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The Cat Returns is currently streaming on Netflix. Spirited Away was an incredibly tough act to follow and The Cat Returns is a solid effort but falls short of the greatness I have come to expect from Studio Ghibli. It doesn’t outstay its welcome and kept me engaged throughout. The Cat Returns is not a top tier Studio Ghibli production but it is a good film and a lot of fun. I really appreciated how they expanded on that character in this film, whilst linking back to the first Ghibli feature that wasn’t directed by Miyazaki or Takahata. The art style also shares something in common with Whisper Of The Heart and that would make sense because the character of the Baron is first introduced in that film as a figurine. The animation doesn’t quite reach the heights of a Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke but I really appreciated the lanky character models of the humans as they juxtapose the talking cats quite nicely and separates both worlds to make it clear where the fantasy begins and ends whilst allowing them to blend together well.
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However, the character that steals almost every scene they are in is the fat cat Muta who is absolutely hilarious as the cynic and curmudgeon with a heart of gold. Baron Humbert von Gikkingen is great as the hero who helps Haru navigate this strange world. The characters within the cat kingdom are funny side characters that breathe a lot of life into the magical cat world adjacent to the real world. Haru is a compelling enough protagonist who is kind, slightly all over the place but determined young woman that continues the trend of interesting young female protagonists that Ghibli is well known for. The film is very slight with regards to themes or overall plot as it is quite a whimsical film and breezy due to its short run time, which means it is an easy watch.
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This was no easy task especially after the tragedy that befell Kondo but Morita does a pretty good job with his debut. Morita’s debut is the first time since 1995’s Whisper Of The Heart (directed by Yoshifumi Kondo) that Studio Ghibli has chosen someone other than Miyazaki or Takahata to direct a feature-length film. In over her head, she is guided by a mysterious ally to the charming and capable feline paws of Baron Humbert von Gikkingen from the cat bureau. As a sign of the kingdoms gratitude, they vow to make sure that Haru is happy forever and the king of cats decides that the best way to ensure this is to make sure, by any means necessary, that she marries his son the prince. The characters are well done, from Harus insecure awkwardness to the Barons gentleman calmness and Mutas flippant streetmans speech. After this triumph, Miyazaki began work on his next feature as Ghibli turned to a new director in Hiroyuki Morita for The Cat Returns.Īfter saving a cat from a speeding lorry, Teenager Haru Yoshioka finds herself in a strange situation when that cat is revealed to be the prince of cats from the kingdom of cats. So, picking up where we left off in 2001 with Studio Ghibli basking in the success of Spirited Away, which set the world on fire with Miyazaki returning with a bang. Sorry for my lengthy absence in these parts but I am back, much like the cat…I am sorry. The cat turned out to be the Cat Prince from the Kingdom of Cats, however as a result, Haru is trapped in the world of cats.Hey, long time no see. One day, Haru saved the life of a cat without consideration of her own safety. When faced with reality, she is unable to make decisions for herself, thus often swaying to others` opinions to avoid challenge. She has no special abilities and neither is she an extraordinary beauty. Haru is a clueless, ordinary 17 year-old girl. Writer: Aoi Hîragi (comic), Reiko Yoshida.