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The Cat Returns is regarded as one of Studio Ghibli's more underrated films and actually shares a deep connection to Disney's Cinderella. The Cat Returns is a fantasy isekai anime which follows a young girl protagonist named Haru, who accidentally lands herself in the crosshairs of the strange and conniving Cat King of the Cat Kingdom. The Cat Returns is also a rare Studio Ghibli spinoff film, as the studio is not known for producing spinoffs, prequels, or sequels to their stories.

Haru's story incorporates many different fairy tale motifs. Not only is this a common style of storytelling for fantasy films and children's media, but it's also a popular choice for Studio Ghibli creations. As is always the case for Studio Ghibli films, the chosen fairy tale motifs in The Cat Returns are clever, thoughtful, cohesive, and they analyze fairy tales from a few different angles.

Haru Becomes...

Studio Ghibli films come in a range of genres, sub-genres, and storytelling tones. Some are fairy tale retellings, others are inspired by historical epochs, contemporary romance manga, and magical realism novels. Plot twists come in various forms, depending on the tale, and Ghibli films master each sort of plot twist it includes.

Films like Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away are beautifully written and layered in meaning. They're worth watching over and over, even if the audience knows exactly what is coming next. Some plot points are so layered with nuance that each new viewing reveals more poignant details of the story and its characters.

Fujimoto Loves His Daughter Enough to Let Her Choose in Ponyo Ponyo Must Keep Away from the Ocean, or Her Father Will Drag Her Back Home Image via Studio Ghibli.

In Ponyo, the Queen of the Ocean's eldest daughter wants to leave her ocean home...

New casting information has just been revealed for the Prison Break offshoot that's in the works at Hulu. The project has a pilot that's currently being put into development, though the reboot hasn't yet been officially ordered to series.

Per Variety, the new Prison Break pilot has cast Emily Browning (American Gods), Lukas Gage (Dead Boy Detectives), and Drake Rodger (Landman) in major roles. While the show is set in the same universe as the original Prison Break, it was expected that it would follow a new cast of characters, and these additions mark the first names to be attached to the project. It's not yet clear if any original Prison Break actors will be making special appearances, but more casting information is likely to soon be released with actors starting to sign on for the pilot.

Full details have not been revealed about the plot of the Prison Break reboot,...

Studio Ghibli dazzles fans the world over thanks to its stunning animation, compelling characters and unforgettable stories, many of which draw viewers into breathtaking worlds. While many of Studio Ghibli’s films are celebrated for their heart and artistry, some include elements of action, danger and suspense, with the characters forced into explosive situations in the pursuit of their goals. The high-octane moments lend the stories a dynamic punch, keeping viewers captivated and on the edge of their seat, while satisfying a need for fantasy at the same time.

These elements of action help drive up the stakes the characters face, adding to the trials and tribulations that make the protagonists’ victories all the more savory. From Sheeta’s and Pazu’s explosive discovery of the legendary Laputa in Castle in the Sky to Nausicaä stopping a budding war between the Empire of Tolmekia and the creatures of the toxic...

Studio Ghibli has some of the best character designs. What makes these character designs stunning are the layers of meaning behind each design. Each Studio Ghibli character isn't simply designed on a whim to look good but created in a way where their design enhances the story and visual film in some way.

It's not only the main characters and protagonists of Studio Ghibli films either—from villains to the smallest of side characters—each Studio Ghibli design is important to the story. Studio Ghibli's attention to detail is what makes the films so great and timeless, since each movie offers a new perspective with each rewatch. The rich amount of characters present in Studio Ghibli's films creates an endless number of characters fans of Studio Ghibli can study and analyze.

Related 10 Best Studio Ghibli Characters of All-Time, Ranked

Studio Ghibli is well-known for creating incredible characters that come to life in each film,...

Studio Ghibli movies tell a range of different tales, from cozy countryside fables in My Neighbor Totoro to epic dark fantasy like Princess Mononoke. There are many kinds of heroism. A person doesn't have to be a chosen hero wielding a sword and a grand destiny to show courage and help others.

Heroism means putting others first, and it often comes at a cost. Even low-stakes acts of heroism are vital and make life just a bit easier and kinder. It can mean making someone feel seen and helping them with a basic need on a rainy day. It can also mean breaking a tricky curse and restoring someone's lost heart.

Chihiro Stops No Face without Resenting Him in Spirited Away Chihiro Kindly Helps No Face Change

Sometimes, the most difficult thing that requires the most bravery is showing kindness, like Chihiro does when No Face enters Yubaba's bathhouse in Spirited Away.

Studio Ghibli characters depict many kinds of heroism and bravery. There are many traits that can make a character honorable and heroic. Often, doing the right thing isn't as easy as finding and wielding a legendary sword, or assembling a band of amazing warriors.

Often, heroism isn't easily won, and a character may still be frightened and riddled with self-doubt as they do the right thing. Being kind in an unkind or uncertain world is noble, and resisting the cycle of violence is heroic. These characters don't advertise how admirable they are; they just choose to put one foot in front of the other, keeping loyal to their values and morals while remaining open to learning from new perspectives.

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Related 10 Studio Ghibli Characters That Still Give Us Nightmares (And Why)

From problematic hunks like Howl to terrifying deities like Nago, Studio Ghibli...

The Cat Returns isn't as popular or as well-known as other Studio Ghibli films, like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Nevertheless, the fantasy movie is as sweet and whimsical as other Ghibli films, and it has some compelling (and adorable) characters. It follows a young girl named Haru who isn't the most confident person.

Haru's life changes when she saves a cat from getting run over in the street and that cat turns out to be Prince Lune, the heir to the Cat Kingdom. Antics ensue when his father, the Cat King, brings her to his world. The Cat Returns is a lovely isekai directed by Hiroyuki Morita, and there are plenty of reasons that it stands up next to other Studio Ghibli classics.

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Related Every Studio Ghibli Movie Not Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

While Hayao Miyazaki is seen as the face of Studio Ghibli,...

Studio Ghibli movies evoke a large spectrum of emotion, from romance to tragedy to peaceful rest and valiant heroism. There are some emotional beats in Ghibli films that haved lingered in fans' minds and achieved iconic status in anime. Heroes make worthy sacrifices, unlikely allies lend a helping hand, and protagonists find poignant comfort in small and quiet moments.

Ghibli characters read as very human, which is key to making audiences feel something. Many of their plights are relatable, even if they take place in fantastical worlds and unlikely circumstances. Studio Ghibli's art style is highly recognizable, but the emotional writing and characterization are what truly make the work memorable.

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Related 10 Most Questionable Storylines in Studio Ghibli Films

From Princess Mononoke to Ponyo, plenty of Studio Ghibli films include some confusing, questionable, or just nonsensical storylines.

The Baron Saves Haru from a Despotic King in The Cat Returns Haru's...

Quick Links The Detectives' Antagonist An Immortal Witch Causes Havoc Does Niko Make it Out Alive?

Leaping out of the third season of Maxs Doom Patrol (and originally being created as comic book characters in 1991 by DC Comics Vertigo line), the small-screen adaptation of Dead Boy Detectives has already made quite an entrance on Netflix. The eight-episode first season not only boasts the charming George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri in the main leading roles but also holds a continuity to another cosmic DC adaptation (also on Netflix) called The Sandman.

Nevertheless, this supernatural comedy-drama revolves around the ghostly duo of Edwin Payne (Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Revri) who choose to remain on Earth and solve ghost-related mysteries instead of making a final step into the afterlife. Along with their personalities and wistful angst, the two are quickly joined by actresses Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace and Yuyu Kitamura as Niko Sasaki.

The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives, now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix's Dead Boy Detectives lives up to expectations with its mysteries, monsters and horror thrills. This series focused on two teenage ghosts, Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland, trying to run from Death, all while solving cases and helping fellow ghosts move on to the afterlife. Each episode tells its own story, putting them in various scenarios as sleuths.

However, the Dead Boy Detectives ending does see Edwin, Charles, Niko and Crystal fighting off a main enemy in Port Townsend, Washington. This is none other than Esther the Witch. Thankfully, they are successful, but while the finale is filled with closure, Season 1 does leave a few mysteries unturned.

What Happened to Edwin's Family in Dead Boy Detectives?

Dead Boy Detectives revealed Charles suffered abuse at the hands of his father. He forgave him, but his ghost still...

The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives, now streaming on Netflix.

One thing that stands out about Dead Boy Detectives is how the Netflix series doesn't stick to the source material. Of course, there's no denying Neil Gaiman and his collaborators crafted intriguing DC stories with Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, two ghost sleuths who help souls move on to the afterlife. That original concept still informs the Netflix series.

The beauty of a television adaptation, however, is that it can make substantial changes that best service the story and the medium it's being presented in. Dead Boy Detectives does make a few changes, and in the process, the eight episodes end up shaping some of the scariest monsters the streaming service has ever seen.

Dead Boy Detectives Unleashes a Scary Hell Spider

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"The Case of the Very Long...

Quick Links Who is Lukas Gage's Cat King in Dead Boy Detectives? How Does the Cat King Help Fight Esther in Dead Boy Detectives? Does Edwin Love The Cat King? Is The Cat King Ideal for Edwin?

The following contains spoilers for Season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives, now streaming on Netflix.

One of the things fans were eager to see in Dead Boy Detectives was the connection to The Sandman Netflix series. The show, however, quickly supplants itself as more than just an accompaniment or spinoff. Dead Boy Detectives is its very own thing: a supernatural coming-of-age story that young adults can connect with.

At the heart of it all are the ghost sleuths, Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland. Their story leans into love, friendship and finding kindred spirits. Interestingly, the eight episodes give way to another controversial ally in their lives. This is none other than the Cat King,...

The Cat King in Dead Boy Detectives is a trickster with an army of talking cats who act as his spies and informants. The comics feature talking cats that help the boys independently, but the show adds the Cat King as a new construct to explore more themes. Neil Gaiman's work often includes supernatural cats, with the Sandman series having a story about cats dreaming of a world where they rule.

There are many supernatural elements in Dead Boy Detectives, but perhaps the quirkiest and most charming is that in the universe of the show, cats can talk. Cats play a crucial role behind the scenes in the supernatural creature-filled world of Dead Boy Detectives, acting as go-betweens between Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri) and the Cat King (Lukas Gage). They also ferry information to whoever needs it with a few conditions.

Cats aren't the only important animal in the show,...

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Dead Boy Detectives season 1.

Dead Boy Detectives face various supernatural threats, from witches to demons, in their adventures. Ghosts play a significant role, helping them solve cases, while other beings like living skeletons and Dandelion Sprites cause chaos. Creatures like the Cat King, sea monster, Forest Elemental, and Despair bring unique challenges to the boys.

Dead Boy Detectives featured a lot more than just ghosts in the imaginative world inspired by Neil Gaiman's comic book stories. Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural crime mystery series on Netflix which follows the adventures of two ghosts, Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland. Originally, the characters were created as a part of Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics in 1991, but in time, they went on to have stories of their own.

Within both the Dead Boy Detectives comics and the series, the boys embark on perilous adventures that bring...

Dead Boy Detectives showrunners Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz opened up about the potential future of the teen supernatural fantasy series. This comes after less than a week since the first season had made its debut on Netflix.

During a recent interview with Deadline, Yockey and Schwartz were asked if they already have any ideas on what the next installment would look like once Dead Boy Detectives secures its Season 2 renewal. After Season 1 ended with the titular duo going back to their headquarters in London, the showrunners are excited about the possibility of exploring new cast dynamics in future installments. "I think theres not a limit that we found yet to how far we could go, but thats very brash answer," Yockey said. "I would say weve had some really, really good conversations about what a second season would look like. The cool thing about the show is, because it...

Spoiler Alert: This post contains spoilers from the entire first season of “Dead Boy Detectives,” now streaming on Netflix.

The Dead Boy Detectives may have closed the case of Port Townsend, but they don’t jump back through the mirror to merry old London the same boys they once were.

In the Season 1 finale of Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “Dead Boy Detectives” comic books, Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri) find themselves in the well-manicured clutches of resident witch Esther (Jenn Lyon), who is hellbent on bottling the youthful elixir she brews from the anguish attached to Edwin’s soul from his decades of torture in Hell. Pesky witches, always trying to steal childhood trauma for their skin care routine.

But with the help of Crystal (Kassius Nelson), who has restored her rather unwelcome memories of being a horrible person, and Niko (Yuyu Kitamura), the sweetest soul ever to exist,...

Warning! Contains minor spoilers for Dead Boy Detectives.

Dead Boy Detectives delivers intriguing supernatural stories with well-written characters and stellar performances by the cast members. Initially an HBO spin-off, Dead Boy Detectives became a Netflix show tied to The Sandman series, offering unique quirkiness and intrigue. The monster-of-the-episode format and the exceptional cast make the character beats relatable and fun, maintaining viewer engagement.

Dead Boy Detectives presents several intriguing supernatural stories, but its drama is further elevated by its well-written characters and the performances of the cast members who play them. Based on Neil Gaiman's DC Comics characters of the same name, the Dead Boy Detectives made their first television appearance in HBO Max's Doom Patrol. Owing to this, the Dead Boy Detectives series was initially supposed to be a spin-off of the HBO series.

However, the Neil Gaiman adaptation was later taken over by Netflix, making it a...

Plot: Teenagers born decades apart who find each other only in death, Edwin and Charles are best friends and ghosts… who solve mysteries. They will do anything to stick together – including escaping evil witches, Hell and Death herself. With the help of a clairvoyant named Crystal and her friend Niko, they are able to crack some of the mortal realm’s most mystifying paranormal cases.

Review: Last year, the long-anticipated adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s seminal graphic novel saga The Sandman became a hit for Netflix. With a new generation of viewers discovering the morbidly fascinating world of The Endless, Gaiman’s expansive comic book and literary canon is finally being recognized by a wider audience. While we wait for the series’s second season, Netflix has a spin-off set within the same cinematic universe. Dead Boy Detectives features many direct and tangential connections to The Sandman that will keep...

The DC/Vertigo comics draw significant inspiration from world mythology, adding an intriguing layer to their stories. DC has borrowed elements from Greek mythology, such as the Olympian gods and the Amazons, while also incorporating Lucifer from Christian theology. Similarly, Vertigo has drawn from Sumerian and Jewish mythology with Lilith and Inuit beliefs with Sedna. This amalgamation of mythological elements appeals to readers who appreciate the ability to draw parallels and explore these rich cultural narratives through the lens of their favorite fandoms. The incorporation of mythologies from diverse cultures into the DC universe taps into our innate fascination with these ancient tales. It allows readers to delve deeper into the stories, recognizing familiar elements and drawing connections, ultimately fostering a greater appreciation for the mythological roots behind these stories.

Spoilers Ahead

Who is Lilith?

In the DCverse, Lilith is portrayed as a supernatural being often considered a demonic figure,...

The Cat King is a quirky and unusual supernatural being residing in Port Townsend in the Netflix adaptation. Despite his youthful, late-20s appearance, he is hundreds of years old. True to his name, he reigns as the sovereign ruler over all the cats in Port Townsend, with the felines under his command and dominion. Unlike many other supernatural entities, the Cat King is not entirely immortal. Instead, he possesses nine lives, a trait rooted in the proverb associated with cats. One of these nine lives is taken when Esther beats him to death. However, the Cat King also wields mystical abilities, such as shapeshifting into a cat or another human and teleportation at will. While initially depicted as a hedonistic and antagonistic leader of the cats, the Cat King’s character arc reveals a more nuanced anti-hero with his own intricate agendas. Notably, he is also portrayed as a gender-neutral icon,...

Streaming on: Netflix

Episodes viewed: 8 of 8

The Dead Boy Detectives are defiant in the face of death — it's their whole shtick — yet it's still a miracle that their show survived long enough to reach this point. Starting out as minor comic-book characters in Neil Gaiman's Sandman, the ghostly duo eventually guest-starred in TV's Doom Patrol, but their proposed spin-off was then shunted from HBO Max to Netflix, and the boys themselves were recast too, replacing Ty Tennant and Heartstopper's Sebastian Croft with newcomers George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri.

Yet, despite all that and a wobbly first episode aside, Dead Boy Detectives is remarkably sure of itself. Once the premise is established, the show deftly balances each supernatural case-of-the-week with ongoing threads that dig deeper into the wider world it shares with Netflix's Sandman, as well as the interior world of each lead character. There are cameos and name-drops...

In theory, Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives should be a feast for the misery wraiths, faceless creatures who feed on pain and suffering. The ghostly protagonists, Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), are both teenagers bullied to death at the same British boarding school seven decades apart. They spend their time finding closure for other lost souls, like a pair of high schoolers cut down in their prime or a family slaughtered by an abusive patriarch. And they’re constantly on the run from the agents of Death, who would condemn Edwin to Hell on a technicality.

Yet the duo only ever encounter one such monster over the eight-episode first season, and perhaps that’s because despite its gloomy-sounding premise, Dead Boy Detectives is the furthest thing from dour. Dark, sure; bittersweet, sometimes. But it’s never less than entertaining, thanks to an appealingly quirky lead cast and a cheeky sense of humor.

Dead Boy Detectives might play in the ghostly realm, but the series roars to life whenever Lukas Gage slinks onto the screen as Cat King.

Incredibly powerful and alarmingly sexy — his words not ours — the shape-shifter is an agent of supernatural chaos packaged in both flesh and fur, depending on which form you find him. The former version immediately catches the attention of Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew), one half of the titular crime-solving duo, jump-starting a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Gage is certainly no stranger to on-screen seduction. But playing a feline-human hybrid in a post-digital fur technology world is a challenge even he was hesitant to pounce on. “I just knew that this show was going to be totally something we haven’t seen before,” Gage tells Tudum. “I was also like, ‘What the hell am I going to do as a cat? How...

Neil Gaiman is on a roll these days, with his characters appearing in "Doom Patrol" on HBO Max and the Netflix adaptation of "The Sandman" both garnering audience and critical acclaim. News regarding the upcoming "Doom Patrol" spin-off "Dead Boy Detectives" just keeps on rolling, and it's high time that we finally put on our research caps to wrangle as much information as possible regarding the new series based on the comics of the same name from DC, as well as "The Sandman" universe.

Created by Gaiman and Matt Wagner, the titular Dead Boy Detectives first appeared in live-action during season 3 of "Doom Patrol," but now these supernatural sleuths are ready to take the reigns on their own story. We're still a ways away from actually getting to see "Dead Boy Detectives" on the small screen, but here's everything we know so far.

When And Where To Watch Dead Boy...

Killing Eve vet Fiona Shaw is getting entangled in True Detective‘s case: The actress has joined Season 4 of the HBO drama, which will star Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, our sister site Variety reports.

Officially titled True Detective: Night Country, the latest installment of the series will take place in the frigid Arctic regions of Alaska. “When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the six men that operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace,” per the official description. “To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront...

Lukas Gage has joined the cast of the “Dead Boy Detectives” series at HBO Max, Variety has learned.

The eight-episode series was ordered at HBO Max back in April. It is based on the DC comics of the same name as well as “The Sandman,” from characters created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner.

The official series description states, “It’s a fresh take on a ghost story that explores loss, grief, and death through the lens of Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), two dead British teenagers, and their very alive friend, Crystal Palace (Kassius Nelson). So, it’s a lot like a vintage detective series — only darker and on acid.”

Gage will play the recurring role of the Cat King, described as a charming trickster and itinerant cat spirit, who takes keen interest in Edwin.” Gage takes over the role from Alexander Calvert.

Gage broke...