A Whisker Away – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

A Whisker Away

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

73%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A lovesick middle schooler turns into a cat to get her crush's attention—then can't quite figure out how to turn back into herself.

6.7/10

93%

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A Whisker Away

movie

TV-PG, 2020

73%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A lovesick middle schooler turns into a cat to get her crush's attention—then can't quite figure out how to turn back into herself.

6.7

93%

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6.7/10

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

A Whisker Away is one of those anime films that looks like a cute cat movie but is actually a surprisingly heavy meditation on identity, authenticity, and the masks we wear. It's beautifully animated and emotionally resonant, with a 93% critic score that's well-deserved.

That said, it's not a breezy watch. The middle section drags, and the metaphor gets pretty on-the-nose. The protagonist's behavior—transforming into a cat to stalk her crush—is... questionable, though the film does ultimately address why that's not healthy. It's more introspective than action-packed, so kids looking for a fun adventure might be disappointed.

For tweens and teens navigating their own identity questions and unrequited crushes, this could be genuinely meaningful. For younger kids or those who just want a fun cat movie, maybe steer toward The Cat Returns instead. Solid choice for the right audience, but know what you're getting into.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-16 who can handle metaphorical storytelling and emotional complexity. The identity crisis themes and romantic subplot are squarely in tween/teen territory. Younger kids might enjoy the cat transformation premise but will likely lose the thread during the heavier emotional beats.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Sweet coming-of-age story about a girl navigating unrequited love and identity, with themes of persistence and self-acceptance. The transformation premise could raise questions about healthy boundaries (she literally stalks her crush as a cat), but the film ultimately addresses consequences and authenticity. Tone is gentle and emotionally earnest, though the protagonist's intense pursuit might model questionable relationship dynamics.

Imaginative

The magical realism of transforming into a cat to gain perspective on life and relationships is genuinely creative. The blurring boundary between human and cat identity offers rich metaphorical territory about masks we wear and who we really are. Visually inventive with Studio Colorido's signature animation style, though not groundbreaking in anime terms. Invites kids to think about identity and how we present ourselves differently in different contexts.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 11+, which tracks with the emotional complexity and some mild romantic themes. No violence, gore, or sexual content. The main safety consideration is the emotional weight—themes of identity crisis, feeling invisible, and the protagonist literally losing herself could be heavy for sensitive kids. Some scenes of family tension and the girl's desperation to be noticed might be uncomfortable, but nothing traumatic or triggering. Pretty safe overall for the tween+ crowd.

Enriching

Offers meaningful exploration of identity, authenticity, and the masks we wear to get attention or love. The film raises questions about whether changing yourself for someone else's affection is worth it, and ultimately lands on self-acceptance. Good empathy-building around understanding how others see us versus how we see ourselves. The metaphor is a bit heavy-handed at times, and the pacing drags in the middle, but there's genuine emotional and ethical growth here. Strong 6.7 IMDb and 93% RT critic score suggest it resonates, though 77% audience score indicates it's not universally loved.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Gorgeous animation from Studio Colorido with a dreamy, watercolor-esque style that's genuinely beautiful
Tackles the universal tween experience of feeling invisible and wanting to be someone else to be loved
The cat transformation is a surprisingly effective metaphor for losing yourself in pursuit of someone else's approval
93% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics—it's well-crafted storytelling with emotional depth
Ultimately lands on a healthy message about authenticity and self-acceptance

⚠

What to Watch For

The protagonist's behavior borders on stalking (even if she's a cat)—good opportunity to talk about healthy vs. unhealthy expressions of affection
Middle act drags a bit and younger kids might lose interest during the more introspective sequences
Some family tension and scenes of the girl feeling rejected or invisible could hit hard for sensitive kids
The identity crisis theme gets pretty existential—is she becoming the cat permanently? It's heavier than typical anime fare

Conversation Starters

"Miyo changes herself (literally!) to get Kento's attention. Have you ever felt like you needed to be different for someone to like you?"
"If you could turn into an animal to see the world differently, what would you pick and why?"
"The movie shows how Miyo's family sees her differently than she sees herself. Do you think people see you differently than you see yourself?"
"At what point does trying to get someone's attention cross a line? Where would you draw that boundary?"

Deep Dive

The "cringe" is the point

Most teen movies try to make their protagonists relatable by making them slightly awkward but ultimately charming. A Whisker Away takes a different path. Miyo is intense. She’s the kind of kid who doesn't just have a crush; she makes it her entire personality in a way that feels genuinely uncomfortable to watch.

When she discovers she can turn into a cat to get close to Kento, the movie leans into the "creepy" factor more than you’d expect. She’s essentially spying on him. While the high critic scores suggest a masterpiece, the lower audience rating likely reflects how polarizing this behavior is. If you're watching this with a kid, the conversation isn't about how cute the cat is, but rather why Miyo is choosing to erase her human self just to be near someone who doesn't know she's there. It’s a heavy, slightly messy look at self-worth that doesn't offer easy answers.

A visual pivot

The first half feels like a standard, if slightly magical, school drama. Then the movie takes a hard left turn into a hidden world of cats. This is where the animation really shines. It’s lush and imaginative, but it also introduces a darker stake: the idea that you can lose your humanity if you spend too much time pretending to be something else.

This isn't a "magic is wonderful" story. It’s a "magic is a trap for people who hate their lives" story. That distinction makes it a great entry point for Anime Movies for Families: Beyond Studio Ghibli because it moves away from the whimsical safety of younger-skewing films and enters the more existential territory of modern hits like Your Name.

Pacing and the middle-act slump

Be warned that the movie hits a bit of a wall about an hour in. The metaphor of the "mask" gets repeated often, and the plot circles the drain before the big fantasy finale. If your kid is used to the breakneck speed of American studio animation, they might find the introspective monologues boring.

However, for a 12-year-old who feels like they have to put on a mask at school or at home, these slow moments are where the movie actually lives. It’s a film about the internal life of a girl who feels invisible in her own family. If you’re looking for a breezy Friday night flick, this isn't it. If you want something that will stick in your head and maybe spark a real talk about identity, it’s a top-tier choice.

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