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3 Ghibli Movies on Netflix You can Watch on International Cat Day
International Cat Day is upon us!
Can’t stop watching adorable cat videos that pop up on your feed? We feel you!
Whether you’re a purr-ent or not, there’s no denying that cats are one of the most beloved animals on the planet (online and offline). To celebrate the love and affection they’ve given to millions of people, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) along with other animal rights groups, declared August 8 as International Cat Day.
If you’re looking to enjoy the occasion with your four-legged babies and/or friends, here’s an idea: Now that Studio Ghibli films are on Netflix, celebrate in the comfort of your home by watching some of their classics.
Spoiler alert: you might fall in love with the adorable and feisty feline friends in these Studio Ghibli movies.
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The Cat Returns
Haru is an ordinary high school girl craving for an adventure. One day, she jumps to the rescue of a cat that’s about to be run over by a truck. Little did she know that her wish was about to come true and that the world as she knew it was about to change forever.
Surprisingly, the peculiar cat she rescued happens to be Prince Lune of the Kingdom of Cats. Out of gratitude, the king rewards her with gifts and even asks her to marry his son. Wanting to be in control of her fate and be free from involuntary engagements, she’s now on a quest to escape the Cat Kingdom.
Whisper of the Heart
Shizuki is a voracious reader with big dreams of becoming a writer. Madly in love with books, she often visits the library and notices that a certain Seiki Amasawa has read every novel she has borrowered.
One day, Shizuku finds a cat riding a train and follows it to an antique shop. A series of magical events follows and gives Seiji and Shizuku a chance to get to know each other and fall in love.
Shockingly, it was revelead that Seiji read all those novels to grow closer to Shizuku. As the two get to know more about each other, they eventually discover that they have different dreams. But despite being pulled in opposite directions, Shizuku and Seiji are determined to keep their relationship strong.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki is a young witch who’s about to enter a new stage in her life. Following her village’s age-old tradition, she must move to another village and live independently as a requirement to complete her training. Along with her cat, Jiji, she flies away to Koriko and starts her new life.
Despite the chaos and busyness of the town, Kiki is able to adjust with the help of her new friends. One of them is the owner of a local bakery, who helped her develop her own business as a flying courier service.
Eventually, Kiki becomes a big part of the community. But one day, she suddenly loses her magic powers and must overcome various obstacles if she wants to get them back.
BONUS! A Whisker Away
Although not from Studio Ghibli, this movie deserves a special mention—especially for International Cat Day. A Whisker Away follows the story of a girl named Miyo. Dealing with family issues and the complications of teenage life, she finds solace thinking about her crush, Hinode. Craving for his affection, she makes a deal with a cat spirit to get closer to him.
After her transformation, Hinode eventually encounters Miyo in cat form and adopts her. Since it’s hard to get close to Hinode as a person, she starts living with him permanently as his pet. But things start to get complicated, and she eventually has to choose whether to live as a human or a cat.
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A purr-fect way to celebrate
Studio Ghibli is known globally for its excellent storytelling and animation. With these three (+1) films in your International Cat Day watch list, expect to embark on a whimsical journey unlike any other. Just subscribe to a Netflix account and get the right accessories for the best viewing experience possible.