Baron: The Cat Returns [Paperback]

Aoi Hiiragi (Author, Illustrator), Naoko Amemiya (Translator)

Book Description

The story follows a girl called Haru, a quiet, shy and unassuming high school student who has a long-suppressed ability to talk to cats. One day, she saves a darkly-colored, odd-eyed cat from being hit by a truck on a busy road. The cat turns out to be Lune, Prince of the Cat Kingdom. In return, the cats shower her with gifts of catnip and mice. She is then offered the Prince's hand in marriage.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (April 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591169569
• ISBN-13: 978-1591169567
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #825,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baron the Cat Baron, May 24, 2005

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baron: The Cat Returns (Paperback)

This is the third volume in a somewhat-related series of acclaimed manga by Hiiragi Aoi, starting with "Mimi o Sumaseba" (English title: "Whispers of the Heart"), followed by "Shiawase na Jikan" (English title: "Happy Time) and now "Neko no Danshaku, Baron" (Literal translation "Baron the Cat Baron.") Whereas the first two books tell the coming-of-age love story between two Jr. High School students, Shizuku and Seiji, this third book makes a radical departure to a fantasy world, the home of Baron the Cat Baron, who is no more than a doll (although an important one!) in the first volumes.

In this story, a shy young girl named Haru ("Spring") is having a rough day; late to school, stepping in puddles and embarrassing herself in front of the boy she has a crush on. After this wretched day, she saves a cat from being hit by a car, using her lacrosse racket, which is broken in the rescue. Much to her shock and surprise, the earring-wearing cat then stands up, bows, and thanks her for her assistance. A sequence of cat-related incidents follow, until finally Haru follows the massively fat kitty Muta (returning from "Whispers of the Heat") into the home of Baron, a suave, adventuring cat of sophistication and style.

Baron's house leads to a Cat World, where Haru is quickly kidnapped to become the bride of the Cat Prince whom she saved. However, for this to work Haru must be transformed into a cat herself, a proposition which she does not like at all. Appealing to the Baron and Muta, Haru attempts to escape the Cat World and find her way back home.

"Baron: The Cat Returns" is a charming story in the Alice in Wonderland mode, with Haru very much the stranger in a strange land. Baron is a dashing character, a tuxedo-wearing swordfighter who is always willing to help a lady in distress. Muta is a perfect sidekick, rough and ready to scrap with anyone. A great comic for kids, it is a straight-forward fantasy adventure with enough surprises and delights to keep entertaining.

Two of Hiiragi Aoi's manga in this series, "Whispers of the Heart" and "The Cat Returns," were adapted into animated films by Japan's most renowned animators at Studio Ghibli. Although "Baron: The Cat Returns" is the third in the series, due to its nature it can be read alone without any previous knowledge of the preceding books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Baron Comes to Life, August 9, 2006

By 

Se - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baron: The Cat Returns (Paperback)

While this book really has nothing to do with "Whisper of the Heart" other than the Baron and Muta, it is still an excellent find!
Young Haru is having a rough day, and to top it off she is unwillingly engaged to the Prince of Cats, after saving his life. In her troubles, she finds the Cat Office, where she receives aid-until she is kidnapped. The story is about Haru finding the means to believe in herself (while fighing off a comical curse) and how the Baron and Muta help her.
If you saw the movie and enjoyed it, this book is by far even better. For one thing, a few of the connections (such as Haru and Yuki's) is much more realistic. It also explains what the Kingdom of Cats is, as well as some other loop holes that were in the movie.
Yes, it is a bit difficult to read, and to catch every single small plot point it requires a few reads. But it is well worth it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you liked the movie, you'll love the book., April 21, 2008

By 

Jiseri (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Baron: The Cat Returns (Paperback)

The book (as always) is a lot better then the movie. The movie took the plot of the story, but changed many things, and left out many parts. This book is really good, and a must for Cat returns fans.