"Ghost Cat Anzu" is a supernatural adventure film that combines live-action cinema and rotoscoped animation--actors were filmed first, and then their performances were transformed into fluid, expressive animated characters with a cartoony aesthetic by drawing over each frame.
The French-Japanese eccentric co-production follows an 11-year-old girl named Karin and a giant, anthropomorphic cat-like spirit named Anzu, who helps Karin cope with her absent father.
Directors Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita adapted the film from a manga.
Karin and Anzu work odd jobs together before embarking on a mission to bring back Karin's mother from the underworld. They encounter other divine entities living alongside humans in the countryside, with the narrative shifting to Tokyo and the underworld, leading to an unexpected and violent final act.
The film mixes elements of daily life with supernatural adventures, reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away".
The blend of live-action and animation captures a sense of realism, with vibrant watercolors reminiscent of neo-impressionist works. The character design distinguishes between locals and outsiders.
The voice performances, especially by Mirai Moriyama as Anzu, stand out in the film, along with the contrasting elements of music and art that add depth to the story.
Sources: Yahoo News, Deadline, Variety, and Screen Daily.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
