Haru Yoshioka (played by Chizuru Ikewaki) is a protagonist in The Cat Returns.
Haru Yoshioka is a shy high school student whose kindness leads her to save Lune from a truck. Drawn into the Cat Kingdom against her wishes, she begins turning into a cat while resisting the Cat King's marriage plan. With help from Baron, Yuki, Muta, Lune, and Toto, she escapes and gains confidence in her true self. Baron (played by Yoshihiko Hakamada) is a protagonist in The Cat Returns.
Baron is a cat figurine brought to life and the refined protector of Haru. He dances with her in disguise, warns that losing herself will make her increasingly cat-like, and encourages her to believe in herself. After fighting the Cat King's guards, he guides Haru toward escape and offers continued access to the Cat Bureau. Yuki (played by Aki Maeda) appears in The Cat Returns.
Yuki is a white cat maiden in the palace who tries to warn Haru to leave the Cat Kingdom. She helps Haru and Baron after his identity is discovered, showing them an escape tunnel. Yuki's earlier kindness is connected to Haru's childhood generosity, and Lune later plans to propose to her. Muta (played by Tetsu Watanabe) appears in The Cat Returns.
Muta is a large white cat who leads Haru to the Cat Bureau and helps her reach Baron. He is later revealed as Renaldo Moon, a notorious Cat Kingdom criminal who once devoured an entire lake of fish. Despite his rough reputation, he supports Haru's independence and helps her escape the Cat King's soldiers. Toto (played by Yousuke Saito) appears in The Cat Returns.
Toto is a stone raven brought to life in a manner similar to Baron. He remains in the human world when Haru, Baron, and Muta are taken to the Cat Kingdom, then follows them from the air. Toto later assists their escape alongside Lune, serving as a loyal ally to Haru and Baron. Hiromi (played by Hitomi Sato) appears in The Cat Returns.
Hiromi is Haru's friend in the human world. Near the end of the story, she tells Haru that Haru's former crush has broken up with his girlfriend. Haru's indifferent response shows Hiromi that Haru has changed emotionally after her experience in the Cat Kingdom and no longer depends on that old romantic hope. Lune (played by Takayuki Yamada) appears in The Cat Returns.
Lune is the Prince of the Cat Kingdom whom Haru saves from being hit by a truck. His kingdom responds by offering Haru unwanted gifts and treating her as a prospective bride. Lune later returns with his guards, reveals that the Cat King acted without his approval, and plans to propose to Yuki before helping Haru escape. Haru's Mother (played by Kumiko Okae) appears in The Cat Returns.
The Cat Returns (2002) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Haru Yoshioka
(played by Chizuru Ikewaki) — protagonist
Haru Yoshioka is a shy high school student whose kindness leads her to save Lune from a truck. Drawn into the Cat Kingdom against her wishes, she begins turning into a cat while resisting the Cat King...
Baron
(played by Yoshihiko Hakamada) — protagonist
Baron is a cat figurine brought to life and the refined protector of Haru. He dances with her in disguise, warns that losing herself will make her increasingly cat-like, and encourages her to believe...
Yuki
(played by Aki Maeda) — supporting
Yuki is a white cat maiden in the palace who tries to warn Haru to leave the Cat Kingdom. She helps Haru and Baron after his identity is discovered, showing them an escape tunnel. Yuki's earlier kindn...
Muta
(played by Tetsu Watanabe) — supporting
Muta is a large white cat who leads Haru to the Cat Bureau and helps her reach Baron. He is later revealed as Renaldo Moon, a notorious Cat Kingdom criminal who once devoured an entire lake of fish. D...
Toto
(played by Yousuke Saito) — supporting
Toto is a stone raven brought to life in a manner similar to Baron. He remains in the human world when Haru, Baron, and Muta are taken to the Cat Kingdom, then follows them from the air. Toto later as...
Hiromi
(played by Hitomi Sato) — supporting
Hiromi is Haru's friend in the human world. Near the end of the story, she tells Haru that Haru's former crush has broken up with his girlfriend. Haru's indifferent response shows Hiromi that Haru has...
Lune
(played by Takayuki Yamada) — supporting
Lune is the Prince of the Cat Kingdom whom Haru saves from being hit by a truck. His kingdom responds by offering Haru unwanted gifts and treating her as a prospective bride. Lune later returns with h...
Haru's Mother
(played by Kumiko Okae) — supporting
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Haru's Mother → Haru Yoshioka
(mother)
Lune → Yuki
(Romantic Intended Fiancé)
Lune returns to the Cat Kingdom and reveals that he plans on proposing to Yuki.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Haru Yoshioka → Hiromi
(Social Friend)
After Haru returns to the human world, she learns from her friend Hiromi that her former crush has broken up with his girlfriend.
Lune → Muta
(Social Kingdom Acquaintance)
Lune returns with guards while Muta's identity as Renaldo Moon, a notorious criminal in the Kingdom, is revealed.
Lune → Baron
(Alliance Rescue Ally)
Prince Lune aids Baron, Haru, and Muta in escaping the Cat Kingdom.
Yuki → Haru Yoshioka
(Alliance Secret Protector)
Yuki warns Haru to leave, shows her and her companions an escape tunnel, and previously repaid Haru's kindness.
Toto → Haru Yoshioka
(Alliance Rescue Ally)
Toto follows the group from the air and later helps Baron, Haru, and Muta escape the Cat Kingdom.
Baron → Toto
(Alliance Companion)
Toto and Baron remain in the human world after Haru is taken and follow the group from the air.
Baron → Muta
(Alliance Escape Teammate)
Baron, Haru, and Muta move together through the maze toward the tower containing the portal to Haru's world.
Haru Yoshioka → Muta
(Alliance Escape Partner)
Muta leads Haru to the Cat Bureau, travels with her through the maze, and helps her escape from the King's soldiers.
Haru Yoshioka → Baron
(Alliance Trusted Companion)
Baron dances with Haru, warns her about losing herself in the Cat Kingdom, and helps her escape through the tower portal.
Haru Yoshioka → Lune
(Narrative Rescuer And Saved)
Haru saves Lune from being hit by a truck without knowing that he is the Prince of the Cat Kingdom.
Story Analysis
Haru escapes an unwanted destiny in the Cat Kingdom and learns to trust and express her true self.
Plot Progression
A Rescue With Consequences
Dragged Into the Cat Kingdom
The Palace Tightens Its Grip
Tunnel Toward Freedom
Truths Before the Escape
Returning As Herself
Directed by Hiroyuki Morita
The Cat Returns (2002) · 7.1/10 · adventure, animation, drama, family, fantasy
