Review of A Whisker Away

A Whisker Away is sequenced in a structure that appears in many Disney films where the main character is swayed by temptations from an outsider and supplies that temptation with interest which leads to a climactic ending chase to return balance back to the main character. It's not as innovative as I thought when I saw the Netflix PV which was underwhelming; in short, it's just a girl who gets close to a guy because of the powers of changing into a cat with a mask and eventually losing touch with humans to be close with the guy. Is it worth the watch? If youenjoyed films like Weathering with you, Little Mermaid etc. you'd find a shred of interest in this film.

Story: 2/10
The story of a cat mask that transforms humans at will is intriguing to say the least but that idea is a preset for any other item such as the ability to become human from a mermaid in order to fall in love with the human prince (Little Mermaid), become a human from a fish to fall in love with a human boy (Ponyo) and many more Disney/Pixar creations. The story itself is not a unique creation that I have reason to believe stemmed from the idea that a romantic story with a climactic love conflict happy ending will be successful.

Netflix have been known to adapt some largely unsuccessful stories into anime and this film is one that I have no idea how it became an anime since the plot structure is overused.

Art & Sound: 7/10
Very good visuals and sound design.

Character: 3/10
The film is very vague in terms of character development, it opens up without much information which is confusing until we understand MC has an ability to turn into a cat on command via cat mask; especially the memory she has when she is with Hinode where she kisses him in human form despite physically being a cat.

In the climax, where Miyo gives up her human mask there isn't much interesting content which is concerning because it (again) follows the typical Disney princess trying to reverse her mistakes to be with her Prince Charming. Very predictable progression.

Enjoyment: 5/10
The moment where Hinode realizes his mistakes with Miyo on his lap as the adolescent kitten was my favorite scene in the entire film because it showed the most realistic character progression climax. it also was the pivotal event that the film built up to it, no regrets - but the rest of the film was mundane.