Well GO USA
Coming to Digital Oct 14, 2025
Liang Cao’s The Royal Cat (金陵御猫, The Imperial Cat of Jinling) may be one of the few Chinese animated features in recent years to secure proper North American distribution—a rare catch for curious cinephiles who love a whisker of something different. While I’m happy that other animation studios can show off their style worldwide, Light Chaser Animation’s White Snake 3, Chang’an, and Curious Tales of a Temple remain hard to find on this continent. As for a physical home video release? That’s a mouse most likely to escape the kitchen.
This film offers a variation on the Puss in Boots formula rather than Kung Fu Panda. Zhan Ao (Tu-Te-Ha-Meng), a talking tabby cat, doesn’t wear shoes and lacks a tail—a bold fashion choice for a feline hero. He’s a skilled fighter who once loyally served General Kou. After his master’s death, however, he reinvented himself as a Robin Hood–like figure, prowling the streets with cause and cunning. That missing tail? It’s not just a style statement; it hints at something mystical. When Ao becomes a wanted fugitive, it raises the suspicion that there’s more to his nine lives than meets the eye. In this world, other animals can also converse with humans—which means the line between myth and reality is as slippery as a fish in a pond.
The mystery begins when a human Bao Zheng (Zhengyang Ma) is assigned to investigate a series of disappearances. Some victims transform right before their eyes; others are suspected to share the same fate. The kitty may not even be aware that some of his friends were once human, but when he catches a whiff of the truth, he reluctantly teams up with Zhan Ao to uncover the mystery behind the Crown Prince’s disappearance. Although the feline doesn’t care as much (he’s almost like Top Cat with fewer alleyway antics), it made me wonder if Ao might be the prince who lost his memory. Alas, the narrative offers little evidence to confirm this theory.
To solve the case before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the duo enlists the help of a nameless black fox (uncredited) and a quick-witted mouse named Jinmaoshu (). She nearly steals the show and has more charm than a basket of catnip. Had this film been about her, I’d still curl up to watch it. Instead, the story leans heavily on Western fairy tale tropes, aiming for universal appeal rather than staying distinctly Chinese. It’s a bit like chasing a sunbeam—delightful but fleeting.
Although the later acts lean more into folkloric visual style, and some characters clearly come from tradition, I wish those whiskered wonders had arrived earlier. Rich, colourful cityscapes can only do so much. Without greater spiritual resonance, this film doesn’t have the extra spark to make it stand out.
Compared to the Kung Fu Panda animated series, which remembers its heritage, the tone here is much more grounded in Western storytelling. Yet without strong narrative hooks, what’s offered here skims the surface like a cat pawing at water without taking a drink.
Thankfully, the heart is in the right place. No matter where in the world a cruel heart lies, there’s always someone yearning to establish a new world order. Whether that’s by eliminating all magical creatures to pave the way for a better future or just hating the spirit world, I’m sure the Daoists would have something to say. There are no monks in this tale, which makes this take feel rather unusual. Usually they offer commentary on humanity’s relationship with nature and the surrounding life.
There’s even a possibility of deeper subtext—something that may not have fully carried over in the English dub. Details about court politics and life before the king’s disappearance remain vague, which limits world-building. It might have existed in the original dub, but the context makes that unclear. Here, the story is very much about an exiled cat, and he’s doing nothing about regaining his honour. He’s resigned to his new life.
At the end of the day, The Royal Cat feels a bit like chasing a laser pointer—charming, colourful, and fun, but not always hitting the mark. There’s enough here to purr over: clever characters, hints of mystery, and a world where whiskers and wonder collide. Yet it never quite scratches beneath the surface of its own lore. Still, for those who love a mix of fairy tale fluff, Eastern myth, and a dash of swagger, this film is worth curling up with—even if it won’t win the crown for catnip-level purrfection.
3½ Stars out of 5
The Royal Cat Trailer
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