The Cat Returns is a 2002 Japanese animated drama film directed by Hiroyuki Morita of Studio Ghibli based on a manga of the same name by Aoi Hiiragi. It was theatrically released in Japan in 2002 and in 2003 in the United States through Walt Disney Pictures. It received an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival. The story is of a girl named Haru, a quiet, shy and unassuming high school student who has a suppressed ability to talk with cats. One day, she saves a darkly-colored, odd-eyed cat from being hit by a truck on a busy road. The cat is Lune, Prince of the Cat Kingdom.... As thanks, the cats give Haru gifts of catnip and mice, and she is offered the Prince's hand in marriage. Her mixed reply is taken as a yes. Wanting none of this, Haru hears a kind, female voice, which tells her to seek the Cat Bureau. Haru meets Muta, a large white cat the voice told her to seek for directions, who leads her there to meet the Baron , who is a cat figurine given life by the work of his artist, and Toto, a stone raven who comes to life much like the Baron.
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| Release date: | July 20, 2002 |
| Directed by: | Hiroyuki Morita |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 75 Minutes |
| Genre: | Fantasy, Adventure, Children's, Animation |