Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 shows ‘The Cat Returns’

Cat fans take note: Another animated feature from Japan, “The Cat Returns,” will screen on Sunday, Monday and on April 25 at two area theaters: Regal’s Northtown Mall 12 and the Coeur d’Alene Riverstone Stadium 14 .

The 2002 film, which was directed by Hiroyuki Morita, is part of the ongoing Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 . As lovers of animation know, Studio Ghibli is the home of the great Hayao Miyazaki , creator of such classics as “Princess Mononoke” and “Spirited Away,” and Morita is one of Miyazaki’s students.

“The Cat Returns” tells the story of a young girl who, after helping a cat, finds herself betrothed to a cat prince. To escape, she has to rely on a cat statuette, clad in top hat and tails, who comes to life.

Here’s what Michael Booth of the Denver Post has to say about the film: “(Director) Morita has a slightly cruder, more realistic sense of the world and its looniness than does Miyazaki, and you can see where ‘The Cat Returns’ moves on a different track even as it pays homage to Japan’s current animation master.”

A dubbed version of the film will screen at 12:55 on Sunday and at 7 p.m. on April 25, while a subtitled version will screen at 7 p.m. Monday. Ticket information is readily available on the theater websites.

Don’t forget to bring along some kitty treats.