My Neighbor Totoro Reviews

I am a huge Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki fan, and My Neighbour Totoro is no exception. In fact it is one of my favourites from them. There are so many wonderful things about My Neighbour Totoro. It is very simple in story and character but it is all very beautiful, charming and touching. The animation is typical Ghibli, ethereal-looking and just ravishing to watch, while the music is one of my favourite scores in a Ghibli film. The story is simple, but I loved the simplicity, it had such a pleasant atmosphere to it, and the characters are engaging with great chemistry together. I have very little to complain about the voice acting either, everybody did a fine job. In conclusion, in my opinion this is an animated classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This movie must be part of human legacy. After the movie ended (and during as well) I got a very positive feeling (it's a very healthy flick).

I already saw this movie but since it was such a long time ago, I was really eager to check it out again. If I recall it correctly, I first saw this flick in the movie theater, of course, not when it was released (back then, I don’t think Hayao Miyazaki had already had his international breakthrough) but the local Art house movie theater wanted to re-release it for some reasons, probably because of Miyazaki’s impressive reputation. Anyway, to be honest, even though this movie is considered as a classic from Studio Ghibli, I had actually a hard time to really connect with this tale. I mean, I have to admit that it was without a doubt easily their cutest production (the cat bus was especially really awesome) but the plot was just really thin. Furthermore, for once, there gave us 2 main characters but since the running time was rather short, there was no time to really develop them and, as a result, these 2 girls were both rather uninteresting and, to be honest, I thought they were even sometimes slightly annoying. Anyway, to conclude, even though I wasn't really blown away by the whole thing, it is still a really solid animated feature and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

This movie amazed me. It is so simple, magical and beautiful!
It is the fourth Miyazaki movie I've seen, and it is strange, that I loved Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle but I didn't like Spirited Away very much. But this one, for some reason, I think it might be my favorite!
There is something very special about those two girls, and it is not just the fact that their so cute.
But I didn't realize how much I loved this movie until the very end.
I think any animation fan should watch it. It is very "delicate" and emotional, and some people (including myself) might not wanna give it try because of that. But for those I say: it is just 1h22min and you may actually enjoy it.

Very touching story with an amazing magical atmosphere. I love nature, the trees, the cute animals, etc.

I just loved the way Hayao Miyazaki mixed an adult drama, with strong feelings, with an extraordinary fantasy. It's a wonderful movie and it's beautiful due to its simplicity.

If it wasn't for John Lasseter's (creator of Toy Story) love for Japanese anime, we would probably be in the dark still without the knowledge of the existence of Studio Ghibli, the next best animation studio after Disney Pixar. He helped in introducing to the world Ghibli's fantastic films. Hayao Miyazaki, Director and Screenwriter, contributed more handsomely to the studio's achievement and success. And My Neighbor Totoro is one of his greatest achievements, probably in the entire cinematic world. This was the first time I saw what they call "True Art" in any animated movie. The story is of two sisters, Mei and Satsuki, who with their father move to a new home. The two of them then happen to meet Totoro, a forest spirit who helps grow plants in the nearby forest.

What unfolds next is a gentle heartwarming film experience that surprising leaves us nostalgic. Although the film seems to concentrate on a very young audience, it was an experience like Toy Story. What I love about this film is the way it takes time and allows to get lost in Totoro's world. One scene I recall the most is the scene when the two girls and Totoro are waiting, just waiting, at a bus stop taking shelter in umbrellas from the rain. Miyazaki captured the calmness so perfectly that it made me think,"You don't get to see this even on Winnie the Pooh". That scene truly is one the greatest moments in all of cinema and is one of the reasons why I love his films so much. In this way, Miyazaki is extremely skilled at creating a lovely environment in his films, in this case the environment is more nature oriented. Joe Hisaishi's score too is great as always, he has scored almost all Miyazaki films.

Miyazaki is well-known for his signature style of feminism, environmentalism and aviation. He uses all of these in Totoro. After Mickey Mouse, Teddy Bear and Winnie the Pooh, you will always find Totoro as the most favorite children's character. The innocence of Totoro is delightful for kids but more surprising thing is that the adults found it more moving and more meaningful and as I said earlier, Nostalgic...

Totoro, when released in 1988, created a sensation in the animation world and Studio Ghibli gained recognition. It was only after Totoro that Miyazaki was going to receive the title of one of the greatest film-makers of our time that to this date has remained consistent.


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All the doubts I had of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki were washed away after watching this master-of-a-classic My Neighbour Totoro. Such a loving, warm and friendly cartoon this is. The music is tantalizing and the animation is simply gorgeous. Breathtaking. Riveting. Absolutely brilliant from the start to the finish. This film has no life or death scenes or crying moments, although some may want you to reach for a Kleenex. But remember, this is not a weepy movie neither its an action one. It's all about life and what comes with it. I absolutely, positively LOVED this film and I'm keeping an eye out for more Mr. Miyazaki's works as now I'm fully confident I will enjoy the others as much as I did this one.

The reason why I instantly clicked with the main two characters, Satsuki and her little sister Mei, is because they reflect / mirror my two little sisters, ages 13 & 8. I positively loved their characteristics and the loving chemistry both shared with each other. Had this been an American film, the elder might have slapped the younger. Had this been Indian, vice versa. I'm still looking for cartoons who portray siblings, especially girls, in a more positive and likable light. Out of the two, I really liked Mei because of her determination, stubbornness and, to some extend, heroism + I liked her original Japanese V.O (Chika Sakamoto) and her English V.O (Elle Fanning) wasn't bad at all. The way she constantly follows her elder sister around, often doing what she's doing, and often falling while running reflects, like I said, my youngest sister who does 10/10 the same.

Then we have two of the most lovable, huggable critters in cartoon history: Totoro and the Catbus. Both are simple in imagination & design, yet rich in what they deliver. With their surreal smile and dominating screen presence, there is no wonder why they are one of the greatest. However, the character of Catbus might be a little misleading to some minors and what exactly I mean by that, even I have no idea but I just got a feeling, that's all.

All in all, My Neighbour Totoro is undoubtedly one of the most lovable film ever made with a surprisingly simple plot and a host of likable characters. Also, the emotions seen in this film is rare compared to others. The realism is so high that you won't be able to believe you're watching a cartoon. A positively brilliant cartoon, suitable for all ages and size, and deserves to be watched!!

10/10

トトロといいネコバスといい、実にほのぼのとしたキャラクターが登場してくるオリジナリティー溢れる映画です。

''I bet you're Totoro.''

When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wonderous forest spirits who live nearby.

Noriko Hidaka: Satsuki

Tonari no Totoro(My Neighbour Totorro)(1988) is probably the film that introduced many western audiences to the work of esteemed Japanese animator/director Hayao Miyazaki and his celebrated production house Studio Ghibli.



The decision to re-release all of the Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli productions as a collection of re-mastered DVD editions, including everything from his Lupin III instalment The Castle of Cagliostro to the more recent epic fantasy adventure, Howl's Moving Castle(2004) is a blessing.
Similarly to almost everything that Miyazaki has been involved with before; the piece offers us a series of intricate story lines, breathtaking visuals, memorable characters and a general approach to bold, imaginative, unique and utterly compelling family entertainment that will almost certainly appeal to anyone, at any age. My Neighbour Totoro remains, perhaps, the definitive Studio Ghibli production; Miyazaki here perfecting the visual style that would subsequently become his signature move, as well as developing variations of thematic devices that would be further explored in later projects Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso and of course Spirited Away.

The story takes place in the rural Japan of the 1950's, where two young girls and their father move into an old house near the forest in an attempt to distract the girls from the absence of their mother; whom is recovering from tuberculosis in a nearby convalescence home. Whilst exploring the forest, the two girls discover a family of forest spirits, the biggest of which they christened Totoro(a mispronunciation of tororu, the Japanese word for troll); whom allows the two girls to partake in their nightly adventures. With the film, Miyazaki and his team create a depiction of the perfect summer and the power of imagination, as they use the two children to act as a representation for the audience. Mei, the younger of the two sisters, comes to represent the youngsters within the audience, as she approaches the Totoro characters with wide eyes and enthusiasm and generally accepts each of their adventures to be a continuation of her imagined child-like sense of fabrication. Satsuki, the older of the two girls, straddles the line between childhood and pre-teen adolescence. Her character is often more cynical and level-headed than her younger sister, and therefore she is the perfect representation for an adult audience who may need to put aside their own sense of scepticism when approaching a film that is so shameless magical.

The story is fantastical, with Miyazaki allowing the action to unfold gently; bringing the girls (and us the audience) into the world of Totoro slowly.
The introductions of the soot spirits and the mythical king of the forest doesn't seem too unestablished when placed into a tale that evokes such plausible and believable depictions of reality(as with all the films of Studio Ghibli; Totoro has a keen obsessive attention to detail; with the texture of the locations and the use of light and shadow drawing you further and further into this world). The atmosphere throughout is perfect, whilst the characters (both in design and portrayal) are exquisite, with the two young girls setting the template for Miyazaki's aforementioned later films, Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away, whilst the design of the mythical Totoro would become an important piece of iconography within Japanese animation (he's the chief mascot, as the Studio Ghibli logo, and is available in a range of plush-toy figurines).

The majority of Miyazaki's work explore deeper themes lurking beneath the surface of the story... Here, it is the idea of childhood and imagination being worn down by the creeping approach of adolescence. It has also been seen as a metaphorical study; with the relationship between the girls and Totoro being an imagined one in order to take their minds off the temporary loss of their mother relating to their concerns over her health. Whether or not you choose to interpret the story on such a level is entirely a personal venture, with the film working just fine as a lovely piece of family entertainment, with a warm and ultimately uplifting story being elevated by that gorgeous design/animation, the larger than life characters, and the story.

Tonari no Totoro is an exceptional film... one that has the power to entrance children and adults alike; with its evocative story, memorable characters and study of life and imagination. If you've never seen a Hayao Miyazaki film before, then this is a great place to start, and is really an essential piece of art alongside Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle.
Only qualms would be the ending of it all but only because we wanted more; another masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki.

''To-to-ro? You're Totoro!.''