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Mimi wo Sumaseba #3
Baron: Neko No Danshaku
The story follows a girl called Haru, a quiet, shy and unassuming high school student who has a long-suppressed ability to talk to cats. One day, she saves a darkly-colored, odd-eyed cat from being hit by a truck on a busy road. The cat turns out to be Lune, Prince of the Cat Kingdom. In return, the cats shower her with gifts of catnip and mice. She is then offered the Prince's hand in marriage.
204 pages, Comic
First published January 1, 2002
20 people are currently reading
1237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 12, 2016
I am a huge Studio Ghibli fan and my two favourite Ghibli films are definitely "Howl's Mobing Castle" and "The Cat Returns". This manga version of the latter film is enchanting. The drawings are great - beautiful and yet always conveying the drama, humor and gentleness combined which makes this story one of the sweetest and best.
Fun Fact: I had a massive crush on Baron as a teenager - yes, I do know he's a cat. No, I don't care.
Fun Fact: I had a massive crush on Baron as a teenager - yes, I do know he's a cat. No, I don't care.
October 29, 2022
Sigh. This is the second time Goodreads has eaten a review I was working on. Let me try to reconstruct it.
I found Aoi Hiiragi’s wonderful YA graphic novel, Baron: The Cat Returns after seeing the English film version, with its stellar cast: Anne Hathaway as Haru, Tim Curry as the Cat King, Cary Elwes as the Baron, Peter Boyle as Muta, Elliott Gould as Toto, Rene Auberjonois as Natori, Andy Richter as Natori, and Judy Greer as Yuki.
It is a charming tale, of course, but it also is about the importance of being who you are, and not worrying about “fitting in”.
The book follows from an earlier work of Hiiragi’s: Whisper of the Heart, which I will be looking for next. Honestly, if works like these keep finding me, I can see a big obsession with Studio Ghibli and manga coming down the pike. Details, of course, as development happens. And, although I have no idea if he reads this blog, a huge thank you to my old college buddy, Joe Sullivan, who keeps encouraging me to dip my toes into the manga pool.
I found Aoi Hiiragi’s wonderful YA graphic novel, Baron: The Cat Returns after seeing the English film version, with its stellar cast: Anne Hathaway as Haru, Tim Curry as the Cat King, Cary Elwes as the Baron, Peter Boyle as Muta, Elliott Gould as Toto, Rene Auberjonois as Natori, Andy Richter as Natori, and Judy Greer as Yuki.
It is a charming tale, of course, but it also is about the importance of being who you are, and not worrying about “fitting in”.
The book follows from an earlier work of Hiiragi’s: Whisper of the Heart, which I will be looking for next. Honestly, if works like these keep finding me, I can see a big obsession with Studio Ghibli and manga coming down the pike. Details, of course, as development happens. And, although I have no idea if he reads this blog, a huge thank you to my old college buddy, Joe Sullivan, who keeps encouraging me to dip my toes into the manga pool.
June 14, 2015
I admit I saw the movie first, and many times, before I read this graphic novel. I liked the movie so much, I checked this one out and it didn't disappoint me. Haru's daily life goes by in a series of accidents and mishaps, so it's no surprise that by doing a good deed for a cat, she gets into serious feline trouble. Luckily for her, the Cat Office (called the Cat Bureau in the movie), in the form of the Baron, Muta, and Toto, help Haru out of her fishy situation. I do like this version, but I'm grateful for the movie director's additions that let Haru gain some self-confidence.
April 3, 2010
My wife got this for me. We really like the movie “The Cat Returns” put out by Studio Ghibli and we were pretty interested in the book the movie was based on.
It was not disappointing. I think I would say it’s better than the movie and different enough that if you’ve already seen the movie, there are still plenty of surprises. Also, there’s a setup for a sequel at the end. Recommended if you like manga!
It was not disappointing. I think I would say it’s better than the movie and different enough that if you’ve already seen the movie, there are still plenty of surprises. Also, there’s a setup for a sequel at the end. Recommended if you like manga!
March 25, 2018
This is a very fun manga. If you like cats, this is the perfect book.
September 2, 2018
This was such a cute little book! I loved the story and the artwork was really adorable.
September 29, 2023
4 stars
Absolutely adorable! A sweet story, humour and cats, the perfect combination!
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing 8
Drawing 7
Setup 8
Plot 8
Intrigue 8
Logic 8
Enjoyment 8
Absolutely adorable! A sweet story, humour and cats, the perfect combination!
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing 8
Drawing 7
Setup 8
Plot 8
Intrigue 8
Logic 8
Enjoyment 8
May 19, 2024
I have watched the movie before. Maybe I will rewatch it since I just read it. It was good. She kinda a furry. She real tho, the baron is hot. Muta is hot too. Toto is hot too, I wonder if he’s from Africa. Weird. I love you cervina.
December 13, 2021
*Score: 7.5/10*
This is the original story that the Ghibli Movie, The Cat Returns, is based on.
Its a pretty quick and light modern day fantasy story, about a girl that gets mixed up into some cat kingdom agenda after she saves a cat from an accident on the street.
Nice and cute art and story, very visual, and a really nice chill read and a break from bigger books. Nothing groundbreaking but still recommended as its a really cozy read, and provides a funny and heartwarming story.
This is the original story that the Ghibli Movie, The Cat Returns, is based on.
Its a pretty quick and light modern day fantasy story, about a girl that gets mixed up into some cat kingdom agenda after she saves a cat from an accident on the street.
Nice and cute art and story, very visual, and a really nice chill read and a break from bigger books. Nothing groundbreaking but still recommended as its a really cozy read, and provides a funny and heartwarming story.
March 28, 2024
I first saw the movie by Hayao Miyazaki, and it was my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE, and I never knew that there was a book. When I first found it on amazon and my mom bought it for me, I fell in love with it as soon as I opened up the book!
January 8, 2021
Mulle tuli üllatusena, et see on manga. Ei tea ise ka, aga kuidagi oli mulle mulje jäänud, et see on pikem, piltideta jutt. Arvan, et võib-olla juhtus nii seetõttu, et siiani pole Ghibli-mangat mulle ette sattunud. Kuid ma olen rahul!
Haru on teismeline tüdruk, kelle süda on õiges paigas ning veoki alla jääma hakkavat kassi nähes, päästab ta looma ära. Kass on aga kassikuninga poeg. Tänutäheks poja päästmise eest otsustab kõrgeauline hiirekütt osutada neiule suurimat au ja panna ta oma pojaga paari. See, et üks on inimene ja teine kass, pole mingi probleem. Haru viiakse teise maailma ning sealt põgenemiseks peab ta abi paluma Parunilt, kassikujuliselt nukult.
Üldjoontes oli päris mõnus lugemine. Sain omajagu naerda ja meenutada lapsepõlves filmi vaatamist. Võtan see aasta plaani see uuesti üle vaadata.
Haru on teismeline tüdruk, kelle süda on õiges paigas ning veoki alla jääma hakkavat kassi nähes, päästab ta looma ära. Kass on aga kassikuninga poeg. Tänutäheks poja päästmise eest otsustab kõrgeauline hiirekütt osutada neiule suurimat au ja panna ta oma pojaga paari. See, et üks on inimene ja teine kass, pole mingi probleem. Haru viiakse teise maailma ning sealt põgenemiseks peab ta abi paluma Parunilt, kassikujuliselt nukult.
Üldjoontes oli päris mõnus lugemine. Sain omajagu naerda ja meenutada lapsepõlves filmi vaatamist. Võtan see aasta plaani see uuesti üle vaadata.
September 14, 2025
বিড়ালের দুনিয়ায় চলে গেলে কেমন হয়?
ঘটনাগুলো মজার। সুন্দর একটা বই। অ্যানিমে মুভিটাও দারুণ।
ঘটনাগুলো মজার। সুন্দর একটা বই। অ্যানিমে মুভিটাও দারুণ।
June 22, 2023
4.5 💛How charming!
The Ghibli film is based on this manga and it follows the story pretty closely. Surprisingly, I felt like the emotional beats hit harder here. Very cute! It holds up
The Ghibli film is based on this manga and it follows the story pretty closely. Surprisingly, I felt like the emotional beats hit harder here. Very cute! It holds up
May 1, 2011
I just finished watching the movie this afternoon and decided to check the manga out. Though the manga was entertaining enough, I felt like there were one too many scenes that were left out. Which is crazy since the manga DID come out first. I guess I should have read this before watching the movie.
The manga felt very short, but I think that was an adequate length since it did get to tell the whole story in just 3 chapters. If you compare both the movie with the manga, you can see that the movie added numerous new scenes and altered many scenes. The movie did the manga more than enough justice. Then again, this is coming from a girl who watched the movie before reading the manga. Maybe people who did it the other way around, have a different opinion on it.
My favorite character in the movie was the Baron, but my favorite character in the manga was Muto. Muto was just so cute and fluffy! He also had the best one-liners. Who knew different platforms could change a preference for characters? Oh, I also found that I wasn't disgusted by the Cat King, like how I was in the movie. The movie-Cat King creeped me out with his borderline insanity, but the I found the manga-Cat King just crazy-looking, but very hilarious.
The movie had much more emotional impact on me, but I found that the manga was funnier. Just by a little bit. The manga seemed to have lots of discrepancies, too. I just felt like the scenes were too jumpy- like there weren't proper transitions when switching from scene to scene. Nevertheless, I didn't feel like this manga was a waste of time. But I have a feeling if I had just picked this manga out randomly, without watching the movie first, I would have put it back straight away.
The manga felt very short, but I think that was an adequate length since it did get to tell the whole story in just 3 chapters. If you compare both the movie with the manga, you can see that the movie added numerous new scenes and altered many scenes. The movie did the manga more than enough justice. Then again, this is coming from a girl who watched the movie before reading the manga. Maybe people who did it the other way around, have a different opinion on it.
My favorite character in the movie was the Baron, but my favorite character in the manga was Muto. Muto was just so cute and fluffy! He also had the best one-liners. Who knew different platforms could change a preference for characters? Oh, I also found that I wasn't disgusted by the Cat King, like how I was in the movie. The movie-Cat King creeped me out with his borderline insanity, but the I found the manga-Cat King just crazy-looking, but very hilarious.
The movie had much more emotional impact on me, but I found that the manga was funnier. Just by a little bit. The manga seemed to have lots of discrepancies, too. I just felt like the scenes were too jumpy- like there weren't proper transitions when switching from scene to scene. Nevertheless, I didn't feel like this manga was a waste of time. But I have a feeling if I had just picked this manga out randomly, without watching the movie first, I would have put it back straight away.
March 27, 2022
5/5 stars !!!
The Cat Returns was the first film I saw from Studio Ghibli when I was a kid. Even though it wasn't Studio Ghibli's finest work, I still enjoyed it enormously because it was a pretty decent film to begin with. This film lingered in my mind for who knows how long, and certainly, my younger self was smitten with Baron, the noble cat.
This wonderful story elegantly unfolds to depict a young girl's path to self acceptance and how one of the things that prevents her from progressing to become a better version of herself is her persistent self-sabotage. This is a coming-of-age narrative about a protagonist who is transformed into a feline and kidnapped into a forced marriage arrangement with a cat, which turns out to be one of her greatest endeavors that offers her a valuable lesson.
In addition, the manga adaptation of the film was beautiful and dreamy. It features more mature themes of self-identity and kindness, as well as essential values to learn. Reading this reminds me of a pleasant breeze on a chilly afternoon while snuggled under a duvet.
I would highly suggest it to anyone looking for a light heartwarming and entertaining read !!!
The Cat Returns was the first film I saw from Studio Ghibli when I was a kid. Even though it wasn't Studio Ghibli's finest work, I still enjoyed it enormously because it was a pretty decent film to begin with. This film lingered in my mind for who knows how long, and certainly, my younger self was smitten with Baron, the noble cat.
This wonderful story elegantly unfolds to depict a young girl's path to self acceptance and how one of the things that prevents her from progressing to become a better version of herself is her persistent self-sabotage. This is a coming-of-age narrative about a protagonist who is transformed into a feline and kidnapped into a forced marriage arrangement with a cat, which turns out to be one of her greatest endeavors that offers her a valuable lesson.
In addition, the manga adaptation of the film was beautiful and dreamy. It features more mature themes of self-identity and kindness, as well as essential values to learn. Reading this reminds me of a pleasant breeze on a chilly afternoon while snuggled under a duvet.
I would highly suggest it to anyone looking for a light heartwarming and entertaining read !!!
October 8, 2017
*this manga gave me life*
1. I am a huge HUGE fan of 'The Cat Returns' ghibli animation, it always left me happy and motivate about life.
2. i was so happy and excited to read it, made me laugh and excited and all filled with emotions
3. Oh i love the Baron!! i wanna visit the cat office one day!
4. and Lune and Yuki omg I love so much! (although Lune was more dressed like a prince in the animation film but i love his cat earring in the manga too!)
5. AND THeY FOUND THE CAT QUEEN! WE NEED MORE PAGES!1
6. also when the cats came to take Haru, before they came, Haru felt a breeze and Baron said 'a breeze in this world means that someone is coming' that gave me DiannaWJ feels about Chrestomanci..
7. oh i just adore all this, i wish the author would write more of the Baron adventures and the cat office!!
1. I am a huge HUGE fan of 'The Cat Returns' ghibli animation, it always left me happy and motivate about life.
2. i was so happy and excited to read it, made me laugh and excited and all filled with emotions
3. Oh i love the Baron!! i wanna visit the cat office one day!
4. and Lune and Yuki omg I love so much! (although Lune was more dressed like a prince in the animation film but i love his cat earring in the manga too!)
5. AND THeY FOUND THE CAT QUEEN! WE NEED MORE PAGES!1
6. also when the cats came to take Haru, before they came, Haru felt a breeze and Baron said 'a breeze in this world means that someone is coming' that gave me DiannaWJ feels about Chrestomanci..
7. oh i just adore all this, i wish the author would write more of the Baron adventures and the cat office!!
October 6, 2023
Sooo cuteeee :((((
Yuki i Muta są tak samo cudowni jak w filmie (+Baron ofc też, ale to się rozumie samo przez się, like it's fucking Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, jego się nie da nie kochać)
+kocham końcówkę z: we cannot, it's the last page itp
10/10 za same kotki, jedyny minus jest taki, że mam ochotę na maraton ghibli a teraz raczej ciężko z tym będzie 😩
Yuki i Muta są tak samo cudowni jak w filmie (+Baron ofc też, ale to się rozumie samo przez się, like it's fucking Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, jego się nie da nie kochać)
+kocham końcówkę z: we cannot, it's the last page itp
10/10 za same kotki, jedyny minus jest taki, że mam ochotę na maraton ghibli a teraz raczej ciężko z tym będzie 😩
October 26, 2014
I was very fortunate to find this Manga a at the public library book sale and also appreciate my friend for having me watch this movie when we hung out. This Manga is adapted from the movie and reminded how funny, cute and creative it was.
November 2, 2011
This is a very fun manga. Simple as that. Fun characters, fun story, fun settings.
If you like cats, this is the perfect book.
If you like cats, this is the perfect book.
January 13, 2015
4.5*
Simply amazing! I could not put it down!
Simply amazing! I could not put it down!
September 16, 2019
Excellent cat based fairy tale of kindness, confusion and a cat filled world of kitty magic!
Read
September 14, 2019고양이의 보은 (The Cat Returns) was the very first movie I watched in cinema. I was in kindergarten and I remember the cinema being fairly small. I had enjoyed the movie so much that right after watching the movie, I cajoled my mom into buying me the film comics (which I think I still have it around somewhere - if not, I should buy it again.) and a sliding puzzle. The movie was magical. The scene when the cat office comes to life, the moment when Haru sees the beautiful cat kingdom, Haru dancing with Baron in disguise and escaping with the help from Yuki, Haru, Baron and Muta getting through the maze, Haru descending staircase of crows in the sunrise.... I watched the movie several times since then - and although I have to admit it's not the best Studio Ghibli film - it still, without a fail, manages to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside everytime I watch it. That being said - I didn't know it was based on a manga! I can't believe I didn't know about this after all these years. Some parts were adopted in the movie as they were. Some other scenes were altered or made new for the movie. Anyway it was still delightful to read. It was a good trip down my memory lane. Those days seem so far out of reach now. I miss them.
August 31, 2018
I am a fan of the movie, The Cat Returns, which was based on this manga. I was curious as to how different the book might be as opposed to the Studio Ghibli movie.
The book does contain some subtle (and other less subtle) differences in character design, but as a whole the movie follows the plot of the book fairly closely. The book expands on certain details about the Kingdom of Cats that aren’t touched upon in the movie that add some significant impact on certain characters where there weren’t any before. Some connections and relationships with characters go deeper than the movie indicates, which makes some scenes more heart wrenching.
As a book, it’s a quick read and straightforward adventure for all ages. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of whimsy in their stories and can break away from reality... after all, it would be strange to see a cat walking around on two legs!
The book does contain some subtle (and other less subtle) differences in character design, but as a whole the movie follows the plot of the book fairly closely. The book expands on certain details about the Kingdom of Cats that aren’t touched upon in the movie that add some significant impact on certain characters where there weren’t any before. Some connections and relationships with characters go deeper than the movie indicates, which makes some scenes more heart wrenching.
As a book, it’s a quick read and straightforward adventure for all ages. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of whimsy in their stories and can break away from reality... after all, it would be strange to see a cat walking around on two legs!
June 15, 2020
4.5 stars!
So, I never knew there was a graphic novel for The Cat Returns. I adore that movie, and always get a kick out of it. I only recently found out about the GN, and ordered it. I thought this was one of the cutest things I've read.
First off, the characters.
I loved how they are similar to the character we know, but different in a lot of ways. Haru is still nice, and kind, and sassy. Baron is always will to help, and is a complete badass! Muta...He's literally a troll throughout the whole thing, yet is will to defend Haru. Yuki and Lune....so cute. When I found what really happened to Yuki..I was really shocked. I wasn't expecting it! The cat king...annoying as ever.
The plot was great! I had a good laugh as I read it.
I also loved hints of the Baroness, to show she was once apart of Baron's life.
So glad I bought this!
So, I never knew there was a graphic novel for The Cat Returns. I adore that movie, and always get a kick out of it. I only recently found out about the GN, and ordered it. I thought this was one of the cutest things I've read.
First off, the characters.
I loved how they are similar to the character we know, but different in a lot of ways. Haru is still nice, and kind, and sassy. Baron is always will to help, and is a complete badass! Muta...He's literally a troll throughout the whole thing, yet is will to defend Haru. Yuki and Lune....so cute. When I found what really happened to Yuki..I was really shocked. I wasn't expecting it! The cat king...annoying as ever.
The plot was great! I had a good laugh as I read it.
I also loved hints of the Baroness, to show she was once apart of Baron's life.
So glad I bought this!
May 31, 2021
To my surprise I found this manga and I must say is a happy and fun reading.
This is the third manga by Aoi Hiiragi on the advendures of the Baron, which Studio Ghibli took to make two of their movies: Whispers of the Heart (manga 1) and The Cat Returns (manga 3).
I really love this movie and the manga is sweet and fun. There're only some differences between the manga and the movie and I like both. The movie goes deeper on how Haru is not happy about herself but thanks to her journey and meeting the Baron, it helps her to enjoy her life and to be happy by who she is.
I hope one day to find the other mangas by Aoi Hiiragi.
This is the third manga by Aoi Hiiragi on the advendures of the Baron, which Studio Ghibli took to make two of their movies: Whispers of the Heart (manga 1) and The Cat Returns (manga 3).
I really love this movie and the manga is sweet and fun. There're only some differences between the manga and the movie and I like both. The movie goes deeper on how Haru is not happy about herself but thanks to her journey and meeting the Baron, it helps her to enjoy her life and to be happy by who she is.
I hope one day to find the other mangas by Aoi Hiiragi.
June 8, 2020
This was so adorable! I finished it last night, and waited til now to review it.
This is one of my favorite movies, and I love the plot and characters. I wanted to enjoy a nice, easy read before moving on to my bigger books.
Haru is suck a quirky girl, and I think it's funny once she gets mad. I am glad she also stands up for herself.
My favorite character is the Baron. He is always so calm, and wise, yet he gets pretty sassy with his expressions.
Muta and Toto.......hahahaha, their bickering reminds me of my sister and I.
Loved this!
This is one of my favorite movies, and I love the plot and characters. I wanted to enjoy a nice, easy read before moving on to my bigger books.
Haru is suck a quirky girl, and I think it's funny once she gets mad. I am glad she also stands up for herself.
My favorite character is the Baron. He is always so calm, and wise, yet he gets pretty sassy with his expressions.
Muta and Toto.......hahahaha, their bickering reminds me of my sister and I.
Loved this!
August 7, 2018
YES! Finally read it! Who knew it would take only a relocation? The manga in some parts ARE better than the movie HOWEVER, the Baron looks waaay more enchanting and spiffing in the movie than in the manga. The funny thing is that Haru, I think, is beautiful in here. And Muta, and Toto? Um, their quarreling is definitely better displayed in the movie for sure! Overall, loved the artwork, the characters, and just everything!
September 9, 2020
*3.25*
Bratz Readathon 2020
I absolutely adore the Ghibli film, The Cat Returns, it's so whimsical, and fun, with some really beautiful imagery (not that that's anything new for Ghibli lol). So obviously I'd want to read the manga, and what better time than during a readathon? Sadly I didn't enjoy this version as much as the movie; I kept feeling like something was missing. But it was still interesting, and I would recommend it to any fans of the film.
Bratz Readathon 2020
I absolutely adore the Ghibli film, The Cat Returns, it's so whimsical, and fun, with some really beautiful imagery (not that that's anything new for Ghibli lol). So obviously I'd want to read the manga, and what better time than during a readathon? Sadly I didn't enjoy this version as much as the movie; I kept feeling like something was missing. But it was still interesting, and I would recommend it to any fans of the film.
July 10, 2022
I have taken a vow to watch all the Studio Ghibli Fest movies this year. I missed the first one but was really pleased by Ponyo. I was hyped to watch Baron: The Cat Returns. It was so charming that once I learned that it was based on a manga that I went online and bought the book.
The book is not the same as the movie. The themes are different but both are charming.
Finally! A manga book I can recommend to our school's manga and anime club!
The book is not the same as the movie. The themes are different but both are charming.
Finally! A manga book I can recommend to our school's manga and anime club!
May 5, 2017
This was amazing.
It was so much more fun than the movie! Muta was and still is my favourite character of them all. I'm glad that I'm discovering these manga, one by one. Reading all of these makes me so happy.
It was so much more fun than the movie! Muta was and still is my favourite character of them all. I'm glad that I'm discovering these manga, one by one. Reading all of these makes me so happy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews