068 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
“TREES AND PEOPLE USED TO BE GOOD FRIENDS.“
On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we cover our first 2D animated film, Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki from 1988. Although we both know Totoro from seeing that fluffy, grey creature, neither of us have seen the movie he comes from. We only know him as the mascot for Studio Ghibli. However, we are going to be joined by someone who LOVES this movie. Someone who calls My Neighbor Totoro, her favorite movie. Today, we are joined by Austin’s girlfriend, Leanna!
My Neighbor Totoro is a critically acclaimed film, but it is very different from what one might expect from an animated film made for children. We talk about the film’s story, and general lack of a plot, and how that is one of the film’s strengths. We also talk about the timeless, utopian setting, and the film relates to each of us, coming from three different backgrounds. How does a film strike that nostalgia chord that is all so popular now, in a way that doesn’t reference any popular IP?
We talk about how Studio Ghibli released the film as a double feature along with Grave of the Fireflies, and how looking at the two as companion pieces may add an extra layer to our Totoro viewing. Although the film is G rated and targeted for kids, the film is a lot deeper when considering the context of its theatrical run. The context may also opens up a sweet, cathartic scene to something much more meaningful, and can be interpreted as a hopeful response to national trauma.
We also talk about some of the things that get lost in translation between the English and Japanese versions of the film, Hayao Miyazaki’s relationship with his films being adapted for a Western audience, and figure out how you are ‘supposed’ to pronounce “Ghibli.”
This is the first episode we have ever done that isn’t marked “explicit” and we tried really hard to keep the entire episode “safe for work” and profanity free, because Totoro is for everyone! We hope you enjoy!
You can listen to this episode on:
Spotify: HERE
Apple Podcast: HERE
Stitcher: HERE
Google Podcast: HERE