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となりのトトロ [Tonari no Totoro] #3
My Neighbor Totoro 3
Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei are overjoyed about moving into a historic country house with their dad--but the girls don't realize what a delightful adventure awaits them there. While exploring their sprawling home and the beautiful rural area that surrounds it, Satsuki and Mei meet Granny, a sweet old woman, and her timid grandson Kanta. They also experience firsthand the magic of the Soot Sprites, mysterious creatures that live in the walls, and discover a huge camphor tree that just might be enchanted...
Mei and Satsuki continue to adjust to their new country home, as they begin to make friends with shy neighbor boy Kanta. But life without their mother is hard, especially on the nights that Dad can't come home from work until late!
It's a good thing the girls have the kindly Granny to watch over them. They soon find out that there is another kindly spirit watching over them--Totoro! Totoro shows Mei and Satsuki a strange and mysterious Cat Bus, helps them with their fledgling garden, and then takes them on a wondrous forest adventure!
Mei and Satsuki continue to adjust to their new country home, as they begin to make friends with shy neighbor boy Kanta. But life without their mother is hard, especially on the nights that Dad can't come home from work until late!
It's a good thing the girls have the kindly Granny to watch over them. They soon find out that there is another kindly spirit watching over them--Totoro! Totoro shows Mei and Satsuki a strange and mysterious Cat Bus, helps them with their fledgling garden, and then takes them on a wondrous forest adventure!
152 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 1988
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
375 books3,601 followersHayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 25, 2017
Totoro is so magical
April 5, 2016
4.5 stars
January 11, 2019
:: My Neighbor Totoro's Characters ::
Totoro
Totoro is the guardian of the forest and can only be seen by children and can appear or disappear as he wishes. He possess special ability such as being able to make plants grow, fly in the sky, and call Neko Bus.
***
Neko Bus (The Cat Bus)
Neko Bus (The Cat Bus) travels at the speed of light. Being connected to nature, when Neko Bus wants to, the trees will part for him to clear his path. Neko Bus can also run on tree tops, or on phone wires and no one would even be aware of his presence except perhaps sensing a small gust of wind. The reason being is that it posses the power to be invisible.
***
Chu Totoro and Chibi Totoro
Chu Totoro and Chibi Totoro are Totoro's companions. They are smaller versions of Totoro and are also guardians of the forest.
***
Susa-ataris
Susa-ataris are little black creatures which live in quiet and dark places. They run and hide at the first sign that there are people present, and fly away to find a new home when they can no longer have the dark and quiet that they like so much.
***
Kanta
Kanta is Satsuki and Mei's neighbour, and is also Satsuki's classmate. When he first met Satsuki, he made fun of Satsuki's house. However, it is revealed that Kanta is just really shy around girls and that he actually likes Satsuki a lot.
***
Granny
Granny is Satsuki and Mei's elderly neighbour and Kanta's Grandmother. Granny has lived in the small village all her life and is familiar with all the old folk stories. She is a very kind person and often takes care of Mei while her Dad is at work and Satsuki is at school. Granny was the caretaker of the Kusakabe family's house before they moved in.
***
Totoro
Totoro is the guardian of the forest and can only be seen by children and can appear or disappear as he wishes. He possess special ability such as being able to make plants grow, fly in the sky, and call Neko Bus.
***
Neko Bus (The Cat Bus)
Neko Bus (The Cat Bus) travels at the speed of light. Being connected to nature, when Neko Bus wants to, the trees will part for him to clear his path. Neko Bus can also run on tree tops, or on phone wires and no one would even be aware of his presence except perhaps sensing a small gust of wind. The reason being is that it posses the power to be invisible.
***
Chu Totoro and Chibi Totoro
Chu Totoro and Chibi Totoro are Totoro's companions. They are smaller versions of Totoro and are also guardians of the forest.
***
Susa-ataris
Susa-ataris are little black creatures which live in quiet and dark places. They run and hide at the first sign that there are people present, and fly away to find a new home when they can no longer have the dark and quiet that they like so much.
***
Kanta
Kanta is Satsuki and Mei's neighbour, and is also Satsuki's classmate. When he first met Satsuki, he made fun of Satsuki's house. However, it is revealed that Kanta is just really shy around girls and that he actually likes Satsuki a lot.
***
Granny
Granny is Satsuki and Mei's elderly neighbour and Kanta's Grandmother. Granny has lived in the small village all her life and is familiar with all the old folk stories. She is a very kind person and often takes care of Mei while her Dad is at work and Satsuki is at school. Granny was the caretaker of the Kusakabe family's house before they moved in.
***
May 29, 2017
I read all of these because my friend really likes them and told one of our after-school kids at the library about them. She liked them so much that she read them twice. So I told her that I would read them and then we could talk about it. I did read them, but now that I think about it, we never talked about it. She wanted to start a book club, so we got sidetracked on that subject instead. Overall, My Neighbor Totoro wasn’t what I expected it to be, but I understand its appeal. It’s not my usual type of book, especially because I think that it was a novelization of the movie as opposed to being a book that inspired a movie. I’m glad that I read it anyway, and I might try some of the movies now.
November 22, 2025
mei and satsuki might have the greatest grip ever because how did they handle to totoros fur like that especially when they were in the wind like what. i will forever want to go on the cat bus because it seems literally so iconic tbh
August 27, 2017
Magical! Funny, touching, beautiful!
July 20, 2018
We are utterly in love with this story. Beautifully written and drawn.
February 9, 2019
Cute. Can't say more.
October 28, 2019
the totoros are best!
October 18, 2022
Rounded down from 4.5 stars
August 27, 2023
This series is really good
The beautiful drawings and good writing adds a lot to this.
It was fun seeing more of Totoro and his little friends!
The beautiful drawings and good writing adds a lot to this.
It was fun seeing more of Totoro and his little friends!
March 6, 2013
This was one series of books that I really didn't want to end. The art is so whimsical and fun and Mei & Satsuki are brave and sweet! The Totoros are incredibly cute, Cat Bus is both endearingly adorable and kind of creepy. But everything was so perfect.
I ached for their mother and for the girls without her with them. Granny was the perfect surrogate. I wanted to go visit the village and see the giant camphor tree. The sisters' love for each other and their parents made me smile throughout the whole four books.
I just enjoyed every single bit of these books!
I ached for their mother and for the girls without her with them. Granny was the perfect surrogate. I wanted to go visit the village and see the giant camphor tree. The sisters' love for each other and their parents made me smile throughout the whole four books.
I just enjoyed every single bit of these books!
July 14, 2008
Third one: Second best one! Funny too! The two funniest parts were when a. The Big Totoro shows up at the bus stop with a leaf on its head, and b. when the Medium Totoro eats its leaf umbrella. The end picture was the best one, too.
August 26, 2021
This is where Satsuki finally gets to see Tortoro! The girls are so cute and I love the little adventures they have with Tortoro. Especially for Satsuki since she spends so much time trying to take care of everyone and now she gets to have fun with Mei and get to have fun together as children.
March 13, 2015
Bright and pure
June 24, 2016
My favorite one! I LOVE the beautiful two-page artwork!
November 27, 2016
this book was very good i loved the art style and how well the characters express themselves.
May 14, 2013
This series is darling.
May 16, 2019
The book was very entertaining plus it's a great book if you are bored.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews