Introduction to the movie “My Neighbour Totoro” (Tonari no Totoro)

• “My Neighbour Totoro” is a Japanese animation (anime) movie by director Hayao Miyazaki. It was released in 1988.

• The story is about two sisters, Satsuki (who is ten years old) and Mei (who is four), who move to a house in the countryside with their father. This is to be closer to their mother, who is recovering from an illness in a hospital nearby.

• While living in their new home, Satsuki and Mei make friends with their neighbours, a boy named Kanta and his grandmother.

• However, they also encounter many new creatures and spirits. One of these spirits is a large furry grey creature named Totoro, who is known as the “keeper” or “guardian” of the forest.

• Over time, the two sisters make friends with Totoro. One day, Satsuki encounters a problem and finds that she has to ask Totoro and his friend the Catbus for help!