Ghost Cat Anzu anime review: Compelling characters save a complex story

Early indie anime film Ghost Cat Anzu, The aforementioned ghost cat is arrested for driving his motorcycle without a license. The ghost objects that he doesn’t know this because he’s a cat. necessary a license. His large round face contorts into expressions ranging from mock innocence to anger. He finally allowed the cop to put his large, blocky figure in the back of the small squad car, but let out a shriek. “Meoooooooo” Sounds familiar to anyone who has dealt with a nervous cat. The scene really amplifies what the movie does best: combines magic and ordinariness with lots of great character caricatures.

Ghost Cat Anzu it doesn’t always hit the mark, especially in terms of emotional progress. However, veteran anime and live action director Nobuhiro Yamashita (Linda Linda Linda) and first-time feature film director Yōko Kuno still delivers an excellent film because the characters are so much fun to watch on screen.

(ed. Notes: This post contains some installation spoilers Ghost Cat Anzu.)

It is adapted from the manga of the same name by Takashi Imashiro. Ghost Cat Anzu The film begins with 11-year-old Karin having to spend her school holidays with her monk grandfather at his temple; Meanwhile, his widowed father is running away from angry loan sharks. Karin is understandably upset, and becomes even more upset when her grandfather entrusts her to his strange, slightly anthropomorphic ghost cat. Anzu is a 37-year-old cat that Karin’s grandfather adopted decades ago; Apparently, when a cat reached the end of its life, instead of dying, it turned into an anthropomorphic ghost-cat-person. Anzu is carefree, a bit irresponsible with money, and not too keen on taking care of a moody 11-year-old girl.

But the two eventually become close, even after a series of setbacks triggered by Anzu withholding earnings from Karin’s job so she can spend Karin’s money on her own vices. After Karin’s father does not show up for the anniversary of her mother’s death, Karin travels to Tokyo with Anzu and insists that he take her to the land of the dead so she can see her mother, knowing that she has a connection with spirits and gods. .

Ghost Cat Anzu The mix of the mundane and the legendary works best when balanced. For example, Anzu inviting a group of forest spirits to her temple for a party is a humorous set-up that gives Karin a chance to relate her feelings to the ragtag group. But the final journey to the land of the dead ends up dragging and muddying the film’s message.

Still, Ghost Cat Anzu The characters are endearing because of their tactility and expressiveness. Mythical creatures like Anzu and the forest spirits she befriends are particularly evocative. Their designs range from vaguely anthropomorphic to downright beasts; In between, there’s plenty of leeway for mushroom creatures and demon-like oni. However, even human characters who are depicted more simply, such as the two boys who fall in love with Karin, are given very impressive moments. Their eyes are just simple black dots, but they have a wide variety of exaggerated facial animations.

Karin is the most traditional looking anime character with her big eyes and tiny nose. But the animators aren’t afraid to make him look cowardly. His face distorts further as he rolls his eyes, gives looks of disgust and disdain, cocks his nose smugly, smiles evilly, and ugly sheds large, tearful tears. Just watching him or any character react to any given scenario is fascinating.

The animation really anchors the film, which otherwise feels a bit unbalanced, especially in terms of Anzu and Karin’s relationship. It’s hard to buy into their eventual friendship when so much of the focus of the story is on the complications that arise from their clashing personalities and incompatibilities. Karin’s story also feels disjointed, weakened by family drama that’s only hinted at and a supernatural plot that gets too heavy without much build-up. The final major character decision comes almost out of nowhere, and given everything we’re told about his family’s situation, it feels jarring.

Still, it’s hard to look at the way these characters act, behave, and express their emotions. Their world is comfortable and full of warm colors, but the animators don’t shy away from making the characters look strange. These physical oddities make the more emotionally vulnerable moments hit even harder, even though those tender scenes feel well-deserved. But it’s a lot of fun to watch a giant cat have a beef with a precocious fifth grader, then still go out of his way to help him, especially when the character designs are this funky and cool.

Ghost Cat Anzu In theaters on November 15.