Overview
A magical transformation leads to unexpected love and self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- tender
- wistful
- cozy weekend
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sweet, charming, visually beautiful, and emotionally engaging, praising its anime escapism and exploration of identity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Miyo uses a magic mask to become the cat Taro, gaining affection and escape from the difficulties of her human life.
Miyo's unrequited feelings, loneliness, bullying, and desire to be understood shape her movement between human and feline identities.
The cat transformation offers Miyo comfort and affection while the fantasy world intensifies the consequences of avoiding human problems.
Miyo's life as Taro reframes her relationship with Kento and reveals how altered identity can change intimacy and perception.
Films like A Whisker Away, and why
Your Name
coming-of-age anime, supernatural transformation, adolescent identity, and tender romantic emotion
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
fantasy anime romance using magical transformation to explore loneliness, connection, and self-acceptance
The Cat Returns
Studio Ghibli-style coming-of-age fantasy with animal transformation, emotional vulnerability, and youthful romance
Movie Details
- Directors
- Tomotaka Shibayama, Junichi Sato
- Release Date
- 2020-06-18
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (1515)
Cast
- Mirai Shida
- Natsuki Hanae
- Koichi Yamadera
- Hiroaki Ogi
- Minako Kotobuki
- Kensho Ono
- Susumu Chiba
- Ayako Kawasumi
- Sayaka Ohara
- Daisuke Namikawa
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Whisker Away about?
- A lonely schoolgirl uses a magical cat transformation to pursue her crush while learning that escape cannot replace honest self-acceptance.
- What is A Whisker Away like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Whisker Away as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is A Whisker Away violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Whisker Away.
- What did critics think of A Whisker Away?
- Critics broadly found the film sweet, charming, visually beautiful, and emotionally engaging, praising its anime escapism and exploration of identity.
- Which films are like A Whisker Away?
- Films with a similar feel include Your Name, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and The Cat Returns.
- How long is A Whisker Away?
- A Whisker Away runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Whisker Away?
- In United States, A Whisker Away streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
