'
'In this intolerant and cramped human society, having a trump card of being a cat to some extent can be a mental salvation,' says the author.
What is written in this book is not a grand life theory or high-minded self-help. Go to a high building like a cat climbing a catwalk to watch the rain. Protect yourself by 'faking it' like a cat when you fail. When something bad happens, sleep, eat something delicious, and take a hot bath. Such suggestions to 'try being a cat a little' are written with humor and honesty.
The author herself has a past of school absenteeism, depression, and being disastrously bad at customer service part-time jobs. However, in the process of 'Cat-ification,' she found her own weapon—the ability to talk to the camera endlessly—and gained 800,000 subscribers as a YouTuber.
'Everything is someone else's fault. If I fail, I fake it. Everything is erased. At first glance, it's the worst way of thinking for a human living in modern times,' she laughs. However, if you take care of your own mood like a cat, don't try to forget forcibly, and keep feeding your heart, the peak of anger will pass. Just like cats end fights quickly.
'Please try it at your own risk,' her message should lighten the hearts of those who feel it is hard to live in human society.
[Book Information]
'I Want to Live Like a Cat.'
Author: Ike-chan
Price: 1,760 yen (1,600 yen + tax)
Publisher: Cross Media Publishing
This book is the first essay by Ike-chan, a travel YouTuber with over 800,000 subscribers. Having experienced school absenteeism in junior high and depression in college, the author found a survival strategy after struggling to fit into human society: 'Cat-ification.' By observing cat behavior across 39 items, she shares insights on 'the importance of alone time,' 'environmental adaptability,' 'the instinct to be beautiful and strong,' and 'sharpening one's sensibilities,' woven with her travel episodes and daily experiences. The book also includes trivia columns about cats and illustrations/manga drawn by the author. It is a new type of essay that can be enjoyed from any page.
● Humanity is heading toward 'Cat-ification' — The survival strategy found by the author
'I want to live like a cat. I don't want to work as much as possible, but I want to be respected!'
The author, Ike-chan, says she couldn't fit into society since junior high school. In college, she struggled with part-time jobs and developed depression. She suffered from 'too serious values' and stereotypes like 'this is how it should be.'
The hint for living she found is 'Cat-ification.' Cats are appreciated by humans even if they spend their days lazily, and are loved just by sunbathing. They are unique beings that deserve the title 'Cat-sama.' The author observed cat behavior with high resolution and incorporated their principles into her own life.
Since the pandemic, with the spread of remote work and the establishment of 'loner' culture, the author points out that society as a whole is heading toward 'Cat-ification.' Living without leaving the house and only going out when you want to—that is exactly like a cat. Cats, which surpassed dogs in 2013 to become the number one pet, have created a huge economic sphere called 'Cat-onomics,' and in 2026, human 'Cat-ification' is accelerating.
● Cat behavior x Travel episodes — The philosophy of 'Cat-ification' in 39 themes
The book is uniquely structured, introducing cat habits in 39 items and overlaying the author's own experiences. For example, in the 'Solitary Action' chapter, she talks about the naturalness and freedom of acting alone. In the 'Territory' chapter, she realizes her habit of wanting to be in the corner of a room or standing by the door on a train is surprisingly similar to a cat's 'territory marker.'
In the 'Environmental Adaptability' chapter, she shares travel episodes of jumping into trouble in cheap inns, and in the 'Homing Instinct' chapter, she depicts her complex love for Akita, which she visits frequently despite calling it a 'shitty countryside.' In the 'Satisfying Hunting Instinct' chapter, she talks about her extreme fickleness in getting bored with certifications or poker, and the mystery of why she can only continue traveling and YouTube.
Each item includes a scientific column on cat ecology as 'Cat Trivia.' Whether you are a cat lover or not, you can enjoy new discoveries. Furthermore, it features digital illustrations and manga drawn by the author for the first time. With short chapters, it is easy to read for those who are not good at reading.
● To everyone living in an intolerant world — A prescription called 'Cat-ification'
'In this intolerant and cramped human society, having a trump card of being a cat to some extent can be a mental salvation,' says the author.
What is written in this book is not a grand life theory or high-minded self-help. Go to a high building like a cat climbing a catwalk to watch the rain. Protect yourself by 'faking it' like a cat when you fail. When something bad happens, sleep, eat something delicious, and take a hot bath. Such suggestions to 'try being a cat a little' are written with humor and honesty.
The author herself has a past of school absenteeism, depression, and being disastrously bad at customer service part-time jobs. However, in the process of 'Cat-ification,' she found her own weapon—the ability to talk to the camera endlessly—and gained 800,000 subscribers as a YouTuber.
'Everything is someone else's fault. If I fail, I fake it. Everything is erased. At first glance, it's the worst way of thinking for a human living in modern times,' she laughs. However, if you take care of your own mood like a cat, don't try to forget forcibly, and keep feeding your heart, the peak of anger will pass. Just like cats end fights quickly.
'Please try it at your own risk,' her message should lighten the hearts of those who feel it is hard to live in human society.
[Book Information]
'I Want to Live Like a Cat.'
Author: Ike-chan
Price: 1,760 yen (1,600 yen + tax)
Publisher: Cross Media Publishing
FAQ
Where can I buy it?
Available on Amazon, Rakuten Books, and bookstores nationwide.