A Whisker Away

***A Whisker Away*** (also known as in Japan Nakitai Watashi wa Neko o Kaburu lit. "Wanting to Cry, I Pretend to Be a Cat") is a 2020 anime film produced by Studio Colorido, Toho Animation, and Twin Engine. This is directed by Junichi Sato and Tomotaka Shibayama and the film was released on June 18 of 2020 on Netflix.

Originally slated to premiere with the Japanese release of the film, the English dub's release was delayed until June 28, 2020, when it was officially released on Netflix.

## Plot

Miyo Sasaki is a weird second-year junior high student, who falls in love with her classmate Kento Hinode. Muge tries to make Kento notice her every day, but all in vain. Nevertheless, while carrying a secret she can tell no one, Muge continues to pursue Kento. Muge discovers a magic mask that allows her to transform into a cat, however, there is also a probability that she might never become human again if she continues using the mask.

## Why It Smells Like The Sun

1. The premise of a person who goes into a body of an animal via a mask does sound interesting thus showing off the body swap and some perspective between a human and an animal (a cat in this case). This also brings up an interesting question. What if humans can switch to the perspective of any animal to escape human reality?
2. A simple and straightforward story that tells the spiel of a girl who can undergo a transformation into a cat kinda like a *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* type situation in a way but different for obvious reasons. Even with an uncomplicated storyline it also does a good job at adding death as well which better understands our two main characters.
3. The storyline is just purely sweet complete with moments where sometimes it feels relaxing while at other times it's ready to get down to business. The plot revolving about Miyo transforming into a cat works well because of how the story at first may portray the cat as just a simple cat only for viewers to then realize that the cat is just Miyo in a different form. The lore involving the mask becomes even more high stakes when you get to learn more about things like the cat Mask seller's intentions and conversations.
4. The worldbuilding switches between two areas which is presented much later in the film. First, the film mostly takes place in Tokoname, Japan where it's basically your typical yet pretty real-life setting which reflects the everyday lives of the human characters. The other world takes place on a secret Island of Cats where it's filled with cats and it looks really great to look at.
5. Beautful and colorful animation that makes you want to stare at the sights due to its cozy color pallete and can bring even more colors when it wants to.
6. A pretty soundtrack with two songs being performed by Yorushika consisting of A Ghost in a Flower and Usotsuki.
7. Heartbreaking and emotional moments appear in this film. For instance, when Miyo met a group of cats that were at a bar that was actually once humans who gave up their humanity and now they can't leave thus regretting their choice, or when Miyo learned how selfish she was to the point of attacking the Masked Seller. And who could not forget the time when Hinode got mad at Miyo after when a boy stole Miyo's love letter?
8. The film does a good job of switching between Miyo and Kento. Both have problems with Miyo being unhappy due to conflict with her stepmother Kaoru while Kento has a problem due to his family pottery shop closing. The two also get focus on their friendship where they appear to have some rough relationship with each other (except when Miyo is a cat) until the climax and the end.
9. Likeable and well-written characters. Let's list them out.
	* Miyo is sympathetic due to how much she went through which caused her to be a cat in some scenes. She wants to win the heart of Kento yet after a conflict between both characters she wished that she was never a human to the point where her cat form loses her ability to understand humans and can face a short lifespan. In the end, she opens up her true self after the pain she went through all these years.
	* Kento is also sympathetic due to the problems that he has gone through. His chemistry with him and Miyo is believable and managed to look for Miyo until the learns that Kinako (Kaoru's cat) takes Miyo's human form and learns more about Miyo's problem.
	* The Masked Seller cat is an entertaining villain who is shady yet also becomes a legit treat much later.
	* Kinako becomes likable when she uses Miyo's mask. She becomes human until she learns that her owner missed her.
10. Miyo in her cat form is cute. Nothing else needs to be said as most cats are cute.
11. A few funny moments here and there like the Sunrise Attack, the Cat Salesman's dialogue, Miyo's open wide flashback, Miyo commenting on how Kento said "he likes it better when I'm chubby", Miyo defending Kento to the point of falling down from a building thus saying "it's much easier as a cat", Miyo climbing up a fence saying "Hinode's potatoes are really salty", etc.
12. Good voice acting for both English and Japanese versions of the movie so kudos to the respective actors for voicing their characters.
13. The ending is adorable and lighthearted. After Miyo and Kento reunited, they managed to simply confess their love for each other just as soon as the movie ends.
14. The credits show an epilogue of the movie which can be considered very reminiscent of that of a storybook-like format due to being formatted this way.
15. The message the film wants to mention is that we should be honest with how we feel because that is the only way to be happy and have a better understanding of who we are. From Kento wanting to get into pottery to Miyo wanting to legit ditch her cat transformation ability.
	* The minor adult cats can serve as a metaphor about you still being young and not forcing yourself to waste your time dwelling on yourself because you will end up running away. This is for those who are much younger than an audience and even anyone. Think about it, you have the power to change even if it sounds impossible all because you think the only person stopping you is just really yourself. No wonder Miyo regretted her choice of being a cat.
	* Now if you can be honest about yourself, you would help others understand your desires and can help you out. If you run away, make sure you face yourself and overcome your doubts.

## Bad Qualities

1. The pacing can be admittedly slow even though the plot does a good job adding some depth and whatnot.
2. The plot can sometimes be predictable if you can figure out what is going to happen next due to some hits here and there like with the dialogue and the actions of the characters.
3. While the ending is cute and heartwarming, it's also pretty rushed as well. Heck, maybe those scenes that were in the credits would have contributed to the ending much better.
4. The disgusting brief joke about The Cat Salesman mentioning that cats can lick their butts due to being eco-friendly. To be fair, however, cats in real life do scrub their butts.
5. Some would find Miyo annoying due to her desire with wanting to be in love with Kento. Sure, it's intentional but still.
6. Though entertaining The Cat Salesman is also a bit shallow as well.

## Reception

This movie has positive reviews from both the critics and the audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes it's given a 93% while IMDb gave the movie a 6.7/10.

MyAnimeList gave the film a 7.34.

## External Links

* Template:IMDb
* Template:Rotten Tomatoes