Cat Nation: A Film About Japan's Crazy Cat Culture (2017) User Reviews

A charming look into Japan's fascination with cats. The host is great-highly recommended!

[mehobulls · 8/10 · 30 November 2020]

Cats. Real cats. Fake cats. Waving cats. Cat pubs. Cat trains. It's an interesting documentary on Japanese cat culture in a personal tour with Chris Broad.

Worst Host Ever

[kayael1 · 6/10 · 12 September 2022]

Turkish cat enthusiast here. In this movie we are taken to a Japanese cat tour which is enjoyable and interesting if you love cats.

It could be informative too. Alas host knows nothing on the subject. He is not there to cover for that with interviews also. He just makes inane comments. It is evident that he is not a cat lover. He is not sarcastic also.

Don't expect Monthy Python or any other form of British humor. Just a person who is unfit for hosting making inane comments. You could feel insulted if you are Japanese. Don't expect information or insight. It is just a light visual tour with a lacking, banal host.

Kibble for ailurophiliacs

[jamesrupert2014 · 7/10 · 27 December 2021]

Chris Broad, a Brit expat living in Japan, provides viewers with a cat-themed exploration of Japanese culture. Cat lovers will likely enjoy the film but there is not really much to it. The trips to a couple of islands overrun with cats are interesting but most of the material, such as the story of Tamu the stationmaster cat or the history of Maneki Neko, can be found online. Broad makes too much of the presence of semi-feral cats wandering around Japanese cities or cat-themed stores in Tokyo as a reflection of the Japanese psyche. Many European cities have large semi-feral cat populations (Florence and Barcelona for example) and we in Canada (which has about the same population as Greater Tokyo) have 'cat-themed' stores, cat cafes, cat sanctuaries, etc but no one considers us a 'cat nation'. There are some fun moments and the cats are either interesting or cute (or both), so watchable but nothing special.

Meow meow.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 4 September 2022]

Cat Nation: A Film About Japan's Crazy Cat Culture, the title speaks for itself. It's a documentary about cats, in Japan, where they have a weird obsession and fascination for our furry friends. If you're a cat lover you'll probaby find it interesting to watch, probably cute and adorable as well. But if cats aren't your thing there's not much value to this documentary. I love cats so I did like it, enjoyed watching this documentary. It's well made but not exceptionally well made. It's just interesting and informative, certainly if you want to learn more about a part of the Japanese culture and customs.

Cats and British humour

[chavezmarchant · 9/10 · 5 December 2021]

It has cats. It has sarcastic British humour.

Absolute masterpiece.

You can tell the host is not comfortable with cats, which adds to the charm.

If you enjoy British humour and cats, then you'll like this documentary.

Should have done a better job at casting the host...

[nataliasaenz-21741 · 4/10 · 9 July 2021]

It would have been nice to have the reporter/director take their job more seriously and not just go around mocking "crazy" cat culture. After going around Japan and witnessing firsthand people's devotion for cats, one would think they would show a bit more awe, interest, and respect for its cultural expressions and historical significance. Painful to watch as a man who clearly has never owned a cat go around temples, towns, and shops joking, mocking, and diminishing cat culture (and Japanese for that matter) as one for the desperate, superstitious, and childhood obsessed.

Incredibly Chill & Great Destresser

[willalexanders · 8/10 · 20 March 2022]

This documentary gives an interesting look at Japan's cat culture and although it's far from comprehensive, it's a great movie for relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. I'd recommend it for whenever you need to chill after a near panic attack as the cute cats will undoubtedly bring a sense of Zen and peace.

Lack of passion from the host

[roxanadumitriu-64420 · 2/10 · 17 September 2021]

Really great information but the host is very condescending, somewhat judgmental and not very much of a cat lover. While he is talking about the history, legends and culture he makes certain comments and facial expressions which come across as judgmental. This is sad as the documentary has a lot of information about places to visit for cat lovers.

A Mistake

[violinburstnote · 1/10 · 24 April 2021]

This man does not deserve to create a documentary like this. His bias is unhelpful and his attitude is out of line. I have never seen a more disrespectful host towards Japanese people, culture, and just the commentary is enough to make you stop watching immediately. It shows some examples of great places to see cats, but I recommend you do your own research. If you try to take a look through his eyes and the lens of someone like this host you will only be disappointed. Whether it was insulting cats or making jests about the people of Japan. I could not stand to watch another minute of it.