Totsuzen! Neko no kuni banipal witt (1998)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Takashi Nakamura

Writers:

Chiaki Konaka (writer)
Takashi Nakamura (writer)

Release Date:

30 May 1998 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Family

Plot Keywords:

Anime | Kids And Family

Cast

William Bassett	...	Magician (voice: English version) (as Fred Bloggs)
Louise Chamis	...	Mother (voice: English version)
Dorothy Elias-Fahn	...	Toriyas (voice: English version) (as Dorothy Melendrez)
Michael Forest	...	Suttoboke (voice: English version) (as Alfred Thor)
Sandy Fox	...	Meeko (voice: English version)
Barbara Goodson	...	Queen, Toru's Friend (voice: English version)
Dougary Grant	...	Doh Doh (voice: English version)
Noriko Hidaka	...	Buburina
Hiroaki Hiro	...	Toriyasu
Mayumi Iizuka	...	Chu-Chu
Mitsuo Iwata	...	Do-Do
Sukekiyo Kameyama	...	Suttoboke
Steve Kramer	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Joey Lotsko	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Mary Elizabeth McGlynn	...	Burburina (voice: English version) (as Melissa Williamson)
Ichirô Nagai	...	Henji
Bob Papenbrook	...	King (voice: English version) (as John Smallberries)
Simon Prescott	...	Hoi-Hoi (voice: English version) (as Simon Isaacman)
Lia Sargent	...	ChuChu (voice: English version)
Mirai Sasaki	...	Miko
Brianne Siddall	...	Toru (voice: English version) (as Ian Hawk)
Michael Sorich	...	Henogee (voice: English version)
Sam Strong	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Fumihiko Tachiki	...	Papadoll
Kirk Thornton	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version) (as Sparky Thornton)
Trixie Wood	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Tom Wyner	...	Sandada (voice: English version) (as Abe Lasser)
Masato Yamanouchi	...	Sandada
Jôji Yanami	...	Hoi-Hoi
Zan	...	Young Burburina (voice: English version)

Also Known As:

Catland Banipal Witt
Catnapped! (USA) (video title)
Catnapped! The Movie (USA)

Runtime:

France:72 min (DVD)

Country:

Japan

Color:

Color

Company:

Triangle Staff

Quotes:

Meeko: [handing the cats a pair of shoes] These belong to Toriyasu. My brother doesn't believe in space aliens like me, although I'm surprised there's a cat planet! I'm not afraid to go because you guys seem nice.
Henji: Listen, I hate to burst your bubble, but this isn't really the place for you. Little humans girls should be asleep in their beds getting plenty of rest.
Meeko: No way! Why should I stay behind while Toriyasu has all the fun?! That's not fair! *I* *AM* *GOING!*
Henji: Quiet, or some adults might hear you!
Meeko: I want to go too! If you don't take me, I'm gonna scream louder...

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.