My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook

by Studio Ghibli

A charming cookbook featuring recipes for the delicious food seen in the classic Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio Ghibli’s movies feature enticing food that has been animated in gorgeous detail. With My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook, fans are invited to recreate these delicious recipes in their own homes!

Featuring step-by-step instructions and photography, this charming cookbook provides recipes for the delectable dishes seen in the movie, including Satsuki’s Homemade Bento, Moving Day Caramels, and Granny’s Ohagi. The book will also teach readers how to cook the fresh vegetables grown in Granny’s garden. Additional recipes inspired by the movie, such as Soot Gremlin Donuts and Acorn-Shaped Sweet Potato Snacks, are sure to delight all. Interspersed throughout this cookbook are numerous images and a retelling of the movie’s key moments.

This book is perfect for all fans of the classic movie who want to bring a little bit of Studio Ghibli’s magic into their homes and onto their dining tables.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2025

Reviews

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing an ARC I received via NetGalley.

This My Neighbor Totoro cookbook features a range of recipes which recreate items featured in the movie itself, as well as several other dishes inspired by the events and time period of the film.

Like many other anime/manga inspired cookbooks I've encountered, a possible frustration here is that the recipes use metric measurements. Details on converting to imperial measurements are provided at the beginning of the work, but I would still find this to be challenging to work with. Another aspect preventing one from simply "whipping up" one of these dishes are the ingredients, which in the majority of recipes are distinctly Japanese and feature many ingredients that may be a challenge to find. That brings me to my final critique, which is that (although I celebrate the featuring of authentic Japanese dishes from a Japanese work) I find it hard to believe that much of the target audience for this book, which for these style of cookbooks are often middle grade/teen readers, will be motivated to cook themselves dishes such as one in this book which includes shredded, dyed whitefish, sweet green peas, and hand-grilled sardines.

These small critiques aside (and these points apply to most all anime/manga cookbooks I've encountered,) there were other elements included in this book that I very much enjoyed, and that I feel beefs it up a little. Between many of the recipes are short retelling of moments from the film; other pages include culinary and cultural details that any fan of Totoro will appreciate flipping through even if they don't cook anything out of the book. For libraries with large graphic novel collections or avid teen readers, I would consider acquiring this book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Studio Ghibli’s movies feature enticing food that has been animated in gorgeous detail. With My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook, fans are invited to recreate these delicious recipes in their own homes!"

Ha I LOVE Totoro so naturally, this book appealed to me! Food? From Ghibli movies? Sign me up!

This lovely cookbook retells the story of Satsuki and Mei's moving into a new home, meeting Totoro, and visiting their mom in hospital. Food is very important in the story, and this book shows stills from the film as well as photographs of the step-by-step process to make the dish. There's also advice on choosing ingredients and cooking methods for the dishes. Absolutely lovely book that will make you smile all the way through to the end!

I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute and kid-friendly cookbook! The cookbook takes readers through the story of My Neighbor Totoro and along the way gives recipes from the movie or inspired by the movie. There are some nice spreads so that readers can appreciate the art of the movie as well. The recipes were quite simple and fun, although some of the ingredients might be a bit difficult for American readers to get without access to an Asian grocery store. If someone is looking for complicated dishes, they won't find them here, it's more about the way that the food fits into the story. This book would be great for kids, fans of My Neighbor Totoro, or anyone looking to learn a bit about Japanese cooking.

Thanks to VIZ Media and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

[Emily Fleischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charmingly delightful cookbook for Ghibli fans of all ages! The food in Studio Ghibli movies has rightfully garnered a reputation for representing a fantastical reality. Everything seems downright delectable. Caution: viewers might drool when watching My Neighbor Totoro. This cookbook is the perfect companion to the film as the recipes are of the food featured in the film. The recipes are simple and the directions are easy to follow. Anything out of this book would make a fun weekend activity with kids or with any Ghibli fans! Thank you to Viz Media and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this cookbook!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful cookbook! The cookbook is full of colorful stills from the film as well as full color photographs and step by step instructions for the recipes. The book retells many elements of the film, while highlighting the food and recipes from the movie. The receipts are easy to follow and I appreciated the step-by-step photographs for many of the recipes. Overall, a great companion to the film and perfect for fans of any age.

I received an eArc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! I didn't try a single recipe, and was a bit surprised by the use of microwaves and plastic wrap, but I enjoyed visiting with Totoro and his young friends. For some reason, the post WWII vibes were strong on this one. I kept thinking about the girls' mother being sick due to the bomb, which is never mentioned in the film.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This is a fun addition to go along with the movie. “My Neighbor Totoro” is one of my favorite Miyazaki films. The recipes are easy to follow and the book shows scenes from the film.

[Willow’s Wisps 📚📖📘📗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful cookbook, that perfectly captured the whimsical charm Ghibli is known for.

This cookbook does a fantastic job in retelling many elements of the film; whilst beautifully displaying the recipes with easy to follow step by step photographs.

Perfect gift for any Ghibli fan.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect recipes for a movie night! Using the recipes in the book, you can eat the food the characters do! Though additional recipes are included that are inspired by the film, the quantity of them seemed small.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great fun for any Studio Ghibli fans! Not sure I would make any recipes but a great collectors book.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read it ❤️

[T.M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and interesting recipes. I love the pictures included and the quotes from different movies and how each recipe ties to a meal or theme in the movies. It’s also very cute in my kitchen. 😊

[Reba · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so few recipes and more fluff than anything, but the book is quite cute and will be loved by My Neighbor Totoro fans.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nicely done.

[Fern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cookbook that has actual recipes plus a few extras. And some rather decent cooking tips too. As well as a surprise crash course on fresh veggies and how to prep them.