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となりのトトロ [Tonari no Totoro] #4
となりのトトロ 4 [Tonari no Totoro 4]
Mei and Satsuki are having a wonderful time working in Granny's vegetable garden while their dad is away at work. But one afternoon there's bad news from the hospital where the girls' mother is recovering. Mei decides to go visit her mother alone...foot!
When Satsuki realizes her little sister has disappeared, she takes action. But is it too late? Satsuki scours the forest and the countryside, but the search for Mei doesn't look hopeful - until Totoro steps in. With a little help from the forest spirits, including a wild ride in the Cat Bus, the sisters learn the importance of trusting in one another and hoping for the best.
145 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 1988
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
376 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 7, 2016
4.25 stars
My Neighbor Totoro is a cute and wonderful adventure about sisters Sasuki and Mei who move out to the countryside where they encounter a forest spirit named Totoro. I seriously felt like I was watching the movie all over again while I was reading this comic. Although My Neighbor Totoro isn't my favorite Studio Ghibli production, it's a classic. Hayao Miyazaki truly is a legend and one of the greatest storytellers in the world.
My Neighbor Totoro is a cute and wonderful adventure about sisters Sasuki and Mei who move out to the countryside where they encounter a forest spirit named Totoro. I seriously felt like I was watching the movie all over again while I was reading this comic. Although My Neighbor Totoro isn't my favorite Studio Ghibli production, it's a classic. Hayao Miyazaki truly is a legend and one of the greatest storytellers in the world.
September 8, 2024
It was such a beautiful ending I literally cried so much, I love green flag, relaxing and goody manga 🥹
May 26, 2017
I know what I'm getting for my birthday. I love the movie and these books so much.
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
okay like imagine finding out your daughter tried to walk a four hour walk because she thought you were dying and she wanted you to bring corn to you. like what the freak. also the fact that mei got yelled at because she wanted her mother to stay at their home due to the fact that she had been in hospital for so long. like satsuki thought the mother was dying because the mother had the cold is crazy
April 11, 2022
I heard people talk about this movie, and I saw the manga at the library so I decided to give it a try.
It was not at what I was expecting and I was very wrong about the plot. My shock came when I read that there were more than one Tororo. I thought there was only one! Mostly because that is what I see the most.
Now I want to watch the movie.
It was not at what I was expecting and I was very wrong about the plot. My shock came when I read that there were more than one Tororo. I thought there was only one! Mostly because that is what I see the most.
Now I want to watch the movie.
February 10, 2019
The story is completely different than what people talked about but it's still a nice story. I really want to watch the movie.
August 29, 2019
a lovely read
October 23, 2019
My favorite series by Miyazaki
October 18, 2022
Rounded down from 4.5 stars
May 31, 2023
really cute series, no plot just vibes, and beautiful illustrations
March 16, 2025
本が大好き。
March 7, 2026
I love the character styles
March 24, 2026
Each one of these books just feels like a warm hug. I love the art. Theodore (2y/o) and I read it sitting in the car eating McDonald’s. The cat car is the cutest.
October 1, 2013
This book is about a Satsaki and her family move a new house. She have a sister name Mei. Mei was 4 years old. Her mom was in the hospital so Satsaki and Mei lives with her dad. Satsaki and Mei thought their new house was a hunted house because they saw many black small things in the house. They not a danger creature. They just lived in the house that dirty, but they will get out soon when the house was clean. Mei and Satsaki saw another creature in the forest back of the house. They are called Totoro. There are three of them. The biggest Totoro can fly. The second one can visible and the third one like to make a seeds. They are very good friends to Satsaki and Mei.
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
Fourth one: Mei runs away. They find the Cat Bus. Well, this one didn't have as much to do with the Totoros, so I wasn't as interested. They would have had to write a better ending to suit ME, but other people might like it. So no big deal. At least...never mind, I won't say the ending but it was good.
December 16, 2013
This book is end of the story. And main characters are going to meet their mother. Their mother was in the hospital. The way to the hospital was far one of main character the younger one got lost. And her neighbors and her sister found her and at last her sister went to see Totoro and Totoro gave a cat bus which was very fast every couldn't see and found younger sister and went to the hospital.
August 26, 2021
Ohh man. I’m so happy things turned out okay for Mei and Satsuki. They have both been through so much for a young age. I haven’t seen the movie in so long, so I will definitely be watching it again soon.
October 2, 2007
wooowww...
December 3, 2009
so cute! wish i had books 1 - 3 to go with this, but didn't feel exactly lost reading this one. totally have to see the movie now.
December 24, 2013
Really nice ending to the story.
April 17, 2014
How can you guys read the book
June 24, 2016
Kind of a Meh ending but still a wonderful story.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews