---
title: "My Neighbor Totoro"
year: 1988
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/my-neighbor-totoro-1988"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 8392
imdb_id: "tt0096283"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 86
community_rating: 8.1
vote_count: 8913
content_rating: "G"
---

# My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/my-neighbor-totoro-1988

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten. The film features two young sisters who move to the countryside with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother. The sisters discover that the surrounding trees are inhabited by magical spirits known as Totoros, who inhabit the forest. When one of the sisters runs away from home, the other seeks help from the spirits to find her. The film stars the voices of Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, and Hitoshi Takagi, and it was released in Japan in April 1988. The runtime of the film is 88 minutes.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Two sisters encounter magical forest spirits after moving to the countryside to be near their mother."

### Why Watch
- beautiful animation
- charming supernatural elements

### Caveats & Content Note
- slow narrative pace
- minimal conflict
- Tone & Suitability: The film is suitable for all ages and features a gentle, family-oriented tone.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: whimsical, gentle, nostalgic, heartwarming

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, HBO Max | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Netflix Kids, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | SBS On Demand | Apple TV Store, Fetch TV, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Hayao Miyazaki
- **Networks / Studios**: Studio Ghibli, Nibariki, Tokuma Shoten

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Noriko Hidaka** as *Satsuki Kusakabe (voice)*
- **Chika Sakamoto** as *Mei Kusakabe (voice)*
- **Hitoshi Takagi** as *Totoro (voice)*
- **Shigesato Itoi** as *Tatsuo Kusakabe (voice)*
- **Sumi Shimamoto** as *Yasuko Kusakabe (voice)*
- **Tanie Kitabayashi** as *Granny (voice)*
- **Toshiyuki Amagasa** as *Kanta Ogaki (voice)*
- **Yuko Maruyama** as *Kanta's Mother (voice)*
- **Masashi Hirose** as *Kanta's Father (voice)*
- **Reiko Suzuki** as *Kanta's Aunt (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the film about?
It follows two sisters who move to the country and discover magical forest spirits.

### Q: Who directed the film?
The provided text does not contain information regarding the director.

### Q: Are there scary moments?
The film focuses on magical spirits and family dynamics rather than frightening content.

### Q: Is the mother in the film?
The mother is hospitalized, which is the primary reason the family moves to the country.

### Q: What are Totoros?
Totoros are described as magical spirits of the forest.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [My Neighbor Totoro — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/8392)
- [My Neighbor Totoro (1988) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/fullcredits/)
- [My Neighbor Totoro - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro)
- [My Neighbor Totoro (1988) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/8392/cast)
- [My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Full Cast & Crew - Plex](https://watch.plex.tv/movie/my-neighbor-totoro/credits)
- [My Neighbor Totoro - AsianWiki](https://asianwiki.com/My_Neighbor_Totoro)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*