A Formalist Criticism Approach to Aoi Hiiragi’s “The Cat Returns”

Aoi Hiiragi’s “The Cat Returns” is a phenomenal Japanese animated movie that can
change your perspective towards cats. The movie was captivating as it connects humans
into the cat world. A story about a female protagonist in her journey through the Cat
Kingdom, by saving a cat prince and battling against the cat king surely is unique. The
story revolves between the human world and the Cat Kingdom, as the movie says so. Its
plot flow is fascinating, which capture’s the viewers’ attention. It is important to analyze
the story if you want to know its message and deepen your understanding of it. The
protagonist, Haru, lives with her mom in a town in Japan. Their house is old-fashioned but
has modern equipment inside of it. Just after 5 minutes when watching the movie, it
already starts with impossible things and makes it more interesting to watch. A cat that
stands and talks fluently to humans? It is unbelievable and fun to watch.

After this dialogue proceeds of her explaining to her friend, Hiromi about it, then
obviously, she did not believe what Haru said. People who experience things normally will
not take these things seriously, but those who have the first experience of it do. Proceeding
to Haru asking her mother about her talking to cats, her mother reminisces and remembers
that Haru did talk to cats before. This scene can be associated with the protagonist’s
connection to cats before up to her present. Another scene that broadens the plot is when a
group of cats came to the protagonist’s house and within the clowder is the king’s assistant
Natoru and the Cat King himself. It shows respect and gratitude to the Cat Kingdom for
saving their prince from danger. Looking at the protagonist’s point of view, the things that
are happening in her life seem like a dream. The treatment of the plot between the cat and
humans shows equality between them. The two worlds are joined and separated at the
same time, thus do not judge each other but mind their businesses. Haru is portrayed as a
simple high school girl but has an ability as a cat whisperer, and made her unique among
other people.

Later, after the confrontation of the Cat King and the protagonist, the influence that
the king gave, shows his power even in the human world. There is no diminishing side for
the cats when entering the world of humans, meaning that there are no superior to the
humans, vice versa. Given this situation, Haru was led to a path that is in the middle of the
world of cats and humans. She met three cats that can help her to find a solution to her
problem, as she was planned to be married to the Cat Prince Lune. Haru and the cats we’re
conversing, there come dusk and a crow suddenly came into life from being a stone. A
magical scene that a crow can be referenced from gargoyles, which are carved figures of a
human or animal, in this case, a crow. The story was beautifully presented and is intricate,
which will be tackled later on. After the crow Toto became alive, shows contrast in idealism
between him and the large cat Muta. Toto is a character who shows appreciation and
kindness to people who’ve done kindness towards another, on the other hand, Muta is a cat
who chooses to mind your own business. By watching, it can be seen that Muta is against
the idea of helping the girl, but since Baron (still, a cat) is their leader, he is the one that
they will follow.

Their leader makes tea and amazes Haru, a step unconsciously becoming Baron her
crush. Middleway, Muta, and Baron argued about saving Haru. She then decides that it may
be better if she will just go home. Having this scenario while helping they are helping you,
can be discouraging. Thinking that you are a heavy load can make you feel down and just
don’t want anybody to help you, having that mindset. Baron then convinces Muta in the end
to be a part of their journey on finding a solution. That solution is for Haru to stay in their
place along with Muta and only Baron and Toto will go to the kingdom and talk with
diplomacy, but the king’s assistant comes and kidnaps Haru. It can show the sense of the
Cat Kingdom that Haru may not want to be the prince’s bride and in desperation, tries to
forcibly bring her to the kingdom. Moments before that, Baron told Haru a memorable
statement, “Haru, you need to think about how you can learn to be yourself. Then, you
should have nothing to fear.”. It is an important statement that should be remembered,
because of the meaning that it gives. We need to be ourselves, deepen our understanding of
ourselves, and only then, we should have nothing to fear.

Cats from the Kingdom of Cats suddenly infiltrated the cat’s office and surrounded
Haru, eventually bringing them with her. It shows the kingdom’s will on doing what the
king had planned, making Haru a bride of the prince. The protagonist’s allies were alerted
and rushed to bring Haru back to them. Since Haru did not want to be the prince’s wife, she
argued with the king’s assistant Natoru. This shows the protagonist will not be under
someone’s authority. The chasing incident continues, but in the end, the crow and the
leader did not keep up with them at the same time. Only Muta was with Haru and the other
two went on their journey to find the kingdom which is a paw-shaped landform. Their
concern for the protagonist is an indication that they cared for her and want to solve her
problem. Haru and Muta then entered the Kingdom of Cats. It then changes the physical
aspect of the protagonist in terms of height, she was smaller than her companion, but that
is all that changed when they entered the kingdom. Haru was then warned by a small white
cat with a ribbon on her neck, named Yuki, to go back to the human world as soon as
possible but she disagrees and continued to go towards the castle.

Later on, a necklace was put onto Haru and turned her into a cat. A scene that shows
the superiority of the Cat King in the movie and the oppression of Haru which led to her
sorrow. Muta, on the other hand, was trapped by his greediness and gluttony which led to
his near-death experience in a pitcher filled with jelly. Baron’s perseverance is also notable
as he risked saving Haru from the castle. Then Prince Lune came after the chasing of the
Kingdom against Haru and the two, which professed his love and decision on marrying
Yuki. The King respected his decision but not Haru’s plan, which is to escape before
becoming a true cat if she stayed after dawn. A duel has been done by Baron and Cat King
to show who is more superior, but Baron won in an instant, leaving the king furless from
the bottom. The team’s coordination was also a good representation of how much they care
for Haru and want her back to the human world. The prince then cheered and showed their
support for the protagonist, in the end, the king lost and Haru came back to her world,
falling in love with Baron. This shows the influence one can give to a person and change
one’s perspective of the world and make themselves a better person.