The Cat Returns is based off a Japanese story, the animated film follows that story closely and centers around schoolgirl Haru Yoshioka. Haru one day runs out into the street to save a cat from the path of an oncoming truck. She is startled when the cat then stands up and thanks her. That night she receives a visit from the King of Cats who informs her that the cat she saved was his son, Prince Lune, and that she has the gratitude of the whole cat kingdom. The next day she finds herself inundated by gifts of catnip and mice from cats everywhere. Trying to put a stop to this, she then learns that the King has decided she is going to marry Lune. As she despairs about what to do, a mysterious voice tells her to go to the Cat Business Office by following a large white cat. She does and enters another dimension where she meets the cat Baron Humbert von Gikkingen who decides to come to her aid, along with his servant, the fat white cat Muta. But then she is abducted by the King’s cats and taken to the cat realm in preparation for the wedding. Once there she finds that she is now changing into a cat and that if she does not escape by dawn she is doomed to remain one!

While Spirited Away and many of Miyazaki’s & Ghibli's films far surpass this film this is still an event movie and perfect for all ages. The story, though simplistic is a fun one. The animation is also simplistic but, has a dash of flavor with some great designs in the Land of the Cats. The characters are all loveable and fun to see the interaction between them. Haru, the Heroine of this tale is easy to understand, bored with her mundane life she yearns for something more. Muta was last seen in another studio Ghibli film called Only Yesterday as was the Baron so, in a way this is a pseudo-sequel in a sense to Only Yesterday. The Cat Returns is a great film for anyone anime fan or not.