The Cat Returns is Delightful

An old buddy of mine always said this was his favorite Ghibli movie. And you know what? I can see why.

‘The Cat Returns’ is Ghibli at its simplest and most enjoyable. It feels a lot like a shojo manga. A really good, magical shojo manga that anyone can watch and have a fun time with.

Haru Yoshioka is a clumsy but kind-hearted high school girl. One day, she saves a strange cat from a car accident. Turns out, that was the Prince of the Cat Kingdom, and now his father the King wants to turn her into a cat and marry them together! Luckily, Haru soon finds herself in the presence of Baron, a cat figurine come to life. With his help, along with the fat cat Muta and the raven Toto, can Haru escape her engagement and return to her normal life?

In terms of plot, this movie is really good. It’s simple, cute, and fun from start to end. Haru is easily likable, Baron is suave and cool, and Muta is consistently hilarious. Thanks to the short runtime, the movie moves at a rapid pace. It all just flows together smoothly.

If I had to critique anything, it would be Haru’s crush. It’s such an irrelevant addition to the film that her whole arc revolves around admitting it doesn’t matter. Granted, it’s a small piece of the movie, inconsequential in the face of how good it the rest of the movie is. But it’s there.

What I really love about this movie is the whimsical and bizarre feel it has. The precession of cats on the night street, the staircase of ravens at the end, the Kingdom of Cats itself, it’s downright magical! Maybe not quite as bizarre as Ghibli’s other works, but it works really well!

Thanks in large part to the animation and the music. Although praising those in a Ghibli movie feels unnecessary. Praising these movies for their visuals is like saying you need water to live.

This one wasn’t even directed by Miyazaki. Which might explain why it kinda goes overlooked compared to Ghibli’s other works.

And will continue to do so, now that he’s back. Again.

‘The Cat Returns’ is wonderful. It’s simple, it’s cute, it’s gorgeous, and it’s a ton of fun to watch. If you’ve never seen it, I’d highly encourage you to give it a shot. Trust me, you won’t regret it.