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MANILA, Philippines – Have you ever dreamed of running around the old, dilapidated (and maybe haunted) house where Mei and Satsuki chased after sootballs and mini totoros in Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film, My Neighbor Totoro?
If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, you probably have, and you will probably start saving up for a ticket to go to Japan in 2020 to make that dream come true.
That’s right! In case you missed this wonderful news, a Studio Ghibli Theme Park is set to open in Nagoya, Japan in 2020. But instead of Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds, Mei and Satsuki’s neighborhood from My Neighbor Totoro in the middle of a forest will be the main attraction.
This was announced by Governor Hideaki Omura and Studio Ghibli co-founder and producer, Toshio Suzuki in a press conference last June. It will occupy the 200-hectare site where the 2005 World Expo was previously located.
2020 is still a few years away. But while waiting, you can satisfy yourself with these adorable My Neighbor Totoro merchandise:
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro is one of the most famous films by Miyazaki. Totoro, a huge and cuddly creature that’s a combination of a raccoon, a cat, and an owl, is one of the forest spirits that sisters Mei and Satsuki met when they moved to the country while their ailing mother recuperates in the hospital.
Mei, the younger of the two siblings, was the first to know about Totoro one afternoon while playing in the forest. She caught sight of a mini totoro treading under their house and followed it around like every stubborn child would. The little forest spirit led her to the magical world of Totoro where she enjoyed a nice nap right in Totoro’s fluffy tummy.
Like any older sister, Satsuki didn’t believe a word of Mei’s story when she told her about what she just experienced but was admittedly curious and a bit jealous. Because who wouldn’t be? One rainy night, Satsuki was also lucky enough to be graced with Totoro’s presence where the iconic scene showing the giant forest spirit holding a tiny umbrella above his furry head originated.
Totoro took Mei and Satsuki on adventures–an aerial tour of the country while riding on Totoro’s back and a crazy ride in the cat bus–that every kid could only dream of.
Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma in 1985. Other than My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli is famous for whimsical animated films including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Grave of the Fireflies, Ponyo, and Whisper of the Heart. – Rappler.com
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