A Whisker Away

Miyo Sasaki, a 14-year-old girl, lives in the town of Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture. She struggles with her relationship with her stepmother, Kaoru, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration.

Miyo harbors a crush on Kento Hinode, a handsome boy who remains indifferent to her affections. She often flirts with him despite his lack of romantic interest, which creates tension in her daily life.

One day, Miyo encounters a mysterious mask seller who gives her a magical Noh mask. This mask grants her the ability to transform into a cat, which she later uses to interact with Hinode in ways she couldn't as a human.

Upon transforming into her cat form, named 'Tarō', Miyo begins spending quality time with Hinode. As Tarō, she keeps him company while he studies Japanese pottery, becoming more integrated into his life.

Miyo overhears two boys insulting Hinode at school and, in a moment of bravery, jumps off the school building to defend him. Although she injures herself, this act causes Hinode to show her warmth for the first time by helping her.

Later that evening, Miyo learns that Hinode's family is facing financial struggles, necessitating the closure of their pottery shop. Determined to lift his spirits, she decides to confess her feelings for him in a letter.

During class, Miyo's love letter to Hinode is snatched by a boy who reads it aloud, resulting in public embarrassment for both. In a desperate effort to save face, Hinode harshly tells Miyo that he hates her, devastating her.

Feeling heartbroken, Miyo chooses to live her life as a cat instead of facing Hinode as a human. In this process, her human face, which appears as a porcelain mask, falls off, leading her deeper into her feline form.

As Miyo's friends and family start to search for her, Hinode learns the truth about his feelings for her. He confesses to Tarō, unaware that Tarō is actually Miyo, expressing regret for how he treated her.

Kinako, the family cat of Miyo's stepmother, acquires Miyo's human face and refuses to return it. Kinako's desire to maintain her own life and happiness leads her to sabotage Miyo's return to humanity.

Miyo embarks on a journey to the secret island of cats to plead with the mask seller to transform her back into a human. Meanwhile, Kinako begins to understand the bond between Miyo and her stepmother.

Kinako brings Hinode to the island and reveals the secret of the masks. To help Miyo, she gives him a cat mask that transforms him into a half-cat, allowing him to understand Miyo's plight better.

Miyo and Hinode confront the mask seller at the 'promised place,' where he attempts to complete their transformations. However, they are unexpectedly aided by past victims of the mask seller’s tricks who revolt against him.

As they escape back to the human world, Hinode sincerely apologizes to Miyo for his previous actions and professes his love for her. Kinako returns Miyo's face, allowing her to regain her human form.

In the ending credits, Miyo shares her newfound love with her friend, while Hinode expresses his desire to pursue pottery again. They share a joyful moment, signifying their growth and forming a deeper bond.