For almost every happening involving a new anthro character, I instinctively hop onto the bandwagon. All too frequently, I end up being late to the party by the time I’m done with my first fan work. Case in point: the Google Doodle special “Champion Island Games” introduced during the 2020 (actually 2021) Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Featuring Lucky the Cat, an ambitious yet kind-hearted neko with athletic abilities worthy of a ninja, the interactive game immerses the player in a Japan-like setting. The island is split into seven distinct locales (surrounding a central hub) each with their own sport and resident champion that lucky must out-score to win. There are lots of problem-solving side quests that add up and inter-relate to the main games like an intricate, multi-faceted puzzle. Not only does it offer lots of fun in challenging gameplay, but it is also a fine primer that explores the basics of Japanese folklore and culture. In short, this game is very brilliant and I love it!

Here we have Lucky engaged tooth-and-nail in a table-tennis match, located deep in the bamboo forest. I made her airborne since standing still wouldn’t be as fun to watch. Nor as useful in responding to the rapid-fire barrage of incoming balls.

It’s a neat little coincidence that I’d be posting this on September 9th. Ninth month, ninth day, and cats being associated with nine lives.