IF YOU SEE A CAT is a 37-minute VR animated film directed by internationally acclaimed animator Atsushi Wada, winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and one of Japan’s leading animation artists.

Combining hand-crafted animation, immersive VR storytelling, and powerful performances, this interactive cinematic experience invites viewers to witness a deeply personal story from a unique perspective.

The film has been recognized at major international festivals, including:

Venice International Film Festival (VR Section Nominee)

International Film Festival Rotterdam (Official Selection)

Feinaki Beijing Animation Week

Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival

Piccolo Festival Animazione

Carthage Film Festival XR Program

Japanese voice performances feature acclaimed actors Ryuya Wakaba and Ryoko Yuui.

Available with Japanese and English audio, plus Simplified and Traditional Chinese subtitles.

Become Part of the Story in VR In Japan, it is said that one in twenty people receives treatment for some form of mental illness. Japan’s mental healthcare system faces various challenges that stem from historical context, the inherent complexity of mental health treatment, and the structural distortions within the system itself. In this work, a boy who sees his deceased beloved cat as a hallucination is diagnosed with a mental illness solely because he “sees cats”.

Within the VR experience, players assume the perspective of the hallucinated cat, observing the boy’s hospital experiences. This closeness allows for a vivid, immersive exploration of mental healthcare issues, family relationships, and the meaning of finding peace in oneself.

Observing events from this unusual vantage point creates a powerful sense of closeness, allowing you to quietly experience the boy’s emotional world as it unfolds around you.…