Getting to Know the Totoro Character in the Film “My Neighbor Totoro” – Getting to Know the Totoro Character in the Film “My Neighbor Totoro”
Totoro in the film “My Neighbor Totoro” has become the most iconic character among other Studio Ghibli films.
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio that has produced many legendary animated films. This company, which was founded in 1985, is led by Hayao Miyazaki, whose name is already very famous thanks to the success of his films.
One of the animated films produced by Studio Ghibli is “My Neighbor Totoro”. With a story that is refreshing and full of fantasy, Totoro in the film “My Neighbor Totoro” succeeded in capturing the attention of the audience. Its large body is covered in fur like a cat, making it look very adorable.
Even though the character Totoro in the film doesn’t talk much, he is very famous and has managed to become Studio Ghibli’s mascot for many years.
At first glance, this film tells the story of two sisters named Satsuki (10th) and Mei (4th). They move into an old house in the countryside with their father, an archeology professor, the new house they live in looks like a haunted house.
The reason they moved was to be closer to their mother who was sick and hospitalized (Hachikokuyama City).
Upon arrival at the new house, Satsuki and Mei helped their father clean and tidy the house. Then, they saw a large black, hairy creature coming out of the attic wall.
The creature is Totoro, a forest resident near the house they just moved into. Since then, Satsuki and Mei have started their magical adventure with Totoro.
Totoro himself is not a traditional Japanese character, but a character created by Hayao Miyazaki as well as the icon and mascot of Studio Ghibli. Totoro looks like a mixture of several animals: 梟 (fukuro / owl), 猫 (neko / cat), and 狸 (tanuki / raccoon dog).
Many people think that Totoro is a tree spirit or rabbit spirit, but it turns out that Totoro is a Japanese Genderuwo.
This rumor emerged because Totoro is very similar to Genderuwo in Indonesia.
Totoro who is big, has long nails and lives in a tree is very similar to the depiction of the Genderuwo ethereal creature in Indonesia.
However, what is different is that the Totoro character is not made scary, the Totoro character is shown as a cheerful figure and is liked by children.
As proven in the film, Totoro gifts Mei and Satsuki with seeds which, when they grow, will become big trees.
Who would have thought that this Japanese animated film written by Hayao Miyazaki would be equated with scary characters in Indonesia.
Apart from all that, the film “My Neighbor Totoro” is filled with family warmth through simple scenes such as waiting for their father at the bus stop and has a simple and light plot that is very suitable for watching on the weekend with the family.