Niketai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu aka A Whisker Away(2020) Review
Basic Story :- Directed by Sato Junichi, The film revolves around Sasaki Miyo, aka Muge, is a high schooler, whose mother divorced her father and now she lives with her father and step-mother, has a huge crush on Hinode Kento who didn't seem to appreciate it much. A supernatural cat sells a mask to Miyo with whose help Miyo can turn into a cat if she summersaults. At first it was all sunshine and rainbows for Miyo being a cat, taken care of by Hinode. She was named Taro after Hinode's dead dog. The sunshine soon got covered by dark clouds as Miyo started to become a cat forever. She travels to the secret realm of cats in search of the cat mask seller. Will she be able to become a human again?
The story is pretty great with a slight off guard plot twist. It also has a good pace and some humors that doesn't make it too depressing for children to watch. That's all I can say without giving spoilers.
Characters :- The main character, Miyo, is an energetic high schooler. She's so energetic that she's often referred as Miss Ultra Gaga or Enigmatic. However deep inside her she hides her pain. She truly loves Hinode, and she wishes to help her and thus visits her as Taro(her cat form). Hinode Kento, is a highschooler whose father is dead and the family of four(his sister, grandpa, mother and himself) is run by his grandpa and mother. Even though he has feelings for Miyo, he is hesitant to show it as he thinks Miyo might think he is pretty much useless.
The best of friends of each character, Fusake Yoriko(Miyo's best friend) and Isami Masamichi(Hinode's best friend) have played quite prominent roles with Isami being a bit overshadowed by Yoriko who has got equal amount screentime as the main characters.
Isami, Hinode, Miyo and Yoriko (From Left to right)
Taro(Miyo's cat form)The Mask Seller(Cat) is the main antagonist of the story.
Mask Seller(Cat)The other cast included, Sasaki Yoji(Miyo's father), Mizutani Kaoru(Miyo's Step-mother), Kinako(pet cat of Mizutani Kaoru) and her unnamed mother, the Hinode family and the human-cats who stopped living as human.
Miyo's mother, father and step-mother (From Left to Right)
Animations :- The anime was produced by a collaboration between Toho Animation and Twin Engine with Studio Colorido of Twin Engine leading the animation and they did a great job. The trailer already seem fascinating and the movie was even better. It was somewhat between the classic animation of Studio Ghibli and life-like as in CoMix wave.
BGM and OSTs :- The BGMs were great to be honest. The drum sound while Miyo does some stuff indicating her enigmatic nature was hilarious, which were equally accompanied by soft music when required. The two songs, Usotsuki and Hana ni Borei, by Yorushika were great and soft, fitting for a mild romantic film as this.
Final Thoughts :- The movie is absolutely great, keeping in my mind it is labelled as a children's movie. If you want something to enjoy rather than hardcore romantics and lighten your heart a bit, this is probably one of the best choices. Not only you can see it with kids but the entire family will enjoy it. Great for a Sunday movie time with family. If you're alone then too its length being only 104 min, including credits, is definitely more than worth it.
Ratings :- 8/10
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Looks interesting
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