My Neighbor Totoro: Why We Need Totoro

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[thetake]

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[monkeymouse]

One important element is missing. The movie doesn't talk about the gigantic camphor tree with the huge rope around it because a Japanese audience would already know about it. The rope, woven from rice plants and called a shibenawa, is part of Japan's Shinto religion, and in this case recognizes a powerful spirit of nature. That certainly describes Totoro. The girls and their father--whose day-job is as a college professor--haven't had any experience with nature spirits up to now, presumably, but the idea of their reality is always there, like the odd little shack next to the camphor tree; it's a Shinto shrine to an inari--a fox spirit. And later in the movie Mei is shown resting by a half dozen stone statues. These are called jizo, and they represent spirits that look out for children and travellers. Of course, Mei is both, trying to get to her mother's hospital.

[potallegta]

I don't know why I cried watching this. I guess it's just because I sometimes feel like I'm in a dark place where I just don't have the ability to summon any hope for betterment. Yet there were also times where I could make fun of my situation and lighten things up with humour, it's just that I often forget that. So I want to thank you for reminding me, and I'm gonna try to be 'more like a child' in dealing with my situation instead of forcing myself to 'stay adult' all the time. Gosh, adulting is so hard, I totally miss my childlike innocence.

[discmeeds]

Fun fact: when the movie came out in Japan, it didn't d very well in the box office. Paradoxically, it was Totoro's design as a stuffed animal what at some point saved the Studio from bankruptcy. I think that's one of the reasons why Totoro became Studio Ghibli's logo💙

[rbdriftin]

Great analysis of one of the most beautiful, timeless, and wholesome films ever made. I think I'm going to watch it again right now as it's very therapeutic.

[CasualShinji]

You'd think a movie setting up so many scenes of tension only to completely defuse them wouldn't work. It's also one of the prime examples of Miyazaki flying by the seat of his pants; There's no real plot or goal, just these two girls having random adventures. It's what makes the movie feel so relaxed. I mean, there's a scene where Mei just runs into a goat -- it doesn't add to the plot, it doesn't result in anything, it's just this little thing that happens.

[proximityarduous]

Ghibli movies are better than Disney movies.

[weirdoontheinternet]

This actually helped me as a kid struggling with depression. I remember being alone in my room and somebody suggested I watch this. After watching it I just felt very happy and decided to keep acting childish and enjoy the short moments of being a kid. And every time I fell sad I'd watch My Neighbor Totoro or even Ponyo. Now at 16, I still seem to act this way. I want to rewatch it again.

[lyricbot]

I don't know why I started crying midway through this

[rachelthornton]

Totoro is such a special movie for me. Growing up, my older sister and I were often compared to Satsuki and Mei; not just in age, but my sister was more responsible while I was more rambunctious. Watching Totoro is probably the movie that best encapsulates my relationship with her.

[jfanreva]

This movie is the first Japanese "how to be a Dad" movie I encountered. There are others (like "Bunny Drop" - literally a 'how t be a Dad' movie.) It seems to be an anime sub-genre. It's really heart warming to see the Dad taking such good, creative and imaginative care of his daughters in the real world, while Totoro looks after them from the spirit world.

[mcwhirlpoolinc]

Every time I watch this movie I cannot help but cry at the scene where Saki comes to that horrible realization that her mother could die.Gets me everytime.

[addisonhigbee]

I haven't seen this film in years, but now I want to watch it again now that I have a better understanding of it.

[Vejur]

His films are comfort food for the soul. From his skies to his characters. Especially in days like this.

[KellyJoule]

You know, I think this dub is actually pretty good and charming considering the time it was dubbed and how early it was in Disney's decision to start doing dubs. I think people are too harsh on it, the fact that they cast real children is a huge highlight for me. I know its not perfect especially the lip sync timing, but it could have been a LOT worse for the 90s.

[hambone.fakenamington]

This movie, like most Miyazaki films that I grew up watching with my dad, makes me cry almost as soon as I see the emotion in the art. It just resonates something deep inside me. This video even made me a bit emotional!
Nothing else makes me feel like a kid all while reminding me of the beauty of growing up.
Great video, love seeing your videos dive into Miyazaki's beautiful worlds!

[SirCamera]

Thank you for reminding me why I need Totoro. My parents used to play it on VHS when I was really little. It would comfort me when I was scared to go to sleep at night; make me feel like everything was going to be okay.
Seems a lot of people need Totoro these days.

[kualarompin]

6:00 Just look at the sky! So beautiful, so realistic even tho it was handdrawn.

[dekoi_]

“I thought it was a dream, but it wasn’t a dream” This video made me cry!

[kneadmo]

I have never ever felt this utterly shocked. All the years that I've been blinded in what "My Neighbor Totoro" truly wanted to convey. I merely enjoyed the movie, yet somehow, it's moved into my heart. And now that I've gotten a bigger picture of what's truly happening in the movie, it just made it so much more amazing. Thank you.