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Disney Japan Names Gatto “Nero of Water City” for 2027

6/14/2026

47 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Disney Japan Announces

Disney Japan announced on June 12, 2026 that the animated feature Gatto will open in Japan as “Nero of the Water City” in Spring 2027.
The United States release of Gatto remains scheduled for March 5, 2027.
The film will be titled “Nero of the Water City” in Japan and Gatto in the United States.
The Japanese press release provided story details and context absent from the U.S. announcement.

Summary

Disney Renames Film

Disney renamed the film “Gatto” to “Nero of the Water City” for Japanese audiences.
The change follows Disney’s policy of using language nuances, trademark issues, and local familiarity, as seen with the 2016 Zootopia-to-Zootropolis rebrand in Europe.
Disney officials said the Japanese title provides a smarter introduction to the film’s world.
Disney emphasized the new title only alters branding, not the film itself.

Summary

Pixar Unveils Cat

The Japanese release reveals Nero’s backstory as a black-cat outcast in Venice’s underworld, linked to superstition.
Director Enrico Casarosa blends hand-drawn painting with 3DCG, creating Pixar’s first visual style of this kind.
Pixar compares the Venice underworld to its earlier “what-if” worlds such as Toy Story and Coco.
Gatto is identified as Pixar’s first feature film starring a cat, marking a new franchise milestone.

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Disney Japan Announces

Disney Japan announced on June 12, 2026 that the animated feature Gatto will open in Japan as “Nero of the Water City” in Spring 2027.
The United States release of Gatto remains scheduled for March 5, 2027.
The film will be titled “Nero of the Water City” in Japan and Gatto in the United States.
The Japanese press release provided story details and context absent from the U.S. announcement.

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