"My Neighbor Totoro" is one of my favorite films and I consider it an all - time classic. If you haven't seen it before I encourage you to watch it on your spare time. The story follows two young sisters who encounter a mystical and surprisingly friendly creature named Totoro. He lives in the forest with small woodland companions. I will stop with the synopsis here because I want all you to watch this beautiful film when you get the chance. Acclaimed director Miyazaki is at his absolute best in this film in terms of narration and visual quality. It’s the story of a family. It’s the story of childhood.
Totoro is seen everywhere!! What’s maybe most surprising about Totoro’s popularity is how briefly he’s even in the film. He doesn’t even show up till we’re a third of the way into the film and he only appears on screen for maybe ten minutes of the entire film. The film is truly a wonderful experience and worthwhile to watch. It’s about the wonder and magic of being a child and exploring a world unimaginably larger and more complex than your brain can handle.
But what is Totoro?
In Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, there are spirits called kami. There’s no real translation for the word in English, but we commonly call them gods, even though that’s not really an accurate translation. They’re sort of like elements of nature, bound to the earth, which, in Shinto, is also sacred. In fact, humans, kami, and the earth all descend from the same gods, which makes all things sacred, in a sense. To me, he is like a godly forest god.
"My Neighbor Totoro" stands alone and is a seriously a huge step in Miyazaki’s growth as a storyteller. It’s where he discovered what makes a film transition from great to unforgettable. He discovered how to make a story a part of our anatomy and personal history. It's the reason why this movie is so profound for almost 30 years. It is full of encounters that create awe and mystery. The power is all there to be seen in Miyazaki's mastery of design. Overall, if you are like me then I would recommend watching this on the comfort of some warm blankets on a rainy day.
