Baron: The Cat Returns

Loved the movie and the book. Would highly recommend both. Great for kids (and adults) of all ages. Enough drama to make enjoyable. Loved the depiction of cats! Awesome to have a manga without sexually objectifying women/girls, etc.

After watching the movie for years I bought the bill for my son. Lifelong family favorite. He enjoyed the book.

The original manga of The Cat Returns by Aoi Hiiragi has a much more subtle, evocative message than its movie adaptation. The manga's primary theme involves coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, and it has a more magical realist touch that blurs the line between inner and outer. However, the movie solely places emphasis on believing in oneself, which feels trite by itself. It, thereby, changed significant plot elements, which degraded Aoi Hiiragi's original numinous vision. Moreover, the manga has many oneiric scenes that the movie left out, some of which tread on metaphysical territory that is difficult to discuss without spoiling. The manga has a high-art vibe that makes you question whether our inner worlds could be considered "alive" and what it means to bond with other beings; it effectively conveys such profound, deep questions through its use of ambiguity during key moments, giving it an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere. The manga somewhat resembles a story by Kenji Miyazawa.Overall, I recommend the manga. The movie did a disservice to Aoi Hiiragi's vision. It is very hard to appreciate a movie adaptation when you see how superior the original source material is. Granted, I still recommend watching the movie but only after you've read the manga. It is nice to compare and contrast them. Finally, on a humorous note, the title "The Cat Returns" doesn't make sense in the context of the movie's plot, but it does makes sense in relation to the original manga.The original manga of The Cat Returns by Aoi Hiiragi has a much more subtle, evocative message than its movie adaptation. The manga's primary theme involves coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, and it has a more magical realist touch that blurs the line between inner and outer. However, the movie solely places emphasis on believing in oneself, which feels trite by itself. It, thereby, changed significant plot elements, which degraded Aoi Hiiragi's original numinous vision. Moreover, the manga has many oneiric scenes that the movie left out, some of which tread on metaphysical territory that is difficult to discuss without spoiling. The manga has a high-art vibe that makes you question whether our inner worlds could be considered "alive" and what it means to bond with other beings; it effectively conveys such profound, deep questions through its use of ambiguity during key moments, giving it an ethereal and mysterious atmosphere. The manga somewhat resembles a story by Kenji Miyazawa.Overall, I recommend the manga. The movie did a disservice to Aoi Hiiragi's vision. It is very hard to appreciate a movie adaptation when you see how superior the original source material is. Granted, I still recommend watching the movie but only after you've read the manga. It is nice to compare and contrast them. Finally, on a humorous note, the title "The Cat Returns" doesn't make sense in the context of the movie's plot, but it does makes sense in relation to the original manga.The manga is one volume and pretty short. My criticism of the movie is that it changed the fundamental meaning of the story. The movie did adapt pretty much everything from the manga, but it changed some significant plot elements.

It’s super cute, and the film is fairly close to this (the manga came out first). I really like it, very pleased.

As the title says - thought I'd point this out since it's not in the books description. I purchased this for my daughter based on the reviews, but somehow missed that this was a graphic novel / manga book and it basically confused her and she stopped reading it. Never heard of the movie (we don't watch these sorts of shows). Mostly, my daughter liked the picture of the cat and since this book showed up in "Kids books" on amazon, I figured I'd give it a go. I'm sure it's a fantastic story and wonderful book - but it's poorly described and isn't the sort of book my kids or I are in to. So, it's going back. I'm giving this 5 starts so I don't hurt the rating of the book any - my review is here for informational purposes so the uninitiated such as myself can be informed.

Cute story. Likeable characters. I love concept of a parallel worlds cats can travel between. Great artwork. No wonder why the story was turned into a movie by Studio Ghibli.

It was so cool to see the difference between the book ( i think its actual a manga or comic book but calling it a book works too ) and the movie but just like the movie the book is short too but dont let that deter you from reading it. the art style is very expressive, enduring, and most of all charming. you will love the book as much as the movie. have fun looking at some of my favorite facial expression in it.

I adored the movie "The Cat Returns" and always wanted to get the manga as well, it's a very adorable and sweet, silly story.

Quand j'ai découvert qu'il existait un manga one-shot à la base de mon animé préféré des Studios Ghibli, à savoir "Le Royaume des Chats", j'étais persuadée de ne le trouver qu'en japonais. Imaginez donc ma joie quand j'ai eu la chance de le trouver en anglais ! Je me suis empressée de l'acheter et je suis loin d'être déçue !On retrouve la trame et les personnages principaux du film d'animation : Haru, la jeune fille maladroite qui sauve un chat et qui se retrouve malgré elle coincée au Royaume des Chats, obligée d'épouser ledit chat; Hiromi sa meilleure amie qui ne comprend pas toujours ses excentricités; Baron, la figurine-chat dotée d'une âme, courageux et élégant; Muta le gros chat blanc et Toto le corbeau de pierre lui aussi doté d'une âme...Ce manga rassemble les ingrédients principaux du film d'animation mais étonnera même ceux qui l'ont déjà vu car certains éléments sont complètement différents ! L'apparence même des personnages est différente, surtout en ce qui concerne le personnage de Baron.En bref, cette jolie découverte est un coup de coeur pour moi qui adore "Le Royaume des Chats" ! Si vous aussi vous aimez ce film des Studios Ghibli, le manga ne manquera pas de vous plaire !

Lovely pictures and a great story that matches the film! I also enjoyed the Japanese sound effects with translation at the back

Great read for my 11 year old manga and studio Ghibli lover.

came earlier than expected. very pleased with it as have the film already. beautiful :)

thanks