The Cat Returns
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The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し; Neko no Ongaeshi) is a 2002 Japanese animated film directed by Morita Hiroyuki and produced by Studio Ghibli.
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Characters
- Haru - A 17 year old girl, the protagonist of the film.
- Baron Humbert Von Gikkemgen - Usually called Baron, he is a cat statue with a soul allowing him to come to life in the alternate dimension he lives in.
- Muta - A fat, cynical cat who leads Haru to the Baron.
- Toto - A gargoyle of a raven who comes alive, much like the Baron.
- The Cat King - King of the Cat Kingdom.
- Lune - Prince of the Cat Kingdom.
Plot
The story follows a girl called Haru who saves a cat from being hit by a truck on a busy road. The cat turns out to be Lune, Prince of the Cat Kingdom. In return, the cats shower her with gifts and inform her she is to be wedded to the Prince of the Cat Kingdom.
Haru hears a kind voice which tells her to seek out the Cat Business Office. Haru meets Muta, who leads her there to meet the Baron and Toto. Soon after meeting them, Haru and Muta are taken to the Cat Kingdom by force, leaving Toto and the Baron in the human world.
Haru is invited to a feast at the castle of the Cat Kingdom and she begins to slowly turn into a cat. At the feast, the Baron (in disguise) dances with Haru as part of the enterainment, before being discovered. Their escape leads them through a maze to a tower, which contains a portal back into Haru's world.
Lune and his army return to the Cat Kingdom to discover the King was not acting on his behalf and he has no desire to marry Haru. Eventually Haru, Muta and the Baron escape, with the aid of Toto.
This is by no means a comprehensive synopsis, there are many subplots and details left unexplored by this synopsis.
Credits
Director:Hiroyuki Morita
Script: Reiko Yoshida
Music: Yuuji Nomi
Character design: Satoko Morikawa
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Executive producter: Hayao Miyazaki
Production: Studio Ghibli
Original manga: Aoi Hiiragi
- Haru - Ikewaki Chizuru
- Baron Humbert Von Gikkemgen - Hakamada Yoshihiko
- Muta - Watanabe Tetsu
- Toto - Saitō Yōsuke
- The Cat King - Tanba Tetsurō
- Lune - Yamada Takayuki.
- Yuki - Maeda Aki
Voice Talent for the US Dubbed Version:
- Haru - Anne Hathaway
- Baron Humbert von Gekkemgen - Cary Elwes
- Muta (AKA Rinaldo Moon) - Peter Boyle
- Toto - Elliott Gould
- The Cat King - Tim Curry
- Lune - Andrew Bevis
- Yuki - Judy Greer
- Haru's Mother - Kristine Sutherland
- Hiromi - Kristen Bell
- Natoru - Andy Richter
External links
- The Cat Returns page at Nausicaa.net (http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/neko/)
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de:The Cat returns fi:Kissojen valtakunta fr:Le Royaume des chats ja:猫の恩返しzh:猫的报恩