In Studio Ghibli's beloved 1988 family film My Neighbor Totoro, one of the most charming aspects of the film is the rustic country house that serves as home to the main characters Mei and Satsuki. Now, Totoro fans can bring all the magic and fun of this wonderful structure into their own homes with this miniature replica of Donguri Sora's Kusakabe House.
After weeks of teasing on social media, Donguri’s “Soranoue” online store has finally added “Everyone’s Kusakabe Family” to its extensive digital catalog. Produced in collaboration with major retail partner Benelic, the ambitious architectural marvel features working lights, opening doors and windows, and a removable roof that allows access to the highly detailed interior. CBR readers can check out official images and a teaser video below.
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Studio Ghibli's new version of My Neighbor Totoro is a beautifully detailed replica of the Kusakabe house
The replica has been in the works at Donguri Sora’s studio for over two years, and members of the talented design team detailed the creative process in an online interview. According to the designers, creating the first prototype required a lot of reference, including films, books, and the real-life Kusakabe Home replica on display at the Studio Ghibli theme park. The end result is a meticulously designed structure that recreates the iconic house down to the smallest detail. For example, the rickety pillar that Mei and Satsuki find at the beginning of the film is still there and can “shake” in place. To help complete the house’s worn-out look, the designers took similar care with both the exterior and interior furnishings. “To represent the appearance of an old house that has not been lived in for a long time, deformed gutters, slightly faded roof tiles due to sunlight and shapes and colors were used to create an old look,” they claimed.
In addition to realism, the designers also aimed to create a replica with a “slightly mysterious atmosphere” that would encourage young fans to seek out hidden secrets. Like in My Neighbor Totoro, a single acorn sits on the loft stairs. There’s also a small hole underneath the same narrow outdoor space where Mei discovers a mini Totoro carrying acorns. Small objects like cans and bottles of ramune—and sometimes even Totoro himself—can be seen there.
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The Kusakabe Mini House is quite pricey on Donguri Sora. Including tax, it retails for 48,400 yen (or $307.31 USD). However, the site’s catalog has plenty of other, less expensive options for Totoro lovers. Ghibli recently launched a new T-shirt design for the Official Totoro Foundation—a charitable group whose goal is to preserve the famous Sayama Hills area that inspired Totoro’s iconic setting. The latest Totoro merchandise to return includes the Donguri Sora-exclusive “Watermelon Totoro” planter, the My Neighbor Totoro “Twin Baby body bag,” and the “Your Name is Totoro” skateboard. Benelic, which frequently collaborates with Studio Ghibli, releases its products through Amazon, ShopforGeek, and other popular online retailers.
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: Interview with Donguri Sora and Benelic (Part 1 & 2)