My Neighbour Totoro

Following the success of the My Neighbour Totoro stage adaptation in London that resulted in six Olivier Award wins, it is hard to argue that there is a better time to rerelease the original Studio Ghibli 1988 movie in the UK. A cultural classic, the story has reached across multiple generations, resonating with viewers of all ages for different reasons, and now audiences have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hayoa Moyazaki’s magical world once again.

Set in rural Japan, two sisters, Mei and Satsuki, relocate to rural rice fields with their father to spend time with their ill mother. Exploring a new home, new surroundings and meeting new faces, the sisters embrace their new lives with a sense of chivalrous adventure, and the pair encounter a mythical forest sprite named Totoro and his curious woodland friends, with whom they have magical escapades.

Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro remains a timeless gem and arguably the finest work to ever come out of the esteemed Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, although fans of other works such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron may have something to say about that. The truth is, Studio Ghibli is a leader in its field and honestly, we should all just bask in the joy each produced movie provides. The story has no villains and no battles, but instead tugs on your heartstrings with pangs of sentiment. That is how you masterfully make a film that is so deeply loved.

My Neighbour Totoro is an example of children’s animation at its finest. The artwork is a beautiful visual tapestry that sweeps you away to a magical far-away land bursting with vibrant colour. The characters appear astonishingly lifelike in their mannerisms and voicing, carrying the caring narrative along with a littering of comedic moments. The score from the great Joe Hisaishi who, by the way, is still yet to receive an Academy Award in recognition of his work, achievements and career contributions to the industry, wraps you in a warm blanket of nostalgia amidst themes of childhood innocence and animism. There have been subsequent rereleases with new dubs, including a Disney version voiced by a young Dakota and Elle Fanning, but whether old or recent, the substance of the story stands the test of time.

Miyazaki’s third Ghibli film acted as the cornerstone in the establishment and growth of the studio, and there is little doubt that if it were released for the first time today, it would be in the running for multiple major awards. There is no film more deserving of a rerelease than this whimsical adventure.

Guy Lambert

My Neighbour Totoro is released nationwide on 2^nd August 2024.

Watch the trailer for My Neighbour Totoro here: