My Neighbor Totoro, Tonari no Totoro - Essay Example

My Neighbor Totoro My Neighbor Totoro refers to a 1988 Japanese animated movie directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The film was produced by Studio Ghibli. It talks about the two youthful daughters of a lecturer and their relations with gracious wood spirits in postwar countryside Japan (Kjolseth 1). The movie won the Mainichi Film Award and the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize for Best Movie in 1988. This paper will discuss this film according to the instructions stated.Question 1The film takes during the mid 90’s in Japan (Kjolseth 1).

Mei and Satsuki shift into an old home to be closer to the infirmary where their mother (Yasuko) is trying to recover from an enduring sickness. Mei and Satsuki find that the house is occupied by small animated dust creatures referred to as susuwatari (Kjolseth 1). These are dark, small, dust-like home-spirits seen when shifting from bright to dark areas. Such beliefs, according to research, were thought to exist mostly in the mid 90’s in Japan (Kjolseth 1). The time period, hence, leaves this film to be focused around the mid 90’s.

Question 2Signs of worship or an element of Shintoism, can be viewed in details such as the paper ribbon rope on Totoros tree and Shimenawa rice straw (Kjolseth 1). They signify that the land is sacred. The audience can also spot a neglected Shinto shrine beneath the camphor tree, as well as a Torii Shinto shrine gateway, at the entrance to a hill. Furthermore, enhancing the naturalistic elements of the movie is Hisaishis work on incorporating these shrines. They show how Japan used to be a holy place back then (Kjolseth 1).

Question 3Some of the crucial themes incorporated in Miyazaki’s film are Environmentalism, Flight, Children and childhood, as well as Water. Flight, in particular human flight, is a habitual theme in My Neighbor Totoro (Kjolseth 1). The director thinks of flight as a type of freedom from gravity. In My Neighbor Totoro, with regards to Environmentalism, people interact with large tree tops where tiny mysterious creatures live. People use these trees as worship points. Water is also a constant theme in antagonism to the Ascension representation of flight.

Question 4Critics, after the film was released, recognized Totoro as one of the best cartoon actors, describing the being as both awe-inspiring and innocent. This more than what was established in Japan’s film industry as the director brought in new things (Kjolseth 1). King Totoro captures the magic of childhood and innocence more than any of Miyazakis other supernatural creations. The director recognized the main characters appeal, as more legitimately appreciated than Mickey Mouse could wish to be in his wildest form.

The movie surpassed Japan’s traditional film industry as in incorporated fresh ideas that were never witnessed in Japan.Question 5The film is one of the devotedly handmade works of Miyazaki the main director. Therefore, it is advisable to watch the movie a couple of times in order to understand the ideas it incorporates (Kjolseth 1). My Neighbor Totoro portrayed a sufficient television technological craft, which was represented by homogenized pictographic style, vapid storyline and muted pastels.

The films environmental depiction was aimed at a global audience, the movie evinces a changing combination of cultures, which that forms a nowhere land more puzzled than interesting.Work CitedKjolseth, Pablo. My Neighbor Totoro. N.p, 2008. Web.