Beautiful animated film produced by Studio Colorido. It tells the story of Muge, an energetic girl who obtains a magical mask that allows her to transform into a white cat to get closer to her distant classmate, Hinode. However, as she spends more time as a cat, the boundary between her humanity and her feline form begins to blur. The movie's charming and nostalgic setting is inspired with extraordinary photographic accuracy by the real pottery city of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
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Tokoname Station (Meitetsu Line) — Starting Pointconfirmed
The real-world train station of the Meitetsu Line in Tokoname, which Muge and other characters frequently use during their daily lives. It acts as the gateway to the historic pottery city and serves as the starting point for anime pilgrims visiting the town.
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Dokanzaka (Clay Pipe Hill) — Scene with Muge as Catconfirmed
The most famous and iconic slope on the pottery footpath (Yakimono Sanpo-michi). Its side walls are lined with Meiji-era clay pipes ("dokan") and Showa-era shochu bottles, while the path is paved with pottery rings to prevent slipping. Muge is seen walking along this beautiful lane in her cat form "Taro".
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Shinmei Shrine — Meeting the Cat Mask Sellerconfirmed
A historic and peaceful Shinto shrine nestled on a wooded hill in Tokoname. Its quiet grounds, stone steps, and traditional stone lanterns served as the direct model for the mysterious shrine where Muge encounters the Cat Mask Seller and receives the magical mask.
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Ichiki Bridge — Village Overlook and Muge's Jumpsconfirmed
A historic red metal pedestrian bridge built in 1921 over a excavated sunken road, connecting Sakae-machi and Togo-cho. It appears multiple times in the film, notably when Muge jumps down with endless energy to surprise Hinode, and offers a panoramic view of the traditional pottery chimneys.
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Noborigama (Climbing Kiln) — Industrial Landmark and Chimneysconfirmed
Built in 1887, this is the largest remaining climbing multi-chamber pottery kiln in Japan, featuring 8 distinctive brick chimneys and a 17-degree slope. Although operations ceased in 1973, it is preserved as a Cultural Property and its industrial silhouette anchors the film's beautiful backgrounds.
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Tokonyan (Giant Lucky Cat) — Town Guardianconfirmed
A massive sculpture measuring 3.8 meters high and 6.3 meters wide, depicting the head of a giant Maneki-neko (welcoming cat) peeking over a retaining wall on Lucky Cat Street. While a modern tourist monument, its iconic presence matches the film's magical cat theme perfectly.
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Rinku Beach — Summer Festival and Fireworksconfirmed
A large artificial white-sand beach located in the coastal area of Tokoname, directly opposite the artificial island of Chubu Centrair International Airport. This is the exact setting for the lively summer festival where Muge and Hinode walk together, culminating in a beautiful fireworks display.
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Seifu Studio — Hinode Family Pottery Workshopconfirmed
A historic wooden pottery studio built in 1921. Owned by the ancestors of one of the film's directors, it served as the exact, detailed visual reference for the Hinode family residence, the wooden courtyard, the large traditional kiln, and the workshop where Hinode practices pottery.
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Tokoname High School — School of Muge and Hinodeconfirmed
The real-world state high school situated on a hill in Tokoname. The classrooms, corridors, main entrances, and sports fields were realistically illustrated in the film, serving as the backdrop for the daily school life of Muge, Hinode, and their friends.