When there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? What if he’s got a friendly face and paws that can give you an unbelievable massage? Such is the setup of Ghost Cat Anzu, a charming Japanese-French co-production that’s sure to charm feline fans of all ages. While its world carries some surprisingly dark undertones, it never strays too far from its whimsical charm, and the story ultimately shows how one silly, farting ghost cat can bring together an entire family.
Karin is a young girl who, on a whim, is taken by her father to her grandfather’s temple, in the hopes that his grace might be able to save them from her father’s latest loan shark endeavor. When old tension comes up and her father is angrily rejected, Karin is temporarily (?) left at the temple while her father takes care of business. While there, she encounters a large, talking cat named Anzu, who seems to be just another townfolk to everybody else. When Anzu is left to babysit the lonely Karin, an attempt to get into her favor by letting her see her mother turns into a supernatural disaster.
There are a lot of easy comparisons that could be made between Anzu and Totoro – on the surface, they’re both adorable, very marketable potential mascot characters. While Anzu is certainly big enough to be as cuddly as Totoro, don’t be surprised if he squeezes out a fart in the process. At some point, Anzu evolved from a housecat into a dad, from the dad jokes to the less favorable traits (like a pachinko addiction). While the world isn’t exactly as hostile to an oversized cat as you might expect, he doesn’t get any free passes – such as when he’s caught on a joyride by the police. “Seeing as I’m not human, I didn’t think I needed a license,” Anzu protests, as the mighty hand of the law pushes him into a squad car through his yowls.
As silly as some parts of the film are, it can be a bit of a surprise when darker elements of the story roll in, especially once Anzu has made a deal to take Karin to the underworld to see her mother. This, of course, upsets the natural balance of things, with Karin, Anzu, and her mother being on the run from demons who have every intent to send them to hell…well, a Buddhist equivalent. While the film does have some spiritual themes that will be commonly recognized by a Japanese audience, understanding them isn’t required for the movie. For younger viewers, without giving away spoilers, it might be better if they don’t understand the ins and outs of the implications of what Karin’s mother is put through.
The film’s animation is another highlight, with fluid motion and vibrant colors that bring its world to life. The art style leans into its whimsical elements, making even the most outlandish scenarios feel natural within its universe. (The giant frog runs a hot springs? Why not?) The character designs are expressive, especially Anzu’s, whose shifting facial expressions perfectly capture his mischievous yet lovable personality. The backgrounds are rich with detail, immersing the audience in the town’s unique atmosphere, from the tranquil temple grounds to the moody colors of the underworld.
Despite its supernatural premise, the film remains deeply human at its core. It touches on themes of family, loss, and personal responsibility, all wrapped in a quirky yet heartfelt narrative. Anzu may be a giant, talking cat with a penchant for mischief, but his relationship with Karin is one of genuine care and growth. Through their journey together, both characters have to grow up quite a bit – though whether Anzu is capable of “growing up” is a matter in and of itself. As much as loss and separation hurt, as much safety as there is in familiarity, sometimes life has to change. It can be a rough ride (hell of a ride, even), but the journey is well worth taking – especially when you’re young, as Karin’s mother reassures her – “Karin, you have so much life ahead of you. Enjoy it, all the fun things life has to offer.”
The English dub features solid performances from a cast of mostly smaller VAs, with Jason Simon doing an exceptional job bringing the lovable cat to life – really, the butter on the bread. Keen listeners might be able to pinpoint Erica Schroeder as Karin’s mother, though she has a broad and exceptional enough range in her talent that it doesn’t sound like Luffy is reassuring his daughter. Also, versus the previously reviewed Sirocco, GKIDS is putting out a Blu-ray release for this one, ensuring it doesn’t go without a physical release or the exposure it deserves.
Overall, Ghost Cat Anzu is a charming, humorous tale of adventure, with much of that charm being carried by its life-sized kitty. While its tone could be described as a bit confused with its darker elements, it doesn’t spend an exceptional amount of time on the bleakness of death. There’s just enough for Karin and Anzu to grow as characters – to appreciate life, the family, people, and situations they’ve been given, no matter how unusual. And no matter how they smell.
Ghost Cat Anzu is available digitally for rent or purchase, with an upcoming Blu-ray release from GKIDS.