Samurai Cat: The Diary of a Warrior & Cat Lover's Cultivation – Film Location Introduction

Written / Compiled and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network

In the first week of July’s summer holiday season, the new film “Samurai Cat” debuts on the big screen, adapted from the wildly popular Japanese TV series. The story is set in Edo City during the final years of the shogunate. Banmei Kumatani, a wandering swordsman nicknamed “Hundred-Man Slayer” and “Demon Slayer” for his fierce reputation, left his wife and child in his hometown and came to the city to make a living several years ago. However, fate was cruel—unable to secure an official position in the government, he ended up as a homeless swordsman. One day, a group of uninvited guests disrupted the peace at his quiet lodging. They were from the dog-loving Mizawa family. The young master of the Mizawa family, Saburouta, asked Banmei to assassinate the leader of the rival cat-loving Aikawa family... not the man himself, but his most beloved cat?! Though the job wounded Banmei’s samurai pride, he agreed—for the money.

As Banmei infiltrated the home of the eccentric cat owner Aikawa and was about to strike with his blade to complete the mission, his iron-hard manly heart was unexpectedly melted… no, enchanted by the adorable eyes of the feline!! The tough-looking, fearsome swordsman known as “Ban-ghost” experienced heartwarming healing for the first time!!! As a result, he couldn’t bear to kill Tamanojoh, and secretly bundled him up and took him home. And so begins the story of Banmei being completely bamboozled by Lord Tamanojoh… Meanwhile, the Aikawa family learns that Tamanojoh is still alive and begins plotting to get him back…

The TV drama “Samurai Cat,” which surprisingly warms the heart despite being a period piece, received an enthusiastic response from cat lovers and animal enthusiasts across the country after airing on TV and online channels, leading to the filming of an animal-themed “healing” movie version.

Set in the final years of the shogunate, the down-on-his-luck wandering swordsman Banmei Kumatani, once known as the “Hundred-Man Slayer,” receives a special assassination assignment. The target? The leader of a long-standing enemy clan... and “his pet cat.” Forced to compromise his pride for a paycheck, Banmei takes on this absurd mission. But when he meets the cat—Tamanojoh—he is captivated by its innocent, clear gaze, betraying his samurai code and secretly bringing the cat home. From then on, he is drawn into the conflict between the cat faction and the dog faction... [Samurai Cat: The Movie] aims to break traditional misconceptions about cats, infuse it with human warmth, and encourage more people to reconsider these unique lives different from our own.

[Samurai Cat: The Movie] is the latest in a line of animal-healing period dramas following [Cat Taxi] and [Shiba Inu Pup]. The uniquely nicknamed swordsman “Ban-ghost” Banmei Kumatani is naturally played by Kazuki Kitamura. Having portrayed everyone from ancient Romans in [Thermae Romae] to playing opposite veteran actor Tatsuya Nakadai as father and son in [A Japanese Tragedy], he has masterfully taken on a wide range of distinct roles. Not only is he a highly skilled superstar, but he also possesses a very distinctive personal charm. Yoshie Yokoyama plays his wife, and other key cast members from the TV series reprise their roles. The script is a brand-new story specially tailored for the film version, and features an all-star expanded cast. The female lead is Rena Matsui, known for [Transfer Student: Goodbye Dear] and [RIVER], while the villain role is played by Teruyuki Kagawa, who starred alongside Toshiyuki Nishida in the [Aibou] series. The director is Yoshitaka Yamaguchi, who served as an assistant director to Takashi Miike for many years and directed his first feature film, [Aruka na], starring Tao Tsuchiya. The theme song is a new track specially composed for the film by the “Shinsei Brothers.”