⚠️ This review will have light spoilers ⚠️
—Story/Characters
This show is intensely pleasurable to watch from start to finish! With that being said, the main gripe that I had about the logic in the series is that the girls never wear masks when they commit their burglaries! The male lead, Toshio, sees them on a daily basis, so he KNOWs what they all look like; and they, in turn, are all aware that his is the main detective on their case... but, I guess, who cares... they're just going to wear spandex, aerobics outfits and rob museums, I suppose?
Another thing, their café is called "Cat's Eye" and then they put "Cat's Eye" on their calling card! I also remember incidents where Hitomi speaks to Toshio remotely, through a two-way radio, and he's like "this person sounds oddly familiar, it couldn't be my childhood friend slash girlfriend, could it?" If you can suspend your disbelief and enjoy the series, deep-down, it's a charming '80s show about a trio of girls trying to find their biological father. Not to mention that Hitomi and Toshio's relationship is incredibly sweet, despite the fact the she coyly dangles her alternate identity in front of his face! And he's just too darned naïve to pick up on it!
Despite my grievances with some plot incongruencies, there are some really well-thought out missions and technological devices that the police use to try and ensnare them! Not to mention that when Yoshiko Sakakibara's character ("Mitsuko Asatani") makes her entrance into the scene, she has a leg up on the rest of the investigators because she actually has the mind to suspect the three sisters, not only that, but Mitsuko is actively trying to hit on Toshio! It creates a love-triangle situation that could be classified in the "Betty and Veronica" (Archie Comics) category of rivalry, since Hitomi is the more friendly and outgoing childhood friend, while Mitsuko is more brainy, cunning, and the show makes a point of how pretty she is without her huge, goggle-like glasses!
—Technical
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Yoshio Takeuchi (director), notable works:
* 2001 Nights ✅
* Ashita Genki ni Nare!: Hanbun no Satsumaimo ("Tomorrow Will Become Better!: Half a Sweet Potato")
* Astro Boy (2003) ✅
* Bakuten Shoot Beyblade (2002) ✅
* Bakuten Shoot Beyblade the Movie: Gekitō!! Takao vs. Daichi
* Boku no Bōkūgō ("My Air Raid Shelter, My Bomb Shelter")
* Dokonjou Gaeru (script)
* Gamba no Bōken (script)
* Gozonji! Gekkō Kamen-kun
* Hare Tokidoki Buta (script)
* Herlock Saga: Nibelung no Yubiwa
* Hoero! Bun Bun (script)
* Ippon Bōchō Mantarō
* Jungle Taitei Movie (1997) ✅
* Kaiketsu Zorori: Mahōtsukai no Deshi
* Kizuoibito ("Wounded Man")
* Kyomu Senshi Miroku
* Lupin III: Part III (episode director) ✅
* Night Head Genesis
* Nobody's Boy: Remi — Assistant Director
* Oishinbo (series) ✅
* Scarecrow Man
* Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children
* Soliton no Akuma
* Space Cobra (chief animation director) ✅
* Space Fantasia 2001 Nights
* Tako ni Natta Okaasan
* Toki no Tabibito: Time Stranger
* Treasure Island (1978)
* Versailles no Bara: Seimei Aru Kagiri Aishite
Commentary: Mr. Takeuchi is the definition of a veteran industry worker, he has dipped his fingers in so many projects, but among the ones I have seen, I would say that Cat's Eye is his magnum opus. The perspective shots, the comedic timing, the framing of each scene, all of it is extremely well executed. There wasn't a time, while watching Cat's Eye, that I thought that something looked sloppy or amateurish, and that's a difficult feat to accomplish in a seventy-three episode series! Amazing work — an under-appreciated director, storyboard artist, and screenwriter!
Toshimichi Okawa (screenwriter), notable works:
* Buzzer Beater 2nd Season
* City Hunter ✅
* Golgo 13 (TV) ✅
* Kaitō Saint Tail ✅
* Kōhū Ōja Mushiking Super Battle Movie: Yami no Kaizō Kouchū ("Mushiking: The King of Beetles SUPER BATTLE MOVIE — Altered Beetles of Darkness")
* Lupin III: Green vs. Red
* Lupin III: Nusumareta Lupin ("Stolen Lupin")
* Lupin III: Part III ✅
* Lupin III: Sweet Lost Night — Mahō no Lamp wa Akumu no Yokan
* Lupin III: The Last Job
* Tetsujin 28-gō
Commentary: Despite the episodic formula of this series, Mr. Okawa manages to make the writing in each episode "snappy" and charming! I would compare it to his work on "City Hunter," the writing most adroitly compares to that project — there was even a cameo appearance with the "Cat's Eye" girls in the ※"City Hunter the Movie: Shinjuku Private Eyes"! Fantastic scripts!
※Note: Both "Cat's Eye" and "City Hunter" take place in the same universe, so their casts will often intersect with one another. "Angel Heart" on the other hand, takes place in an alternate universe, but shares the same mangaka ("Tsukasa Hōjō") with "Cat's Eye" and "City Hunter"!
Good Seiyū Work = ✅
Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅
One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅
Yoshito Yasuhara as Toshio Utsumi, notable roles:
* Noera, California Crisis: Tsuigeki no Jūka
* Ryu Yamaki, Chōjin Locke
* Gō Tsunami, Gowapper 5 Gordam ("Goliath the Super Fighter")
* James Coleman, Great Pretender
* Jūza, Hokuto no Ken ✅
* Okita Sōji III, Lupin III: Part II ✅
* Takeru Seizan, Miracle Psychicer Seizan
* Danji Hiiragi, Mirai Robo Daltanias ("Future Robo Daltanius")
* Don Jirochō, Monkey Punch no Sekai: Alice
* Otto Heckel, Monster ✅
* Scarecrow, Oz no Mahōtsukai (1986)
* Aoshi Shinomori, Rurōni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan ✅ ✅
* Kaji Isshū, Tentō Mushi no Uta
* Mōri Etō, Tokimeki Tonight ✅ ✅
Commentary: The bumbling cop boyfriend to the mysterious cat thief. Mr. Yasuhara does a great job at making Toshio Utsumi both a doofus and intensely understandable as a character. I would compare his role in "Cat's Eye" most to his portrayal of Ranze's father ("Mōri Etō") in Tokimeki Tonight, her can come off as a blundering fool, but he really cares about his family and daughter — the same can be said for Toshio's relationship with the "Cat's Eye" girls! Great job!
Keiko Toda as Hitomi Kisugi, notable roles:
* Daichi Meguru, Arei no Kagami: Way to the Virgin Space
* Kate Lee Jackson, Bavi Stock
* Karala Ajiba, Densetsu Kyojin Ideon ✅ ✅ ✅
* Aki Ross, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
* Kitarō, Gegege no Kitarō (1985)
* Chigusa Tsukikage, Glass no Kamen: Sen no Kamen wo Motsu Shōjo
* Teatine, Healin' Good♡PreCure ✅ ✅
* Nana Ichinomiya, Hi no Tori: Uchū-hen ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sophia, Kaze no Na wa Amnesia ("A Wind Named Amnesia")
* Valcuria, Kyōshoku Sōkō Guyver
* Osono, Majo no Takkyūbin ("Kiki's Delivery Service") ✅ ✅ ✅
* Matilda Ajan, Mobile Suit Gundam ✅ ✅
* Mamiya Mugen, Mugen Shinshi: Bōken Katsugeki-hen ("Dream Dimension Gentleman")
* Kaoru Orihara, Oniisama e... ✅ ✅
* Ayame Hayami, Sengoku Kitan Yōtōden ("Chronicle of the Warlord Period")
* Hajime Amamori, Shin Taketori Monogatari: 1000-nen Jōu ✅ ✅
* Anpanman, Sore Ike! Anpanman (series)
* Iczer-2, Tatake!! Iczer (series) ✅ ✅
* Shiela, Wizardry
Commentary: Ms. Toda has such a beautiful voice! Hitomi steals the show with the amount of charisma that her actress pours into the character, though Rui is a close second! I would compare her performance in "Cat's Eye" to her roles as Karala Ajiba ("Densetsu Kyojin Ideon") and Matilda Ajan ("Mobile Suit Gundam"), because boy, is she a babe! Incredible work!
Toshiko Fujita as Rui Kisugi, notable roles:
* Enrico Pocchini, Ai no Gakkō Cuore Monogatari
* Sharaku Hosuke, Akuma Tō no Prince: Mitsume ga Tōru
* Bonobono, Bonobono ✅
* Tom, Chibi Neko Tomu no Daibōken: Chikyū wo Sukue! Nakama-tachi
* Taichi Yagami ("Tai Kamiya"), Digimon Adventure (series) ✅✅✅
* Dorimogu, Dorimogu Daa!!
* Dai, Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken
* Genki Horiguchi, Ganbare Genki
* Kokiden no Nyōgo, Genji Monogatari Sennenki ("Millennium Old Journal: Tale of Genji")
* Chigusa Tsukikage, Glass no Kamen (2005) ✅✅✅
* Rena, Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no CosmoZone
* Ikkyū, Ikkyū-san
* Hiroshi Tateno, Jigoku Sensei Nube
* Yuki Oda, Junk Boy
* Steven, Kaze no Naka no Shōjo: Kinpatsu no Jeanie
* Elizabeth Murray, Kaze no Shōjo Emily
* Eiichi Kite, Kiteretsu Daihyakka
* Meme, Meme Iroiro Yume no Tabi
* Pierre, Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko
* Linlin Charlotte ("Big Mom"), One Piece
* Maraich Juschenfe, Patalliro ✅
* Pipi, Pipi Tobenai Hotaru
* Alfredo Martini, Romeo no Aoi Sora ✅✅✅
* Eris, Saint Seiya: Jashin Eris
* Hilda, Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star ✅
* Rally Cheyenne, Silent Möbius ✅
* Jane Royal, Space Cobra ✅
* Mother, Uchū Kazoku Carlvinson ("Space Family Carlvinson")
* Tamao Inokuma, Yawara!
* Makie, Youjū Toshi ("Wicked City")
Commentary: Sadly, I think Ms. Fujita's casting as Rui Kisugi is her best sultry, adult woman role. She was absolutely amazing as Chigusa Tsukikage ("Glass no Kamen"), but she's an old lady in that series and the only other S-tier roles that I've seen her as, are her little boy ("shōnen" archetype) performances! Ms. Fujita did a really awesome job in "Cat's Eye," despite that!
Chika Sakamoto as Ai Kisugi, notable roles:
* Tora Kiso, 3 Chōme no Tama ("Tama and Friends")
* Minoru Enoki, Akachan to Boku
* Peruru, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Sailor 9 Senshi Shūketsu! Black Dream Hole no Kiseki ("Sailor Moon SuperS: Black Dream Hole") ✅✅✅
* Kō Yaten, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars
* Sanae Nakazawa, Captain Tsubasa (series)
* Zhī Láo, Chūka Ichiban!
* Kuro-chan, Cyborg Kuro-chan
* Agumon, Digimon Adventure and Digimon Adventure tri. ✅✅✅
* Shoutmon, Digimon Xros Wars ✅
* Fukuo Fuchida, Fuku-chan
* Nuriko, Fushigi Yûgi ✅✅✅
* Kyōsuke Jin, Gekitō! Crush Gear Turbo
* Yoni, Genmu Senki Leda ✅
* Campanella, Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru ✅✅✅
* Kaoruko Hanasaki ("Cure Flower"), HeartCatch PreCure! ✅✅✅
* Hajime-chan, Heisei Tensai Bakabon
* Ken Oyanagi, JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai ✅
* Bakumaru, Jūni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger
* Shun Kisaragi, Koko wa Green Wood
* Kentarō Ichinose, Maison Ikkoku ✅
* Muka Muka, Muka Muka Paradise
* Norakuro, Norakuro-kun
* Stelly, One Piece
* Chokkaku, Ore wa Chokkaku
* Pikachu, Pokémon (Season One) ✅✅✅
* Devi, Puzzle & Dragons Cross
* Ranpō, Ranpō
* Specter, Saru Getchu: On Air
* Ashibe Ashiya, Shōnen Ashibe
* Tendonmon and Chibizō-kun, Sore Ike! Anpanman (series)
* Chinmi, Tekken Chinmi
* Akari Toki, The Samurai
* Mei Kusakabe, Tonari no Totoro ✅✅✅
* Tsuruhime, Tsuruhime Ja!
* Ginger, Urusei Yatsura ✅✅
* Yocchan, Yocchan no Biidama
* Ryōhei Hachiya, Zukkoke Sannin-gumi: Zukkoke Jikū Bōken
Commentary: Ms. Sakamoto's performance as Ai Kisugi wasn't my favorite of hers, especially with some of the knock-out roles that it has to contend against! But, it was very good, Ai is energetic, spunky, and a tad on the rebellious side! Great job!
Yoshiko Sakakibara as Mitsuko Asatani, notable roles:
* Reika Ryūzaki, Ace wo Nerae! 2 — originally voiced by Masako Ikeda
* Meichi Yuri, Akuma no Riddle ✅✅
* Queen Nehellenia, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS and Sailor Stars ✅✅✅
* Sybel, Black Magic M-66
* Azusa Matsudaira, Blue Seed
* Sylia Stingray, Bubblegum Crisis ✅✅
* Silene ("Sirene"), CB Chara Go Nagai World ✅✅✅
* Miran, Chōjikū Seiki Orguss 02 ✅
* Silene ("Sirene"), Devilman: Yochō Sirene-hen ✅✅✅
* Frederica Greenhill, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu ✅✅✅
* Aila Mu, God Mazinger
* Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate ✅✅✅
* Sesshōmaru's Mother, InuYasha: Kanketsu-hen
* Princess Airfield, Kantai Collection ("KanColle") ✅✅✅
* Shinobu Nagumo, Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor
* Project 2501, Kōkaku Kidōtai 2.0 ("Ghost in the Shell 2.0")
* Haman Karn and Mōar Pharoah, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam ✅✅✅
* Jōshū Kasei, Psycho-Pass (series) ✅✅
* Karura-Ō, RG Veda
* Flore, Rokushin Gattai GodMars
* Medea, Saint Seiya Omega ✅✅✅
* Tomiko Asahina, Shinsekai yori ✅✅
* Feb Fall, Sol Bianca: Taiyō no Fune
* Tekka's Maki-chan, Sore Ike! Anpanman
* Lady Armaroid — Space Cobra, Space Adventure Cobra, and Cobra the Animation ✅✅✅
* Misaki Kamiki Jurai, Tenchi Muyō! (series) ✅✅
* Antoinette, The Humanoid: Ai no Wakusei Lezeria
* Aoi, Tide-Line Blue
* Her Majesty the Queen, Otama, and Ogin — Urusei Yatsura ✅✅✅
* Elle de Rosenbach, Urusei Yatsura Movie 1: Only You ✅✅
Commentary: Ms. Sakakibara has the most gorgeous "ice queen" voice! Ms. Asatani, despite being a perpetual butt-monkey to the girls and Toshio (she constantly throws a wrench in BOTH the burglar's and police's plans), comes off as very likable — because of her seiyū's lush acting talents! Amazing voice actress, wonderful job with the role!
"Cat's Eye" is the best "jewel heist"-type of show that I have ever seen — there's inventive writing, great shot composition, a colorful cast of enjoyable characters, a cute romance, and a high level of suspense... in many of the episodes Toshio and the police squad come very close to identifying the trio of sibylline siblings! The motivation for the art robberies was really compelling, too, and a gave an extra layer of intrigue to each sister. Refreshing, '80s romp that is an intensely fun experience! I give "Cat's Eye" a solid 7/10 and suggest giving it a try!
Rating: ★★★★☆
