Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 25, 2025

“Ghost Cat Anzu” is an adaptation of a manga series that began in 2006. Directors Yoko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita have quite the dramatic challenge in the material, which initially delivers a mild sense of comedy and episodic experiences, only to end with a battle between supernatural forces. The first half of the picture works the best, capturing a very strange but amusing sense of oddity with the eponymous character and his daily adventures. Once heavier plotting and fantasy worlds join the endeavor, “Ghost Cat Anzu” loses most of its appeal.

Karin is traveling to meet her grandfather, Osho, joined by her father, Tetsuya, who’s looking for a handout from his parent due to rising gambling debts. Osho refuses, but allows Karin to stay with him as Tetsuya leaves to find quick cash, putting the 5th grader in a difficult position of abandonment after the recent loss of her mother. While trying to understand her rural surroundings, Karin is confronted by Anzu, a 37-year-old ghost cat who lives with Osho, going about his business as a masseuse and local pal to most. As Karin deals with her emotional issues, she’s drawn to Anzu’s strange ways, which help to introduce her to the feline’s fantasy friends, giving her company while she wonders if her father will ever return.

Anzu is quite the character. He’s a cat with human qualities, raised by Osho into an adult battling some control issues (e.g. he breaks wind at dinner and urinates in the front yard), but Anzu seems to be earnest in his intentions. “Ghost Cat Anzu” tracks his connection to Karin, who’s dealing with a lot after her mother passes away, while her father’s in deep with gambling debts, unable, or unwilling, to take on parental responsibility. The first half of the picture examines Karin’s introduction to Anzu’s world, gently pulled into the cat’s orbit as he offers company and some form of protection, working to keep the God of Poverty away from the child, who’s already stocked up on bad luck.

“Ghost Cat Anzu” was reportedly created via rotoscoping, and dialogue was recorded in the open world, giving the picture a very natural sound to go with its heightened animation. The creative approach really allows performances to shine, keeping Anzu playful and weird, while character interactions retain a sense of realism, giving the movie a special atmosphere. And while there’s initially not much of a story to follow, “Ghost Cat Anzu” wins on mood and oddity, finding additional fantasy creatures joining the party, including a neighboring frog and a giant mushroom, creating a community of bizarre sights to add to Karin’s crazy experience.

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a colorful world for "Ghost Cat Anzu." Summery hues are protected, exploring rich greenery, and more defined primaries are captured on decorative additions and demon activity, which secure deep reds and blues. Evening acting also handles with a cooler sense of artistry. Animation detail is preserved, exploring odd character designs and active locations. Delineation is satisfactory. Some very mild banding is detected during the viewing experience.

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA Japanese mix supplies an open world for "Ghost Cat Anzu," leading with dialogue exchanges, which retain their original recorded quality. Performance choices are distinct. Scoring cues are clear, maintaining sharp instrumentation and position. Surrounds are occasionally alert with musical moods, while atmospherics are more defined, exploring exteriors and action beats, including a few panning effects. Low-end isn't challenged.

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Teasers and Trailers (4:10, HD) are included.

Ghost Cat Anzu Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Ghost Cat Anzu" takes a detour into the unreal, sending the characters through a public toilet portal to the Kingdom of the Dead, where some emotional business is meant to be settled for Karin and her grief. It's a turn of tone that doesn't quite work for such a casually goofy picture, and pacing slowly dies in the third act, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion. However, up to the dance with demons, "Ghost Cat Anzu" retains a bit of charm and delivers interesting creative achievements, making for an appropriate double feature with Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox."