My neighbour Totoro

The cinematic graphic industry Studio Ghibli is known world-wide for its visually stunning animated films and unique storytelling. Founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli has produced timeless classics made for all ages such as “Spirited away”, “princess Mononoke” and the movie “My neighbour Totoro”; which we will be focusing on in this article.

“My Neighbor Totoro”, released in 1988, follows the adventure of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father. The family started this adventure so they could reunite and be closer with their mother, who is unfortunately sick and in bed, in the nearest hospital to their new home. This “new” house of theirs is haunted and gives you the chills when you hear the creaks in the floor. However, the neighbours make the atmosphere nicer, one of them being a lovely old lady that helped the family with the moving.

After a few days they discovered the house and woods surrounding them are full of crazy but beautiful spirits. One of them being Totoro, who seems to be the “Lord of the forest” and the two smaller Totoros, living together like family. They have a cat/rabbit appearance, their hair is super fuzzy and the most powerful one is huge. Mei discovered them because the smaller Totoros accidentally lead her to their master. The main story is about Mei and Satsuki (once she believed in spirits) living adventures with the Totoros and still getting their father to believe them about how we should believe in spirits and protect them. Along the way, the girls will discover some other creatures like a “cat/bus” and “the little monsters of dust”. The sisters will live wonderful adventures that will leave us with a heartwarming story about family love and caring about nature.

We think this movie has a beautiful message about love and care. This film is probably the most known of all the Ghibili universe and after all these years we could still watch it again. The animation is beyond incredible and the movie can be watched by everyone.

Yasmina Fall S4DEA and Lola García Sanjuan S4ESA / EEB1 Uccle