Director Mikinori Sakakibara & Kunihiko Yuyama
Staring Sandayû Dokumamushi, Arata Furuta, Mao Inoue
Rated All ages
Score 6/6

Ever wondered what your cat gets up to when you’re not around? Naïve stay-at-home cat Rudolf has always longed to roam the streets of his little neighborhood. His thirst for adventure finds him lost miles away in the big city. With help from a street cat known as Gottalot, Rudolf quickly discovers that he has a lot to learn about the world. Will Rudolf ever be able to find his way home? Follow Rudolf’s heart-warming journey of friendship and discovery as he learns to stand on his own four paws.

In the past you have probably heard me talk about the fact that people of a certain age (an overweight man over the age of 30) shouldn’t go see certain movies alone in the cinema to avoid the accusing ‘ why are you here?’ looks of suspicious parents. Rudolf the Black Cat is one of those movies. You have also heard me mention the idea ‘ Rent-a-kid ‘ , I believe in more polite circles its known as babysitting your niece or nephew. Though, those of you planning on taking your young niece or nephew to go see a Japanese language movie with subtitles are probably not going to win any Uncle or Aunty of the year awards any time soon.
Now, that being said Rudolf the Black Cat is a charming, beautiful animated movie about friends, family and the importance of learning to read. I suppose Rudolf could be considered as being Japan’s answer to The Secret Life of Pets (something that I am waiting for a DVD release) in a way this actually reminded me aspects of a French/Belgian cartoon series Billy the Cat particularly with how Gottalot is mentor/father figure to Rudolf.