Therapist Reacts to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- How can you navigate change, stress, or sadness? How can you be a good parent as your kids navigate those emotions?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright look to the absolutely delightful anime My Neighbor Totoro for some of the answers. This film is in many ways a guidebook for warm, affirming parenting as both the mother and father show love toward their children, and listen to their stories and concerns. For all the surreal and fantastical elements in this movie (like the giant cat bus, the soot sprites, and of course Totoro), it shows pretty realistic relationships between Mei and Satsuki and how they deal with their mother's illness. This movie just feels like wrapping up in a blanket of love and goodness.
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Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright & Alan Seawright
Edited by: Jenna Schaeling
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis
I always felt for Satsuki, watching Totoro. She has all the same emotions and anxieties as Mei, but feels like she has to keep the bottled up and keep control for Mei's sake. When she finally lets it all go in the aftermath of Mei's tantrum, you realize what a silent burden this has been for her.
As an oldest child, I have had to be Satsuki.
Especially since she's old enough to have some understanding that their mom is very, very sick.
@@oracleofthemundane9593 I'm right there with you
@@oracleofthemundane9593 Me too, buddy. Of course, my version of it was still a silly, jokey, emotional child, but at the same time I was kinda expected to always be positive and understanding and mature in an emotional sense. Didn't exactly... get to release much sadness, stress or anger, and yay now I don't even know what makes me angry, before it hits me out of the bushes! Yay for... conflict avoidance..?
Thank you for saying this. As the older sister who always tries to look after my brother, with a severely depressed mum who's been hospitalized before, I feel this very strongly. Satsuki's struggle is very relatable.
"It's like a movie made by children, if they could write brilliant screenplays" is the most concise and accurate description of this movie
Miyazaki is pretty much a child stuck in an old man's body ...
@Gon Itadori fuck no. Furry propaganda film
They're not wrong, because a lot of his writing is Miyazaki coping with childhood trauma. He grew up in a country leveled by bombs, disease, and post-war trauma.
its funny though because Miyazaki is actually a terrible father to his son
When I was child, I really felt sympathy for their feelings.
Goonies, Stand by Me, and Home Alone, I enjoyed those movies, but I didn't feel sympathy. Because they were funny and cool, I admired. For sure they are made by adults.
Alan, teary eyed: just a dad, connecting with his kids in a way they understand.
Me: I NEED TO GIVE YOU A HUG BUT YOU'RE ALL THE WAY OVER THERE.
Omg this cute comment, and then the s*x slave reaction to it, jeez the internet is ff'd up xD
@@nadjadebruin6227 its a bot that i think tags comments with lots of likes. Basically trying to maximize visibility.
@@isapheonix Yeah I know, it's just that the contrast was hilarious
I KNOW RIGHT
God that's a mood
Me: *crying because everything you guys are saying is hitting and making me rethink my most important relationships*
The video: *Rick rolls me*
for real😭
Oh thank god I’m not the only one crying…
wait-
what ?
update 3 minutes after commenting: FUCK
Sameee
One scene that stands out to me is the moment when the youngest girl leaves flowers along her fathers desk while he’s working - “You be the flower shop, Daddy.”
I was really touched because I realised that this had to be based on life, someone lived a moment like that. The authenticity of everyday life in these films is really striking.
Watching this as a parent, there are so many funny moments with especially May. "Welp, I'm gonna go run some errands!" is something I've heard from my own kid when she was little and pretending to do grown up stuff.
Watching this as a parent, there are so many funny moments with especially May. "Welp, I'm gonna go run some errands!" is something I've heard from my own kid when she was little and pretending to do grown up stuff.
I forget, but I learned about how this is somewhat unique to Ghibli--I think Miyazaki was somewhat insistent on including little... nothing moments? in his films. Like you'll see it in Spirited Away too, where Chihiro is just staring out at the field, thinking, or especially for any eating moment in the films. It creates a pause to reflect and feel human and relate. It's so simple and beautiful.
@@RhizanthellaSlateri Miyazaki insisted in telling stories taking inspiration from real life. I think is one of the many things he criticized about current anime/manga culture as well.
@@RhizanthellaSlateri Hey, it"s called "Ma" and it's those moments where you just reflect. It really is a relief from all those fast-paced movies nowadays.
I would love to see an episode on Kiki's delivery service and burn out. It's one of my favorite ghibli movies and has the growth that Kiki goes through is so important
its my favorite Ghibli film too!
@@rubysmolen5155 Ooh yay! :D
@@rubysmolen5155 I have a service dog that I named Kiki. The name is almost always appropriately recognized by 10 year-olds we meet in the store.
Yes please, it’s my favourite too.
The Take has a video on this!!!
"Slice of life" is a Japanese genre featuring this soft beauty that makes us ask "how is it not boring?" The entire series might be as simple as characters camping, or learning to fish, or making pottery. I really love it!
(If this genre also exists in American media, please excuse me, I am unfamiliar with any examples.)
Edit: More specifically the iyashikei (healing) slice of life Japanese genre of anime and manga, but genres are hard to define and agree on. Every story is unique, so it might be difficult to find a story that truly recreates the experience in Totoro.
I have a thing for "Slice of life". Just watching the small adventures of a kitten getting to know their environment can be surprisingly fun!
Slice of life can be found in America, but not often, especially when it comes to movies. Unless it's an independent film, it's not so much a thing in cinema here. There's also some shows that start off as slice of life and take a hard turn in the next season to adventure/gritty (I think that's because it makes it easier for the show to get green-lit if it's for kids). It's hard for me to think of examples myself.
@@InvdrDana I've seen it more in independent stuff, or a bit in documentaries, although the only example I remember watching as a kid that was remotely close, was This Is Daniel Cook, which followed a boy named Daniel on adventures he would go on. The episodes were named kind of as a subtitle, like, "This Is Daniel Cook At the Market" is one episode. It would be anything from crafts, to sports, to other things kids might do. Very short episodes, but it was interesting for the early elementary demographic, and had a sequel featuring a different lead character, but I had grown out of it at that point. I feel like Popular Mechanics for Kids and Mighty Machines were somewhat similar shows I watched as a kid, as they basically showed how different machines and devices worked, and followed the people who worked with them. But those are generally more seen as educational documentaries.
You named 3 examples that I have seen anime for or am about to. I love me a good healing slice of life anime
I am actually enjoying Slice of Life more and more.
Miyazaki's ability to accurately capture children and how they act is part of why Grave of Fireflies was so gut wrenching.
Isao Takahata directed Grave of the Fireflies but agree that all Studio Ghibli movies are masterclass in storytelling
I once spam message in the comment section for them to see my request for the reaction to Grave of The Fireflies.
I failed.
火垂るの墓
I don't want to touch this pain for the second time in my life
bless the children of the world
@@themask4536 yes it’s so depressing
@@yawaakongkinabuhi2465 They already made a video
I love how they don't attribute everything to "Japanese being Japanese". While it is good to acknowledging cultural differences, it's also beneficial to acknowledge what people do on fundamentally human level -- excellent parenting, children being caught up in their feelings, etc..
Probably because it's not a "Japanese thing". Most Asian parents are strict and harsh towards kids, comparing to Western parents.
SO true. There's a whole subreddit ( r/AsianParentStories ) where asian kids from all over just talk and vent and support each other dealing with the treatment from their asian parents. I could go into detail about it, but honestly, reading through those posts makes clear there are a lot of people using "It's our culture" to excuse some pretty serious abuse. There is a LOT of overlap with r/raisedbynarcissists, too.
@@DeathBringerBecky Man its so sad how many people joke about asian or mexican, etc parents too. Like people laugh but isn't it just abuse?? Idk if its how they cope I understand but I think it's too normalized :(
Sort of, but unfortunately it's apparently *not* just a "joke" or a "stereotype" or something.
I wish it was.
There's apparently a particular type of...Asian child abuse, I suppose you could call it.
I've heard of this from a few different Asian people.
It's just kind of...sad. ☹️
I guess different cultures all kind of tend to have their own different good and bad responses to children. 🙄
@@ae831 I AGREE!
It IS a form of coping with systematic abuse.
"You raise strong and harty children, if the learn to deal with hardship early." Yeah, but I'm NOT HERCULES, mom ! I'd love to hear "I love you," just once before we die 🥲😢😿😂💧
So many emotions I HAD to use emojis v.v
But yes, we are all human, I'd like for the acknowledgement to have been there. I know you do it for me, but, even just once, show me you did.
Damn, amazing how easy it is to get caught up in life, to where small things like that can be lost in translation.
Rant over.
Thank you VERY much for sharing what is, actually,pretty accurate.
Maybe by meeting others in the same position, we can get catharsis, and, eventually, healing.
The scene where Mei has a tantrum because Mom isn't coming home is a revelatory one. Throughout the movie the focus has been on Mei, cute little rambunctious Mei, with her worrywart older sister trying hard to shepherd her. In this scene, we see all the weight Satsuki carries inside her. Mom might never come home, and Satsuki is very aware of how ill she is. She tries to shield her little sister from that while also shielding her father by being as good and responsible as she can be. This one little scene is when that weight becomes unbearable, just for a moment.
Yes, Satsuki is trying so hard, and I relate so much, with some of my childhood experiences.
Me and my sister have a similar age gap (7 years apart) and after conceiving my sister, and having her 2 months premie, my mother's health went extremely downhill. Growing up aware of all of it was deeply concerning for kid me, esp. Knowing we were considerably poor, not having a car until I was in 7th grade.
Totoro is a film i wish my family had when we were growing up. (For my sis, she did, but i wish i had it sooner) i think it would have made life a little easier for all of us
Satsuki is very much acting like a child would. She’s not perfect. She’s also just as stressed as Mei, maybe even more because she actually knows how serious things are, and Mei doesn’t understand yet. She’s scared and stressed and trying to protect everyone, and faced with her sister’s stress she doesn’t know what to do with all of it, so she lashes out. We don’t see this kind of *realistic* sibling fighting that often.
That's exactly what I took from this scene. You can really see that Satsuki is also upset that mum isn't coming home. She struggles with these emotions and the added aggravation of having a crying toddler makes her express it al as anger.
"Do you want her to die?" I almost felt the same frustrating anger and unfairness of the universe as Satsuki did in that moment. I just know it's this hot white anger in your head that blinds you and your logic, bursting out as sharp weaponized words, because you have no avenue, no target for that feeling. You want to hurt others to make them feel as hurt as you do, you want them to realize and feel the same, to share the burden, but in the worst way possible.
Something i realize about being Asian and growing up in Asia is that we have a very casual relationship with the supernatural. In a way like ghosts, haunted places and spirits are just part of our daily lives. Whether you believe in it or not. I remember my lecturer in uni even used his home being haunted as an excuse for lack of sleep and being late from class - there are many stories like these. It's funny, it's charming and it's just culture. i lav it.
I think it's a beautiful thing. It makes life more mysterious and interesting. Life is more than just what we see :)
So it is in Latin America. I grew up with ghosts and the dead, ancestors, African nature entities/gods (brought to Brazil by people who were enslaved), catholic saints (my family is italian) , indigenous forest spirits. I live in the Netherlands, and I am so sorry that my son is missing that. It is such an enriching experience to your soul to feel this spiritual connection with nature, family and the unknown!
and supernatural stuffs are not always evil like here
You guys waiting for your lecturer: damn, wonder where the teacher is?
Your teacher, the previous night: istg these ghosts, man.
@@gborsonello you are totally right, i grew up hearing stories that my family would occasionally tell me, principally werewolves and ghosts
17:56 Satsuki is also venting her own frustrations at Mei, she's had to look out for her sister to a far more emotional extent, including making food for her whole family, constantly babysitting Mei (while only being 10 years old) & doing her best to break bad news to her sister in a calm way but when Mei reacts like any 4 year old would, it's all just too much.
Yess...I wanted them to touch up on this. How satsuki is kind of like second parent to mei. She reminds me of my elder sister and brother who had to look out for me and my younger sister.
In Japan in the middle of the Showa period, it was normal for children to do housework. So Satsuki doesn't have any stress or complaints about that. This is one of the differences between Asia and Western countries, and you need to recognize that Totoro is a movie that reflects Japanese culture. It was a Japanese who made this movie. She yelled at Mei because she was also worried that her mother wouldn't come back. She is mature for her age, but her heart is still a small child who misses her mother.
@@user3040lili It was also normal in Austria a couple of generations ago. Espically in the county side. Only rich people could afford a nanny. Even me and my brother did a lot of housework when we were little (no cooking alone we only helped our mother) and I looked after our little brother at least in the afternoon from time to time when I was 10. And between middle school and high school me and my brother (who is 2 years younger) stayed at home in the evening/afternoon to watch our older sister. who is in the spectrum. (I was born in the 80s).
Yes I agree as a Japanese woman with a younger sister growing up
Man, if Alan's tearing up for one of the most wholesome movies to ever exist, I can't imagine how he reacted/would react to Grave of the Fireflies. Studio Ghibli had no chill for that one. Also, I can't help but wonder what Jonathan's thoughts would be about the protagonist for that film, about his choices as a young teen, his parentified dynamic with his sister, how children process trauma, -really just about any element of that film. That'll definitely get the water works flowing.
They will both be weeping, I know I did. It's been over 10 years since I've seen that film, and it still hurts to remember it.
They and we all will be drowning in our tears❣️
Grave of the Fireflies came out at the same time as Totoro, and they were shown as a double feature. Imagine going from one movie to the other. I just have to hear the music from the movie and I am crying.
I just lost my mother this year, I would not dare to watch Grave of Fireflies for the next three years. 😭😭😭
I watched Grave of the Fireflies once... and I just can't watch it again. It was too heart wrenching.
Please PLEASE do something with Howl's Moving Castle. It's my all time favorite Studio Ghibli movie and it has such an amazing message about self acceptance.
Do this! the struggle for self-acceptance, confronting responsibilities and expectations it's just Begging for a Therapist
Seconding this!
Yes and also When Marnie Was There. Oh just any other Ghibli movie too lol
Literally any Ghibli movie.
Pleeeeeeeeease its my first and favorite
Because I grew up having all my emotions invalidated by my parents, I always make sure to react bubbly to what my nieces and students tell me...
future parents: when you invalidate your kid's emotions, they feel sad, frustrated and disappointed at you
THIS
I still remember how much my dad and brothers used to say I shouldn't be crying for whatever and that's probably why I still have issues with crying in front of (most) other people, even though I recently realized that crying with caring and supporting people often makes me feel much better.
@@stephaniemoura3214 I studied in a school that anyone who shed a single tear would be mocked for the rest of the day, til this day I think that crying is humiliating. So I do understand how you feel...
I had a happier childhood but had to re-learn expressing and especially receiving emotions. As I am a caretaker at a kindergarden, it is somewhat disheartening if a child looks surprised at you if you take them serious and let them be children.
@@astrisperspecto4130 I happened to me too... one of my students was so shocked that she immediately turned to her friend and said "she said she believes in me!"
Alan, you are spot on when talking about the magical moments a dad can provide for his kids that will stick with them!
When I was seven my Dad super supported my belief in Elves & Leprechauns and we built a little wooden house for them with a detachable roof. I'm 29 now and lost the roof somewhere during the years, but I still have the house which is now used as a cat bed. I feel really loved and proud of my dad when I look at it or when people ask about it.
How adorable. 🧚♀️🧚♂️🧚♀️🏠
Especially the part about its new life as a cat bed. 🐈
Reminds me of what a friend said to her ex, when she encouraged him to do special things with the kids when he had them, his excuse is that they are too young and will forget it anyway... but she said they will still remember being HAPPY with their dad, and that will stick.
@@lucifang Yes, exactly. ^___^
Love how the dad in the movie is so great with his kids. ❤️💙❤️
Adorable. 🥰
I forgot to say earlier in here that cats are obviously part elf anyway. 🐈🧚♂️🧚♀️🐈
I always thought though that as the movie is meant for children AND adults, it's about being present with each other in general, and with the world around us - the trees, the flowers, nature, us experiencing life together and alone and telling stories about it, and talking about the stuff we don't understand because our perceptions as humans are limited to that - being human.
And that's what makes every movie by Hayao Miyazaki so beautiful to us ❤
8:50 think of it this way: if the kids prefer to disturb you than any other adult in the house, or would mess around you rather than play on their own, it's because they like you. Growing up they'll look back and think of these moments fondly.
Exactly! From time to time I have to remind myself of this.
What I find so fantastic about Totoro is that as whimsical as it is, there are very real emotions underpinning it, as well as a certain underlying seriousness. It’s a story about wonder and magical friendly creatures, but it’s also about two girls dealing as best as they can with the fact their mom is chronically ill. And the film is capable of making this balance between fantasy and reality without being heavy handed, or overly sentimental, and come out feeling so light and happy and beautiful.
I've read interpretations that frame TOTORO as a primer for helping children process death. It's significant that the film opens with the move to a house where Mom can recuperate, but closes with Mom still in the hospital.
Also the slight creepy alienness to the fantasy elements, and that it's a comfort but not a magical plot fix, means the whimsy doesn't feel patronizing or emotionally manipulative.
I totally get that what Satsuki said to Mei, when she was screaming "That's unfair" is so wrong, but I get her so much.
As a big sister myself it was sometimes very hard to see my little sister being a child and being allowed to have her strong emotional reactions, and cry and scream and make unreasonable demands and getting what she wants, while I had to learn to make space for that and make myself "less of a burden" to my parents. And sometimes that wants to make you tell your little siblings to "grow up" cause that's what you had to do
And while I'm typing all this I realize that this is something I should probably talk to my therapist about, damn...
Went through the same thing... You are valid, and I totally get how you feel. "Making space" for younger siblings is unfair and in a lot of cases harmful for the older sibling, but the worst thing is that you're left feeling bitter over things that happened long ago, without anyone to direct these feelings to! Your little sibling can't really be blamed for being a more difficult kid, especially if they've since grown up and changed for the better! But I just want to let you know i completely understand! We older siblings must support each other somehow!
I'm a little sister, and I sometimes got shut down by my big sister just for voicing my thoughts out loud (as an unfiltered and demanding 6 y/o at the time ofc lol). We're adults now, and a few years ago I was going through some difficulties in my life, and I found myself letting out my emotions to my sister and admitting that despite having a lot of support from friends and family, I still felt depressed and lost. Her final response at the time was somewhere along the lines of "fine, be that way if you're not going to get better," invaliding my feelings and causing me to withdraw my emotions even more. Tbh, I wouldn't be surprised if she was somewhat bitter towards me because my parents let me attend the college I wanted to go to and they didn't let her, among other things that younger siblings tend to have more access to than their older ones.
Flash forward to today. We've learned some things, learned that it's okay to have feelings, realized we both been pretty unreasonable with each other in the past, and over time we've gradually managed to talk about our issues more healthily and openly. It took a lot of forgiveness and healing, but we're closer now than we were as kids, and we have each other's backs.
In defence of Satsuki - I don't think in that scene she's trying to 'correct' Mei per se, because that's not her attitude throughout the movie. She's generally very kind and understanding. But she's also just a child, who is also scared about her mother. And at that moment, she doesn't have anyone to turn to, as the father is at work. But she's the 'big sister', and yet again she's got Mei wanting something from her, but at that point, she can barely handle her own fears, let alone deal with Mei's too. It's too much to expect a child to continuously play the role of mother to her younger sibling.
Exactly, she has the need to be a firm stone for her younger sister, but she thinks that thinking rational will give her sister what she needs
This point is made in the 1964 film, Mary Poppins. Bert reveals to the children what their father, Mr. Banks, must be going through and that he has no one to turn to for emotional support. It was then that I realized that the main character of the movie was not Poppins or the kids, it was Mr. Banks.
I literally screamed “WHAT?!” when I got the notification and scared my cat. 😂 You really be ticking all my favourite childhood movies.
did the EXACT same thing, i'm so pumpedddd
I was pleasantly surprised as Well.
how's your cat doing now? does it need therapy? 🤭
SAME
YES!!!
I grew up in an emotionally neglectful family, so I always get choked up at those early scenes with the parents because, wow...there _are_ parents like that.
YES! I was amazed when I saw families like this in real life. Wanted to know, HOW DO YOU DO IT? How can I get that? Always afraid to ask, out of fear.
I'd like to point out that Satsuki's yelling? That wasn't pure rational either. Mei was expressing pain in the only way she as a very young child knew how, but Satsuki's shouting was definitely her breaking under the strain of having to be strong for her sister. Mei wanted to be told everything would be alright, but Satsuki knew that might not be the case. Nobody was there to hold her, and it wasn't fair that she had to be the one to give that strength she didn't actually have in the moment either. It wasn't cruelty, or really even wanting Mei to change her behavior, because it wasn't about Mei. It's just pain and frustration.
I was looking for this comment. Thanks for saying it because I felt that was majorly overlooked. That wasn't an adult "scolding" Mei, it was another child who feels helpless buckling under the pressure of being a pseudo-mother.
I was so looking for this comment as well… Let’s not forget that the big children and adolescents are those who need just as much hugging but often don’t get it because they mostly act angry. But angry is just a hide out for sadness…
This. Satsuki has noticed - same as Mei - that their mum's disease wasn't progressing the right way and being the older child, she was able to understand that some people just don't get better. And while she was starting to dread their mum could actually die, Mei gets grumpy about missing a weekend? That's too much stress to handle for just a girl.
Thanks for mentioning this. I got that from Satsuki too. She was a surrogate parent to Mei there and she didn’t have the tools or experience for that and it would be unfair to expect that of her.
Exactly!!!! Not only was it frustration over having to care for her little sister, but I think Statsuki saw herself in Mei. I interpreted it as Satsuki talking to herself in her head-- she was probably really sad and angry that her mom wouldn't be home too, but was trying to reel it in. Shouting at Mei can be seen as Satsuki shouting at herself for feeling "petty" emotions. And what was also really important is how Mei sees Satsuki crying about it later, because she's able to see how scared her sister is too, even if she scolds her. It's validation for Mei, because she can realize she's not alone in those feelings.
I love how the adults just…BELIEVE the children. They acknowledge that the spirits are real, and that only young children can see them. It’s so wholesome and affirming and sincere.❤
its also a very japense belief form, especially for the granny to believe it, since she likely "saw them when she was a girl" too
But I think May's "its not fair" is that it isn't fair that her mother is sick. But as a big sister its unfair that she has to manage the emotions of a child when she is also a child.
I think it's true on both: she was waiting for her mother, and then she suddently can't come. Acknowledging the unfairness of a disease is rare for a kid that age, byt nevertheless heart wrenching. She just wanted her mum back; family is the kids' whole world.
Yeah the older kid's just slowly learning about adulting and responsibility herself, but feels pushed into being fully responsible and rational all the time by having her younger sister follow her around everywhere.
@@crios8307 well the part where she her mom was just heart breaking man its too much man and you can correct me if im wrong since i suffer from memory lost unfortunately so i may say the wrong stuff.
Big sister is also probably feeling a lot of the same things as Mei but feels like she can't express that in the face of her little sister feeling it.
Whenever I said, "It's not fair" my dads go-to answer was "Yea, well life's not fair. Deal with it."
Fun fact: the mother's illness is heavily implied in ancillary material (and Miyazaki's own life story) to be tuberculosis, which would explain why she's been in the hospital for so long and makes Satsuki's fear she might die seem much more realistic.
I always assumed she had TBC and was recovering in sanatorium.
one an aside note: I also read some outlandish theories that the mom is dead, and the trip with the cat bus means the girls die as well, obviously those people never watched the end credits where it show them having a baby brother.
And just don't start me on the reactions to the bathing scene .... :/
@@remko2 I always assumed that was a random baby from their village, but either way I don't buy that the mom or the girls "actually" die. That's just people being needlessly edgy.
The movie takes place in the 1950's, when effective antibiotic treatment for TBC had just recently become a reality. Of course, it existing in one part of the world doesn't mean it would get to Japan in any sort of timely manner, and an extended hospital stay would probably be called for in any case.
The bath scene is honestly one of my favorite parts of the movie. It's an adorable family moment; the fact that they're naked doesn't mean anything remotely sexual or harmful is happening. Honestly, I think we North Americans would be a lot healthier if we got more comfortable with casual nudity.
(Also: those bathtubs are deep; a child Mei's age should absolutely not use one unsupervised.)
@@Truzyxx Apparently Miyazaki insisted that the main characters had to be little girls because the story would have hit too close to home for him if they were boys what with Miyazaki being the second eldest of four sons and his mother's spinal tuberculosis.
I just thought she was pregnant and was staying due to complications. I thought satsukis reaction was valid cause when I was a kid, an abnormally long 3 hour doctor visit for my baby sister put an irrational fear in me that she was going to die. It was so late the receptionist played a new movie on the lobby vcr which I thought was weird since those places never catered to just some kids waiting.
😭😂🙆♀️ I felt like the mom when I was in the hospital recovering from pneumonia (husband and 2 children at home)
When y'all say it's "this close to creepy" it's meant that way. Spirits can be both protectors and destroyers. Spirits that live in the border between the natural world and the human world often end up being more like protectors, and we see the big tree having been decorated with the circle of zigzag papers and that means a spirit lives there. Totoro and his group could be devastating, but they are the protectors of this little village instead, so long as they are respected, which the dad encourages the daughters to do by greeting the spirit properly :)
Oh! Haha just commented about the Shintoist "shide" decorations on the tree after Jonathan's comment on some Eastern symbolism in that scene, that they never really expanded on! Great comment!
According to Shinto a spirit leaves in every tree, rock, river... every piece of nature, that one being surrounded by Shide would be especially respected though. Japanese foresters still to this day have a big ceremony before they cut down trees to ask the spirits permission and give them a chance to essentially vacate their homes. All of Studio Ghibli's works have a very strong Shino thread in them.
I saw that too and it reminds me of the ones I saw in Bali too.
Yes, in Japanese folklore many spirits or youkai are ambiguous when it comes to being good or evil.
Yeah princess mononoke represents the destructive side of spirits
I lost my mother in November 2021, and I can relate so much to the scene where Mei is just screaming, "IT'S NOT FAIR!". I just wanted her to be able to come home one more time, so we could make cookies and watch an anime and just be close together one more time, but she never got to leave the hospital. I still have a raging child inside me that wants to scream about how unfair it all is.
I can relate I lost my mom in January 2021 and she never got to leave the hospital. It does still feel unfair that I couldn't have one more moment with her at home.
as an adult Kiki’s Delivery hits reaallly hard about finding independence, losing you creative spark and gaining your voice all over again. i adore that move when i’m feeling down! another lowkey gem is Whisper of The Heart which is about the artists journey and i also recommend Only Yesterday for a very self-reflective slice of life piece!
thanks for doing Ghibli movies! i adore them!
I also recommend Up on poppy hill and The cat returns (which is directly connected to Whisper of the heart). True gems all of them!
god yeah Kiki...
The older I get the more Kiki gets to me
@@tamashiranai1091 when she couldn't understand Jiji anymore i felt that
@@tamashiranai1091 Same. Not only that - but I feel like I continually gain a new or different perspective on it every year.
In most films, there are 'beats'.
Move from home, beat.
Find new friends, beat.
Start a new adventure, beat.
In 'Kiki', the film ends between beats!
She is making new friends, but is having trouble relating to her own feelings.
The future of her delivery service in in doubt: she can't fly like she used to.
She is mid-stride at the ending credits!
Just like life, no clear start or end.
This kind of calming, conflict-less, slice of life style of media is a whole genre in Japan! It's called iyashikei, and it translates as "healing".
And the whole world could use more of this attitude in dealing with each other; diplomacy, empathy, and the like might not be especially exciting, but they're nothing to scoff at.
You realize the kids in the movie die, right? It's about acceptance and moving on, which I guess is healing in a way. Not exactly conflict-less, though.
@@jamespryor5967 What!?!What do you mean they died? I haven't seen the movie, but it seems like nobody die.
@@arianaalejandro4005 The children die and the spirits help them see their parents one last time before moving on to the afterlife. It's a kids movie, so it's mostly implied, but pretty clear.
@@jamespryor5967 lol, no it's not. People have tried to push some sinister theories but Miyazaki has denied them. You can even see how their mom gets home and them getting a new sibling in the end credits.
Speaking of Brian Regen: one of his "punchlines" was telling his kids, "Can't you see the paint on the wall is more important than the joy in your hearts?!" I think of that every time I get after my kids for something. Not that I want to let them destroy my house, but it helps me moderate my response and redirect without hurting anyone's feelings.
Have you geard of Montessori? I strongly recommend it and positive discipline for general communication advice. Its sooooo much more healthy than rewards and punishments too.
“She’s so mean!” Literally exactly my younger brother and I growing up, throughout the entire movie we kept just saying “Look it’s you!”
Their mom had tuberculosis. Satsuki has had to go through this before. She feels like she's in charge of Mei, due to her dad always working and trying to make sure everything is great at home. Dad moved them out to the countryside for all of their health and less stress. Mei is too young to comprehend everything as a whole. All she knows, is that she's lonely and wants her mom and a friend.
11:23 "It's just the kids are so much like real kids." Ohhh I'm gonna go on a long kinda nerdy spiel. Hayao Miyazaki is very observant of his environment and he would animate while thinking about how a person would fall, climb, or express themselves, taking time to pay attention to the littlest of things that might not seem like much but those things can show a lot about someone, it gives a sense that the characters are alive. The Studio Ghibli team under his direction puts so much time into the details too, like making sure they move in a way that gives you the sense of who they are. It reminds me how my theater coach told me "Do not put something in that does not have intention nor meaning." as in give life to every little detail to really give the nuance of the character you want to show and the environment they live in, and then the character gives life and meaning to the story because we grew to care just as we slowly start to care for a friend we made. We never know how's the story with that friend will end, but we continue because we care. And so, the kids are so much like real kids because he took his time to try to understand them, to really make something that would resonate with them, and personally I like how I would watch it and reminiscence that childhood wonder and curiosity. Hayao Miyazaki is kind of a grumpy man who at times is questionable, can't deny that and this same man made these movies for children as if to inspire them. Personally, I think all of this combined made Ghibli movies into movies that you didn't watch for the ending, but for the experience. To enjoy even the littlest of moment, to appreciate the beauty in life that we would often might miss, even if it's sad or happy, both of them deserved to be paid attention to.
Thanks to Alan and Jono for reacting to My Neighbor Totoro!! Been watching Cinema Therapy to cry along lol
And Studio Ghibli was my childhood and I love it every time I see someone who likes it too!
He was also quite friendly and often watched how the children of his employees acted. Spirited Away was made because he saw the daughter of one of this animators (I think) and decided he wanted to make a movie for little girls her age. A lot of the mannerisms of the adults in his movies are taken straight from his staff, too.
19:42 what I see in this scene is Mei trying to comfort Satsuki. She sees her cry and and beeing scared about their moms health and decides to take action by bringing their mom the fresh corn to make her better faster (like they talked about just before the phonecall). And in making their mom better she sees the only way to help her older sister!
That's one of wonderful thought..
That's exactly as I perceive this. Mei steps up and into action.
Came to the comments to say the same thing haha
I actually always interpreted the scene when Mei runs away differently.
Satsuki has always been the strong one that Mei could rely on (even if there was conflict) and because of that Mei has no idea that really Satski feels the same way she does - terrified.
When Mei sees Satsuki break down and cry for the first time she realizes that her sister is in pain too.
I've always seen Mei running away as a response to seeing Satsuki sad, something she hasn't really seen before, and trying to do something for her.
She is running to take her corn to mum and heal her not strictly for herself, but for Satsuki. She obviously totally overestimates herself and what she can do. But overall I've always seen this part not as Mei running away from something, but towards something. Not avoidance, but taking action to help.
Obviously Mei isn't rationalizing this the way I am now, didn't think it through probably not even super consciously taking these steps - she's too young for that and she's acting on impulse. But I still always felt that this was her motivation.
I always saw it as when she saw Satsuki crying, and realized she was sad and hurting too, Mei took it upon herself to get that corn straight to mom so both her and Satsuki can be happy and mom will get well too, it's a win for everyone
I’m a full grown adult and I cry at this film at the strangest moments. It’s so innocent, pure and wholesome and I think our world just needs more of that.
Especially NOW where everyone is tense, angry, anxious, etc.
I've been alone 23/7 for almost 2 years now and my psychiatrist doesn't get why my anti anxiety meds don't are enough anymore?
Unable to work, huge dental issues, operations, weight loss to a BMI almost adequate for admittance and tube feedibg, guilt, etc.
I couldn't even visit my parents out of fear to infect them (and the first hard lockdown for months) ( densly populated city - 2 mio- vs 9k town)
All 3 of us highest risk group ...
So people wonder why even relatively "healthy" people's mental health declines ?
Well imagine you had 5 mental and 6 physical illnesses before the first lockdown.
We now passed the 4 th hard one.
Some areas of the country are still in the hard lockdown up until 17 th or 20 th ?
Rules change daily but after 10 am tomorrow I won't notice any of it bevor of my OP and my trusty anaestheiologist. Thank medicine for Midazolam or I would have a literall heart attack on the seat. Heart rate 150 even with heavy sedation...
Same to be honest 😭💗 the wholesomeness hits me square in the feels
Yes, I found myself crying during scenes that are so wholesome, joyful, beautiful or calm. I don't know if I am alright, so sensitive, I have no control 😅
I relate to this very hard
@@janedoex1398 hugs to you, the whole covid experience has been incredibly challenging for so many of us. These days, I like to remind myself of the lotus flower-- it emerges from the mud and muck, unique and beautiful. Plant those roots and hold on, it just takes time & perseverance.
I'm diagnosed and treated for anxiety, depression, and ADD. Along with medication, Yoga & meditation really help to calm my mind, as does cognitive behavioral therapy.
Hang in there, friend. 🤗
This movie was so important to me as a child. I was almost EXACTLY in the same situation as this family. Older sister, mom chronically ill, dad working long hours. I felt seen. I felt hope. I love this movie with all my heart.
I have watched this movie only recently for the first time as a 30+ yo woman. It made me cry, because I had been 9, and my sister had been 5 when my mom got cancer and eventually, she had to go to a hospital to never come back. Except my dad was not like this at all... The dad in the movie almost seems like as much of a fantasy as Totoro to me...! Beautiful story, wonderful people!
The scene where they thank the big tree is clearly showing Shinto sensibilities, and the decorated rope wrapping it is a thing in real life that signals that a natural element is to be protected because it's sacred/inhabited by important spirits.
I was gonna comment on that, in glad someone already did.
Damn, the moment satsuki asked her grandma what she should do if ever her mom died got me 😭 it’s like that shell she kept herself protected with just broke down at that moment, and she just started crying.
It's a beautifully-animated scene. But it's a little weird to hear the voice of Ursula the Sea Witch trying to console Satsuki.
yeah. When older siblings are always taking charge of things and parenting the younger siblings it can be difficult to remember that there's still just a kid behind that seemingly adult and mature facade, and they still need love and comfort too, especially during hard times like that
In fact, this scene was added later.
Producer Suzuki said to Miyazaki, "Satsuki is too mature. If she continues like this, she will become mentally ill because she can't show her weakness to others."
At first, Miyazaki disagreed with this opinion, but he retracted it the next day.
He then added a scene in which Satsuki cries because she cannot bear the fear that her mother might die.
One of my favourite movies, it hits even harder if you have been separated from your parent due to a illness they were going through when you were growing up.
Ooh yeah. My mum died when I was 12. She spent weeks in the hospital. That "will she get better/will she be herself/will she ever come home?" was one of the hardest bits.
Jep i cried through the movie. My dad Was in hospital for most of my puberty and all the totoro scenes remembered me of the times where i Wandered around, pretending to be in other worlds, just not mine
Yes. My mum spent a lot of time in the hospital when i grew up and I also have a little sister, so I tried my best to support her through the hard times. I used to make a "pillow mum" out of one of my mums t-shirts and a pillow for her and read the same children storie every night I could.
Our age- gap isn't that big, but I really hope she felt like I was a good big sister that she could lean on.
Agreed. It was the reverse for me - I was the one alone in the hospital - but it was just as painful to watch my parents struggle to process their emotions as I suffered and struggled. Chronic/terminal illness can be like a wrecking ball to families and that's why MNT is so satisfying and comforting.
The cat/spider bus is actually amazing. I think it’s at the razors edge of the cute/uncanny valley line. It’s impressive how cute it is without crossing that line even though it’s so close.
i didn't grow up with this movie, in only saw it like maybe last year when i got netflix. however, i did grow up in a toxic household under controlling and emotionally abusive parents and this movie just somehow breaks my heart and heals it all at the same time... it is one of those movies that i keep re-watching and it makes me cry every time. the way Mei and Satsuki were loved by their parents and people around them and the way they were free to imagine, to run around make noise and talk loudly (like kids usually like to do)... it feels other worldly. i can't believe that people like their mom and dad exist in this world.
especially in the Japanese version, Mei has a very loud voice (oh i love her voice in the Japanese version). she likes to talk loudly and no adult ever told her to quiet down or lower her voice. i know it's a stupid thing to talk about but i used to have a loud voice as a child, i actually had trouble regulating the tone and loudness of my voice especially in excitement or after long periods of not talking (i realized this after growing up) and i was always scolded for being loud, even at my happiest moments. they always interrupted me when i was really really excitedly telling them something and scolded me to lower my voice... it used to kill me inside... like i was never important. and it didn't matter where we were and even if that place was completely fine for being loud, like i wasn't allowed to be loud even in the comfort of my own "home". but seeing Mei and Satsuki run around being loud always makes the little child inside of me so happy and giggly...
man i know how it feels😭 hope things are better for you now💔
Im so sorry you had to experience that. I hope you know that you do matter and you always did
When my ex and I first divorced, I discovered My Neighbor Totoro and introduced my kiddos to him. My children were 2 and 5, much like the girls in the movie. Totoro showed us that even when life is not "normal" we can be ok. And it showed me how I could be a better Mom. This movie was a balm to my spirit and my kids developed a love for all things Studio Ghibli, even now, 10 years later! 🥰
I am autistic, I struggle a lot with expressing my emotions, I often don't even understand what I'm feeling myself and the whole 'past the behavior to the emotions' makes so much sense to me, yes I'm crying but I'm not sad, I'm overwhelmed. telling me to stop crying won't help, turning off the tv and the lights so I'm not overstimulated anymore will.
A lot of people don't understand that, but it's very hard for me to explain because I really understand what I'm going through most of the time. this explained so much to me, thank you.
I know how you feel...
I am bipolar and I empathize with this as well.
I'm not autistic, but I get overstimulated and overwhelmed very easily, which can cause me to become angry or cry.
I don't know if it would work for you, but in my case I have had to practice identifying my feelings step-by-step in the moment, like "Crying. Why crying? Because I'm overwhelmed. Why overwhelmed? Because it's too much. What is too much? All of these noises."
And then I can make an exit plan and more succintly let other people know what's happening. Like, "It's loud here, so I'm upset."
The kids' voice acting in this is so good, and so real. When the kids cry I find myself tearing up and wanting to hug them.
And Tim Daly gives a great performance as the dad. Literally the guy who played Superman... Imagine this being Clark's life if he settled.
me too i felt myself tearing up
It's so good because they were little kids when they did it!
@@osmanyousif7849 Go watch Superman and Lois, that's basically the premise, moving to the country with Lois and his two boys.
I lost my grandfather this week, and seeing Mae's reactions in this film really hit me. I feel the way she does, and it's true that we all have the same emotions no matter our age. All we can do is learn new coping mechanisms.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NUDE.SNAPGIRLS.TODAY/AGNEZ 💜 MAKE ME YOUR S*X SLAVE
RUclips: This is fine
Someone: Says "help"
RUclips: BE GONE
History : deleted
Phone : yeeted
Body :heated
Holy water : needed
#Чо #эт #делает #на #2 #месте #в #тренде #однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков #垃圾
#ライブ配信の再編ありがとうです！#この日のライブ配信は、#かならりやばかったですね！１#万人を超える人が見ていたもんね（笑）#やっぱり人参最高！#まさかのカメラ切り忘れでやら1かしたのもドキドキでした！#今後は気を付けないとね5). .
!💖🖤❤
I am very sorry - maybe you can remember something awesome you and your grandfather did together and imagine a hug from me? Being sad about this is okay. Maybe it helps to remember something awesome you shared?
sending you love!! I lost a loved one three years ago, and it's not easy, but I think it's important to remember that your grandfather's love for you is never gone :)
I'm sorry you're going through this. sending you lots of love. take care of yourself, let your loved ones support you. grief doesnt have to be all horrible, grief is full of so much love and light. i know you most likely dont need advice, anything i could say you probably have already heard before so i just want you to know that you are so lucky to have had a wonderful grandfather.
Everything people above me said except for the bot, I second that,
but also, the name's spelled "Mei"
Wow. I cried multiple times during this. Thank you. It's nice to hear 2 men tearing up, talking about emotions and the patriarchy. Well done.
Matriarchy and patriarchy don't exist one without the other, un the sense of the original meanings of the words (not the bastardized versuons that are now a byword and used only contemptuously to dismiss older cultures in favor of more recent, uhm, politicized perspectives).
You could have worded that a little different, but I completely agree. There's something very sweet about two dads being wholesome and tearing up because of their love for their children
@@Shiroi0moi I don't exactly see what was off about my wording. I just mean that, amongst all of the Amdrew Tate talk of the world, it's nice to have a reminder of this type of masculinity, that's all :)
@@celinepope there's nothing really wrong, but "patriarchy" is usually a dog whistle used by mysandrists
@@celinepope "Alpha" masculinity is the unhealthiest type of maculinity there is. Not just to the men themselves, who'll end up bottling up their emotions which could lead to depression, anger, aggression, suicidal feelings and predatory sexual behavior. BUt also for the people around them (especially women) who will become victims of said aggression and potential predatory sexual behavior.
Oh my, have you already thought about reacting to Lilo & Stitch? I guess you get movie orders all the time, but I feel like this is one of Disney's best and it has a very interesting family background. Anyway, I am so happy you're reacting to a Ghibli movie OMG!!! Love My Neighbor Totoro 😭❤️
And Lilo is a great child character. Just like May in "Totoro", she's weird, irrational, intensely emotional, exactly like a 6 year old.
My favorite part about her is so subtle. In the beginning she's late to dance because she needs to feed Pudge the Fish a peanutbutter sandwich, because she believes that Pudge controls the weather. Her parents died because of a storm. She's both trying to make sense of a chaotic world, but also concerned about such a thing happening again or to anyone else.
Alan: "More busses should be huggable."
OK, I legit lost it :'D
As someone on the spectrum I’ve had a lot of success dealing with little kids and even animals because of something that is often treated like an issue by people who don’t want to be patient or flexible with me: I take words at face value almost all of the time.
It’s easy to be annoyed by kids who are fighting with each other over nothing or start accusing each other of things, but I’ve also found that taking their complaints at face value and building from there the same way you would if two adult friends were arguing. That level of respect validates them and allows them to move on from the stage of complaining where they insist you take them seriously as fast as possible.
Highly recommend trying it next time you deal with kids or pets that won’t leave you alone, they’ve always responded well to it when I need to.
I'm not autistic but I have a strong tendency toward being blunt and forthright, and I often act as if everyone else is too, even if they're not. For personal reasons, I don't have much patience for bs. And kids fucking love me. I literally can't get rid of them. It's been like this since I was a teenager and just keeps happening. Because when they talk to me, I respond totally normally. I adjust things like vocab and swearing to suit their age, but otherwise I don't change how I communicate. Someone says "my friend died" I say "that's really sad, I'm sorry that happened". Someone says "I want goldfish crackers" I say "Me too, but I don't have any, and if I did, I wouldn't give them to you." Someone says "i have a crush on a girl at school", I say "well ask her out. she's not going to know until you tell her." Then they give me this Look like two action heros might give to eachother at the climax of a movie, and I know, I've accidentally gained their trust. I do not recommend, you'll never get rid of the neighbor's kids otherwise. Great for babysitting though. It's much easier to chase down a comrade than an enemy.
As someone who is also on the spectrum, what they said about "kids not being able to handle emotions" really spoke to me. I feel that what a lot of people don't understand is that I'm not emotional or sensitive out of choice, it's the way my brain works. When I'm sad I want to cry and to isolate myself., when I'm happy I want to jump around and stim, and so on.
I think the same people who can't understand those in the spectrum are the ones who can't understand children and the way their emotions work
ASD here too, it's amazing how well kids respond to just being treated like people. I don't even really like kids for more than 10 minutes, but they stick to me like glue.
Can you give some examples on how you're pulling that off with animals other than people? Got really curious! I love this comment and the replies it's gotten. I wanna learn to be more like y'all so badly!
I want to save your comment so I can remind myself of how you respond and try to do the same. Thanks so much for sharing
I just wanted to thank you guys for making this video. My father has never been able to understand the thought process of a child and it made my childhood very difficult. Often he would judge my decisions to the standards of an adult and really reprimand me over it. Well today, my 7 year old nephew didn't listen to my father and almost put himself in danger, but my Dad noticed and prevented the tragedy. He was still really riled up by it and could not understand why my nephew couldn't just follow directions and it was so obvious that he could have gotten hurt. I used the words of Jonathan and said, "Well, Dad, that is thinking of an adult. His thought process is that of a child's." And for the first time in my life, I felt heard by my father in a situation like this. I felt his energy soften. It actually healed me just a little bit to talk to my father about my nephew. It almost made the pent up memories of my dad yelling at me seem a tiny bit less significant. So thank you.
It’s rare to see two men took the time to talk about their emotions. Thanks for making this video.
I am happy you get to see more men open up like this. To be honest a lot of men at Church do so as well, but I do not think women get to see men talk to each other openly due to privacy and reliance needs. The best chats I had was while playing basketball or doing math problems lol.
Well they trained to talk about these things. But yes it is good to see regardless
@@olsonbryce777 one of them is. The other is just a dude with no sort of therapeutic background as far as I'm aware.
I love seeing how emotional these films make Alan. Like, its so refreshing to see a man willing to cry and be open about his emotions. My family has always consisted of majority males. There was my dad, two younger brothers and then my mum and I. And my dad was and still is abusive. So as a result my mum and I have two very emotionally stunted young men on our hands since our dad did all his damage and then left. Neither of my brothers know how to cope with their emotions in healthy ways, all of their pain and frustrations come out in anger and screaming and throwing things around the house. And my mum and I are of the opinion that asking for therapy and help needs to come from the person that needs it and shouldn't be something they're made to do so getting them the help that they need is difficult. I just wish my brothers had a man in their lives like Alan. Someone to show them that their emotions are valid, they're allowed to feel them and that its OK to cry.
Ghibli movies are so special and I love how they really lean into the quieter moments and don't force the action and conflict. My favorite Ghibli movie is hands down Whisper of the Heart and there really isn't a huge outside conflict and most of it resides in the main character so I understand why its not as popular as Totoro or Kiki's or Spirited Away, but it inspired me so much at such a young age that all the other Ghibli movies just don't hit the same. Its also a really great movie to look at insecurities and imposter syndrome that a lot of artists face from time to time
This movie is indeed a warm blanket; in that warm blanket, you get to remember what it is like to be a child. The visuals take you to places you've never been to before... Under the full moon, in the branches of a giant tree, children sit with friendly forest spirits. Sublime.
I feel like this film is basically a 'slice of life' film, which is sadly rare in Western animation or kids' movies. People too often assume that kids only enjoy noisy, high-action drama but it's not true. Totoro is very immersive and relatable to all ages because it feels like real, heartfelt childhood moments, even the gentle fantasy aspects.
I agree! It was one of my favorites growing up. Me and my sister had a catbus plushie
I first watched this movie when I was 5, and it was rented so often that my uncle bought me the VHS (I still have it to this day). So yeah, kids like those types of movie as well XD
This is why I love "slice of life" anime in general. Some of them are on a more dramatic scale/side and deal with real life problems in a very realistic perspective, but a lot of them are just SO squishy and wonderful (even with a few conflicts thrown in here and there). They are shows I watch when I need an emotional break or when I want to rewatch something that doesn't have that strong conflict.
o.o
I loved this movie growing up! Between Miyazaki films and Pixar I've come to realize my favorite sort of storytelling can be best described as "slice of life, but one fantastic element". Like moving into a new town and meeting the neighbor, but he's a forest spirit. Trying to reconnect with an estranged family member, but while in the land of the dead. Starting a delivery business in a new town, but the method is flying on a broom. Fulfilling a passed loved one's life goal for closure, but it's done with a house attached to balloons. And there's so many beautiful, quiet moments in all these movies that made the immersion into the story so, well, immersive! My Neighbor Totoro was the first movie to introduce me to that idea, and it stuck with me since.
I really like this film, as you say, the most adorable film ever made. You have mentioned, the lack of conflict, but I would also add, the lack of melodrama. The mother is sick and has been in the hospital for a while, but there isn't a great fuss about it. Even in the part of the film, when they could have gone melodramatic really easy, they don't slip there. Wonderful movie. And it's almost 40 years old now.
Wow! It's basically my age?? Having only vaguely heard of it, had no idea! The art & production style have held up really well. Tho gotta agree with Alan - for me, the supernatural critters def cross that cute>creepy line 😝
I remember seeing this when I was little and really FEELING Satsuki's pain. When she cries because she just can't handle being the 'stronger older sister'. It's so good!!
Jon, Alan, thank you for being examples of non-toxic masculinity and dadhood. I appreciate you both.
When I was 11 my mom went into the hospital for a very long time. I was in charge of my 9 year old brother and my kindergarten aged sister. I first saw this movie as a young adult (the far superior original dub) and it really hit home. I could totally relate to Satsuki and how she felt. I think the thing that really affected me the most was when Mei complains to the mom about Satsuki fixing her hair and their mom brushes Satsuki's hair. Satsuki really needed that. It both validated and praised her efforts to fill mom's shoes and take care of Mei yet acknowledged that Satsuki still needed her mom to take care of her too.
One thing great about Hayao Miyazaki's films is how life-like the characters are. This is because Miyazaki watches people to study their habits, and then put them into his animations. Like how kids would behave in certain situations, small little habits a person would do, etc. - it's very true to life.
He also puts in things from his own experiences and childhood memories like in Spirited away when they pull out a bicycle from the river spirit, that's something he's actually done with his friends from an actual river.
I love that Alan cries out of joy so easily. My dad and I are the same way and it is one of my favorite and least favorite things that I've inherited. Shows such a sweet side in a person, though!
This show gives me a heavy feeling of nostalgia and makes me cry every time, even though I first watched this as an adult. I love it!
The totoro song at the end is an automatic tear-jerker
Do Grave of the Fireflies next, I want to see Alan's soul leave his body from crying too much, it's also a really good movie about fraternal love and how far we're willing to go to protect those we care about
Those movies were suppose to be watched in a set anyway.
I was waiting for someone to suggest that movie... that's gonna be a doozy.😬
Oh good lord. this movie made me cry. A good movie, but damn, it hit in the feels.
Is that the World War 2 film? That one is really sad.
Another great movie to cry is I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
This video broke me. I am a caretaker for my mother, who, due to brain damage and dementia, is functionally a child. I try so hard to be a good source of support for her, but it's difficult and frustrating and relentless. I often snap, yell, or just fail in other ways to be the kind, generous, patient caretaker (parent in all but name) who she needs, and who I want to be.
Love these videos so much. Please keep doing what you're doing!
Hang in there. I took care of my grandfather who had dementia. My grandma was his primary caretaker, so what I tried to do was support her in whatever way she needed, most often watching over my grandpa so she could get a break. I sincerely hope you have someone in your life that can do the same for you, because man that is not an easy job. Try not to be too hard on yourself when your emotions run high or because you feel exhausted and it just never ends. As Alan and Jono have said, even when the situation is as good as it can be when it comes to parenting, its still hard. Hard in the sense that its just you’re always “on”. You’re doing the best you can in an exhausting situation.
There's actually lots of reasons to watch a movie dubbed! Dubbing provides accessibility to folks who can't read fast/well enough to keep up with subtitles (children like you mentioned, of course, but there are actually a lot more functionally-illiterate adults than you think). Dyslexia can make it difficult-to-impossible to use or rely on subtitles. Some people can't split focus between the subtitles and what's happening on screen and aren't able to pay attention to both well enough to follow the story. Poor eyesight can make it so you can't see the subtitles well enough to read them. Processing issues can have reading one language while hearing another make it very difficult to actually comprehend what's going on (me lol).
Imo, it's about accessibility. I always ask for subtitles on every show/movie because I have hearing loss and audio-processing issues that make it hard to have audio-only, which makes me very thankful that you caption your videos and don't rely on the auto-captioner (it tries it's best, but it's not always successfull). But, it's always nice when my friends remember I need that and just put them on without me having to ask. I try to remember to ask others' preference on dubs/subs/captioning, because too often people won't ask for these accommodations because they're embarrassed or ashamed, and I don't want them to forgo an easy accommodation that makes their experience better.
Three RL examples:
1. A cousin of mine is a functionally-illiterate adult. When we saw the Red Dawn remake in theaters, I would lean over and whisper the subtitled Korean parts in her ear, because if I didn't, she would have missed several chunks of the movie.
2. My friend's sister is dyslexic. Relying on subtitles is not an option for her. She can't read them fast enough to keep up, and so the movie is basically unwatchable.
3. I have ADHD. Trying to read one language while hearing another and still pay attention to the plot and performance is SO hard for me that it often makes the movie more work than feels worth it. So I tend to avoid foreign-language films without a decent dub because, if I'm spending the whole movie frustrated, what's the point? I also avoided them for a long time strictly due to the gatekeeping and complaints I got from people who saw dubbing as a lesser/lazier form.
I truly don't think one is better than the other. As long as the dubbed performance is actually done WELL and with intent to convey the same emotions and performance as the original actor, it opens a film up to a wider audience to enjoy in the way that works best for them, and allows people who wouldn't've otherwise even considered a foreign-language movie to try something new to them. Pushing dubs as a lesser version discourages people who need/want dubs from trying new things and expanding their tastes in movies because they don't want to deal with potential arguments/complaints/gatekeeping/shaming/etc.
Yeah, I have to admit, it did pull me out of the video slightly when they were like "Subs are the correct way to watch media from a foreign language" because I also can't really watch 95% of subs due to not being able to pay attention to the audio, the subtitles, and the visuals of what's going on during the scene (since the subtitles are usually at the bottom of the screen, and when I'm trying to read the subtitles, I'm often focused on them) at the same time. I've only been able to watch one thing subbed, and that's because it was a fairly slow-paced series with fairly simple dialogue.
I don't think either method of watching foreign-language media is correct, but people should be able to enjoy either one without feeling, or worse, actually being, mocked for their choice.
@@DarkMasterofCupcakes I think they were expecting a lot of comments about it and over corrected a bit
That’s the problem though, most dubs are pretty bad compared to the original voice actors. People shouldn’t be shamed for listening to dubs when they are illiterate, dyslexic etc. I think the people who can use subs should though, for a better experience (as a whole lot of dubs sound a bit silly). Some people who watch dubs just watch it because foreign-language is not what they’re used to and that makes it weird because it’s different. I believe that’s what Alan and Jonathan were trying to say, to enjoy the movie the way the creators intended. For those who cannot enjoy the movie with subs, it’s wonderful that they can enjoy the same movies via dubs.
Hey guys! I absolutely LOOOOOVE this!!! And speaking as someone who has taught Japanese history and culture, yes, the dad is being present and validating for his kids, but also, the Japanese really do believe in the spirits of nature. What he does with the greeting of the tree/forest is very much in line with the Shinto religion, which is especially practiced in rural parts of Japan.
But anyway, this was great! I wish my parents were more like this when I was growing up.
I believe their father teachers/studies anthropology or archeology as well, so he has a particular interest in traditional beliefs.
I was thinking this as they were talking about the spirits being seen when they want and not when they don't
To be completely fair, the dub for this movie is actually REALLY good. Extra points for letting your kids watch it! I loved watching this movie growing up
Absolutely!! Fantastic dubbing by Elle and Dakota Fanning. Especially Elle, she really brought little Mei to life.
One thing I think could be added to the discussion on when Mei and Satsuki fight, is that it's the point where Satsuki's big sister act breaks down. Because she's been effectually mothering Mei for a long time, but at that point she's so disappointed, so scared and afraid that she can't manage to see the world from Mei's point of view. So not only does Mei's reaction make total sense from a little kid-point of view, Satsuki's reaction also makes total sense from the view of an older kid who has been trying to handle everything in an adult fashion for a long time.
I’ve recently become a mother and am trying to follow “gentle parenting” and after watching this video it’s really cemented my thoughts on this as basically attachment theory and especially the comment on getting behind the behaviour to the emotion. But it’s hard especially when you haven’t been brought up that way (although I have very secure attachments with my parents but it was different and shouty!) anyway I loved the video thank you!
It's wonderful that you're giving a go at it! I think it's important to reflect on our own upbringing and explore how we can improve upon those experiences. We won't always succeed and we'll have good days and bad days; but on the whole, that awareness and openness to change will only make things better.
So, as someone who works with children, I'd like to thank you. It might seem silly, but I figured it was worth saying.
Some anime dubs are pretty good, and Studio Ghibli films are always done with a lot of care in the dub. Watch how you enjoy!
Yeah there's absolutely nothing wrong with watching dubs. It's one of the strengths of animation that it allows dubs to be produced and fit so much easier allowing these stories to be easily understood (especially by children) around the world.
There is no wrong way to consume anime just the way you prefer.
Mae's english voice is adorable! (I definitely need to hear the Japanese version but this one is also perfect and hits my heart ❤️)
My Neighbor Totoro is not only the first Ghibli film I ever watched, but the first anime related thing I ever saw. It's absolutely beautiful and helped shape my imagination! I can't wait to see how Alan and Jonathan dissect this gorgeous film 😍
Same thing here! I saw totoro (FOX dub) when I was a kid, long before i ever knew what anime was.
I’ve been raising my niece for a year since she was 13 and in and off before that for years. She came from a broken and dysfunctional home and affirming and nurturing her has been such a rewarding joy. It makes me so happy every time I see the way I’m teaching her reflect in her behavior and her growth into a young lady.
There’s this anime series that’s tied for my favorite called Natsume’s Book of Friends (Natsume Yuujinchou). I have cried so many times watching it purely from the warmth it provides me, and I even get emotional just talking about it. When I think about it, it’s actually quite similar to My Neighbor Totoro but also vastly different, as the main character is in high school. It really teaches the importance of connections and how it can affect people. The story does revolve around spirits but it’s mostly about a boy who’s been isolated all his life, finally being able to create healthy relationships with others
I highly recommend watching it, not even for the channel just to enjoy
20/10 cosigning this! Natsume Yuujincho is so wholesome and often bittersweet, but beautiful and human. I rewatch it often 💕
Yes! Thats my hands down favorite anime series!
Yesss!!! Natsume Yuujinchou is definitely a favourite. I love to watch it when I feel sad, such a comfort series
@@rociogallegossanchez I agree 100% It’s definitely become a comfort series for me
I am 53 and still watching Studio Ghibli, especially Totoro every single day, I leave it on on my kitchen counter while I do my housework, it is so enjoyable. Made my life, happier… 🥰🥰🥰
52. Nausicaa is my favorite film of all time. If it comes to any of my local theaters I go. I went to Japan in 2019 and visited the Ghibli museum. Miyazaki's design sketches and storyboards are inspiring. Laputa and Castle of cagliostro are my 2nd sid 3rd fave Ghibli films
That’s so sweet!
Love that... I watched this video while doing housework :)
Nice
23:50 the catbus detail is so cute. The destination changes from “Mei” to “Shichikokuyama Hospital”. Makes no sense, just like a child would think how a bus works.
As someone who's dyslexic (and has a hard time with subtitles) I would make the argument that any version of the movie that was officially released be a dubbed or subbed is the correct one, the actors who voice the American dubs work just as hard on their craft as their Japanese counterparts
I agree! For some movies, I enjoy the dub voice acting more than the original.
Agreed! I hate subs because I can never keep up with the subtitles because of my Dyslexia.
I may as well just read a book since I'm not watching the actual movie because I'm reading the entire time!
As someone who just has a difficult time switching focus quickly, same here 😂 I can't pay as close attention to the actual movie when there's subtitles to stare at and for ghibli movies and a lot of other traditional animations, I really prefer soaking in the visual atmosphere! And the English voice acting is wonderful in its own right.
I'm mostly blind and I agree, it makes me a bit sad when people rag on dubs so much.
Completely different argument, but as a Hungarian I watched most of the originally English language movies with dub and I loved them. Looking back at it rewathing them with dub and sub there are just as many great dubbed ones as not that great. And there is the strange thing where I like the dubbed and the original for different reasons.
The only thing that kind of matters imo, that the dub has to be as passionetly chosen and done as the original cast were. It is never really the voice actor who is the reason for a strange or bad dub, most of the time its the casting or the direction they want to do it.
Seeing you cry while watching this film was actually quite reassuring. I remember this film had made me cry and I thought I was being ridiculous for it but in the end I wasn’t alone. It really shows how this film is just so real and touching!
this movie also makes me cry every time I watch it! you definitely are not alone!
Satsuki's scolding of Mei is also an expression of pain, I think. She's been telling herself those exact same things, to try and deal with her own feelings of fear and disappointment, to be "grown up" about it. And it can be hard as the oldest sibling to feel like you have to be "grown up" about these things while your youngr siblings get to feel their feelings (even though that's not fair)
The spat between the sisters is so beautifully painful to watch. I want to add though that Satsuki isn't just scolding Mae, as I interpret it. She's in pain too and having trouble managing it herself and that's hard enough but she also has to manage it for her little sister which at that moment is just too much. I also feel like in lashing out at Mae, she's also lashing out at herself because she's feeling "unreasonable" and is frustrated that she isn't keeping herself together so she projects onto Mae. Such a small scene but there's so many layers to what is going on, and the way Mae just starts keening and walking just kills me :( Something about how she's animated there is just so much more real than any other movie child I've ever seen and it hurts so much.
Referring to the section around 20:00
My mom would always model a great thing for us, which was to acknowledge how we were feeling and then say something like, "Do you just need to vent or do you want me to try to help fix it?" It started as simply as "Do you want a hug or do you want some alone time?" when we were younger, and then it got more sophisticated as we got older. Now I'll just shoot her a text asking for a "vent sesh" and then if I want her input I'll just ask!
I love that. Borrowing this.
I got rickrolled by my youtube dads in the most dad way possible, and I loved every single second of it just like I did with this movie and just like I did while crying with Alan
Studio Ghibli was my childhood... I love everything about it, the music, the animation, the weird/creative stories with hidden meanings, I loved them
Saying it’s wrong to watch movies dubbed always made me sad. My husband loves foreign films and anime, but he’s also dyslexic. He finds reading subtitles extra difficult because you have such a short amount of time to read the them 😔 pausing and rewinding movies every few minutes because you missed the end of a sentence is very frustrating.
My husband is the same way!
There are TONS of anime's where the Dubs are BETTER than the Subs. These guys are listening to the Anime purist nerds. Bad idea
Yes! This my brother is dyslexic and loves anime. His favorite anime is "One Piece." I feel you. I understand this completely.
I first watched this movie when I was 19. I felt so comforted. At the time, I struggled to say goodbye to my childhood and grow up into what my circumstances needed me to be. For me, this movie really taught me that it was okay to hold on to certain aspects of childhood and imagination. Thank you for talking about this movie.
I remember how I reacted to this the first time I watched this. The kids acted like real kids, not overly precocious kids of most kids' movies.
And the parents. Usually, in these films, when kids have a fantastical adventure that the parents are not part of, the role of the parents is solely to be dismissive, maybe even directly antagonistic, and telling the kids to stop being childish, believing in strange things, and grow up to be sensible adults. If they come around at all, it's only at the end.
Not so here. These are the coolest parents. They very much play along with the kids, accepting them even if they don't see what the kids see.
I've watched this movie so many times and only now have I realised that she explains the sizes of Totoro to her sister and the dad shows up. Dad and the kids reflect the sizes and personalities of the Totoro!
Exactly my opinion. I always wonder why there aren't many movies like this. As you said, there's enough conflict, enough bullies, enough villains. It's nice to see something showing the beauty of the day to day life, connection with others, imagination, nature. Thank you for showing human reactions to the movies =)
This is one of the last animated films I watched with my dad while taking care of him on hospice. He had a hard time staying awake for anything that isn't slap stick/western. He came away from this movie enjoying how the kids were animated and acted like children cause it reminded him of me when I was that age.
The background looks painted because it is. The studio hand drew and painted everything up until recently in around 2015 or so. Just so gorgeous. Their art study and program for their animators are awesome because they focus on the movement and actually every day life. Just love the art!
Is eight minutes a new record for how quickly Allen started crying😂
Japanese love Totoro. They still show it every summer on TV. Satsuki is an old way to say May. And Mei is May.
And the merch is ubiquitous
I feel like Alan is the dad that cries with their kid when they drop their ice cream then goes and gets them an extra scoop.
A parent making the effort to genuinely acknowledge and understand a child's feelings is so crucial. I know my mom loves me, yet her own childhood makes it very difficult/sometimes impossible for her to fully relate. Anything that is not rational or cannot be explained does not exist. It has caused a massive amount of damage and I'm so glad I sorted this out through therapy. Sorting this out also meant that I had to leave behind my deep wish of "healing" my mom. I can't heal her, I can only heal myself.
As a dad, i get teary whenever the grandma shakes as she finds the shoe in the lake.
I started tearing up just out of happiness and wistfulness. My parents are far from the worst parents, but they could be really dismissive of my feelings when I was a kid. This is the type of parent I want to be some day.
This is the Cinema Therapy episode I never knew that I desperately needed.
So, here's my favorite thing about Totoro: it's a completely different movie depending on what stage of life you're at.
When I was a kid, it was a fun, magical story about kids discovering a giant fuzzy monster and a cat bus.
When I became an adult, it became a story about the role of community as a support during difficult times.
And when I became a parent, it became a story about a dad doing everything he could to give his kids a normal, happy childhood while not shying away from the fact that their mom could very well be dying.
PLEASE do when marnie was there, i would love to know why i was hyperventilating and screaming from the physical pain of crying so much when anna had that breakdown in front of marnie about 75% into the movie
Hayao Miyazaki uses a lot of actual places as inspiration. A lot of the landscapes in MNT are from Tokorozawa in Saitama. There is even a replica of the house from the movie. Miyazaki himself helped locals to preserve some areas from development and one is a popular place for spotting fireflies in the summer. Totoro's forest is also a real place near the Amemiya shrine in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture.