What's a Totoro?

The Howson Branch is hosting a "We ♥ Totoro" film series, but I really had no idea what Totoro was. I knew it had something to do with anime but that was all. Turns out Totoro is a lovable forest spirit that befriends two sisters in the 1988 Japanese release Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro). While the film was a box office disappointment, Totoro dolls and other merchandise became hugely popular well in to the 2000s.

The movie’s animator, director, and writer Hayao Miyazaki infuses environmental themes as well as Japanese folklore and mythology into several of his hugely successful films. He is a well-respected artist who insisted on hand coloring frames long after most animators had turned to computers. His attention to detail and high standards led Miyazaki to found his own production company Studio Ghibli with fellow animator Isao Takahata. This gave him the freedom to create the quality films for which he is known.

Come by the Howson Branch to experience the Studio Ghibli movies on the big screen or check them out to watch at home. We also have the graphic novels!