Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows

"A Small Review, A Grand Play"

"Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko" is a example of the importance of short films.

In less than 30 minutes, it tells a story of growing up and the struggles it brings along the way, shows the peaceful side in death and the beautiful side of life, it's a type of narrative a full season show can't deliver, for not being tie-in on character development, tramas or dramas, it focus on the message and the better way to express it. It's poetic and romantic, full of meaning in every second.

Next time you don't have something to watch, give a chance for works ... like this, some 30 minutes can fufill what you need.

Shinkai's concept doesn't exactly do any favors for Everything Flows, a mini-series chronicling a young girl, her cat, and their quiet lifestyle. The downside to slice-of-life shorts is the base material often being too insignificant to confidently strike a sense of feel-good familiarity or leave a memorable impression. This is no exception, even if the broad scope of the interactions is perfectly inoffensive. Miyu struggles to establish her resolve for independence, feeling alienated from obligations and personal desires. Her cat (Daru) narrates as much as he can see without actually understanding, and the parallels between both perspectives sum up the entire premise. It's frankly a ... lot less clever than it sounds, but the alternating episodic motifs are simple yet functional. Daru's monologues describe his often disconnected relationship with the girl, they are conducive to a rift separating an animal's supposed affection from genuine interest. Similarly, her dialogue is meant for self-distraction, but most of the metaphors that are generated through subdued delivery fall a bit flat, and don't completely match up to the finale's intentions, albeit the outcome is foreshadowed multiple times in passing.

Studio Liden Films is by no means an animation powerhouse, rather they're the opposite, so their work here is marginally impressive. The changes in visual language are more effective than they initially seem, namely stark backlighting in segments that aim for symbolism. Furthermore, integrating seamless transitional directing compensates for weaker moments of Daru's consistent screen time, as he's the primary character. Character animation is on the lesser end, but most of the standout sequences exhibit solid micromovements, expressions, and minor variations in voice intonation. The art direction is easily the best aspect of the short's production values, sporting gentle colors that are easy on the eyes, although it would have greatly benefitted from incorporating urban scenery. My largest issue, however, is the score, using repeated single-instrument rhythms, and outside of the ED track, one hardly notices there being music at all. Everything Flows visualizes the subtle intimacy of pets and their owners, potentially saving both from loneliness.

(Spanish review below).

I definitely recommend reading the manga instead of watching the anime. The latter deals with its themes very superficially. Also, it changes a lot of things for the worse, because these changes take away depth and make it an average anime. The drawing is much better in the manga as well.

While the manga is not a masterpiece, it set out many interesting and sensitive issues, which the anime simply trivializes. Even the relationship between the girl and her cat is different.

I watched ‘Blue Period’ after watching ‘She and Her Cat’, and I was pleasantly surprised to know that both mangas are by the ... same author.

...

Definitivamente recomiendo mucho más leer el manga. El anime trata sus temas de forma muy superficial. Además, cambia un montón de cosas para mal, porque estos cambios le quitan profundidad y lo vuelven un anime promedio. El dibujo es muchísimo mejor en el manga también.

Si bien el manga no es una obra maestra, plantea muchos temas interesantes y sensibles, que el anime simplemente banaliza. Incluso la relación entre la chica y su gato es diferente.

Vi ‘Blue Period’ después de ver ‘Ella y su gato’, y me sorprendió gratamente saber que ambos mangas son de la misma autora.