Catnapped! The Movie (1995)
"Totsuzen! Neko no kuni banipal witt" (original title)

Director:

Takashi Nakamura

Writers:

Chiaki Konaka, Takashi Nakamura

Stars:

William Bassett, Louise Chamis, Dorothy Elias-Fahn

Cast

Credited cast:
William Bassett	...	Magician (voice) (as Fred Bloggs)
Louise Chamis	...	Mother (voice)
Dorothy Elias-Fahn	...	Toriyas (voice) (as Dorothy Melendrez)
Michael Forest	...	Suttoboke (voice) (as Alfred Thor)
Sandy Fox	...	Meeko (voice)
Barbara Goodson	...	Queen / Toru's Friend (voice)
Dougary Grant	...	Doh Doh (voice)
Noriko Hidaka	...	Buburina
Hiroaki Hiro	...	Toriyasu
Mayumi Iizuka	...	Chu-Chu
Mitsuo Iwata	...	Do-Do
Sukekiyo Kameyama	...	Suttoboke
Steve Kramer	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Joey Lotsko	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn	...	Burburina (voice) (as Melissa Williamson)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

anime

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Genres:

Animation | Family

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

10 June 1995 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Catnapped!

Company Credits

Production Co:

AC Create, Bandai Visual Company, Banipal Witt Production Commitee

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min 77 min (original) 72 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital (DVD Release) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Meeko: So you're the ones! You're the space aliens who abducted our family pet!

User Reviews

Extremely imaginative and visually rewarding

I am not a big fan of anime outside of Miyazaki's films, but the fanciful designs on this DVD caught my eye. I'm glad they did because although this movie doesn't seem to have built up much of a reputation it is a real gem.

The story involves a boy and his younger sister whose dog Papadoll is missing. They find out that he has been abducted by anthropomorphic cats to be brought to a world called Banapal Witt, which is built on top of a giant sleeping cat. There the sun turns poor Papadoll into a bizarre giant monster. He becomes the weapon and beloved pet of a spoiled Princess who turns everything she touches into balloons. She plans to use Papadoll and a giant inflatable mouse to control the sleeping cat and thus Banapal Witt itself.

Sound weird enough for you? This story is dreamy and fun in a way reminiscent of Winsor McCay's Little Nemo stories. I like the way it is full of weird touches like the Princess's balloon curse, which at first are nice because they are so nonsensical, but which then are explained in sad flashbacks. The film did not have as powerful of an emotional effect on me as Miyazaki's classics like Kiki's Delivery Service and Porco Rosso, but it is so jampacked with interesting gimmicks and inventive imagery that its charms are irresistible. The animation is of a much higher quality than your average anime, but it doesn't even have to be because the designs are so superb. I will definitely be looking out for more from the designers of this film, who have created some the most interesting contraptions and creatures I have seen in a long time.