The Cat Returns

A fantastical comedy from Studio Ghibli follows the story of a girl named Haru who rescues a cat crossing a busy street. However, the cat turns out to be a cat prince - and his grateful father decides to marry Haru off to his son. To escape this unwanted fate, she seeks help from the Cat Bureau, a mysterious office located in a world of soul-bearing creatures. The elegant Baron, the gruff cat Muta, and the gargoyle Toto join forces to prevent the planned wedding.

The film loosely continues the earlier Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart, where Baron and Muta first appeared as minor characters. Audiences loved them so much that the studio received an offer to make a film centered entirely on them.

Director Hiroyuki Morita, who previously worked on Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbors the Yamadas, took the helm. The screenplay was written by Reiko Yoshida based on the manga by Aoi Hiiragi, the author of the original work for Whisper of the Heart.