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Cat's Eye (anime)
Encyclopedia
is a comic
written and drawn by Tsukasa Hojo
. The comic was made into a televised animated
series originally broadcast in 1983 on NTV
. Cat's Eye has also aired in a number of countries outside Japan, including Canada
, France
, Germany
, Italy
, Philippines
, and China
. On April 16, 2007, ImaginAsian
announced that they would broadcast the first season of Cat's Eye on ImaginAsian TV, and would thereafter give the series its first North American home video release. The show began broadcasting in June of that year, with the first DVD released later that September.
A remake of the comic, also titled , will begin publication in the debut issue of Coamix
's upcoming Monthly Comic Zenon anthology, which is scheduled to be published on October 25. The new series will be drawn by artist Shingo Asai.
to an all-girl "Lupin III
", Tsukasa Hojo's sexy trio of leotard
-clad cat burglars became an instant sensation when it first appeared in "Shonen Jump
" in 1981. It ran for eighteen issues, attracting as many female readers as male. The story became an animated television series in 1983, where it proved equally successful with its mix of crime and passion. The same titled opening theme of the series became a hit in its own right, selling over 800,000 copies. The initial thirty-six episodes were followed in 1985 by a second series of thirty-seven episodes which took a lighter tone, concentrating on the love triangle between two of the characters. This was followed by a live-action TV special in 1988, and a live-action feature film in 1997.
The protagonists of the series are the three beautiful Kisugi sisters — Rui, Hitomi and Ai — who run a café
called Cat's Eye. The sisters lead a double life as a trio of highly skilled art thieves, leaving razor-thin "Cat's Eye" calling card
s (adorned with a red cat emblem and capable of slicing through metal, skin and imbedding into concrete walls) at the scenes of their crimes. They steal works of art (mostly painting
s) that belonged to their long-missing father, Michael Heinz, who was a famous art collector during the Nazi regime
), in the hopes of him contacting them.
Toshio Utsumi, a young clumsy police officer investigating the Cat's Eye case, is the fiancé of Hitomi and a frequent visitor of the café. Proud and dedicated to his profession, he swears to capture and bring down the Cat's Eye gang, but is completely clueless about the sisters' true identities, even when his coworkers have already begun to suspect the truth. Hitomi regularly informs the police in advance about her next job, and then uses Toshio's research about the security surrounding the target to help plan the job, about which Toshio has no idea.
At the end of the series, Heinz leaves a note for his daughters stating that he cannot reveal himself yet because the mafia
may kill him, but he may appear in five years' time. However, the "Heinz" turns out to be the sisters' treacherous uncle Cranaff, who betrayed Michael years earlier. After losing a final bet to the Cat's Eye, Cranaff decides to atone for his sin by setting fire to the museum, killing himself and all the crime syndicates. Hitomi eventually admits to Toshio that she is part of Cat's Eye and flees before he can arrest her. Toshio vows to track her down, attempting to "arrest" Hitomi at the airport with a wedding ring
. He resigns from the police force and travels to America to find Hitomi, but finds that she has lost her memory due to a viral meningitis
. Toshio spends time with her until her memories come back, and the two rekindle their relationship.
The trio, as well as the Cat's Eye cafe, also appear in Hojo's later works, City Hunter
and Angel Heart. However, the three series do not share the same continuity.
except for the kanzenban, which were released by Tokuma Shoten
.
and directed by Yoshio Takeuchi.
The first anime series was released on DVD in North America beginning in September 2007. As of August 2008, it is currently unavailable. However, ImaginAsian Entertainment still holds the license and is working to someday rerelease the series.http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-05-13/statement-from-imaginasian-entertainment-on-tms-classics-dvd-titles
Cast
Opening theme:
Ending theme:
as Rui.
directed by Kaizo Hayashi was released in 1997 starring Yuki Uchida
as Ai and Norika Fujiwara
as Rui. Produced with an eye for the Hong Kong
market, the film adds a Triad boyfriend for Ai ("Street Fighter II
" Zero's Kane Kosugi) who is ordered to kill the trio. During a climactic shoot-out at the Triad's restaurant headquarters Michael Heinz is found alive, and rescued.
The storyline basically follows the anime, though the outfits now resemble the black vinyl Catwoman
costume from Batman Returns
. This film is not currently available in the United States, though it may be purchased through some Asian DVD retailers.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
written and drawn by Tsukasa Hojo
Tsukasa Hojo
is a Japanese manga artist. He studied technical design while still at Kyushu Sangyo University, where he began to draw manga. He worked on several one-shot stories before releasing his serialized works: Cat's Eye, City Hunter and Angel Heart....
. The comic was made into a televised animated
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series originally broadcast in 1983 on NTV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
. Cat's Eye has also aired in a number of countries outside Japan, including Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. On April 16, 2007, ImaginAsian
ImaginAsian
ImaginAsian Entertainment is a multi-media company based in New York City. Its main feature is a television network, iaTV, which premiered in 2004 and which focuses on entertainment featuring people of East Asian and South East Asian descent. There is also some South Asian content...
announced that they would broadcast the first season of Cat's Eye on ImaginAsian TV, and would thereafter give the series its first North American home video release. The show began broadcasting in June of that year, with the first DVD released later that September.
A remake of the comic, also titled , will begin publication in the debut issue of Coamix
Coamix
Coamix Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manga and anime production company partnered with Shinchosha. Its headquarters are in the in Kichijōji, Musashino, Tokyo....
's upcoming Monthly Comic Zenon anthology, which is scheduled to be published on October 25. The new series will be drawn by artist Shingo Asai.
History
Compared by AnimageAnimage
is a Japanese anime and entertainment magazine which Tokuma Shoten began publishing in July 1978. Hayao Miyazaki's internationally renowned manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, was serialized in Animage from 1982 through 1994...
to an all-girl "Lupin III
Lupin III
, also known as Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name of Monkey Punch. The story follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of...
", Tsukasa Hojo's sexy trio of leotard
Leotard
A leotard is a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs free. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard ....
-clad cat burglars became an instant sensation when it first appeared in "Shonen Jump
Shonen Jump
Shōnen Jump or Shonen Jump may refer to:*Weekly Shōnen Jump, a Japanese manga anthology magazine published by Shueisha since 1968*Monthly Shōnen Jump, a former sister publication of Weekly Shōnen Jump, published from 1970 to 2007...
" in 1981. It ran for eighteen issues, attracting as many female readers as male. The story became an animated television series in 1983, where it proved equally successful with its mix of crime and passion. The same titled opening theme of the series became a hit in its own right, selling over 800,000 copies. The initial thirty-six episodes were followed in 1985 by a second series of thirty-seven episodes which took a lighter tone, concentrating on the love triangle between two of the characters. This was followed by a live-action TV special in 1988, and a live-action feature film in 1997.
Plot
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
called Cat's Eye. The sisters lead a double life as a trio of highly skilled art thieves, leaving razor-thin "Cat's Eye" calling card
Calling card (crime)
A calling card is a particular object sometimes left behind by a criminal at a scene of a crime, often as a way of taunting police or obliquely claiming responsibility. The name is derived from the cards that people used to show they had been to visit someone's house when the resident was absent...
s (adorned with a red cat emblem and capable of slicing through metal, skin and imbedding into concrete walls) at the scenes of their crimes. They steal works of art (mostly painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s) that belonged to their long-missing father, Michael Heinz, who was a famous art collector during the Nazi regime
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
), in the hopes of him contacting them.
Toshio Utsumi, a young clumsy police officer investigating the Cat's Eye case, is the fiancé of Hitomi and a frequent visitor of the café. Proud and dedicated to his profession, he swears to capture and bring down the Cat's Eye gang, but is completely clueless about the sisters' true identities, even when his coworkers have already begun to suspect the truth. Hitomi regularly informs the police in advance about her next job, and then uses Toshio's research about the security surrounding the target to help plan the job, about which Toshio has no idea.
At the end of the series, Heinz leaves a note for his daughters stating that he cannot reveal himself yet because the mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
may kill him, but he may appear in five years' time. However, the "Heinz" turns out to be the sisters' treacherous uncle Cranaff, who betrayed Michael years earlier. After losing a final bet to the Cat's Eye, Cranaff decides to atone for his sin by setting fire to the museum, killing himself and all the crime syndicates. Hitomi eventually admits to Toshio that she is part of Cat's Eye and flees before he can arrest her. Toshio vows to track her down, attempting to "arrest" Hitomi at the airport with a wedding ring
Wedding ring
A wedding ring or wedding band is a metal ring indicating the wearer is married. Depending on the local culture, it is worn on the base of the right or the left ring finger. The custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond its origin in Europe...
. He resigns from the police force and travels to America to find Hitomi, but finds that she has lost her memory due to a viral meningitis
Viral meningitis
Viral meningitis refers to meningitis caused by a viral infection. It is sometimes referred to as "aseptic meningitis" in contrast to meningitis caused by bacteria.An example is lymphocytic choriomeningitis....
. Toshio spends time with her until her memories come back, and the two rekindle their relationship.
The trio, as well as the Cat's Eye cafe, also appear in Hojo's later works, City Hunter
City Hunter
is a hardboiled manga series written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo, published by Shueisha in the Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1985 to 1991. The manga was adapted into an animated television series by Sunrise Studios in 1987...
and Angel Heart. However, the three series do not share the same continuity.
Characters
- Hitomi's elegant and fashionable older sister. Rui is the leader of the “Cat's Eye” group and the one who usually outlines and plans the heists. With model good looks, worldly sophistication, and a razor sharp intelligence she is able to handle almost any situation. She is extremely athletic and proficient in a great number of activities and skills including car racing, hang glidingHang glidingHang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
, parachutingParachutingParachuting, also known as skydiving, is the action of exiting an aircraft and returning to earth with the aid of a parachute. It may or may not involve a certain amount of free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal...
, helicopter piloting, motorcycle ridingMotorcyclingMotorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
, roller skatingRoller skatingRoller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
, skateboardingSkateboardingSkateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
, martial artsMartial artsMartial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, electronicsElectronicsElectronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, handguns, and scuba divingScuba divingScuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
. She is a skilled actress and is able to disguise her appearance effortlessly. She is also fluent in a number of languages including EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
- Rui acts as the mother figure for her sisters and is very protective of them. She is the only sister who has any lasting memory of their parents.
- Second daughter of Michael Heinz. Hitomi is usually the one who actually commits the heists, and is hence uniquely referred to as the Cat's Eye. Like Rui she is an accomplished athlete and well versed in a number of disciplines and skills ranging from horseback riding to safe cracking. She is a skilled gymnast and is able to perform complex acrobatic moves with ease and grace. She is able to escape most restraints and handcuffs with minimal effort, and it is inferred that she is ambidextrous as well as double jointed. She is a skilled martial artist with proficiency in a number of disciplines, most notably judoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, and karateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, and also has degrees in kendoKendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
and aikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
.
- Like Rui, Hitomi is also able to disguise her appearance effortlessly and can speak several other languages.
- Baby sister of the trio. Ai has a spunky, tomboyish personality and demeanor, and has a genius-level I.Q. and is particularly adept in mechanicsMechanicsMechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
, computer programmingComputer programmingComputer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
and engineeringEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
. She has built a wide array of gadgets to help her sisters in their heists. A typical teenager, she seems to be preoccupied a lot and dreams of falling in love. Being a high school girl, she also has a pet tabby kittenKittenA kitten is a juvenile domesticated cat.The young of big cats are called cubs rather than kittens. Either term may be used for the young of smaller wild felids such as ocelots, caracals, and lynx, but "kitten" is usually more common for these species....
called "Tiger".
- While not as skilled as her sisters, Ai has none-the-less mastered a number of skills and is regularly the one who operates the get-away vehicles for the heists, including helicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s, gyrocopters, truckTruckA truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s, motorcycles, carČarČar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s and mini-planes. Her greatest weakness lies in the fact she is physically the weakest of the three siblings (evident in the anime when she tried to suplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
a wrestler, only to have the maneuver backfire on her), but in exchange, she is also the most agile.
- High school sweetheart to Hitomi. Toshio always dreamed of being a police detective even when in high school, and upon graduation from Academy was assigned to the District Police Station in the heart of TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. While Toshio has wanted to marry Hitomi, he has vowed not to until he has captured the Cat's Eye (he has however made the first step and proposed to her).
- While a bit clumsy and not very good at finding clues, his dogged determination and unyielding persistence has impressed his supervisors. He is however very stubborn and gets into verbal fights with his Chief constantly. Toshio doesn't carry a gun and prefers to use his wits and fists to contend with criminals. He has a weakness for beautiful woman and constantly makes Hitomi jealous.
- Toshio's demanding Section Chief, who oversees the Detective's Division of the Inunaki Precinct. Nothing really is known about him, even his full name is never disclosed. He is constantly at odds with Toshio over his handling of the Cat's Eye investigation, and scolds Toshio at every opportunity.
- A special investigator sent in from Tokyo Police HQ to assist in the Cat's Eye investigations. Asatani has a very shrewd intellect and has a very cunning personality, and is considered an elite officer of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. She is an expert markswoman (won the All-Japan Air Pistol Championships) and is proficient in several martial art forms, she's a 4th-degree black beltBlack belt (martial arts)In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in karateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and 2nd degree black belt in judoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, making her more than a match for Hitomi. She is also quite a beautyBeautyBeauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology, and culture...
, even being crowned a beauty queenBeauty Queen"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
during one of the Cat's Eye cases. She is one of the first person to suspect Hitomi as the true identity of Cat's Eye, but is never able to find definitive proof. Her main weakness is that she must wear prescription glassesCorrective lensA corrective lens is a lens worn in front of the eye, mainly used to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Glasses or "spectacles" are worn on the face a short distance in front of the eye. Contact lenses are worn directly on the surface of the eye...
all the time, as she is practically blind without them.
- While never really elaborated in the TV series, in the mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
she is said to have a secret crush on Toshio, much to the chagrin of Hitomi.
- An Wunderkind artistic prodigy in Germany during the 1930's, Heinz was so gifted that by age 10 he already began composing the beginnings of his impressive art collection, which contains not only elaborate paintings and lithographs but also one-of-a-kind jewelry, sculptures and metal works. Heinz's was even able to create exquisite musical instruments. As such Heinz's works were highly sought among art collectors and galleries and many would pay exorbitant amounts to own one of his works.
- When the Nazi party began taking over Germany, Heinz fled the country for fear of political/artistic suppression. Traveling around the world, he eventually settled down in Japan where he met and married a young Japanese woman. After the birth of their third daughter, Heinz travelled to the U.S. where he disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His vast and priceless collection of art works were soon auctioned off and dispersed to art dealerArt dealerAn art dealer is a person or company that buys and sells works of art. Art dealers' professional associations serve to set high standards for accreditation or membership and to support art exhibitions and shows.-Role:...
s around the world. Eventually many pieces found their way to Japan in the hands of various private deals (many with criminal ties). In subsequent years, the collection were stolen piece by piece, regardless of heavy security, by a trio of thieves calling themselves "Cat's Eye", who were actually Heinz's grown-up daughters seeking clues to his whereabouts and hoping to get his attention to get him out of hiding.
- Rui, Hitomi and Ai find that their father is in the U.S. and they go there to track him down. It is eventually revealed that Michael was actually betrayed and forced into exile by his jealous twin brother Cranaff (クラナッフ), who then stole Michael's identity for profit with the syndicate. The revelation ends the sisters' hope of finding their father through recollecting his art work, and the Cat's Eye cease operations afterwards.
- Trusted friend and confidant to the three sisters, a very good friend of Heinz and his wife. Nagaishi provides detailed information for Cat's Eye's heists and also helps them acquire any hardware and/or other sophisticated equipment that they may need that Ai cannot provide. His background is a mystery but he may have been a member of the Armed Forces as he has some military expertise.
- A girl from Ai's school who took a picture of Hitomi while shooting photographs of the moon with a telelens. She later boasted to one of her friends that she had taken pictures of Cat's Eye, sending Ai (who overheard the conversation) panicking. Kasumi became determined to reveal Cat's Eye's true nature and planned to go to the place Cat's Eye's next target with her camera. She managed to get a good look at the backside of Cat's Eye and thought that Hitomi fits that picture very well, and became only more convinced when she sees Hitomi playing around with some punks in the park. Asatani has noticed this too and takes Kazumi into her confidence. With a story about her dad being away (that it is unsafe for a young girl to be alone at home), Kazumi infiltrates into the Kisugi's home and asks Ai to let her stay the night. However, the Kisugi sisters managed to cunningly circumvent Kazumi's suspicion by appearing that Hitomi was still at home during the Cat's Eye mission.
Manga
All manga were released by ShueishaShueisha
is a major publisher in Japan. The company was founded in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company. Magazines published by Shueisha include Weekly Shōnen Jump, Weekly Young Jump,...
except for the kanzenban, which were released by Tokuma Shoten
Tokuma Shoten
is a publisher in Japan, that was established in 1954.The company was also the parent company for the film studio Daiei Motion Pictures, bought in 1974, and the record label Tokuma Japan Communications, bought in 1972, until both were sold off when Yasuyoshi Tokuma, who established this company,...
.
- Jump ComicsWeekly Shonen Jumpis a weekly shōnen manga anthology published in Japan by Shueisha under the Jump line of magazines. The first issue was released with a cover date of July 2, 1968, and it is still circulating. One of the longest-running manga magazines in Japan, it has a circulation of 2.8 million copies...
- April 1982, ISBN 4088514513
- August 1982, ISBN 4088514521
- November 1982, ISBN 408851453X
- March 1983, ISBN 4088514548
- June 1983, ISBN 4088514556
- August 1983, ISBN 4088514564
- October 1983, ISBN 4088514572
- January 1984, ISBN 4088514580
- April 1984, ISBN 4088514599
- July 1984, ISBN 4088514602
- October 1984, ISBN 4088514610
- January 1985, ISBN 4088514629
- February 1985, ISBN 4088514637
- March 1985, ISBN 4088514645
- April 1985, ISBN 4088514653
- May 1985, ISBN 4088514661
- June 1985, ISBN 408851467X
- July 1985, ISBN 4088514688
- Aizōban
- January 1994, ISBN 408782621X
- February 1994, ISBN 4087826228
- March 1994, ISBN 4087826236
- April 1994, ISBN 4087826244
- May 1994, ISBN 4087826252
- June 1994, ISBN 4087826260
- July 1994, ISBN 4087826279
- August 1994, ISBN 4087826287
- September 1994, ISBN 4087826295
- October 1994, ISBN 4087826309
- Bunkoban
- November 1995, ISBN 4086171511
- November 1995, ISBN 408617152X
- January 1996, ISBN 4086171538
- January 1996, ISBN 4086171546
- February 1996, ISBN 4086171554
- February 1996, ISBN 4086171562
- March 1996, ISBN 4086171570
- March 1996, ISBN 4086171589
- April 1996, ISBN 4086171597
- April 1996, ISBN 4086171600
- Kanzenban
- 2005-10-15, ISBN 4197803176
- 2005-10-15, ISBN 4197803184
- 2005-11-15, ISBN 4197803222
- 2005-11-15, ISBN 4197803230
- 2005-12-15, ISBN 4197803249
- 2006-01-14, ISBN 4197803265
- 2006-02-15, ISBN 4197803281
- 2006-03-15, ISBN 4197803303
- 2006-03-15, ISBN 4197803311
- 2006-04-15, ISBN 4197803338
- 2006-04-15, ISBN 4197803346
- 2006-05-15, ISBN 4197803389
- 2006-05-15, ISBN 4197803397
- 2006-06-15, ISBN 4197803427
- 2006-06-15, ISBN 4197803435
Other books
- Cat's Eye novel
- Written by Hideo Takayashiki
- December 1996, ISBN 4-08-703055-5
- Written by Tsukasa Hōjō
- Digital Work by Futoshi Nagata
- 2000-03-22, ISBN 4088570405
Series I
Cat's Eye first aired 36 episodes in 1983, made by Tokyo Movie ShinshaTokyo Movie Shinsha
, formerly known as , is a Japanese animation studio, founded on October 1946. One of the oldest and most prominent anime studios in Japan, it has also produced numerous animated series airing in other countries such as France, the United States, and Italy. The company currently uses "TMS...
and directed by Yoshio Takeuchi.
The first anime series was released on DVD in North America beginning in September 2007. As of August 2008, it is currently unavailable. However, ImaginAsian Entertainment still holds the license and is working to someday rerelease the series.http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-05-13/statement-from-imaginasian-entertainment-on-tms-classics-dvd-titles
Series II
37 new episodes of Cat's Eye were created in 1985, directed by Kanetsugu Kodama. The second series gradually refocused on the farsical love comedy between Hitomi and Toshio and was played more for laughs.Cast
- Rui Kisugi — Toshiko FujitaToshiko Fujitais a Japanese seiyū. She currently works at Aoni Production.-Roles:*Bonobono in the first Bonobono film*Cross in Ginga Nagareboshi Gin*Corazón Muto in Allison & Lillia...
- Hitomi Kisugi — Keiko TodaKeiko Todais a Japanese actress and seiyū. Her most famous role is being the voice of the children's hero Anpanman on the long running anime Soreike! Anpanman...
- Ai Kisugi — Chika SakamotoChika Sakamotois a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo affiliated with Arts Vision.-Television animation:*Baby and Me *Ashita no Nadja *Legend of the Mystical Ninja *Fighting Foodons *Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ...
- Toshio Utsumi — Yoshito YasuharaYoshito Yasuharais an actor and seiyū born on November 17, 1949 in Aioi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. He is a member of Theatre Echo, a theatre troupe and talent management firm known for its comedy sketches...
- Chief — Kenji UtsumiKenji Utsumiis a Japanese voice actor and actor from Kitakyūshū, affiliated with the self-founded Ken Production. He is married to fellow voice actress Michiko Nomura....
- Mitsuko Asatani — Yoshiko SakakibaraYoshiko Sakakibarais a Japanese voice actress.-Direct-to-video animation:* 1983 Dallos - Melinda Hurst* 1985 Greed - Mimau* 1985 Area 88 - Yasuda* 1985 Cream Lemon – Rio* 1985 Megazone 23 – Reina* 1985 The Karuizawa Syndrome - Kaoru Matsunuma...
- Sadatsugu Nagaishi — Tamio ŌkiTamio Okiis a Japanese voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Appleseed *Astro Boy *Cat's Eye *El-Hazard is a Japanese voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Appleseed...
- Kazumi — Chiyoko KawashimaChiyoko Kawashimais a former Japanese voice actress. She retired from voice-acting in 2001; her final role was that of Kusakabe Maron's mother in Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne.-Notable voice roles:*Candy Candy as Patricia O'Brien*Cat's Eye as Kazumi*Kaibutsu-kun as Utako...
Opening theme:
- "Cat's Eye" by AnriAnri, real name , is a Japanese singer and singer-songwriter, born in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She has written much of her own music as well as singing songs written by others such as her debut release Oribia o Kikinagara, by Amii Ozaki...
(eps 1–36) - "Derringer" by Mariko Tone (eps 37–73)
Ending theme:
- "Dancing with the Sunshine" by AnriAnri, real name , is a Japanese singer and singer-songwriter, born in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She has written much of her own music as well as singing songs written by others such as her debut release Oribia o Kikinagara, by Amii Ozaki...
(eps 1–12) - "Dancing with the Sunshine" by cathi Linn (eps 13–36)
- "Hot Stuff" by Sherry Savage (eps 37–73)
Adult anime
"Cat's Eye" was unofficially adapted into an adult anime in 1985. Titled "Cat's Ai: Milky Girl", the porn pastiche was released straight to video.TV movie
A TV movie Cat's Eye was made in 1988, including Mie from the band Pink LadyPink Lady (band)
is a Japanese female pop music duo of the late 1970s and early 1980s, featuring Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda...
as Rui.
Feature film
A live-action movie Cat's EyeCat's Eye (1997 film)
Cat's Eye is a 1997 Japanese film directed by Kaizo Hayashi and starring Yuki Uchida and Norika Fujiwara. It is a live-action movie adaptation of the famous manga and anime TV series Cat's Eye, not to be confused with a previous 1988 live-action TV movie adaptation.-Cast:* Yuki Uchida as Ai...
directed by Kaizo Hayashi was released in 1997 starring Yuki Uchida
Yuki Uchida
is a Japanese actress, and a popular 1990s Japanese idol, model and singer.-Biography:She practiced fencing in high school, and ranked 3rd in a tournament in Tokyo in 1991....
as Ai and Norika Fujiwara
Norika Fujiwara
is a Japanese beauty queen, model and actress. She became Miss Japan in 1992 and was an exclusive model for CanCam magazine. She has appeared in various commercials and TV series and a number of films in Japan.-Career:...
as Rui. Produced with an eye for the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
market, the film adds a Triad boyfriend for Ai ("Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
is a competitive fighting game originally released for the arcades in . It is the arcade sequel to the original Street Fighter released in and was Capcom's fourteenth title that ran on the CP System arcade hardware...
" Zero's Kane Kosugi) who is ordered to kill the trio. During a climactic shoot-out at the Triad's restaurant headquarters Michael Heinz is found alive, and rescued.
The storyline basically follows the anime, though the outfits now resemble the black vinyl Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
costume from Batman Returns
Batman Returns
Batman Returns is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the sequel to Burton's Batman , and features Michael Keaton reprising the title role, with Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.Burton originally did not...
. This film is not currently available in the United States, though it may be purchased through some Asian DVD retailers.