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Film: My Neighbour Totoro
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Country: Japan
Released: April 1988
Runtime: 86 minutes
Genre: Animation
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Influenced: Makota Shinkai, Satoshi Kon, Jennifer Lee, Naoko Yamada, Michaël Dudok de Wit
Released in 1988 as a part of a double feature with another Studio Ghibli film, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbour Totoro was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who drew inspiration for the film from his own experiences living in the countryside during his childhood (in the Sayama Hills, located just northwest of Tokyo). Miyazaki wanted to create a simple, heartwarming story that would resonate with both children and adults, and the film manages to blend aspects of everyday life with fantasy elements, creating a unique and relatable world where magic is seamlessly integrated into the characters' lives. Set in rural Japan in the 1950s, My Neighbour Totoro follows the adventures of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move with their father to an old, secluded house in the countryside while their mother recovers from an illness in a nearby hospital.
Things begin to get strange and magical when the girls quickly discover that the house is inhabited by friendly spirits and creatures. The most iconic of these creatures is Totoro, a giant, gentle forest spirit who becomes their friend and guardian. The plot revolves around the sisters' interactions with Totoro and the magical creatures of the forest. They embark on whimsical adventures, like flying on Totoro's back using a magical top and Mei's encounter with the smaller Totoros. However, tension arises when Mei goes missing while trying to reach the hospital to visit her mother. With the help of Totoro and the Catbus, another magical creature, the sisters are reunited, highlighting themes of family, friendship and the unseen wonders of the natural world.
Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro while waiting for their father at a bus stop during a rainstorm. Totoro's iconic introduction involves him using a leaf as an umbrella and creating a magical growth of trees. The iconic Catbus, which helps Satsuki locate Mei, becomes a symbol of the mysterious and fantastic aspects of the natural world. The Catbus was in fact inspired by a doodle that Miyazaki drew for his friend's young daughter. Unlike many animated movies, there is no true villain in My Neighbour Totoro and part of the film's groundbreaking approach to storytelling is its overriding focus on the girls' interactions and their emotional journey, rather than external conflicts. Also, the attention to detail in depicting the natural world, from the rustling leaves to the behaviour of the forest spirits, immerses the audience in the film's universe.
Totoro has become a symbol of Studio Ghibli and is recognised all around the world, even by those who may not have seen the film. I rewatched it with the family during the Covid lockdown, when Netflix made this and other Studio Ghibli movies available on their platform, and my girls have now become avid fans. I recommend the unofficial guide to the films, Ghiblioteque, which I bought for my eldest for Christmas. One of the themes that resonated for them is the film's concern about the environment, with Miyazaki promoting a connection to nature and an appreciation for the wonders of the natural world that was ahead of its time. The film is also rightly celebrated for its ability to win over both children and adults, and Miyazaki's storytelling prowess and aesthetic has influenced numerous animators and filmmakers.
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