DVD Corner

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Review

“Ghost Cat Anzu” is a Studio Ghibli wannabe. 

Based on the manga series by Takashi Imashiro, “Ghost Cat Anzu” is a 2024 anime film set in the Japanese town Iketeru. The story begins with a father (Tetsuya) taking his fifth grade daughter (Karin) to the Sousei-Ji Temple where his father (and her grandfather) reside. Tetsuya winds up leaving Karin at the temple with his father to deal with his debts. Karin, meanwhile, is struggling. She lost her mom, she’s bored and lonely, and is grumpy that her father left her. While at the temple, she meets a motorbike riding, talking, walking, farting ghost cat named Anzu. The once abandoned cat never died and has somehow become more human like in his 37 years of life. Initially, Karin and Anzu don’t get along, but that changes over time. Karin spends her days wandering, meeting locals, and meeting Yokai. After trying to see her mother’s resting place (but getting shut out), Anzu and the God of Poverty lead her to the Kingdom of the Dead where she is able to see her mother. Karin tries to bring her mother back into the land of the living, but that decision has consequences. 

Directed by Toko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita and penned by Shinji Imaoka, “Ghost Cat Anzu” is a weird and often meandering anime film that feels like it desperately wishes it was a Studio Ghibli film. The entire story gives off a total “Spirited Away” vibe particularly in the second half. Speaking of which, ‘Anzu’ feels like two different movies. The first half is an oddball series of adventures involving Karin and Anzu. In the second half, the story actually comes alive as viewers get to venture to the Kingdom of the Dead and see Karin reunite with her mother. This section of the film is also fun to watch from a visual perspective with the landscape and creature designs. The Shin-Ei animation work (especially the backgrounds) is the best part of the entire film to be sure. 

Where ‘Anzu’ really falters is with the scripting. The first half doesn’t work, the humor falls flat, and it’s still unclear why no one seems concerned that a ghost cat or Yokai are wandering around. The character of Anzu is also underutilized. He just comes across as an odd, silly Heathcliff looking cat who kind of laughs like Wario. The story never does much with him.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The colorful animation shines in hi-def.

Audio Track: Japanese, English and French 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How do the tracks sound? The original language Japanese is the go to option here but the English dub is acceptable.

Extras include 1 teaser and 2 trailers for “Ghost Cat Anzu.”

March 1, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Anime Film, Ghost Cat Anzu, Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Review