The Cat Returns (2002): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Cat Returns is a 2002 animated drama directed by Hiroyuki Morita, starring Chizuru Ikewaki as Haru Yoshioka (voice), Takayuki Yamada and Tetsu Watanabe. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes and earned $54.7 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 15m (75 min)
- Director
- Hiroyuki Morita
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- Studio Ghibli
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Cat Returns About?
The premise of The Cat Returns without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
It’s not so bad being a cat, now is it? Young Haru rescues a cat from being run over, but soon learns it’s no ordinary feline; it happens to be the Prince of the Cats.
The Cat Returns Cast & Characters
Chizuru Ikewaki leads the cast as Haru Yoshioka (voice), with Takayuki Yamada as Lune (voice) and Tetsu Watanabe as Muta (voice). Directed by Hiroyuki Morita; 14 actors are credited in all.
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Director Hiroyuki Morita
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Chizuru Ikewaki as Haru Yoshioka (voice) -
Takayuki Yamada as Lune (voice) -
Tetsu Watanabe as Muta (voice) -
Yoshihiko Hakamada as Baron (voice)
Also Starring in The Cat Returns
· 10 more- Yousuke Saito Toto (voice)
- Tetsuro Tamba Cat King (voice)
- Aki Maeda Yuki (voice)
- Hitomi Sato Hiromi (voice)
- Mari Hamada Natoru (voice)
- Kenta Satoi Natori (voice)
- Ken Yasuda Machida (voice)
- Kumiko Okae Haru's Mother (voice)
- Yo Oizumi Japanese Teacher (voice)
- Yoko Honna Chika (voice)
The Cat Returns Plot Summary
What happens in The Cat Returns from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Haru Yoshioka is a shy but noble high school student who carries a quiet, almost magical ability to talk with cats. When she bravely saves a cat from a speeding truck, she discovers that the rescued feline is Lune, the Prince of the Cat Kingdom, a revelation that pulls her from the ordinary into a realm of whimsy and danger. The cats shower Haru with curious gifts—catnip and mice—along with an offer that would bind her to the Prince. Her reaction is cautious, and her mixed reply is interpreted as an acceptance.
Full summary
The whole story of The Cat Returns, scene by scene
The Cat Returns Box Office
The Cat Returns grossed $54.7 million worldwide. $563,718 came from the US and Canada and $54.1 million (99%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$54.7M
- US & Canada
- $563.7K
- International
- $54.1M
The Cat Returns Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 3 trailers.
- Trailer Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 Trailer
- Trailer Ghibli Fest 2024 Trailer
How Well Do You Know The Cat Returns?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the shy high‑school student who can talk to cats?
The Cat Returns Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “Neko no Ongaeshi” and “Віддяка кота”.
- Also known as
-
- Neko no Ongaeshi
- Віддяка кота
- Кицина подяка
- O Reino dos Gatos
- Haru en el Reino de los Gatos
- El Regreso del Gato
- Das Königreich der Katzen, le royaume des chats
- 貓之報恩
- Η Επιστροφή της Γάτας
- 猫的报恩
- Возвращение кота
- SİHİRLİ KEDİ
+25 more Show fewer
- Le Royaume des chats
- Kissojen valtakunta
- La ricompensa del gatto
- Macskák királysága
- Katteprinsen
- Narzeczona dla kota
- Království koček
- 고양이의 보은
- ממלכת החתולים
- Sihirli Kedi
- Котяча вдячність
- Kráľovstvo mačiek
- La Haru al regne dels gats
- 貓的報恩
- Краљевство мачака
- بازگشت گربه
- Katternas rike
- Завръщането на котката
- عودة القط
- เจ้าแมวยอดนักสืบ
- Loài Mèo Trả Ơn
- Katino grįžimas
- Kattenes verden
- Povratak mačke, კატის დაბრუნება
- Regatul pisicilor
Seen The Cat Returns?
The Cat Returns FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Cat Returns, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Cat Returns?
The Cat Returns runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).
When was The Cat Returns released?
The Cat Returns was released on July 19, 2002.
Who directed The Cat Returns?
The Cat Returns was directed by Hiroyuki Morita.
More films by Hiroyuki Morita Who is in the cast of The Cat Returns?
The Cat Returns stars Chizuru Ikewaki as Haru Yoshioka (voice), Takayuki Yamada as Lune (voice) and Tetsu Watanabe as Muta (voice), among 14 credited actors.
How much did The Cat Returns make at the box office?
The Cat Returns grossed $54.7 million worldwide ($563,718 domestic, $54.1 million international).
Does The Cat Returns have a post-credit scene?
No. The Cat Returns has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Cat Returns in?
The original language of The Cat Returns is Japanese.
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