The perfect in-between of ridiculous American animated comedies and Studio Ghibli-esque cinematography, Ghost Cat Anzu blends adult hilarity with the beloved animation style we have come to adore from Japan.
The story of Ghost Cat Anzu is simple: 11-year-old Karin is left at her grandfather’s temple by her recently widowed father, Tetsuya, who lacks the basics of both parenting and the ability to handle money. During her stay in the temple, she meets Anzu, a 37-year-old reckless immortal ghost cat who is a family member, and tasked with her safety (a job he struggles with keeping up with). What comes next is a series of hilarious yet strange groups of characters and scenarios that keep the pair busy. That’s until until it comes to the anniversary of her mother’s passing, where all hell breaks loose – literally.
This coming-of-age narrative has its share of twists and turns, along with many supernatural beings that both support and confront the struggling Karin while working through the grief of losing her only support system. Together, Anzu and Karin must find a new way to enjoy the world together while also understanding their essential differences that keep the story interesting all the way through.
Ghost Cat Anzu is the perfect reminder of what we all love out of childhood animes, with the dry wit that perfectly pairs with stepping into adulthood. This film will surely be beloved by those who find comfort in seeing an oversized and generally idiotic house cat become the hero of our protagonist’s story arc.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
- Release Date: 7/24/2024
- Directed by: Nobuhiro Yamashita, Yoko Kuno
- Starring: Keiichi Suzuki, Mikako Ichikawa, Mirai Moriyama, Munetaka Aoki, Noa Gotō, Shingo Mizusawa, Wataru Sawabe
- Produced by: Alex Dudok de Wit, Emmanuel-Alain Raynal, Hiroyuki Negishi, Keiichi Kondo, Pierre Baussaron
- Written by: Shinji Imaoka
- Studio: Miyu Productions, Shin-Ei Animation
