Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Imaginative adventure anime has some fantasy violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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The Cat Returns
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a heartwarming and humorous adventure featuring quirky characters and cute animation, which many consider to be one of the best works from the studio. While it has elements suitable for children, some viewers noted it contains mild violence and themes that younger audiences might find slightly disturbing, but overall, it provides a fun and engaging experience for families.
- family-friendly
- cute animation
- quirky characters
- mild violence
- humorous adventure
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE CAT RETURNS, Haru (voiced by Chizuru Ikewaki in the original version and Anne Hathaway in the English dub) is walking home with her friend after a tough day at school when she rescues a cat from nearly getting run over by a truck. The cat is actually Lune (Takayuki Yamada/Andrew Bevis), the Prince of the Cats, who hails from the Kingdom of Cats. In gratitude to Haru, cats everywhere bring gift-wrapped mice to her school locker and want to take her to the kingdom so that she can marry the prince. Her only escape from this odd fate comes in the form of a mysterious voice summoning her to the Cat Bureau, where the dashing feline Baron (Yoshihiko Hakamada/Cary Elwes) and his portly companion Muta (Tetsu Watanabe/Peter Boyle), both of whom were characters in the charming anime Whisper of the Heart, try to rescue Haru from both marriage to -- and transforming into -- a cat.
Is It Any Good?
For parents and kids weary of the trite and formulaic, this imaginative movie should be a refreshing change from the typical. The Cat Returns features a human girl being summoned to marry a princely cat; cats fighting with swords, spears, and chains; and squid-throwing substituted for knife-throwing to entertain a Cat King (Tetsurō Tanba/Tim Curry). It brings back two of the characters from the charming coming-of-age anime Whisper of the Heart, but it's not a sequel. The Cat Returns is its own surreal deal.
Counterbalancing the highly creative adventure story is the inspirational story of Haru's self-affirmation, as the Baron and Muta encourage her to believe in herself and to not allow her destiny to be controlled by others (especially cats). There's a fair amount of cartoon violence as Haru tries to make her escape from the Kingdom of Cats, but all-in-all The Cat Returns is a fun -- and unusual -- adventure tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Haru's social, school, and home life are depicted in the film. How is her life as a tween similar to or different from yours?
In the midst of an argument, Haru proclaims, "Nobody decides who I am but me!" What does this mean, and how might these principles be applied in daily life?
How does Haru demonstrate courage?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 22, 2005
- Cast : Anne Hathaway , Cary Elwes , Peter Boyle
- Director : Hiroyuki Morita
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 75 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 15, 2025
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