I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this movie before this year, it seems much more digestible than a lot of other Ghibli films. The story's a bit more cliche, but that brings it closer to typical American animation, and I think ultimately it's better off. I wanna be like Baron when I grow up

This has been my least favorite movie of the Studio Ghibli Fest movies that I have watched. It was cute and definitely worth seeing once. I wouldn’t care to watch it again. I think it would be very entertaining for children.

I LOVE CATS

This movie with all of the Studio Ghibli films are the best. We love them all, would love to go to Japan one day to the Ghibli Park there. But until then will always watch them, especially on the Big Screen, awesome movie, both the story and the animation, for young and old, wonderful for all ages!!!!!

As with much of Miyazaki’s own output, the film offers a winning heroine and a joyful dip into Japanese folklore, even if it does not stand up against the studios most celebrated works.

Ben Nicholson

CineVue

The results are disappointingly conventional for a Ghibli film—the film is good-hearted, energetic, and full of Ghibli's characteristically beautiful hand-rendered animation, but it's also lightweight and hyper, with none of Miyazaki's more resonant themes.

Tasha Robinson

The A.V. Club