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Jul 10, 2008 7:07 AM
#1

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Jan 2008
4814
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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Fun movie, but unlike most Ghibli there didnt seem to be much of a message or theme running through it, just funny cat hijinks and not much else.

Everytime a cat got thrown out of the palace I laughed my head off.

I liked the old Hollywood style fight scenes too.
KinetaSep 9, 2012 7:55 PM
"I'm starting to think mal is run by Xinil generating electricity on a bicycle." - idklol
Aug 2, 2008 7:41 PM
#2

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May 2008
11
Amazing tale, the good and bright. Loved it =)
Sep 24, 2008 9:47 AM
#3

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Mar 2008
104
LOVET !! I LOVE THIS ANIME
THE STORY AMAZENING ~
Oct 11, 2008 6:23 PM
#4
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May 2007
27
i really loved this movie, so darn adorable and wonderful story.
Nice moral behind it though, believe in yourself and don't let other people change who you are and you'll pull through things just fine.
Jul 16, 2009 4:12 PM
#5

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Jan 2008
413
It was soooo cute when
! I just wanted to reach in the screen and hug her. I really laughed when
and when
Dec 7, 2009 10:17 PM
#6

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Feb 2009
3436
What an amusing movie. A rather simple, funny and entertaining story with very cool characters! Having watched Whisper of the Heart is not essential (in fact the movies are completely different), but it helps to know the background behind Baron, even if he is the only link between the two movies.

And it was amazing the quantity of cats that kept falling in this movie , specially the ones being thrown out of the window xD
Feb 1, 2010 4:23 AM
#7

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Nov 2008
2645
That was really a nice movie, nothing extraordinary and quite predictable but still a funny and refreshing.
Kudo for the crow escalator, that was really impressive. And I <3 the ending theme

7/10
Mar 10, 2010 11:22 AM
#8

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Jan 2010
5
Who ever that really fat cat was~ He was one of my most favorite characters besides the chick who ended up getting turned into a cat o-o. Other wise it was quite interesting indeed. : DD
Mar 26, 2010 8:28 PM
#9

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May 2009
414
7/10

Funny, pretty awesome, an hour and 17 minutes? Didn't seem that long. Felt like 30 minutes...

Pretty straight forward, not that much suspense...

Overall, great.
May 3, 2010 5:50 PM

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Aug 2008
3906
Love it and it's awesome.
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May 8, 2010 12:17 PM

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Jun 2008
2014
The beginning with the cats walking around was so bizarre, I had no idea what I was on. But it was cute and reminded me of old style tales, I really liked it.

Jul 19, 2010 12:29 PM

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Dec 2009
3338
Damn , this movie was simply awesome <3 . It had a few old style stuff but very well used . Also MOOta reminded me of Shrek , i don't know why but i could'nt help but compare the two in a few scenes xD . I'll give this movie 10/10 from making me laugh like a psycho at every scene.
Aug 29, 2010 10:26 AM

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Aug 2009
1092
Was flicking through the channels on TV and saw this. I missed the first 15 mins, but I don't really think I missed much.

It was a cute film, however the (English-language) casting was quite poor. Anne Hathaway was terrible as Haru ~___~ Cary Elwes, however, made a brilliant Baron! =D
頭脳は子供、見た目は大人! ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ
Feb 24, 2011 11:12 AM

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Sep 2008
1624
Beatnik said:
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
----------------------------------------
Fun movie, but unlike most Ghibli there didnt seem to be much of a message or theme


I thought Karma was the message here. She saved the two cats, good things happened to her and she's more satisfied with her life and herself

The fat cat was just AWESOME. One of the best animal characters in all the movies I've seen yet

In any case, with this movie I think I've seen all the Ghibli movies :) and my fav so far was Pom Poko, although I'd rarely recommend it to people unless I feel like trolling them.

This movie was sweet, but not much of a rewatch value here - 7/10
eyerokFeb 24, 2011 11:18 AM
"...our faces marked by toil, by deceptions, by success, by love; our weary eyes looking still, looking always, looking anxiously for something out of life, that while it is expected is already gone – has passed unseen, in a sigh, in a flash – together with the youth, with the strength, with the romance of illusions.” - Joseph Conrad ('Youth')
Mar 10, 2011 8:49 AM

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Apr 2009
120
The movie was worth watching - I laughed hard when Haru blushed because of a CAT (ever though it was Baron! but still a cat... rather nice one, I must say *o*... geeeez T.T) ...laughed for whatever reason... ^.^;
Apr 16, 2011 1:34 PM

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Dec 2008
4878
I kinda had a crush on the Baron too! LOL!!
May 21, 2011 9:45 PM

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Dec 2009
1641
Just watched this. I thought the movie was adorable, but very short. At least I had a couple of laughs d:
Feb 4, 2012 11:00 AM

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Mar 2011
1460
Nice light-hearted, fun movie.
Feb 6, 2012 11:21 PM

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Sep 2008
11495
Pretty short movie, but it had lots of content.

Lots of funny moments everywhere. Movie had me smiling most of the time.

I liked how there were no real "bad guys" in this movie. Very light-hearted for sure.
Feb 15, 2012 11:50 PM
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Oct 2011
9
The fat kitty was Muta, but his real name is Renaldo Moon. I saw him in Whisper of The Heart. He would visit the store the Baron was in. They have a bit about Moon and the Baron in that movie. Another good movie, btw. The Baron and Muta are the only ties between the two movies.

I liked this movie, it was cute. Yuki (the white cat) is so cute!!
Apr 1, 2012 3:13 AM

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Mar 2010
5223
also 7/10 for me quite adorable movie <33
Aug 4, 2012 4:14 PM

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Jul 2012
48248
Very nice movie. I give it 9/10. I watched it a long time ago when I was younger and re-watched it today with my friends.
Loved the characters.
Apr 21, 2013 7:38 AM

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Apr 2012
4896
I liked the VA and personality the staff gave to Muta, they really suit him. Exactly what I would have imagined from watching Whisper of the Heart. Him and Haru for best characters.

So a very sweet movie, not much content maybe, but quite refreshing: sort of Ghibli in a non Ghibli way, it's hard to explain.
EratiKApr 21, 2013 7:58 AM
Apr 26, 2013 7:16 AM

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Jul 2012
999
Nice movie, and my favorite character was Buta! XD
I have this feeling that I had seen this movie before, though I'm not quiet sure yet.

I'll give it a 7, since it is probably directed toward kids (my sis really enjoyed it), and I don't become a fan of one unless I had seen it when I was a kid.
May 5, 2013 4:02 AM

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Nov 2012
35
Of course, a stairway of crow! Why didn't I thought of it before? I'm so ashamed of myself now!

Bland first half, hilarious second half, cheesy fourth quarter. Dump out the cliche "Prince love someone else" and it would have redeemed itself as a comedy show ಠ_ಠ
Jun 27, 2013 2:36 AM
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Jul 2018
564612

MUTAAAAA. I want you as my cat.
The first time I'd ever like an English dub. :3
8/10
Dec 30, 2013 8:46 PM

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Mar 2013
518
This is almost so cool as totoro, still, totoro will always be my favorite
BLaCkGuN69Dec 30, 2013 8:52 PM
EL PSY KONGROO!!!
Jan 2, 2014 12:42 PM

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Jun 2012
6491
That was pretty weird.
Jul 29, 2014 9:10 PM

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Jan 2013
420
Why is the movie called: The Cat Returns ?
Aug 31, 2014 4:38 PM
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Aug 2014
4
olha2 said:
Why is the movie called: The Cat Returns ?


Because the Baron is from "Whisper of the Heart".

I hate this movie so much, it was a new low for Ghibli and is only topped by "Ocean Waves". I'm shocked no one has mentioned the incredible similarities between this movie and "Labyrinth". While this seems like a big stretch it's really not, the writer of the manga was 24 when "Labyrinth" came out and the movie was immensely more popular in Japan than in America so I'm sure she saw it. Here is a list of the similarities I noticed the first time around, I'm sure there's more but I tried to forget about this movie.


That should be more than enough also if you like "Labyrinth" this is the best site out there [url]http://www.astrolog.org/labyrnth/movie.htm[/url].
Oct 21, 2014 10:30 PM

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Sep 2009
281
man this has been released for more than a decade but i just started watching Ghibli movies last year, and and like the other ghibli movies i just love the story, and the cats are sooo cute
Mar 25, 2015 12:18 AM
▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

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Feb 2012
3603
Good story. I think my favorite thing were the characters. Baron is my role model now. Muta was hilarious. And Haru was both cute and kind.
"There is nothing outside of yourself that enables you to get better. Everything is within. Seek nothing outside of yourself." ⛩️

May 1, 2015 3:33 PM
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Feb 2013
54
This was very enjoyable even if it seemed to be lacking a certain something compaired to Ghibli's finest efforts.
Jul 3, 2015 9:27 PM

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Jul 2009
21077
Didn't really know what to expect going into this, but this was certainly NOT it ... what a crazy ride! Having Haru turn into a cat and try to escape the Cat Kingdom was pretty funny XD I didn't really get how she "found herself" or anything, but it was a pretty funny movie and certainly was unique. Those cats can get pretty crazy :P

It was a fun movie to watch but I didn't really love it as much as some other ones I've seen. The characters were all right, and the animation was good but a bit different than what they normally do I think. Music was good and it was a fun ride, but just not as good as some other Ghibli movies I've seen. 8/10
Jul 28, 2015 3:10 PM

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Feb 2012
3688

Novels I have read/am reading pending approval: since November 10 2022
Oct 22, 2015 12:38 AM
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Oct 2015
36
i like the soundtrack translated in english
kyle<3anime
Dec 15, 2015 3:06 PM

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Jul 2009
3911
This definitely had a different feel to it compared to most Ghibli films (I agree with OP about it not having a message like they normally do) but I still enjoyed it a lot. The return of the Baron and Muta from Whisper of the Heart was awesome and it was really funny in places. Overall 8/10.
Feb 15, 2017 4:38 PM

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Dec 2014
819
I watched the movie for Kaze ni Naru and that was the best part of the film. I felt like I had the whole movie figured out when she got to the Cat Kingdom and saw the white cat. It was just so obvious how it was going to play out from there. The biggest weakness this had was that it seemed like it wanted to have danger but couldn't because it needed a family rating. We're throwing cats from windows to what seemed like their death but it never felt dangerous, or it's suppose to be funny because cats land on their feet? Or how Haru's mood about going to the Cat Kingdom changed once she got their. Even though she was so scared about getting married that she listened to a voice from the sky for help. Btw how did the one cat talk to Haru? That never got explained.

All that and a little bit more that I don't feel like typing out aside the movie at its core was a fun magical journey which is exactly what I was hoping it was going to be. So even though there were a lot of things I didn't like about this movie I had some fun watching it and that's all that matters in the end.

6/10
Jun 4, 2017 12:34 PM
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Aug 2014
1693
Thought it started fairly weak, but beginning at the banquet scene I started enjoying it.
Aug 11, 2017 5:30 AM

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Oct 2015
6915
now she has a crush on baron a cat how stupid, but overall it was okay for me.
How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb --- Dr Strangelove

Mar 24, 2018 11:21 AM

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Nov 2011
7621
I apologize to all those who have seen the film driven by the vote I gave him. In truth I did it because without this film it would remain in oblivion, but even if it does not live up to the expectations that the Studio Ghibli gave you so far, this film can be fun and funny. The story may not have been well exploited by a somewhat minimalist narrative, but it is excellent for spending time with your grandchildren and without braying your brain. The designs and style are not those typical of the best Ghibli films, but the quality is not inferior. I also found it interesting to refer to the movie "Whisper of the Heart" through the character of Baron Humbert von Jikkingen.

8/10
Feb 7, 2019 10:22 AM

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Jul 2014
396
Just finished rewatching it. Great movie. The crazy Cat King's the fucking best! He made me laugh so hard
Mar 1, 2019 3:53 AM

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Nov 2018
478
It actually went much better than I thought after a point. Liked Haru's development and Baron x Neko Haru was pretty shippy.
Aug 26, 2019 7:58 PM

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Apr 2019
1666
what a beautiful movie S2

8/10
ProxyLainAug 26, 2019 8:09 PM
Oct 4, 2019 8:32 AM

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Dec 2008
298
I have a theory that this is the story Shizuku wrote in "Whisper of the Heart". Or at least a version of it, as it was unfinished.


Jan 17, 2020 11:27 PM

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May 2016
12380
I'll just mention that when I first saw Haru, the one thing that came into my mind was how different she looks from nearly every other Ghibli MC but despite that, she looks super cute~

I had pretty low expectations for this as a Ghibli movie after seeing the score and how it's a spin-off of Whisper of the Heart which was good but not really my type but this turned out to be one of my favorite movies from the critically-acclaimed studio purely because of how much fun I had watching this. I was completely charmed by every single character of the main cast and I had a genuinely good time watching this.

Seeing the ridiculous antics of Haru and those felines never failed to get a laugh out of me and the constant motions of the whole movie got me excited from start to end. The scene where the Cat King attempted to entertain his future daughter-in-law and throwing out those who failed to do so was the most hilarious part of the movie~








Feb 9, 2020 9:02 AM

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Jun 2017
2195
MsBanana said:
I have a theory that this is the story Shizuku wrote in "Whisper of the Heart". Or at least a version of it, as it was unfinished.


Omg! That's what I thought so too! Wouldn't that be nice if that was the case?

- - -
Also, I find it cute when Haru told Baron that she may have a crush on him! I would too! After all the things Baron did in order to save Haru.




She got him back. If you understand the characters well enough, you'd know she did!
Apr 7, 2020 6:16 AM

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Nov 2019
265
Decent movie. 5/10
Apr 17, 2020 4:35 AM

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Apr 2017
2
This is movie will leave you a big smile on your face, 100%
Jun 25, 2020 4:31 PM

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Jul 2010
181
MsBanana said:
I have a theory that this is the story Shizuku wrote in "Whisper of the Heart". Or at least a version of it, as it was unfinished.


it all makes sense. bc this story also looks like unfinished
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Apr 21, 2019 6:26 AM
It’s time to ditch the text file.
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