There are films that do not rush to impress you but quietly settle into your heart. My Neighbor Totoro feels like that. I expected something bigger, maybe even something that would leave me shattered. Instead, it gave me something softer. A quiet kind of wonder that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
I only knew Spirited Away before this, which is a wildly different ride. That probably shaped my expectations, but any doubts disappeared as the film unfolded. The hand drawn animation is mesmerizing. Every background looks like a painting come to life. Joe Hisaishi’s music wrapped around me and never let go. His score was still echoing in my head on the way home, elevating every frame with emotion and elegance.
Totoro himself is unforgettable. Even though he does not dominate the story, his presence is enough. He is not here to fix anything. He is simply comfort. The kind of comfort you do not realize you need until it shows up. Mei and Satsuki’s journey moved me deeply, especially the way the film allows magic and reality to live side by side. One minute they are hanging laundry, the next they are soaring through the sky on a Catbus. It is not fantasy instead of life. It is both. That felt profound.
It may seem like not much happens, but that is the miracle of it. The story is based on little events that deliver significant messages. Childhood, grief, wonder, and resilience are all gently wrapped into one sweet, mystical experience. I found myself tearing up more than once, even when nothing particularly sad was happening. That’s how much it got under my skin.
I adore this movie. From the soot sprites to the sisters, from the quiet woods to the joy of coming home. It reminded me of what truly matters. Maybe I did not fall in love instantly, but by the end, I would not change a single thing.
Sachin’s Take
- Score: 4.5 out of 5
- Favorite moment: Catbus ride under the moonlight
- Biggest surprise: How little Totoro speaks and how powerful that silence feels
- Watch if you’re into: Childhood nostalgia, gentle fantasy, Ghibli magic.
