Anime·Catalogue
Cover art for The Cat Returns
7.60Community score
from 37,835 ratings

BGreat · #748

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猫の恩返し

The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns is something of a loose spin-off of "Whisper of the Heart" as it features two characters from that film: Muta (the cat from "Whisper") and the Baron (the cat statue from "Whisper"). There is no other connection between the two movies and this is not a sequel. The story is based on Neko no Danshaku (Baron of Cat) by Hiiragi Aoi. The main character of the story, Haru, is a clueless, ordinary 17-year-old girl. She has no special abilities and neither is she an extraordinary beauty. When faced with reality, she is unable to make decisions for herself, thus often sways to others' opinions to avoid challenge. One day, Haru saves the life of a cat without considering her own safety. The cat turns out to be the Cat Prince from the Kingdom of Cats, however as a result, Haru is trapped in the world of cats. Can Baron and Muta rescue Haru who has wandered into the world of cats? (Source: AniDB, edited)

Names

Original猫の恩返し (japanese)
RomajiNeko no Ongaeshi
EnglishThe Cat Returns
Chinese貓的報恩 (traditional · via wikidata)
Also known asHaru en el Reino de los Gatos · O Reino dos Gatos · Le Royaume des chats · Narzeczona dla kota · Das Königreich der Katzen · Katteprinsen · La ricompensa del gatto · Katternas Rike · Kissojen Valtakunta

Facts

FormatFeature film · 1 ep · 75 min · 1h total
Aired2002-07-20 (Summer 2002)
StatusFINISHED
StudioStudio Ghibli
SourceManga
OriginJapan (Anime)
DemographicShoujo
GenresAdventureComedyDramaFantasy
ThemesAnthropomorphismAnimalsFairy TaleFemale ProtagonistNekomimiPrimarily Animal CastRoyal AffairsShoujoKemonomimiArranged MarriageInterspecies
StreamingNetflix · Max · Max

Reception

Community score7.60 / 10
Bayesian score7.60 / 10
Composite62.5
On lists79,188
Favourited1,886 (2.4%)
Completion98.0%
Drop rate0.2%
In backlog21.2%
Score spread σ1.53

Score distribution

113221043325459552,03164,12879,715810,29396,606103,906

Where it places

CohortValueTierRank
Broadcast seasonSummer 20023 of 24
StudioStudio Ghibli9 of 18
Year2002A11 of 142
EraEarly 2000sA45 of 687
DemographicShoujoB45 of 297
FormatFeature filmB148 of 997
LengthMovieB148 of 997
Season (all years)SummerA167 of 1,662
GenreAdventureB190 of 1,534
GenreFantasyB231 of 2,142
GenreComedyA313 of 3,488
GenreDramaB415 of 1,917
Source materialMangaB442 of 3,025
OriginJapanB721 of 7,157

Key staff

DirectorHiroyuki Morita, Koujirou Tsuruoka
Character designSatoko Morikawa
Original creatorAoi Hiiragi

AniList id 597 · MAL id 597 · record updated 2026-08-27