CBR Anime Week brought to you by HULU ANIMAYHEM
Studio Ghibli's classic family film, My Neighbor Totoro, is renowned for its picturesque setting, portraying a uniquely nostalgic portrait of rural Japanese life. Now, Ghibli fans can return to the film's idyllic world with Donguri Sora's latest productions.
Donguri Sora recently unveiled a brand new collection of Totoro-themed wallets and drawstring bags. While many Ghibli products opt to feature decals of the adorable forest spirit, these items evoke the film’s quaint rural setting by using designs based on classic Japanese clothing patterns. Donguri Sora’s matching “craftsman-style” star-patterned wallets and drawstring bags both feature simple yet eye-catching designs featuring the “Makkuro Kurosuke,” or “soot goblins,” who appear in Satsuki and Mei’s forest home. Donguri Sora’s “Shippo Tsunagi,” or seven treasures, wallets and drawstring bags also feature the famous geometric motif often seen in traditional Japanese artwork. Additionally, the Shippo Tsunagi-style items incorporate the smallest variation of Totoro into their designs for an extra touch of cuteness.
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Studio Ghibli Gets Ready for the Beach With Limited Edition Totoro & Kiki Hawaiian Clothing Collection
Ghibli fans can relax with Donguri Sora's Hawaiian apparel series, featuring designs inspired by Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service.
Studio Ghibli's new Totoro-themed releases return to traditional Japanese design
The wallets are modeled after the “Dochu Zaifu” — handmade travel wallets used to hold jewelry and other small items. In addition to the zippered pocket, Donguri Sora’s version also has a long nylon cord that can be used to hold the bag in place. Attached to the cord is a small metal disc that mimics the design of an old-fashioned yen coin. Designed with versatility in mind, both the wallet and the drawstring can be used to hold pens, passport holders, and other small items. Including tax, both wallets are priced at 2,860 yen each (about $17.72), while the drawstring is priced at 2,420 yen (about $14.99).
The Real-Life Location of My Neighbor Totoro Is Being Protected
Released in 1986, My Neighbor Totoro is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most iconic films to date. The story revolves around two sisters named Satsuki and Mei who move to the Japanese countryside to be closer to their hospitalized mother. After moving into their new home, they discover that there are soot goblins living in the basement, who warn them of the existence of nature spirits. They then meet the star of the film – a giant forest guardian who can soar through the sky and make trees grow in an instant. The film takes place in Japan’s famous Sayama Hills region – a vast, lush area dotted with forests, lakes and sprawling rice fields. Thanks to preservation efforts led by Hayao Miyazaki, most of the area is under the protection of the National Totoro Trust, ensuring that Satsuki and Mei's beautiful childhood home will never fall victim to industrialization in real life.
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Studio Ghibli Re-releases Hayao Miyazaki's Original Watercolor Drawing of My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro fans can send special messages to loved ones far away through Ghibli's unique collection of watercolor postcards featuring artwork by Hayao Miyazaki.
Currently, Donguri Sora’s My Neighbor Totoro “Handmade Style” merchandise collection is available to members in limited quantities on the company’s online store. Viewers in the United States and Japan can stream the entire Ghibli film library, including My Neighbor Totoro, on Max. Netflix has made Ghibli films available to viewers in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
My Neighbor Totoro
When two girls move to the countryside to live near their ailing mother, they have adventures with magical forest spirits living nearby.
Release date April 16, 1988
Studio Studio Ghibli
Cast Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi, Sumi Shimamoto, Tanie Kitabayashi
Running time 86 minutes
Extend
Source: Donguri Sora's Totoro Craft Style Wallet (Star Pattern and Shippo Tsunagi versions) and Totoro Craft Style Drawstring Bag (Star Pattern and Shippo Tsunagi versions)