Ranked #74

Tonari no Totoro

I remember Totoro was my favorite anime. I'd pop it in the VCR player (yes, old school, I know) and watching it with my little brother when I was a little girl. Somewhere around 14 years later, it's still my favorite movie, and probably always will be.

Totoro's story is incredible: it captures the imagination of two girls with very different personalities. Mei, the older, responsible girl who takes care of household responsibilities while her mother is sick, and little Mei, a veritable firecracker who's curiosity knows no limits. What made this movie so incredible was how well it captured the imagination of kids their age. Just watching it makes you think back about all those fun things you did when you were younger, whether you're helping your parents with chores or you're outside picking acorns off the grass. I think thanks to this movie, I spent a good chunk of my childhood looking through bushes and trying to find crevices in trees so I could find where Totoro's house was! Ah, lots of memories...

Miyazaki's artwork is stunning. Despite the fact that by now, it's obviously somewhat older, the animation is still superior to anything Disney can throw at us. His specialization in artwork of nature make this film a delightful piece of eye candy.

The music! How cute! The opening sounds like one of those little tunes my mother would sing to me in Korean when I was younger. I've always loved the music in Miyazaki's movies and this one is no exception.

Totoro is easily still my favorite movie in the world for over a decade. Highly recommended to watch, rewatch, and watch with everyone else. read more

Sigh...How should I describe my most cherished and precious childhood memory of my whole life so that I wouldn't understate it at all?!?!

After all, Tonari no Totoro is the first anime and probably even the first full-length film I ever saw. It is the key that opened the first door towards the wonderful world of anime, manga and the whole japanese culture itself. I'm not such a type that has certain idols/authorities behind my ideologies but if there's one, it is definitely Hayao Miyazaki.

When I try to explain to someone how incredible this movie is, I almost can't put it in understandable words (like even now). With an innocent, simple and pure storyline, Studio Ghiblis outstanding animation, Joe Hisaishis B E A U T I F U L music and imaginative characters like makkuro kurosukes, you get an experience that takes away all your troubles and sorrow and turns you from the beginning till the ending of credits into a full 100% optimistic person. It may not be exactly like that (for me it was), but I can assure, that after you have seen this movie, you are NOT disappointed.

PS warning: The opening theme will make you feel like you're a 4 year old again! read more

Tonari no Totoro - Would be one of the best Animes I saw when I saw little.

Even thought it might been more based towards girls, it still stayed neutral as a soiled stone for both genders.

The story here is rather simple but still has a very detailed view on things that happens around it, it doesn't focus just on one thing (like defeat the EVIL monster or find that person) no it goes from 2 girls just moving in with their dad to an adventure with an Creature called Totoro.

- Which for a kid were really an inspiration for the beautiful nature we have (even though we don't really have a cat bus or cool old houses, it still show us how beautiful the surrounding is).

Even then it doesn't stop there - It even show us a bit of drama and emotions we as a child could feel (Sadness, anger, disappointed) and not just Happy-go-lucky.

The art in the movie for it's time was actually like looking into the futuristic anime's we have today.

The style was really well (even in VCR it looks amazing) done and almost felt like a dream to watch at.

The sound here is really, really good structured, you really get to know when stuff happens like something interesting is going on or something sad happen.

The Characters in the movie is really interesting but I do think the two sisters were rather overly excited (and the dad) about everything we as a kid were afraid of (at least me), like ghosts, old houses, odd creatures, etc.
But here I would then say it was actually a good thing since it did then bring up some more courage to us that we didn't have to be afraid of anything.

As a Child I Enjoyed this movie very much and even today the same movie is now as it was back then but you have now know what all these things were which you didn't know back then.

As a recommendation not only to children but to almost anyone out there who likes to take things sometimes back in time and slow.


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What more can be said about My Neighbor Totoro? Get this movie. Immediately. Without a doubt one of the best animated features ever made, Japan or otherwise, Totoro is an outstanding original creation from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

It's about two sisters -- Satsuki and spunky little Mei -- moving with their somewhat scatterbrained but loving father to a new home in the Japanese countryside. But the place isn't just deserted; wonders galore lie within their household. Tiny, fuzzy black balls of soot ("Soot Gremlins", or "dust bunnies", depending on which English version you watch--but more on that later) scatter every nook and cranny of the walls, frightened away only by laughter. A tall, luscious camphor tree towers above the other trees in the back yard.

And, lastly, the Totoros themselves, absolutely adorable little creatures who look like a cross between a raccoon, rabbit, owl, and guinea pig (a personal bias here, since I owned such a pet who reminds me so much of the Totoros here), live in this very forest, carrying acorns, making huge trees grow at night, and playing ocarinas on the branches of the trees. There is even one really big Totoro who sleeps under the tree, so cuddlesome and gentle that you'll swear that he's the equivalent of your pet. Of course, he doesn't just allow Mei to snuggle on his chest. He lets out thunderous roars, shake the ground by jumping with full force, grins as wide as a Cheshire cat (albeit with warmth and generosity), helps others when they're in trouble, and gives acorns wrapped in bamboo leaves in return for gifts.

Arguably the most memorable creation in the movie aside from the Totoros is a giant, ginger-colored cat who takes on the form of a bus, with glowing yellow eyes for the headlights and twelve--count 'em, twelve--legs to roam around the countryside faster than the speed of light (I swear, I'm not making this up). Like Totoro himself, he shares a wide, infectious grin showcasing generosity and warmth. The Cat Bus only appears two times in the movie, yet every minute we see him in is a delight.

What gives My Neighbor Totoro its heart is in the characterizations of the girls who propel the story as well as their family and neighbors. Satsuki and Mei are portrayed as real, believeable children with their strengths and weaknesses. Satsuki is the older of the two, and at times comes across as bossy, yet she is a sweet, caring young girl and obviously cares for her little sister. Mei, the youngest, is also the most interesting--bursting with uncontrollable energy and curiosity just like any girl her age would; she constantly demands attention, occasionally competes with her sister, throws fits of frustration, and all around, absolutely adorable. Their father, who, as mentioned, is a bit of an oddball yet very patient and supportive of his girls, cares for the duo.

Their next-door neighbor is Granny (Nanny), an equally loving and helpful old woman who comes to help the girls when their father isn't around. Her grandson, Kanta, meanwhile, is that typical, impish young boy from everyone's childhood; he does not know how to deal with girls his age, and initially the best way he can communicate with Satsuki is to tease her, "your house is haunted!" Naturally, this begins a series of humorous scenes where we see the two of them exchange rude faces at each other. Later on, however, when Satsuki and Mei are strolling home from school in the rain, Kanta shows by to lend them his umbrella, and even proves to be a true friend, especially during the finale. Characters as interesting and well defined as this are what makes a movie (or Anime series, TV or OVA) gripping from start to finish, and like most Ghibli movies, My Neighbor Totoro's cast is the kind that one can identify with or relate to.

The story isn't all hearts and flowers, however. An emotionally charged subplot involving the sisters' ailing mother (shades of Miyazaki's personal life here) gives Totoro a dramatic edge. This is particularly evident in the third act, when the girls receive a distressing telegram about their mother. Both Satsuki and Mei are extremely traumatized by this as any real child would be if such a situation occurred in their lifetime. Mei gets upset and throws a temper tantrum; Satsuki loses patience and lashes out at her sister. Later Mei sets off for her mother's hopsital, igniting an intense yet understated climax where Satsuki and everyone else around the neighborhood tries to search for the missing youngster. Of course, everything turns out happily, but not before these emotionally charged sequences pry tears from the viewer's eyes. This mixture of real-life situations, emotions, and magical discoveries found in your nearest back yard make Totoro feel authentic (even with its dreamy, childlike fantasy sequences). One cannot help but find this quality in any of Miyazaki's films, this one included.

My Neighbor Totoro was not a box office success in either Japan or America, but the film has won over millions of children around the world as well as animation buffs for its gorgeous animation style; the backgrounds are lavishly detailed and imagination is galore in much of the sequences. (It was Kiki's Delivery Service that would catapult Miyazaki's animation company, Studio Ghibli, into box office success status.) As for the musical side of things, Joe Hisaishi supplies a very memorable score which recaptures the childlike innocence and wonder we see in many of the sequences; the theme for Totoro himself is infectiously catchy as is the bouncy march song over the opening credits. And while it is sparsely used (and sometimes not as grand sounding as his later scores), Hisaishi's music, whenever we hear it, is a fitting accompaniment to the movie.

The movie was originally dubbed into English by Carl Macek and his infamous company, Streamline Pictures in 1993. Believe it or not, this was one of the "best" dubs they've ever produced. As Disney has acquired the rights for Ghibli's movies, though, it was inevitable that they would produce their own version. This has infuriated many, but as someone who fell in love with Totoro with the Mecak version, I have to say that this new Disney production offers charm and emotion on its own ground. The script is a fresh new translation from the original Japanese (clarifying the origin of Totoro's name), and remains faithful to the meaning of Miyazaki's screenplay, despite a few line changes here and there (nothing major, though).

At first, I was a little worried about hearing Dakota and Elle Fanning as Satsuki and Mei, but both ended up captivating me from the start; personally, I think it was great for Disney to cast two actual sisters to play the young girls--it helps their chemistry come alive. The other actors, including a warm, understated Tim Daly, and delightful Lea Salonga provide similarly top quality work. My favorite performances? Pat Carroll, displaying maternal charm and whimsy as Granny (not sounding anything like her most-famous role, Ursula from The Little Mermaid), and Frank Welker, who does outstanding vocal foley for both Totoro and the Cat Bus. The OP and ED songs have the same lyrics, but are sung by a different singer (Sonya Isaacs), who may please some and annoy others. I'm sure that there will be many who will draw comparisons between the two dubs to the very bitter end, but I think it's great to have more than one adaptation of a beloved story, especially when done by folks who obviously love Miyazaki's works.

However you decide to view this film, however, My Neighbor Totoro is far from just another kid's story. With a little bit of luck, grown-ups (and those who consider themselves too "sophisticated" for cartoons) will enjoy it too. read more

Another win for Miyazaki!

The story was just unique. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it – and originality is always a good thing. It had me watching closely the whole time. It’s a story for kids and kids at heart alike.

It was like watching a Dr. Seuss story come to life, except it has a Miyazaki spice to it. Another good thing about it is that it’s easy to understand, but not so easy that it’s dumb.

The characters were all very likable. I like adorable Mei, and her doting older sister Satsuki. I also love how their father is so child like – he’s definitely not one of those stern looking dads. Finally, Totoro and is companions were fun to watch. I kinda want to meet him myself.

And because it’s a Miyazaki movie, you’d expect that it’s another well animated movie. Animation – wise, I wouldn’t say it’s his best work I’ve seen, but the animation is still noteworthy. The movement was very fluid and the illustrations were all very detailed. It was like watching a Children’s water colored story book in motion.

The music is also very nice. I like both the opening and ending themes, as well as the BGM. Everything was very upbeat and cheerful, definitely something kids would like to hear, but all tracks were very nicely done.

It’s definitely one timeless story that rivals Disney’s greatest works. Another must see from the genius known as Hayao Miyazaki. read more

“A four-year-old child could understand this report….Run out and find me a four-year-old child. I can't make head or tail out of it.”

- Duck Soup


Sisters Satsuki and Mei love each other; as affectionate playmates, they grow under their scholarly father’s calm and accepting hand. He doesn’t dismiss their play, nor does he inflate it in the artificial way that adults do; he simply acknowledges their wonder, without rationalizations. The one shadow in this world awash with sunshine is that their mother can’t be with them yet. But Satsuki and Mei are growing up at a time when neighbors still come by to welcome newcomers and lend a hand, and the neighborhood grandmother is everyone’s grandma.

At its most lyrical, My Neighbor Totoro shows life as it floats, free and easy, in a stream of happiness. When a sorrow arises, it isn’t out of the blue; it’s an undercurrent running through the highest and lowest undulations of life. It can be answered by the staring, unblinking eyes of the largest and sleepiest of forest spirits. Mei takes to Totoro almost immediately, as a lark knows the morning. Satsuki is thankful for his companionship when she struggles to bear up as the big sister. At the darkest moment, a lithe and grinning cat can transport the frightened children to the tree nearest their longed-for mother. I think that is one of the messages in the after-scenes that accompany the credits: Totoro has magic because Father does finally come home on the last evening bus, and Mother really did just have a cold, and returns to shower Satsuki and Mei with her graces of fellowship and fun. It’s when Father and Mother fail – something as inevitable as death, really – that children develop the quiet and resolved endurance and effort which so enrich the world. But that’s another story, for a later time.


Three obligatory comments:

First, the animation. Satsuki and Mei explore every corner and crevice of their new home; they walk, march, run, and crawl on all fours through sunny rice patches and shaded forests. It’s as if nature itself is infused with a natural joy that never reproaches the children’s fun. Which, of course, it is; and his name is Totoro.

Second the music. I can’t remember the last time I watched an anime where the music itself was a character; when Satsuki, Mei and Totoro play together in that wonderful scene, the theme is heard in a full-throated orchestral fragment, as if it were “the overflowing of brim-ful gladness.” Feeling lethargic or blue? The opening theme (“Totoro, go, go, go! Energetic! I like walking most”) serves as an animated companion.

Third, the voice characterizations. The dubbed version with the Fanning sisters sounds interesting. In reality, the universal themes and expressive and thoughtful character designs of My Neighbor Totoro speak for themselves. When the wind beats against the roof, bangs the pots and rattles the doors, the family’s boisterous belly-laughs fill more than the animation – it rolls over into the three dimensional world and straight into the heart.

Grade: A
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'My Neighbo Totoro' is a wonderful family film. I think it depicts the stress of a child's life and the imgination they use to help cope with difficult times. Personally, the Totoro's are adorable!

My Neighbor Totoro would be a great family film on a rainy day, especially if that said family is going through a tough time. I found My Neighbor Totoro to be quite enjoyable when I watched it with several of my Anime-Loving friends.

The story-line is very serious, yet not to complex. The characters have wonderful personalities. The scenes that take place throughout the story are not only playful and funny, but heart-warming and enjoyable.

I would recomend My Neighbor Totoro to anyone who loves a good laugh and has a good heart. read more

I was down with the flu and I was curled up in my room, looking for something cozy to watch. Flipping through my collection, I suddenly remembered the My Neighbor Totoro DVD I had received as a gift a while back. Needless to say, I popped it into my player, sat back and had one of the most relaxing and peaceful 90 minutes of my life.

My Neighbor Totoro is hard to synopsize because of the tranquil and laid back first half. I suppose it would suffice to say that this classic 1988 Studio Ghibli movie is about the innocent fun of two little sisters who move into a house in a village, along with their father, only to find out that the picturesque place can be more mysterious than they thought. My Neighbor Totoro has bagged several awards over the years and helped bring Japanese animation into the global spotlight.

The basic driving force behind the story is this: Don’t you want to be a kid again? Don’t you want to go back to the days when your only responsibilities were to show up at school and be home on time? Don’t you want to look forward to each day, because there was always something new to learn, find and discover? This universal, yet eternally successful theme is what made My Neighbor Totoro click. The story is so beautifully crafted that kids look at this movie as the adventures of two sisters, while adults while adults perceive this anime to be a timeless classic that will forever remind them of their innocent childhood.

Another positive aspect of the story is that it’s character driven, but not in the traditional sense. Instead of developing the characters or making them take on hard decisions, this movie’s characters are the diamonds in the rough because of their simple and lifelike charms. They think, act and behave just like any curious and energetic children of their age would. The two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, are sure to inspire kids and bowl over adults with their sweet and loveable attitudes. The seiyu also deserve a lot of credit here, because they bring out all the energy and emotions necessary for their roles.

If you were wondering why I didn’t make a mention of Totoro, the giant chubby ferret/forest spirit, it’s because he is (in my opinion at least) present for appealing to the kids and doesn’t really play an important role otherwise. A contributor to the entertainment (and cuteness, if you like) factor.

I got my hands on a re-mastered DVD edition of this one, so I won’t be able to judge the quality of the original theatrical/VHS version. Still, you can’t make a good sculpture without good clay, so I think it’s safe to say that the art was outstanding. The backgrounds were very neat and looked exactly like a 1950s Japanese village. Characters were drawn in trademark Ghibli style, which is never a bad thing. A perfect ten.

The soundtrack added to the straightforward atmosphere of the show. Nothing fancy, just the good old piano. The OP, Stroll, was a nice upbeat song that reminded me of The Sound of Music, especially the English version.

This anime would get a sure ten from any kid who’s below 10, but looking at it from a more mature perspective, My Neighbor Totoro does have some minor issues which deny it the perfect score. Because of its age, it is rather predictable and I felt the mood swing from the lax and serene atmosphere from the first half to the more fast paced and fantastical approach to the second half was a little unnecessary. The fantasy aspect is played around with to please kids, but older viewers might not approve. The dialogue and script could’ve been a tad tighter too. But that’s about all the flaws I can come up with, after a lot of time I spent on nitpicking.

Regardless of whether you’re a kid, adult, otaku, casual viewer or just plain bored, My Neighbor Totoro is most certainly worth your time.

[ THE WRAP-UP ]
My Neighbor Totoro is a landmark anime that garnered critical appeal and international fandom. Although primarily intended for children, this 90 minute movie is bound to appeal to the taste buds of anyone, even if they’re not a big fan of anime. The story is uncomplicated and easy to watch, which is always a good thing if you’re looking for something nice and comfy. The undeniable charm of the characters also adds to the realistic atmosphere of this Studio Ghbili movie. Despite its release date, the animation is solid, just like the fitting soundtrack. My Neighbor Totoro is an anime that gained mainstreamed recognition and popularity for good reason. In other words, watch it.
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STORY: My Neighbor Totoro is simple and whimsical. Although the story is a children's fable, the heart of the tale can draw out the child in everyone. The movie begins in a period of transition for a family, and the movie concludes alongside the end of the transition. The finished product is like a meaningful photograph. The events occurring in the story or picture are not life changing. It's the memory and feeling you take away that holds the worth of the story in Totoro. However, the story is not ground-breaking or awe-inspiring. But the it is delightful and unforgettable.

ART: Consistent, good quality in animation can do wonders for the experience, and this work is another fantastic example of Studio Ghibli's dedication to their art. The scenery in the film is immersive, and the world painted before our eyes is just out of reach, detached pleasantly from reality. The animation is not on par with the works Ghibli produces today, but the animation is still fantastic.

SOUND: The voice acting is good, and the sisters' actors are pleasantly convincing. However, their father always sounds less happy than he appears. Also, the acting for the different Totoro sounds too human for their completely non-human appearances. Although there won't be many musical moments that will stick with you after the viewing, the music is charming and fits perfectly with the events taking place. The show's audio succeeds in making this already joyous world more delightful.

CHARACTER: The characters of Totoro are relentlessly likable. Even though there is little character development, the everyday life appeal of these characters is so genuine and endearing. Yet as fun as these characters are, the lack of character progression leaves a longing for more. The glimpse into their lives is all too brief, which can be good and bad, showing just how attached you can become to this little family. Yet this element is a slight detriment to the power and draw of each character.

ENJOYMENT: Totoro is utterly delightful. The show is meant to put the viewer into the best mood possible, and it succeeds on many levels. The scenes are creative and curious and the characters make you laugh and smile. As endearing and involving as the show can be, the plots avoid hitting on the heart strings and emotions. Thus, at no point does the show place the viewer in suspense and tension, allowing the show to be pleasantly blissful.

OVERALL: My Neighbor Totoro is a movie brimming to the rim with fun and games. What really makes Totoro work is how openly the film acknowledges its simple, child-like style. Sometimes overly optimistic titles can overwhelm viewers with unrealistic and unnecessary happiness. With Totoro the film is happy but not overly so. There is realism within the fantastical here, and that realism makes the joy and laughter genuine, grounded, and accessible. My Neighbor Totoro is a story for all ages within the vessel of a children's fable. read more

If you're one of those people who still don't know what that thing featured on the Studio Ghibli company logo is, then the chances are, you haven't seen "My Neighbour Totoro" (for a while I thought it was meant to be a rather odd looking donkey myself). Well then, you've been missing out!

"My Neighbour Totoro" is a delightful film that most young children - as well as a good proportion of older viewers - are sure to enjoy. It's not a particularly deep film, nor a particularly exciting film. At the heart of it, it's a simple tale about a family relocating to the countryside and the children meeting some weird and wonderful creatures, but it is so much more than that. The magic is in the characters, for "My Neighbour Totoro" is filled with some of the cutest, most iconic characters in anime. And amongst these unforgettable characters, it's the big, adorably fluffy King Totoro himself that steals the show, so it's fitting he is somewhat of a mascot for Studio Ghibli the way Mickey Mouse is for Disney.

Fantastically weird non-human characters maybe a trait in Miyazaki films, but so are rather less interesting human ones, and "My Neighbour Totoro" inherits both of these traits. The human character has a familiar look about them, as though they're the bloodline relatives to the characters from other Miyazaki movies. Then there's the much used tomboy girl and the boy who wants to make friends with her set up that Miyazaki so likes to use. However, in the midst of these recycled characters, I do like Mei, who's like the adorable little sister that everyone would love to have.

Like a lot of other Miyazaki films, "My Neighbour Totoro" does contain a dose of the usual environmental messages, but this isn't Miyazaki in one of his more preachy moods. In this film, the message isn't forced upon us, instead it is gently conveyed across by opening our eyes to the wonders of life. Totoro himself is like a kind of guardian of the forest, doing rain dances, making the trees spring up, all in a very lovable manner. For sure, a lot of the stuff is made up - obviously, in reality there are no creatures like Totoro that can perform miracles such as accelerating the growth of trees etc, but beneath all the imagination, the feelings and the message themselves are very genuine. This is helped along by the beauty of the artwork - I may not be a fan of Miyazaki's human character designs, but the beautifully drawn natural scenaries are as stunning as always.

Even though this is film is rather uneventful - there aren't really any particularly dramatic or epic events, but it succeeds because there's a sense joy that's prevalent throughout. For instance the scene where Mei bounces up and down on the fluffy belly of Totoro, and another where rain drops falls repeatedly onto the nose of a rather dopey looking Totoro... these are all simple scenes, but they're scenes that are bursting with pure, innocent charm. It's these little things that makes "My Neighbour Totoro" a bit special, and it's these little things that makes it one of my favourites from the Ghibli collection. read more

For somethings in the world you have to free minded,you can't go on reasoning everything you see and everything you watch. People say a person dies two times in his life, once when he is really dead and once when he steps out of his childhood. So if you are given a chance to live up your childhood for some 90 minutes, this movie is for you. Mystical creatures, nature, joy and sadness conquered by happiness are the some childhood reasoning. You wont go on reason everything you see and you have a belief in everything even Santa Claus when you are a kid so why don't relive those great feelings.
Speaking for the movie the movie is made with a big heart. The picturesque scenery, the great artwork, the epic storyline, even the soundtrack especially THE PATH OF WIND one of my fav's instrumental. Hayao Miyazaki has created a life out of the movie. Besides it will indulge you in your childhood nostalgia, it will also show how beautiful nature and the villages can be which are reducing at a great rate.
Many say this is a movie for kids, some say it's so naive. It is if you watch this movie with your mind full of reasoning. Sometimes do follow your heart and then watch this movie and feel the workmanship the makers have put into it.
Concluding movies like this are not made often. A movie for all age groups and for EVERYONE.
Finally, PUT YOUR REASONING ASIDE WHILE WATCHING THIS MOVIE. read more

I will try to be precise in this review:

First up, the art was absolutely amazing. The landscapes and details in every minute object were breathtaking. Leaving the characters on a basic style made the movie over all very balanced.

Sound was great, they added all the right sounds in all the right places, especially in the natural scenes.

Characters were very enjoyable. They are almost symbols of different stages of our life. The younger sister represents our innocent and imaginative ways when we were small. The older sister shows the kind of people who are growing older and more mature but still have an inner kid inside. The mother is one of those hopeful people who believes in fairytales and happy endings despite downsides. The father is the stage where we are adults who can enjoy ourselves every once in a while with the help of some youngsters. There are more characters, but you can see the movie. All I can say is that each one had their own personality and no two were the same.

The story was almost perfect, it basically is about how a family moves to the countryside (most likely to help the sickly mother get well) and the children adjust to their new surrounding, meeting a spiritual neighbor named totoro. Other than the last quarter of the movie, there was no specific plot. But its a kids movie, and its japanese so its excused. :P

OPINION:
To be honest, I did not want to see this movie and kept delaying it for a long time. It didn't seem very impressive but I'm glad I gave it a shot. It is a very uplifting movie that helps one's spirits rise and bring back old memories from childhood. It definitely fits in the group with Spirited Away and Ponyo but it brings a new edge all the same. I highly suggest you watch it. If you don't believe me, give it 10-20 minutes and we will see who is right.

If you have kids, this is a very fun movie to watch it with :) read more

A masterpiece of cinema. Somebody once told me that this movie was "okay" and I re-evaluated our friendship immediately after. If you have any idea of the importance of subtlety and any of the imagination you had when you're a child is left then watch this and enjoy a happier life.

My Neighbor Totoro, I really don’t know where to begin to tell you about this fantastic anime. It’s been one of my favourites since I watched it for the first time and now I guess I should tell you about my reasons.

First of all, the one things that impresses me most was, like in most of Miyazaki’s animes, I could feel imagination pouring out of the movie. It was floating so freely that my mind just relaxed and felt at ease for the first time in a long time. I felt like the movie was breaking the walls of my mind and by that way, it was setting ME free and this wasn’t the first time that I’ve lived this experince, it happened with a few of the books that I’ve read or movies that I’ve watched, but it happened every time when I’ve watched one of Mayazaki’s works.

Okay, now let’s try to find the reasons of this freedom.

The movie is through the eyes of two little girls; one is the big sister and the other is the little sister, so it’s their imagination that we are seeing, but you don’t really question if it’s real or not, what they are experiencing and the one point that I’ve really liked is, it is actually quite real, because the adults, which are the people that have lost their imaginations, can also see the proofs of the girls’ magical world and this made me very happy, because I want to believe that something magical is happening in the world and there should be, otherwise it would be plain world and where is the fun in that?

Other thing that I’ve really liked was the purity and innocence of the characters. Maybe some of the people that have watched this could think, “This isn’t real, this isn’t how people are acting in the real world.” Well, genius, that’s the my main point. Ofcourse they aren’t acting like your usual jerk that lives around you or upside you or below you. This is the perfect world where forest is happy and people are innocent and good. That’s why I feel happy when I watch this. I don’t want to see everyday people when I watch an anime from Hayazaki anyway. I know they are good and I’m perfectly happy about it.

Also, ofcourse, another thing that makes this movie so perfect is the animation and how well it can reflect the great story to us. The movements of the characters and the views of the forest, everything is just excellent.

By this point, I’m sure you think that I’ve liked everything about My Neighbor Totoro. Actually, no. The one thing I didn’t like was the song at the end, it was really simple and easy to compose, but even that can’t change my overall point, which is the perfect score, because it’s main target is children and children like songs like this, therefore, even though I didn’t like that song, it’s understandable why they chose it. I guess you were right about when you’ve thought that I like this movie and everything about it then, becuase I even adore its flaws.

So, if you are going to watch this anime and I think you should definitely watch it, this is a perfect Hayao Miyazaki movie; nothing more, nothing less and if you don’t feel happy after you’ve finished watching it and don’t want to movie to never end, then maybe you should arrange your “human settings” to factory defaults, because obviously you have lost something on the way here. Have fun.
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My Neighbor Totoro is an amazing movie first of all the art is amazing.Every tree,rock,cloud has work put into it. Honestly everything done by Ghibli is amazing xD

It's about 2 girls Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei who move into a house in the countryside. When they find out there neighbor is a forest spirt named Totoro who can only be seen by children. When your this age everything is fun and beautiful.There's no worries just explore and run till you get tired and wake up to do it again :) Miyazaki brings that to life. Everything about this film is awesome! No matter what your age or what your into this is worth watching read more

Hayao Miyazaki's name has become synonymous with Japanese animation, rightfully so. His boundless imagination has taken us to awe-inspiring fantasy worlds, brought us on epic adventures and showed us the magic of the world that can only be seen through a child's eyes. The last of those three, the magic that children can see, is epitomized in one of his earliest and most beloved works, My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Tororo in Japanese).

The story is a simple one of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who moved to the country side with their father to be closer to the hospital where their ill mother is staying. They quickly get settled into their new place residence and get acquainted with their new neighbors. As they explore their new home, they discover the wonders of the country side, notably three strange creatures, including the gigantic and beneficent Totoro. And honestly, that is all there is to the plot.

Judging by that summery, this movie could be an hour and a half snooze-fest, but against all odds it isn't. Not much might happen, but what does happens has a simple, almost indescribable beauty to it. A lot of this comes from Miyazaki's visual mastery, his eye for nature and knack for breathing life into everything he animates. The movie captures the wide open fields, rivers, lakes, and forests of the rural country side simply but beautifully. The art work is so lush and well detailed, it is easy to get lost in; I often felt like I was there in the brush, amongst the wilderness.

Just as impressive is the careful animation of the people and creatures, especially that the two sisters. Satsuki and Mei's expressive faces and body language are those of a real child. Satsuki is the precocious, responsible and adventurous older sister; Mei is the attached younger sister that often mimics big sis, but is happy to go on adventures of her own. Seeing them explore and interact with the world around them, one gets the genuine feeling of watching two kids playing around. The mystical creatures they encounter have an sort of mascot look to them, especially Tororo and the Cat Bus (Heck, Totoro did become Ghibli's mascot), but still move and feel like they are alive. The movie is just so exquisitely animated.

Of course, it is Satsuki and Mei that are the heart and soul of the movie. It is their curiosity and sense of wonder that gives the already gorgeous art a magic that makes the movie truly special, and there innocence that gives power to the movie's theme of growing up. For Mei in particular every bush, trail, and even the inside of her own house holds an adventure; something new to discover. Untainted by the complications of the grown up world, Mei sees the world in a nice, simple, and generally pleasant light with a hint of hesitation without her father or older sister around. Satsuki shares Mei's sense of adventure, but being a little older, she is also learning that the world is more complicated than the innocence of childhood that she has known til now. This shows in the last third of the movie, in which Satsuki is faced with possibilities she is not ready for (which I will not get into, the plot is so simple it is easy to spoil). Suddenly, the optimistic innocence she is so familiar with disappears, replaced by worries of the worst possible outcome. It is a quite, maturely understated revelation that childhood eventually ends. However, the movie ends with the same light-hearted optimism it began with, holding onto a piece of that childish innocence even with the knowledge kids will one day grow out of it to some degree.

My Neighbor Totoro is a movie of simple pleasures. It spends most of its time indulging in the beauty of nature, and the magic of a child's heart. There are glimpses of life beyond childhood and the complications that come with maturity, however, the movie never allows them to completely eclipse the joys and youthful enthusiasm of adolescence. And that is what makes it so special. Where many other stories portray growing out of childhood as hard and harsh, Totoro handles it gently but knowingly; an approach as wonderful as it is rare.
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It's cute!

As a 20 year old male I am extremely outside the target audience for this movie. Yes, this movie is for kids. In fact I'd go as far to say that this is one of the best movies for children of all time. It's a simple story. It's also an incredibly happy movie. You feel better after watching it. I can see having this movie watched over and over again by my kids when I'm a father. It's just cute and safe.

But if you consider yourself an anime fan, and you like the Miyazaki movies you've seen so far, and even though you are probably outside the target demographic, you have to see this movie! If anything just to see the movie that gave Studio Ghibli its mascot.
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I am sorry, but I absolutely HATE this movie. It was the worst one I've EVER seen. It had absolutely no plot, no story line, and absolutely no interest.

I guess kids that are from 0-4 may enjoy this, but it is definitely not a very good one for those who actually like plot.

When I watch a movie, I like it to have a plot and/or a reason for existance. This movie had neither plot nor a reason for existance.

I like Miyazaki's movies, but this one is his worst.

My attention for this movie kept going somewhere else. It was pretty slow paced, cause it was a bit. And, my attention kept going somewhere else from this movie. But the music was good, and Totoro was cute. NOthing much really happened so I was kind of unentertained. But i guess it was a decent anime. But it was still slow. I understand its like one of those 'classics' but still. Though I enjoyed this movie.

The only reason I watched this movie to the end was because it is well respected by many people. It is also directed by the amazing Hayao Miyazaki so I thought it had to be pretty good, even in the least bit. But I was thoroughly disappointed.

-STORY- 1/10
This is one of the most poorly written and bland stories I have ever come across. Unfortunately, in this movie, they tried a little to hard in getting the appeal from audiences that were below the age to even comprehend what a plot is. The story moves along at an incredibly slow pace. This is problematic because is makes the movie lose any potential excitement. Another thing that wasn't well executed was the fantastical elements. Since the story revolves around two young girls and their father, you get the cliche about how the kids can see this creature but the adults can't. This isn't where I would pigeon-hole the movie's downfall in quality, but I found the unrealistic occurrences as the primary issue, not the cliche. If this happened in real life, any kid would be scared out of their mind after seeing this huge raccoon, rabbit hybrid. Most of the time, the main character (the older sister) is acting like Totoro is just a normal person.

-ART- 5/10
Like most Ghibli movies, it had a very distinct art and animation style that makes it easy recognizable. So in no way can I call a Ghibli movie bad, and this one is no exception. But there is still an underlying issue in spite of that. The animators and visual artists weren't willing to experiment. Trying out new things is extremely important in the aspect of art in any visual presentation. This is because it allows innovation that can easily lead to novelty in such a department. It adds variety to the medium of animation as a whole. But this movie's artists just ignored all of that and decided to keep the same old formula that they usually do.

-SOUND- 4/10
The sound was another major disappointment. Nothing was able to grab me. Just like the art, the music and sound has the exact same feel as any Ghibli movie. If they would have changed the music genre to fit the setting, it probably would have been more exciting. One way being to enhance the mysteriousness by composing the music as more ominous during some scenes rather than the same lightheartedness that easily becomes annoying after watching so many movies of the same atmosphere.

-CHARACTERS- 3/10
The characters are almost as bad as the overall story. Not a single one of them are exciting in any way. They are just incredibly bland. The father is just a father, the older sister is just an older sister, and the baby is just a baby. None of them are complex in any way. But you might be thinking "It's a kids movie so their not suppose to be complex" but this argument is hugely flawed. Just because the movie is meant for kids doesn't mean that the characters can't be given traits that adults can analyze and relate to in any mature way such as satire or allegory. Any well characterized narrative has something identifiable that separates it in terms of the relationships between the characters and their profile. This movie simply gives every single one of them an archetype and expects you to be captivated by the ordinary family who comes across a magical creature.

-OVERALL/ENJOYMENT- 3/10
In conclusion, My Neighbor Totoro isn't worth the watch at all. It was a struggle to get through, for me. There are plenty of other Miyazaki/Ghibli movies that are a lot more enjoyable. read more