The large forest spirit in My Neighbor Totoro is called Totoro. Mei encounters the enormous creature inside a hollow camphor tree and interprets its deep roars as the name “Totoro,” after the word “troll” in her picture book.
Totoro is not presented as an ordinary animal or a conventional superhero. He is a friendly nature spirit associated with the countryside, old trees and the film’s animistic view of the natural world. In one memorable scene, Totoro waits with Satsuki at a rainy bus stop and later rides away on the Catbus.
The film, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was released in Japan in 1988. It follows sisters Satsuki and Mei after their family moves to a rural house while their mother receives medical treatment. Totoro and the smaller spirits help make the unfamiliar landscape feel magical rather than frightening.
There are actually three Totoros: the large Ō-Totoro, the medium Chū-Totoro and the small Chibi-Totoro. “Totoro” is the familiar name most viewers use for the large central character, while Chibi Totoro is the smallest white spirit. Totoro later became Studio Ghibli’s mascot.