CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

My review is on My Neighbour Totoro.

Produced: Studio Ghibli back in 1988

Directed: Hayao Miyazaki

Distributed: Twentieth Century Fox

Synopsis: The story takes place during 1950's Japan. A university professor and his two daughters, Satsuke and Me (ages 10 and 5) move to a house out in the Japanese countryside to be closer to the hospitla where the mother is staying. it is never said, although it is hinted she is suffering from a form or tuburculosis. The girls also befriend a giant cat-like creature they call Totoro. He is a spirit of some kind who makes the wind blow and plants grow. There's also an adorable Catbus.

The Good: The characters are wholesome and realistic. Satsuke and Mei are not smart alecky in any way. They behave like real little girls you can identify with. The story is a little slow, but both whimsical and touching.

The Bad: Nothing really, although there are mention to spirits and the girls living in a haunted house. There aren't any deaths or real antagonists. There is a slight nudity scene (you don't see certain body parts or anything) where the father and the girls bathe together. PLEASE understand that this scene isn't meant to be sick. In Japanese culture, some families to bathe together while the children are still small. The scene in Totoro is completely innocent, but needs explaination. If the scene does bother you, I suggest fast fowarding than avoiding the remainder of the movie. It's a very worthy film and most of Miyazaki's films bring out some of the best in anime.

My Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5. This is because of the bath scene might bother some people and the mentioning of spirits.

It does seem that Miyazaki deals a lot with the metaphysical and animism/Shinto in general in his films, just from what I've seen. Hihyoo wa arigatoo gozaimasu.

I love Totoro. Watching it makes me happy. There are some sad parts, but overall it just puts me in a good mood. I wish I had a neighbor like Totoro!

It's great for kids, but wonderful also for us old kids at heart!

I love that movie, too. Whenever I watch it, I just can't help but smile and laugh uncontrollably. I mean, the bus stop scene just gets me (Miyazaki has a other scenes like that in other Ghibli movies, for example Whispers of the Heart with Shizuku and the cat Moon on the train.) Even though I'm a guy, I have to say it: Isn't Mei just the cutest? Also, if that opening song doesn't get you in the mood to see this movie, I don't know what will.

(Okay, I think I might like this movie a little more than most people....oh well )

P.S.

Did you know that this movie, when first released in theaters, was included as a double feature with Grave of the Fireflies? That had to be something to sit through. I forget which one was shown first, though.

This just showed up (from animeniacs.com, COOL SITE!) and I poped it in to see if they all worked (skeptic in me can deal with paying 46 bucks for 7 Studio Ghibli flics...) Well, it turns out I was half right. The whole menu is in Katakana/Hiragana/Kanji. I was able to get it the way I want it (the default is no subs/english dubs, and I wanted to reverse it) with a little katakana knowledge. I mean, really, the To-To-Ro at the end of the line sorta gives this one away. Anyway, good flic. I (like express said) watched the intro song and just about cried when I had to turn it off right after that to go somewhere. *sigh*

express wrote:
Did you know that this movie, when first released in theaters, was included as a double feature with Grave of the Fireflies? That had to be something to sit through. I forget which one was shown first, though.

Hmm... if totoro was first, I'd imagine "Fireflies" would have ruined the emotion in the theater... That's horrible. I mean, I'd show a 3 year old "Totoro" but not "Fireflies"...

I on the other hand LOVE "Fireflies" It is a great movie, but the two movies just don't go together. And I strongly disagree with the 3+ rating on the back of it... I'd at least put fireflies at a 13+ merely because of how heartrending the emotion is in it... That could leave a 4 year old crying for days... Or not. Maybe they wouldn't understand it. I mean I didn't understand death at 4. I still remember when some kids were mad at me for laughing all the time, so they came up to me and told me my Mom died. I still laughed. I didn't have a refference to go by for me to cry about it.Hmm... I still wouldn't be showing a movie like that to young children.

Bobtheduck wrote:Hmm... if totoro was first, I'd imagine "Fireflies" would have ruined the emotion in the theater... That's horrible. I mean, I'd show a 3 year old "Totoro" but not "Fireflies"...

I on the other hand LOVE "Fireflies" It is a great movie, but the two movies just don't go together. And I strongly disagree with the 3+ rating on the back of it... I'd at least put fireflies at a 13+ merely because of how heartrending the emotion is in it... That could leave a 4 year old crying for days... Or not. Maybe they wouldn't understand it. I mean I didn't understand death at 4. I still remember when some kids were mad at me for laughing all the time, so they came up to me and told me my Mom died. I still laughed. I didn't have a refference to go by for me to cry about it.Hmm... I still wouldn't be showing a movie like that to young children.

I have to disagree with you on that one. I beleve grave of the fireflies (tombstone of the fireflies) is a very good emotional film to be showed to kids at a young age. This film is good to show to kids, age ranging to 4-11+, but at lest before they watch cartoons, or crazy-out-of-control- behavior. They will overcome more fears in life and probally be a better person (I'm not 100% sure on it, i'm not a doctor/psychologist!) But, I would recommend it. It has very nice children touchy elements that make it for their viewing perspective. They will overcome the feeling of losing someone in real life after watching the film too. I think this movie surpasses most NEW disney films to date. Death is very importing to teach kids, so they will be prepaired and stuff. Totoro is good, but not worth purchsing. Grave of the Firefliess is one of Studio G.'s greastest films.

They will overcome the feeling of losing someone in real life after watching the film too.

Without LOTS of evidence to back up that statement, I would strongly recomend you research the topic before posting things of that nature. I watched the types of movies like this at a young age, movies where people died. It didn't prepare me at all for losing people near to me. There is nothing in life that will prepare you for death, with the exception of death. Having been through it, (not me personally, I lost my mother) I believe I can safely say that I do not think that statement is accurate. If you really want more details PM me, as going on here is pointless; this is afterall, a Totoro forum.

Well, what a digression.

Just a thought. I still would show my child (when I have one) it.

I just rewatched it yesterday... First anime I've ever seen... One of the best too...

I honestly have never seen it and while it is directed toward younger viewers, I have heard its worth watching. I have a friend who LOVES that movie.

Totoro was my introduction to anime. A classic, in my opinion!

i love that movie too!
my grandparents watched it with me. that would've have do have been my first anime!

Totoro was a good film. Studio Ghibli knows how to make good anime.

Nice review. I loved this movie, and I higly recommend it. Just a quick comment, this anime is basically a family movie. The movie is rated G, so.. lol. Nice review!