3) My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
For People Who Like:Â E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Iron Giant (1999), Wall-E (2008)
Disney may reign supreme in the West, but for Japanese children and adults alike, Studio Ghibli represents the very best that animation has to offer. Founder Hayao Miyazaki broke through to the mainstream with the release of his crowning achievement, Spirited Away, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2001, but the company have been releasing beautifully hand-crafted films for almost three decades now.
My Neighbor Totoro was one of their first big successes, despite an initially limited box office return. The story follows the exploits of two young sisters called Satsuki and Mei, who stumble upon Totoro and other friendly woodland spirits in postwar rural Japan. Since the film’s release in 1988, the central character Totoro has developed a global following, becoming one of the most beloved cartoon characters of all time, rivalling and even surpassing Mickey Mouse in certain territories.
While the film is unusually light on tension, the appeal of My Neighbor Totoro lies in its simplicity, accurately depicting the way children see the world in a warm, humorous light which is remarkably convincing. Children who watch My Neighbor Totoro instantly fall in love with the characters and adults encountering the film for the first time are enchanted by Miyazaki’s imagination, transported back to the wonder of their own childhoods. My Neighbor Totoro is one of those rare works of art that justifies use of the description ‘magical’ and anyone who refuses to watch the film simply because it’s anime is missing out on an unforgettable experience.
