Two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, move with their father to a new house in the countryside. But country life is not so simple as it seems, as they soon discover the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, most notably a family of Totoros, gigantic but gentle bear-like forest spirits that can only be seen by children. The Totoros introduce the girls to a series of new adventures, including a ride aboard the Cat Bus.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2017 has begun! I watched the English dubbed screening of My Neighbor Totoro this past weekend, delighted to be in the audience of a packed theater. Totoro is undoubtedly the most widely recognized Studio Ghibli character, a character that has definitely become an icon within my own life. My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of Satsuki and Mei, two young girls who move to the countryside with their father while their mother is sick in the hospital. Dealing with their mother’s absence, the girls take to exploring their new home and its surrounding forest, where they encounter fantastical creatures from soot sprites and totoros, to the catbus. These creatures are considered to be spirits that can only be seen by children, if they’re lucky. I remember watching this film when I was younger, certainly fascinated with the creatures that I hoped I would be lucky enough to catch sight of someday. Now, as a full fledged adult (debateable), the themes of family and loss have become all the more prevalent.
The unconditional love between Satsuki, Mei, and their father is touching. They take pleasure in cleaning house and making a home for themselves, simply happy to be in each other’s company. The girls even go so far as to stand out in the pouring rain at the bus stop, waiting for their father to come home from work just to make sure he didn’t have to walk home in the rain without an umbrella. And after the girls visit their mother in the hospital, it’s clear that while they put on a brave face, there is an ache in their hearts. The girls write to their mother frequently, preparing for the day when she may finally come home, until they discover that her return is to be postponed due to more complications. What must it be like for a child to be uncertain of their parent’s fate? Mei, who is only 4 years old with a limited understanding of human mortality, petulantly cries that “it’s not fair!”, to which Satsuki, who is several years older than Mei and more understandably angry and upset, yells at her for being a child. The girls fight and Satsuki runs off in an upset while Mei proceeds to wail uncontrollably. Later, Satsuki is seen laying on the floor in the dark, a vision of depression. It isn’t until she realizes that Mei is missing that she comes back to life and takes off in a desperate chase to find her lost sister, turning to Totoro for help.
After all of their fear, pain, and suffering, in the end they all find each other again and return home with a new hope. What would the girls have done without their friendly neighborhood Totoro? He was their guide, a spirit of the forest watching over their precious family. They were blessed. My Neighbor Totoro is considered to be a masterpiece, a family film for adults and children alike, centered on the love of a family, with a delicate balance between love and pain. I highly recommend each and every Studio Ghibli film, which are all beautifully animated with rich and compelling storylines. Continuing through Studio Ghibli Fest I will be watching the English dubbed screenings and I'm most excited for Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away which are high up on my list of favorites. Till next time, see you at the movies! ★