My Neighbor Totoro: Why We Need Totoro
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 июн 2018
- Thirty years after the release of My Neighbor Totoro, we explore why the bouncy and cozy Totoro has become Hayao Miyazaki's most beloved creation -- and everyone's dream neighbor. Support ScreenPrism on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=7792695
Sign up for exclusive updates: bit.ly/2oVVB1Q
If you like this video, subscribe to our RUclips channel for more.
Like ScreenPrism on Facebook: / screenprism
Follow ScreenPrism on Twitter: / screenprism
Visit ScreenPrism.com: screenprism.com/ 
Кино
Support ScreenPrism on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=7792695
Subscribe to keep up with our latest videos, and let us know what you want to see next!
ScreenPrism Please make a video about Star Trek in general, or on the first season of ST: Discovery. I think that the project goes where no television show has gone before, and I'd like your thoughts on it. Remain Klingon.
Please do an analysis on Throroughbreds!
It would be wonderful if you could do an analysis on Holy Motors by Leos Carax, or any film by this director.
Since this video is anime themed, please think about doing a video essay on Your Name (Kimi No Na Wa).
Agreed!
Ghibli movies are better than Disney movies.
Oh yes!
Proximity Arduous obviously
Absolutely.
Depends on which movie.
Most cartoons are timeless and are not meant to be judged or compared with each other... The best way to judge a cartoon is not by its profits, but by its longevity. Totoro is as timeless, as Aladdin, and that's the beauty of it.
I don't know why I cried watching this. I guess it's just because I sometimes feel like I'm in a dark place where I just don't have the ability to summon any hope for betterment. Yet there were also times where I could make fun of my situation and lighten things up with humour, it's just that I often forget that. So I want to thank you for reminding me, and I'm gonna try to be 'more like a child' in dealing with my situation instead of forcing myself to 'stay adult' all the time. Gosh, adulting is so hard, I totally miss my childlike innocence.
potallegta Me too, lol. I started crying when they were breaking down the bus scene.
yeah, I cried too.
Definitely welled up in my eyes . Such a beautiful and necessary film
potallegta oh! I started crying to and assumed I was just premenstrual 😂 glad I'm not alone
Lol, same. Trying not to let anyone see me like this because I need to go in the kitchen and cook.
One important element is missing. The movie doesn't talk about the gigantic camphor tree with the huge rope around it because a Japanese audience would already know about it. The rope, woven from rice plants and called a shibenawa, is part of Japan's Shinto religion, and in this case recognizes a powerful spirit of nature. That certainly describes Totoro. The girls and their father--whose day-job is as a college professor--haven't had any experience with nature spirits up to now, presumably, but the idea of their reality is always there, like the odd little shack next to the camphor tree; it's a Shinto shrine to an inari--a fox spirit. And later in the movie Mei is shown resting by a half dozen stone statues. These are called jizo, and they represent spirits that look out for children and travellers. Of course, Mei is both, trying to get to her mother's hospital.
Was gonna say, this movie sounds like pure Shinto, as well as pure fun.
thanks for the explanation :)
🥰😭🥰😭🥰😭
All the feels.
a shrine is not an odd little shack, you know it all! You are a pedantic little spirit, aren't you?
monkeymouse I saw that rope in a film called Kimi No Na Wa where Shinto religion is also prominent! How cool is this trivia!! Thank you!
Fun fact: when the movie came out in Japan, it didn't d very well in the box office. Paradoxically, it was Totoro's design as a stuffed animal what at some point saved the Studio from bankruptcy. I think that's one of the reasons why Totoro became Studio Ghibli's logo💙
You got a point. I do love Totoro!
Yeah they didn't do very well with merchandising. Sadly you do need something iconic you can sell to kids or something when you make anything. Even today there is hardly no Ghibli merchandise, it's all hand made and a bit unappealing.
This movie was also released as a reaction to Isao Takahata's "Grave of the Fireflies" which was a gritty anti war movie and very depressing. Although it was critically praised, the movie's ultimately depressing tone did affect it's business by only just recovering the budget. So, it was a business decision by Studio Ghibli to release Totoro, also expecting a shit ton of merchandise sales. Which ultimately paid off. and yes, getting a life size Totoro pillow is my Life Goal. :)
@@inarticulatevoid I didn't know it'd been released as a reaction to Grave of the Fireflies! I just knew that when the studio made its debut both movies were released together and played one after the other.
I'm glad that Totoro was able to save the company from disappearing before it could bloom. Also a life size Totoro plushy sounds amazing
Totoro is my favorite! He makes me happy! I am 18
Great analysis of one of the most beautiful, timeless, and wholesome films ever made. I think I'm going to watch it again right now as it's very therapeutic.
make sure you watch the fox dub not the Disney dub cause that one is garbage.
@@mericalane no u sub dont dub
Merica Tompkins agreed. I always feel weird watching the Disney dub, but that's the one my kids were raised on. 😅
This actually helped me as a kid struggling with depression. I remember being alone in my room and somebody suggested I watch this. After watching it I just felt very happy and decided to keep acting childish and enjoy the short moments of being a kid. And every time I fell sad I'd watch My Neighbor Totoro or even Ponyo. Now at 16, I still seem to act this way. I want to rewatch it again.
You're about 21 now. How are you doing with depression now? I haven't watched Miyazaki's stuff for very long but I feel the same that he's helped me to awaken a childlike mentality in me that I had lost from growing up and copying all the adults around me. Copying their negative and depressing mindsets. Having a hard and very serious mentality as well I think is corrosive and unhealthy for mental health. Adults who can't sit down and watch movies like this because they find it "childish" or boring I think have mental health problems that they don't want to deal with.
I don't know why I started crying midway through this
Okay, I thought I was alone.
Me too. There is something so touching about all of his work but especially totaro, it's so whimsical and sweet and pure. I love it so much.
Me too... I think for my part.. It's just that pure, honst and innocent laugh of Mei and her sister.
This movie just showed me a world I thought I had forgotten.
I forgot who I am...
samee now that i get it, it's so deep.
I think "Totoro" is one of the prime reasons of people want to live in a Miyazaki movie.
I want Totoro to be my spirit animal
Wendelin The Weird- Totoro IS my sperit animal
Angie YT lol, if you say so
Wendelin The Weird :3
YES! ME TOO!
I choose to believe Totoro is everyone's spirit animal.
You'd think a movie setting up so many scenes of tension only to completely defuse them wouldn't work. It's also one of the prime examples of Miyazaki flying by the seat of his pants; There's no real plot or goal, just these two girls having random adventures. It's what makes the movie feel so relaxed. I mean, there's a scene where Mei just runs into a goat -- it doesn't add to the plot, it doesn't result in anything, it's just this little thing that happens.
That's so true! Maybe that's why thinking back on the quieter scenes from these films feel a lot like nostalgic memories
Got to be honest I was incredibly confused after watching it the first time. I didn't get it and I think this is probably why.
Whatever Miyazaki did he did it right! I loved it when I was 5 and I enjoy watching just as much at 26... and not just because it's a nostalgic movie, but because it just makes you feel great after watching it. Even though it has a simple story line, the beautiful scenery, the magic of Totoro his friends and the forest, and the harsh realities of life all mix in so well to create a story that kids and adults can fall in love with every time they watch.
wrong!!
And we just accept it. Ghibli films are magical like that.
Every time I watch this movie I cannot help but cry at the scene where Saki comes to that horrible realization that her mother could die.Gets me everytime.
What a wuss, i never cried at any part of the movies. Because im a real man, and i always excuse myself to the bathroom before it happens.
@@511dydy no negativity please!
Totoro is such a special movie for me. Growing up, my older sister and I were often compared to Satsuki and Mei; not just in age, but my sister was more responsible while I was more rambunctious. Watching Totoro is probably the movie that best encapsulates my relationship with her.
Rachie And The Waves must be nice to have such a beautiful movie that brings back good memories!!
Omg the same for me with my sister ❤❤❤
same with my sister
Same here! I also associate the characters with my sister and I. It’s still such a feel-good yet nostalgic movie for me as an adult now
If you had an older or younger sibling who you were close with growing up, this film really touches you...
I haven't seen this film in years, but now I want to watch it again now that I have a better understanding of it.
Addison Higbee you’ll definitely love it even more! ♡
Totoro the Traveller wha- TOTORO!
This movie is the first Japanese "how to be a Dad" movie I encountered. There are others (like "Bunny Drop" - literally a 'how t be a Dad' movie.) It seems to be an anime sub-genre. It's really heart warming to see the Dad taking such good, creative and imaginative care of his daughters in the real world, while Totoro looks after them from the spirit world.
What others? Could you share them? Are there how to be a mom movies?
but the dad is basically absent...there is no law in Japan to punish parents that leave their primary school kids at home alone...live with it. Japan has a culture you can't understand ( and a bunch of movies that you won't ever fully grasp, unfortunately...live with it)
@@pepita3467 Try Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast
@@marcoalessandro2034 absent?? You make it sound so much worse than it really is... The first time I went to Japan, I can distinctly remember how shocked I was to see kids no older than 7 or 8 riding the train in Tokyo by themselves. Then I noticed it again, and then again until I realized it must be normal. There aren't any laws to punish parents for it because it isn't a problem there and their children can be more independent because of it. Even though that isn't my reality in the cities of the US, I still see kids wondering around in rural areas where crime isn't as much of an issue, but besides that, it makes me think about the benefits of allowing your kids to be a little bit more independent. Even though their culture is different, they are still people and any lessons they teach we can learn. Also, anything in the movies can easily be explained to people less familiar if there is a need.
@@thejackbox yes, they are still people...
6:00 Just look at the sky! So beautiful, so realistic even tho it was handdrawn.
This movie, like most Miyazaki films that I grew up watching with my dad, makes me cry almost as soon as I see the emotion in the art. It just resonates something deep inside me. This video even made me a bit emotional!
Nothing else makes me feel like a kid all while reminding me of the beauty of growing up.
Great video, love seeing your videos dive into Miyazaki's beautiful worlds!
His films are comfort food for the soul. From his skies to his characters. Especially in days like this.
Thank you for reminding me why I need Totoro. My parents used to play it on VHS when I was really little. It would comfort me when I was scared to go to sleep at night; make me feel like everything was going to be okay.
Seems a lot of people need Totoro these days.
“I thought it was a dream, but it wasn’t a dream” This video made me cry!
You know, I think this dub is actually pretty good and charming considering the time it was dubbed and how early it was in Disney's decision to start doing dubs. I think people are too harsh on it, the fact that they cast real children is a huge highlight for me. I know its not perfect especially the lip sync timing, but it could have been a LOT worse for the 90s.
you're thinking of the first dub done by Fox Studios, which I assume was voiced by women imitating children. The version in this video was done in the 2000s when Disney got the distribution rights and hired the Fanning sisters for a re-release. I'm more used to the first English dub, but at least Disney used actual little kids this time
I just saw your comment, Kelly Joule. The funny thing is the original dub used adults for the children roles, before this movie was redubbed using children.
Disney dubbed this around mid to late 2000s, after the licence of original dub from Streamline/Fox got expired. so I don't think it was that early, by that time, most of the studios were pretty experienced in dubbing animes
It wasn't dubbed in the 90's by Disney, but I think it's a very good dub. I hate when adults are used to dub child characters. Especially when the child characters are the focus of the movie. I think the only reason people hate on this dub is because they have too much nostalgia for the first one.
My four year old daughter loves - and I mean loves - this dub. She has for about six months. We have so many silly happy memories about this film. I will never have anything but love for it.
I have never ever felt this utterly shocked. All the years that I've been blinded in what "My Neighbor Totoro" truly wanted to convey. I merely enjoyed the movie, yet somehow, it's moved into my heart. And now that I've gotten a bigger picture of what's truly happening in the movie, it just made it so much more amazing. Thank you.
What do you think this anime tells us?
I absolutely agree with this video. Totoro was my first Ghibli movie, and introduced me to anime films. This is one of the most comforting movies I've ever watched.
By far my favorite channel, low key addicted, I watch every single one of these videos!
y'all just analyzed my entire childhood. This video was beautifully done and cathartic to watch. Brb going to go hug my stuffed Totoro and rewatch the movie...
I got the opportunity to watch this in the original Japanese dub and my God I have to say its beautiful. Its the subtle nuances in tone and inflection, the sisters voices, choice of words that are often simplified when translated. Highly recommend watching it in the original dub
For me, this movie is just pure happiness. Like a beautiful, clean, cool water in summer flow through my soul, clear all sadness and sorrow for a moments. Just watch. And feel.
Already 30 years!!! The first time we watched was in 1989, with my sister on HBO, 4 years old and me a 16 teen at the time. My daugther love this review, because now she knows why we always cry with Joy when we watch the movie. Thank you!!! From Argentina with love! Ah and she has 2 TOTORO's jeje. I'm subscribing
That 7 min long bus stop scene is beautifully done and I never get tired of how it plays out.
Why do we like Totoro. I guess this film shows us the comfort and peace in our heart. We must always give the kindness to the nature and people. Then we will be happy.
I just want to hug fluffy totoro! He is to precious
Why is it that nobody who ever reviews a Miyazaki movie knows anything about Shintoism? Totoro is a Shinto forest spirit, just like the spirits in Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.
That's not what she's talking about.
That's non-sequitur.
from my own experience discussing films, while it's true Shintoism isn't widely known globally, many people at least understand a couple of the basic ideas. Where it gets difficult is that bringing up a religious/spiritual idea and giving it a definitive label often sparks defensive behaviour and opposition from people. There's a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) coding within most religions that encourages people to cling to their own beliefs, and disregard alternative ones, and definitely to the detriment of their own wellbeing or understanding. It's not an exaggeration to suggest that most people who hold religious beliefs globally are subject to this sort of manipulative bias. Bringing up Shintoism here would have been valid from an academic sense, but would have had low-key negative impact on the behaviour of the audience in relation to this video. In short, it's not worth it. (and also, it wouldn't have helped put across the point they were trying to make either, which was expressed in suitably general terms in order to be a 'one size fits all' philosophy... in that regard there's no need for any mention of Shintoism here)
Yes! I came to the comments looking for this. This film wasn't made with a Western audience in mind and there are many elements that are untranslatable... Totoro is not a ghost, nor a god nor even a spirit in the way we understand them!
More like stoicism
Another message I got from this movie is the importance of kindness and generosity. The elder sister gives Totoro the umbrella as soon as she sees it, and Totoro gives them the precious acorns in return. The boy gives his umbrella to the girls even though he is super shy. All those heartwarming moments make the characters so lovable.
That like/dislike ratio speaks volumes. What an awesome video!
My children ask to watch this every week and I truly love sharing a bit of my childhood with them. I’ve always loved what Totoro represents in the film but was shocked to see so few people understand the meaning behind it.
Thank you for this. ❤️
AHh damn, another reason Ghibli is not only my childhood but my life. Thanks for convening it in such a beautiful and eloquent way. That bus scene meant so much to me as a kid. Growing in up in seattle downpours, Totoro really change my outlook when engaging with situations that were scary or too much for me to handle. I don't need the answer, I don't need to smart enough to engage, I just need to bring myself and things will move forward.
I found this film in a blockbuster when I was a kid, before understanding what anime was. I only knew that it looked like Castle in the sky and I liked that.
After the great video from this channel of Kiki's delivery service I was hoping more ghibli videos. I think porco rosso, spirited away, pom poko, Arriety and princess mononoke have a lot to annalyse.
Blockbuster eh? Haven't heard that name in a while
Dude, are you me? I was about 6 or 7 when I found this movie. We had a movie rental section in our grocery store and my mom let me pick a movie each time. I saw this and though it looked cute. Had no idea what anime was, but this was definitely my first one. Way before Sailor Moon, DBZ, Pokemon, or any of the others. I remember watching it while my mom was doing my hair. I could hear her crying when Mei got lost. :-(
i saw the word porco then my brain said on that is porco galliard
Wow this reminds me of how old I am. 😌
The first time I saw it, I was about 8 or 9. I was sick home from school, and mom went to town to get the usual chicken noodle soup, crackers and sprite she got when I was sick.
She stopped by the local video store(VHS mind you), and rented this. My sister & I fell in love.
We rented it for years until we finally found it at Suncoast. It was before Disney bought the rights, so it wasn't easy to find. It was also before the second English dub, so anytime I watch it now it sounds weird to me.
I'm 34, almost 35, and I _still_ watch Totoro. My kids have been raised on it as well, so it's just as special to them as it is to me. Even my pre-teen son who tries to be the cool guy can't resist watching when we put it on. Same with my sister and her daughter.
This will always be a super special movie in my heart.
Thanks for sharing, I also grew up on this movie on an old VHS. My toddler son now loves it and the more I watch it the more I love it, and cry while watching it. Hard to describe why; I think it's the nostalgia for a more innocent time, and a time we felt taken care of.
Finally watched this on Netflix. It was full of kindness.
I grew up with the 20th cent version of the dub so hearing the Disney version is so weird sounding. God I love this movie though, regardless of the dub version!
haha same! i kept double-taking in the video cuz i didnt remember their voices sounding like that!
ditto! we were like "wait, she didnt say that there. This sounds weird". Gotta say, not a big fan of the new dub.
I agree, I didn't care for these voices in the video. The original dubbed English matched the characters better. Or just watching the film in Japanese with subtitles, which is actually a much better and authentic way to watch Miyazaki films. Any films really.
I grew up watching in Australia watching the Hong Kong dubbed version and loved it to bits. They added some things not in the English dubs I loved, so not fan of the English dubbing as not used to it. Amazing how this Japanese film connected with us internationally.
Basil Baby I have the Streamline Fox version on VHS/DVD. I'm also not evil about price like eBay is. Unfortunately I can't upload due to copyright issues so... 😌
This is such a thoughtful analysis of this lovely movie - Totoro may not be my favorite Ghibli film, but I've enjoyed it immensely and watched many, many times. I'm incredibly happy that you've covered Kiki and now this one! I truly hope that there will be more Ghibli analyses from you in the future. Thank you for your amazing work!
This movie was my earliest memory of my first exposure to Japanese culture. It made me fall in love with nature and helped me develop an appreciation for my heritage.
I love all the Studio Ghibli films. Totoro is one of my favorites. It’s just so heartwarming.
Just solidifies my love of this movie and its characters
What life taketh away, Totoro giveth back.
I have adored this film since I saw it years ago growing up, and now I watch it with my own child, she loves it as well. It was so well done and imaginative, but also had an insight into real life happenings that we can all relate to the same emotions.
Interesting fact: When this movie first came out it was released as a double feature with another studio ghibli film, 'Grave of the fireflies".... and for those of you who have seen both movies, you're probably thinking about what complete tonal whiplash that must have been.
I cried so much to grave of the fireflies, one of the best movies I’ve ever seen but I never want to watch it again
Grave of the fireflies will rip your heart out
This brought a tear to my eye. Your analysis resonated with many of my personal philosophies. It's really hard to hold on to the ability to think like a child as you grow older, but it is so incredibly important.
We need totoro in 2020 😔💖
i remember collect lots of acorn and planting em in my granmas back yard hoping for a forest like I saw in totoro as a kid and to me it made total sense such a fun memory
The scene where satsuki is saying about her mother "she's probably dead already" always breaks my heart every time i watch it and makes me cry my eyes out
I’ve just watched Totoro today and normally I don’t really like these kinds of movies but this one was amazing definitely recommend it
You guys are just AWESOME!!! I love your videos so much and they leave me feeling...better overall!
I always watch this film when I'm depressed. It's just so pure and meaningful...
I'm so glad you've done this movie. It's slice-of-life style is at it's peak in this movie. Please continue to do more studio ghibli :)
I want Totoro as a close friend. I could use his life lessons when life gets too hard.
I love you Totoro!! 😀💖❤😺😸😻
I've been remembering all the Ghibli movies I've seen over my life and all the life-affirming messages they all contain, and this video hit the nail on the head in a way I hadn't considered before yet again! I've always seen this movie as comforting, and in a sometimes scary and unreliable world it's good to be reminded of our natural vitality and impetus towards growth. Thanks again for a great video!
Also, Princess Mononoke, while definitely having more mature themes, basically drives home the idea of "finding a way through adversity," or having hope in spite of our dark circumstances, and all the things we can't help but be born to as human beings. Every time I watch that film I see something entirely new to relate to, it's so beautiful! I hope to see a video on it soon! :D
YES. I've been waiting so long for another Myazaki film. Y'all are the best! 😍
Such a beautiful video!! I will now watch this movie because of you. Thank you
This was super cute - thanks as always for the amazing video! ❤️
I had no idea about this movie! Finally realizing Totoro is in Toy Story3? I looked this up and this is a great video! Thank you! What a great and beautiful message! 💝
This analysis is amazing.
I knew that I loved Totoro, but your video really shows the depth that is in this fabulous and beautiful movie.
Thank you for putting this together!!!!
This film also manipulate the viewers in many way, the scene where they found a girl shoes in the pond. I, as a viewer, thought that maybe Mei did actually died and she is now a spirit living with totoro, and so on.... But good thing that was not the case or else my room would of been filled with tears.
all of your videos are always so beautifully worded and so on point! I'm a film student and sometimes when I think about how I'm going to have a hard time finding a job in the future, I start to question my decision to major in film. But your videos always remind me of the magic of cinema and the reasons why I wanted to study film in the first place. Thank you for your awesome videos!!
Best film ever made.
This is literally my comfort anime.. ❤️
AHHHH! TOTORO!!!! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!! Thank you for this video ❤️
I love this movie! Excellent analysis, and I actually cried while listening to this. This has a lot of great points and lessons that I and other people could learn from. Never give up hope, have faith in times of darkness, and never lose that playful childlike spirit. I love you Totoro! :)
This was beautiful. Thank you for the video! Totoro is one of my favourite movies for these reasons 😁
This is one of the best analysis I've seen on this beautiful classic.
I love My Neighbor Totoro. This big dude is just like a moving stuffed toy. Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away are memorable and nostalgic. They teach good morals and very enjoyable to children.
Spectacular, thank you a lot for making this video.
Third video I watched today in the same hour from your channel...thank you for making me cry and allow myself to be like Totoro!
Totoro is pretty much my favorite thing ever. I've loved Totoro since I was I was like 8 years old. Great analysis!
Totoro is my spirit animal as well!!!
This movie is beautiful in so many ways, and one of the movies that helped paved the way to anime becoming beloved in the west.
What I really love about the Totoro movie is the Path of the wind song. It´s just so beautiful and relaxing. Has anybody here heard it? If not, go hear it!
Saw the notif for this and thought “shit this is gonna make me cry” and that’s exactly what happened
I love this movie so much!!!
I was six when I first saw this film and just Totoro standing at the bus stop with a huge grin was enough to send me and my Brother into a laughing fit. It is such a happy movie with such sad themes. I dont think it will ever fail to make me happy.
This perfectly explains why I always watch this movie when I am sick :') lovely video, thank you!
Howl`s moving castle next please.
well said! Just finished watching it for the first time, really helped me appreciate this movie more, thanks
such a beautiful and accurate analysis. thank you so much!
How can you not love Totoro? I'm a fan at 55! And I LOVE the cat bus :oD
This video is so wholesome, i love it
Beautiful work-wholeheartedly agree with the analysis.
idk why i cried watching this. fave movie, thank you for posting
Thanks for talking about this wonderful movie ❤️❤️❤️ I love everything about Totoro
THIS!!
This movie was my childhood!!! Y’all made me tear up; makes me wanna rewatch it, being me back to my carefree self.
Thanks for the positive message on this video. I'm so close to crying on the points presented. With the problems faced by family problems and my undiagnosed mental illness w/c I'm hesitant to disclose due to stigma and potential drawbacks in my professional life, I guess I need to look at our fears with our imagination and make it less scarier than it seems...and just like nature, everything will work out in the end.
Big fluffy hug to ScreenPrism for another great video!
I don’t actually need to see why.......I’m just so grateful that someone has acknowledged this fact.....this makes me SO HAPPY
Totoro is the hero we need
i’m actually crying thank you this video is art
Watching totoro, remind me something i've been missing during my childhood. I will try my best if one day i have kids on my own i treasure them and love them with all my heart . Just like a Totoro 😆
My first favourite Ghibli anime! It is so heart-warming and music is absolutely enchanting.
I love this film, but I have to say I enjoy the original English dubbing so so much more than the newer version.
Please do whisper of te heart next!! It has so much valuable lessons and lovely story ❤️ great job as always!! Love your vids 😍
Thank you for this awesome video. I really love totoro 😍😍😍
Spirited away or howl's moving castle pleaseeee
As always such a great review ✨
This is a beautiful video. Thank you very much.