Neko no Ongaeshi

Baron

The Cat Returns tells a story about a typical Japanese girl, Haru who seems to have a nack in getting in mishaps.

One day, she saves a cat from being run over by a truck. The cat turns out to be the prince of the Cat Kingdom and, in return of the favor, the king has decreed that the whole kingdom would try its best to repay her kindness.

Haru and Baron

Unfortunately for her, none of the "gifts" were fitting for a human, and to add to her troubles, she was also decreed to be married to the prince that she saved.


The Cat Returns is similar to the critically-acclaimed movie Spirited Away in the sense that it begins in normal Japan and shifts to parallel world later in the story. There, the similarity stops and a whole new adventure begins.

the eccentric king of Cat Kingdom

This film in general borders along humor and fantasy, leaning more towards the former. Haru's naiveness and the antics of the cats put a smile on my face and made my laugh. No one is evil and there are no bad guys. In fact, the worst character is simply and over-eccentric father whose acts seems to be more on the naughty side than evil.

Baron, Muta and Haru

The storyline is simple yet entertaining, the animation splendid as is the trademark of Studio Ghibli. I personally despise cats but it's hard not to like this film. And although it is not the same level as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, this film should not be missed.

It may not be a Miyazaki movie, but it is still a Ghibli movie, and that alone is reason enough to watch it ;)