Bakeneko Anzu-chan

It seems I am the sole review for Ghost Cat Anzu as of today, which is a shame. I saw it through a short theatrical window and was the only one in my theatre to enjoy what I found to be a pretty charming story of found-family. The animation for me was the strongest stand-point, first directed in live action and then animated over in rotoscrope. While it might be jank for some, I found it charming and lanky, the yokai / ghost characters being the stand-outs, whether it be the titular Anzu, who's lumber and laugh makes it impossible not to be charmed, orhis friend Frog who ribbits with glee as he digs holes and enjoys his hot springs. The movie moves at a pace that a cat would enjoy, going from small vignettes in the countryside about what happens when a 37 year old ghost cat drives a motorized scooter without a license, or a god of poverty who overstays his welcome by following everybody he deems to have misfortune. I think ultimately, that is what will make or break the movie for most viewers. Much of the central plot, following a girl who misses her mother and father, or learning to get along with someone you previously dimissed, is nothing you haven't seen before. There's are themes that have been explored better and more in depth in countless other anime, such as Anohana or Toradora! Following loneliness, loss, etc. The movie will go scene from scene of hijinks, living on the countryside, etc. until they reach Tokyo where the plot takes a turn for the more whimsical in the last act. Some viewerrs might actually get a lot out of the finale and how it deals with moving on, but for those bored with the first two acts it is quite the tonal shift. So while I believe Ghost Cat Anzu has a pace & plot might not be for everyone, I believe that with it's strong character design and animation it is definitely a worthy lazy Sunday watch.

So I randomly saw an ad for this movie 2 days ago and drove 35 minutes to the theatre to see it today. For some reason the trailer just really impressed me especially the animation. I felt like the characters were well rounded and it was an overall lighthearted film, with some dark moments (in my opinion) which i will stop there to avoid spoilers. While I don't consider myself a very strict rater per say, there was just simply nothing I disliked about the film. It's broke my top 10 which it has been a while since I watched something that broke my top10. Overall, I don't normally take the time to write reviews and I was really surprised this is barely breaking a 6. The plot wasn't anything complicated but I think that's what I enjoyed about it compared to films that require more brainpower and analyzation to understand them. (Like suzume or the boy and the heron.)

Ghost Cat Anzu grabs attention immediately with its unique animation style. Using cutting-edge rotoscoping techniques, it achieves realistic movement without lifelessness—putting most anime to shame and redefining animation’s potential by blending real performances with whimsy. This French-Japanese co-production transforms a silly, plotless sitcom manga into a poignant coming-of-age story. In close-ups, every subtle expression is visible: Karin's clenched fists, eye rolls, and annoyed tongue clicks, along with Anzu's ears twitching when irritated. Only in rare wide shots does it falter (e.g., Karin’s stiff backpack grip at 00:23:00). The naturalistic dialogue (recorded simultaneously with filming) shuns anime’s exaggerated cadences. Karin’s muted 'I hate you!', Anzu’s lazy drawl 'Alrightymeow', and Tetsuya’s defeated mumbles feel as if they were ripped from a live-action drama. Even the sound design—moped engines, cicadas, distant train clatter—immerses without overstatement. You likely wouldn't be able to tell whether this was an anime or live action from the audio alone due to how un-anime-like it sounds. Articulation is definitely less pronounced compared to the average anime, but it doesn’t turn into a show with fast-talking characters, as is often the case with this approach. So, if you watch it subbed (which I recommend for a fully natural-sounding experience) you'll likely be spared from that.nnThe story takes what was originally just a collection of silly manga chapters about a ghost cat's daily misadventures and weaves them into a proper coming-of-age story. While most chapters were smoothly adapted and incorporated with purpose, the production also introduced characters not present in the source material, such as Karin and her family, as major players in the narrative.nnKarin, abandoned by her debt-ridden father, insists on searching for her missing father in Tokyo and visiting her mother’s grave—a thread that escalates into a literal journey to the underworld. From Anzu's growth from a reckless freeter to a protective guardian, to Karin's struggle with her mother's death and her unreliable father, the narrative gains emotional weight that elevates what could have been mere empty comedy. The underworld journey is not just spectacle but a metaphor for Karin's unresolved grief.nnThat said, not everything works. The crude toilet jokes feel out of place. Tetsuya's redemption happens entirely off-screen—we're simply told he became earnest. It felt rushed, considering we don’t actually see him do anything except being tortured by debt collectors. The supporting cast exists mostly for plot convenience rather than meaningful chemistry or thematic depth.nnThe extraordinary technical execution and heartfelt catharsis make it stand out compared to the other slop from 2024. While its story follows familiar coming-of-age beats that won’t rewrite cinema, it understands growth isn’t limited by age—whether you’re a grieving child, a deadbeat father, or a 37-year-old ghost cat.