The Travelling Cat Chronicles (2018)

The film was based on a novel 旅猫リポート by Hiro Arikawa, the story is about Satoru who embark a travel to meet the potential people who can take care of his precious cat name Nana but during the process of his travel, a story from his childhood & his story with the people who consider his friends also unfolds.

I appreciate so much the plot, there's something very humane with it that the cinematography also blends. I adore the shots of the places that tell the story of Satoru's acquaintances. I appreciate Fukushi Sota here though he's still stiff at some parts I appreciate his improvement & his filmography somehow ranges from mainstream to middle. I like how the conversations & dialogues just flow naturally between the character & their past to present.
I actually smiled at some dialogues between the cat because whenever I observe my cat, I guess cat really loves the sunlight. Also there was a part that Nana is waiting for Satoru & my cat also do that waiting whenever he waits to his favorite chosen one.

The final act, it gives me a thought that when we connect with cats, dogs or any pets that we consider as a family or when you share a special connection with a person considered to be different from the view of others; there will be people who will not understand that connection despite the deepness & history of it but as day goes by the connection is still there & it will remain a special part of your life.
I used to have my first pet cat when I was in my grade school but there was one cat that was very special to us; my dad didn't like it at first, my mom, sister are cat lovers too and I remembered how I grieved when our first cat died, we put him in a box put flowers & buried him at the back of our apartment but our first cat brings joy and happiness in our home that I guess helps me to be more empathetic.
Now, we have this big cat, he's been with us since my junior year in high school so basically it's been 8-9 years since we take care of him and I guess our cat learns to adapt with us since then that he's not a bit of a troublemaker anymore and he brings joy in our home.

Enough of my cat stories, but I recommend this film if you're looking for a simple yet genuine film about people & animals/with their pets that has a good plot & cinematography (there's nothing really big about the cinematography but I appreciate the effort). Also bring tissues, if you're a softie, crybaby like me.

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I cried. I cried so hard that I actually felt sick. I can't remember this ever happening to me. This was a wonderful movie but so incredibly sad that just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Fukushi Sota was amazing as Satoru - and Satoru was an amazing character. Inspiring in his inherent sweetness and kindness. The way he touched the lives of everyone around him, the way he brought the best out of people! Roles like that suit Fukushi Sota so well because he truly has the sweetest smile, he has the ability to make his eyes laugh!

The movie also featured the late Takeuchi Yuko as Satoru's aunt, Noriko, which added to the sadness of it. Because she was a great actress and her death two years back made the world a little... less.

Takahata Mitsuki as the voice of Nana the Cat was perfectly chosen, too. Nana's petulance but also his - yes, the cat was a male, though Takahata Mitsuki is female - love for Satoru, the way Nana adored his owner and stayed with him till Satoru's very last moments.

A beautiful, but also a terribly sad movie. Don't watch it if you feel depressed or down. But do watch it if you feel like having a good cry. The movie is worth your tears.

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A Moving Story Told From The Eyes Of A Cat

I originally wanted to read the book version of The Travelling Cat Chronicles or Tabineko Ripoto, but when I found out Sota Fukushi is playing the lead in this movie adaptation, I thought it might be worth my while. And true enough, it was! The movie is narrated by a cat named Nana and he tells the story of his life with his human, Satoru. It starts out pretty light and funny, so I mistakenly thought it was one of those feel-good stories. Halfway through the movie, I already had an inkling that it's more than that. And boy, I ended up doing my ugly cry! I kept thinking about my dog and how he would feel if he had to sit and wait for me every single day and not see me or even hear my voice anymore. I wonder if he'd look for me. Those who have ever owned pets or loved animals like me have always dreaded the time when we have to say goodbye to our beloved best friends or children, but very few of us have ever thought how devastating it would be for them to not have us around anymore. This movie explores that and it's written from the point of view of the cat, making it all the more touching and emotional. I recommend this movie to all cat lovers or pet owners in general, provided of course that you're in the right mindset.

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Honestly the story is gorgeous. It's true that we are remembered by the people we meet and the things we have done in the past rather than who we think we are, and we get to know Satoru through stories during his visits with his friends - who he was, and who he is. I really adored how much love he had for his cat though in the beginning you're questioning why he is trying to palm his cat off when really - well you'll find out. It's a highly nuanced storyline - and based on a book which I will proceed to devour - that touched my heart. Perhaps because I have a cat that has supported me emotionally as much as Nana supported Satoru, I was able to understand a lot of his reactions and feelings.

The cast was pretty simple. They played their characters very true to honest human life. Though I have only really seen two other roles that Sota Fukushi has played so at present for myself, this one is the most touching. Nana the cat was super cute. Lastly, Noriko, played by Takeuchi Yuko, was believable and well played.

Regrettably while the music fit the film well and enhanced the emotions/scenes and was nice to listen to, it was forgettable.

Overall, I can see myself watching this movie again. Mainly because the story really touched my heart. My cat changed my life, he is a great comfort and joy to me and to see that similar relationship translated so beautifully through film really tugged my heartstrings. I loved the scenery as well, the use of flowers and the sun was nice and the traveling scenes portrayed the journey that Satoru and Nana have both been on and what they have yet to go on. These moments are transferable/relatable to absolutely anyone who is living.

Traveling Cat Chronicles is definitely worth a watch.

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