My Neighbor Totoro Film Comic: All-in-One Edition

by Hayao Miyazaki (Story And Screenplay Writer), Jim Hubbert (English Translato)

Revisit one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved classics with the My Neighbor Totoro film comics, collected for the first time into one large deluxe hardcover edition!

Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. Soon, in the woods behind their spooky old house, Satsuki and Mei discover a forest spirit named Totoro. When Mei goes missing, it’s up to Satsuki to find her sister, and she’ll need help from some new—and magical—friends.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Art, Middle Grade

584 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Hayao 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.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up while I was in Japan! Lovely story and artwork as always.

[Romie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is my childhood, so thankful I have the memories in this format

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically the entire film transferred into a book. As in each frame printed,with dialogue written in of course. It works surprisingly well, I could actually hear the music since it is so firmly lodged in my brain. It was wonderful to have time to pore over various details, especially the beautiful landscapes and the familiar characters. There is something hypnotic and peaceful about this story, and I love the way the young children and their worldview are taken so seriously.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession time, I have yet to see the movie My Neighbor Totoro. That's why I jumped at the chance to get this when I saw it being offered on NetGalley. I wanted to experience it in some way. (I currently do not own a TV, haven't for over a decade now. I haven't missed it much, other than when I want to see a movie, which isn't often. I rather read the book.)

I do love me some Studio Ghibli, Spirited Away is the best of all of the SG movie's I've seen thus far, but My Neighbor Totoro is one I have yet to see. If it is anything like the book, I can see why it is so popular and beloved by all who watch it.

The artwork is stunning, gentle, colorful and full of life, the characters are sweet and cute and real, so they aren't perfect, the storyline isn't the end of the world, it's just a small glimpse into the life of ordinary people, who have the opportunity to experience some extra-ordinary things.

If you like Studio Ghibli, you will like this. If you have not yet had the pleasure of being introduced to it, this book adaptation is not a bad way to do it. Though I do recommend watching one of the movies. I found that even though I didn't watch this particular movie, but since i am familiar with the flow and style of the movement of the movies, I felt like I was watching the movie and not reading the story on the page, it was that engrossing and magical for me.

Your mileage may vary, but this was fantastic for me and I can't wait to see the movie, one day.

5, I can't give anything less than that to this work of absolute art, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review,

[Happystar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s basically the movie in book form. It’s absolutely beautiful. I hope they will do this for all his other works

[redlouder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revoir son enfance avec un grand nouveau c’est génial Miyazaki est vraiment le maître de l’animation japonaise !

[Elina Mäkitalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuttu stoori useampaan kertaan luettua ja katsottu. Tämä oli kiva kun oli koko elokuva kirjana kaikkineen päivineen. Tykkään tästä tosi paljon enkä kyllästy varmasti koskaan tähän. Oli vielä melko nopea lukea vaikka sivuja on paljon.

[Mai M Ibrahim]

الكتاب هو عبارة عن الفيلم ف صورة frames
ف كأنك بتشوف الفيلم بس ع ورق ودي فكرة لطيفة

هصور الكتاب كله ع قناة "عن الفن" ع اليوتيوب
3nelfn@
لو حد مهتم يعمل subscribe علشان يشوف اكتر

بصور الكتب اللي بستعيرها من المكتبة العامة وينزلها ع انستجرام 👇
mai.designer92@

[Hilde Du livroblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussi magique que le film d'animation! J'ai adoré retrouver Mei et Satsuki.

[Elleryhoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in French for fun 😃 it is very much a comfort movie and book

[clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

j’avais adoré le film, donc forcément c’est pareil pour le livre ! c’est trop beau de voir les images imprimées😃

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

forever one of the best parts of my childhood 😌

[Anna Ottersbach-McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and wholesome. Beautifully drawn.

[Sofia Bahia · Rating 5 out of 5]

miyazaki cura onde tá doendo!!!!!

[Andréa Flying To The Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

si vous avez besoin de lire quelque chose de tout doux que ce soit dans la trame ou visuellement, alors il vous faut Mon voisin Totoro 🥹

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie in book form. Yes!

If you are a Totoro fan, then this is for you because it takes the movie stills and turned it into an all-in-one comic. Just as beautiful and wonderful as the movie.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never actually seen this movie...so it was quite interesting to read a book that seems to be an almost frame by frame print version of the movie. But I really enjoyed it and now I really want to see the movie. It's a wonderful story about 2 sisters who move into a new house with their dad while their mom is in the hospital. It's fun and silly and heartwarming.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't tell you how many times I have watched the movie but reading this and seeing the images like this shows me how much I have missed. There are images here I don't recall while watching the movie. And I never realised there was so little dialogue.

[Josh Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miyazaki's work has such a warm charm to it, and this is pretty much an artbook centred around that.

Every page is so iconic and he captures the simple things so well, as well as bringing in his wonderous imagination.

I also now want a hug from Totoro, lovely book.

[leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

c’est le ghibli ultime

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miyazaki is always a fun read! Mix with forest spirits and a cat bus and Totoro is born!

[emma zackarina.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's essentially "just" stills from the movie but very charmingly arranged. Reading this manga feels so much like rewatching the movie.

[Célia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je ne me souvenais plus du tout du film donc j'ai adoré re découvrir l'histoire en livre.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean.... What's not to love?

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Love the illustrations.

[Kait W · Rating 4 out of 5]

They really did just adapt the movie so accurately into a book format. The storyline and art are just as beautiful as the movie was. It’s hard to critique honestly because it really was so faithful it felt like the movie had been fully transferred onto the pages. My only concern with it is that some of the animations they turned into the panels just couldn’t translate as clearly or beautifully, because it just wasn’t how they were meant to be experienced in the original conception. But they did the best they could in portraying them anyway. This was a very quick read, despite it being so long, because there was such a focus on the art and the only text really was the dialogue. I loved that there was a sound effects guide in the back.

[Merve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute as button!
Haven't watched the animation yet, but loved the book :)

[m★non · Rating 4 out of 5]

c'était trop mimi!!

[doaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

comfort movie and now even comfort book 🥹🥹🤍

[Lilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce n'est pas mon Miyazaki préféré. Mais Dieu que c'est beau et que c'est bienveillant 🥰 une lecture qui fait du bien aux yeux et au cœur