Mai Mochizuki's delectable The Full Moon Coffee Shop, cozily translated by Jesse Kirkwood, follows other whimsical, welcoming café-themed Japanese novels, like Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold and its multiple sequels. Here the eponymous shop "has no fixed location," but rather just appears, with lunar cooperation, when would-be patrons most need the encouraging refuge. Orders aren't possible, however, because the staff--yes, of course, they're cats!--happen to bring out just the right "desserts, meals, and drinks--selected just for you."
Mizuki was "dubbed a hitmaker" back in her 20s for all the successful TV dramas she wrote; now at 40, after too many flops, she's pseudonymously writing video game storylines for supporting characters. TV director Akari can't get over her last almost-affair, while Akari's star actress, Satsuki, is being publicly vilified for being a married actor's mistress. Takashi, co-owner of an IT company, might have a second chance at first love while helping his new client, Megumi, build a website for the career of her dreams. With each character facing life changes, astrologically astute felines are at the ready with helpful star charts to clarify (better) choices.
Mochizuki is already well established among manga aficionados, with multiple ongoing series available in translation (Holmes of Kyoto, Alice in Kyoto Forest). She's an easy, engaging writer to enjoy; her narratives here are contemporary and universal, with a gratifying emphasis on unexpected connections enabled by acts of kindness. Not surprisingly, the magical encounters begun in The Full Moon Coffee Shop continue in sequels published in Japan. Hopefully those multiple volumes will also extend their enchantments to English-language readers soon. --Terry Hong