One of Studio Ghibli’s Most Iconic and Meaningful Stories Was Almost Completely Different

After being founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli quickly established itself as a creative powerhouse in animation, known for its hand-drawn art style, emotional stories, and gentle approach to storytelling. The studio’s films often have a quieter and more introspective tone, which helped it grow into a distinctive style recognized in Japan and around the world.

Among the studio’s many acclaimed works, My Neighbor Totoro remains one of its most beloved and recognizable films. Released in 1988, it introduced audiences to a whimsical fantasy world and the iconic forest spirit himself, who would go on to become Ghibli’s mascot. However, some fans may not be aware that the story underwent surprising creative changes before its release.

My Neighbor Totoro Underwent Significant Changes Before Its Release

Totoro Drew Inspiration From an Unlikely Source

Studio Ghibli is known for its deliberate pacing, and My Neighbor Totoro is no exception. However, many fans likely don’t realize how close the film came to being quite different. In an interview after the 2025 Ghibli Fest screening of the film, it was revealed that the story was originally much simpler, with Totoro appearing right at the beginning.

According to producer Toshio Suzuki, “Miyazaki was going to introduce Totoro in the opening scene.” However, Suzuki pushed for a different approach by drawing inspiration from a surprising source. “I wanted to tease the audience,” Suzuki shared. “So I told him, ‘Look at E.T…. E.T. doesn’t show up until halfway through the movie.’”

Delaying Totoro’s appearance created a sense of mystery that heightened the emotional weight of the story. Audiences found themselves drawn deeper into the world through Satsuki and Mei’s perspective before ever meeting the titular character, who would completely change the film’s tone. Instead of emphasizing the fantasy elements early on, the film focused on the emotional core.

This change in pacing also reinforced Studio Ghibli’s signature style that values anticipation, atmosphere, and emotional sincerity above spectacle. Suzuki’s suggestion not only shaped how Totoro’s entrance would be but also supported Hayao Miyazaki’s vision for the film, which was to prioritize subtlety and a slower pace.

Satsuki and Mei Give the Story the Charm It’s Celebrated For

Totoro Would Have Been Incomplete Without the Siblings’ Dynamic

Originally, My Neighbor Totoro was intended to follow only a single girl, Satsuki, as the main character. Hayao Miyazaki revealed that for over a decade, the story was built around the experiences of one sister as an only child. However, at some point, he decided to add another girl who would fundamentally change the story.

“First, I only had one girl in the story,” Miyazaki shared, “Then I decided I wanted more than one, even though that’s how it was for more than ten years. So, I created another character as her sister.” While seemingly a simple change, Mei became a lively young girl who became tied to the heart of the film.

If Totoro remained focused only on Satsuki, the story might have taken on a more introspective tone, emphasizing loneliness and personal growth. The dynamic between Satsuki and Mei, with their shared discovery of the forest spirits and playful companionship, added warmth and charm. Without that, the movie would have lost some of its emotional depth and childlike wonder.

Mei’s presence brings that sense of wonder to life, adding spontaneity to the pacing and authentic interactions. Together, Satsuki and Mei bring the film’s themes of family, childhood innocence, and imagination together, proving that Miyazaki’s decision to include both daughters helped to enrich the film and set it on the path to becoming the classic it is today.

Miyazaki Had High Expectations for My Neighbor Totoro

Hayao Miyazaki Had Heartfelt Intentions for the Film

While creating My Neighbor Totoro, Miyazaki wasn’t just telling a story. Rather, he was quietly challenging the popular trends in entertainment media at the time. He aimed to create something that was gentle, contemplative, mundane, and beautiful all at once. The film’s pacing, themes, and tone were crafted to stand out against the loud and fast-paced movies of its era.

“Back then, there were many children in the particular circumstance where one of the parents is in a sanatorium for tuberculosis. My own mother also had a long-term illness. My own experience didn’t cross my mind when I was working.

Rather, I just wanted to create a world of innocence and purity to portray the beauty of Japan, and to show the nobility of the innocent. Entertainment back then was all about guns, action, and speed. I wanted my movie to be peaceful, tranquil, and innocent. I wanted to create that kind of world. Also, I wanted to prove that a movie like this could be successful.” -Hayao Miyazaki

Miyazaki’s vision is reflected throughout the entire film, from its quiet countryside setting to the way the camera lingers between scenes. He wanted a film that celebrated simplicity, emotion, and the slow, otherwise unnoticed moments of everyday life. His desire to prove that “a movie like this could be successful” speaks to his belief in the power of quiet storytelling.

What makes his goal stand out even more is the personal subtext involved. While he claimed that his mother’s illness didn’t directly influence the film, the story’s approach to childhood fear, resilience, and longing suggests otherwise. Satsuki and Mei’s worry for their hospitalized mother carried emotional weight because it’s grounded in realism.

Even if it was an unconscious influence, these experiences gave the film an authenticity that can’t be easily replicated. This is what allowed Totoro to succeed in the long run, standing out within an industry that favored more intense storytelling. It became proof that a peaceful and relaxing film could have just as much impact as anything else.

Totoro Rightfully Became One of Ghibli’s Most Iconic Films

My Neighbor Totoro Stands Out as One of Ghibli’s Best

When My Neighbor Totoro was first released in 1988, it initially struggled to make a strong impression at the box office. Over time, however, the film steadily grew to become one of the studio’s most iconic movies. Its ambitious goals and creative choices allowed the story to become a timeless classic that crossed cultures and generations.

Many of the film’s most memorable qualities come directly from Miyazaki’s willingness to revise his original plans. By delaying Totoro’s entrance and introducing Mei alongside Satsuki, he created space for the story’s emotional depth and quiet charm to shine. These changes gave the film a unique pacing that allowed audiences to slow down and enjoy the unfolding story.

Decades later, the film remains a powerful and heartfelt journey because it captures the wonder of childhood in a genuine way and is handled with care. Its warmth and simplicity have inspired countless creators and fans around the world, making Totoro himself Ghibli’s official mascot. My Neighbor Totoro has left behind a powerful, meaningful, and lasting legacy.

My Neighbor Totoro

9/10

Release Date

April 16, 1988

Runtime

86 minutes

Producers

Tooru Hara, Toshio Suzuki

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  Noriko Hidaka

  Satsuki Kusakabe (voice)

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  Chika Sakamoto

  Mei Kusakabe (voice)