Ghost Cat Anzu

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11-year-old Karin (voiced by GOTO Noa) isn’t happy when her good-for-nothing father drops her off at her grandfather’s temple to stay while he runs away from the loan sharks on his tail, nor is she excited when she meets Anzu (voiced by MORIYAMA Mirai): her grandfather’s 37-year-old, six foot tall, bipedal, talking cat. Anzu is a bakeneko, or a ghost cat. He works part-time as a chiropractor, rides a moped and likes going down to the pachinko parlour.

At first, Anzu is reluctant to look after Karin. But seeing her desperate wish to be with her deceased mother once again on the anniversary of her death, he joins her. Together, this unusual pair set off on an extraordinary, magical journey, where they even find themselves on the path down to the underworld itself!

Directed by KUNO Yoko and YAMASHITA Nobuhiro, this quirky Japanese-French co-production is a visually stunning joy to watch that brings the world of yokai (ghosts) to vibrant, charming life.

Screening as part of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2025, under this year's theme Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema