My Neighbor Totoro: An Anime Review

Stories where children receive help are some of the most important to be told. It can be so difficult and scary when you are a child. Adults don’t always explain things the way you need them to. That is why it is important to find those who will help you. Stories where that is explained are so necessary. 

Hayao Miyazaki really seems to understand children. He particularly seems to understand what they need. So many of his films are about children facing odds and, often, receiving help from an unexpected place. In 1988 Studio Ghibli released a movie that would be no exception to this successful formula. My Neighbor Totoro would become a favorite with audiences for years to come. 

Satsuki, her sister Mei, and their father move into an old house in the countryside. The whole family is struggling with their mother’s illness. The family bands together as the move is a way for her to recover in a nearby hospital. It also leaves the girls alone at times. However, they do have help. That help just comes from an unlikely source. 

My Neighbor Totoro is a perfect example of everything makes a Studio Ghibli film great. The art alone is a reason to watch. The music is perfect and helps to tell the story. The characters are endearing and you find yourself really rooting for them. The story is full of hope, which is something that we can all always use more of. All of the elements that fans look for are there.

The cast of voice actors is also impressive. They do a fantastic job of bringing these animated characters to life. It is easy to root for these little girls and their family as they go through this terrible time. 

I very much recommend My Neighbor Totoro. It is a fantastic film for all ages. It is also a great film for new anime fans or those who have been watching for years. 

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!