Chinese comic book artist Bai Cha has made a splash in the world of graphic novels with his captivating cat comics, which enchant readers with their unique storytelling and relatable characters.

Among Bai's beloved creations, "My Cat Hates Me" stands out as an iconic and perennial bestseller, winning the hearts of audiences worldwide.

This remarkable achievement has garnered Bai numerous accolades, including the Golden Dragon Award, the Galaxy Award, and the Xingyun (Nebula) Award. Adding to his growing list of accomplishments, "My Cat Hates Me" recently secured the coveted Gold Prize in the Graphic Novel category at the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Award.

As a cat owner himself, Bai says his work has been shaped by observations about cats' distinct characteristics, which he summarized as "tsundere", a Japanese term referring to a cold or aloof individual who also has a warm and caring side.

"I think cats have a distinct state of being, which I think could be summed up as being kind of standoffish and aloof. When you are with cats, they have an attitude like 'I am the real master here. Don't bother me if it's not important.' With this demeanor, the cat's eyes always hold a mischievous spark. And that's when I couldn't help but imagine what they might be saying and add the dialogue in my books. The cats are like 'You can't stand me, but you can do nothing about it,'" he said in a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

For Bai, his cats are more than just pets; they are cherished friends. The journey of growth and companionship with his cats has not only influenced his perspective on the world but has also shaped his approach to friendships and interactions with others.

"When I create something based on the cats, I see them as friends to me. Over the course of seven to eight years, the cats have grown and learned to balance their relationships. And I have grown too, both in terms of how I look at things and how I deal with relationships with my friends," he said.

Bai's talents have won him a massive fan base, particularly among young readers. Recognizing the love and admiration children have for his books, he said he wants to express more accurate and positive viewpoints through his work.

"There is this famous Spider-Man quote, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Many parents said they buy my books for their children. Initially, my illustrations had a youthful and colloquial style. However, when I worked on my third book, I started to realize that if my readership consisted mostly of children, I needed to adjust the content accordingly. They love my books, so I have the responsibility to express more accurate and positive viewpoints in my work," he said.