My Neighbor Totoro

Movie guide

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

となりのトトロ

  • Fantasy
  • Animation
  • Family
8.1/10 Drama4U Score · from 9,187 TMDB votes · How the score works

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) guide: plot, voice cast, review notes and where to watch Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli film in the Philippines on Netflix.

My Neighbor Totoro Plot: What the Story Is About

Satsuki Kusakabe and her little sister Mei are starting over. Their father, Tatsuo, has moved the family to an old house in the Japanese countryside, a place surrounded by rice fields, quiet village life and towering trees. The reason for the move is close to the girls’ hearts: their mother, Yasuko, is staying in a hospital nearby, and the new home lets the family be near her while she recovers.

As the sisters explore their unfamiliar surroundings and meet the neighbours, including a kindly Granny and a boy named Kanta, they begin to notice that the countryside holds more than it seems. The forest around them is home to Totoros, gentle and mysterious spirits that only certain eyes can see. For Satsuki and Mei, these magical creatures become part of a new world of wonder, adventure and comfort, right at a time when the girls are learning to cope with worry, change and missing their mother. The film blends everyday rural life with quiet magical realism, keeping the bond between the two sisters at its centre.

My Neighbor Totoro — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes My Neighbor Totoro Notable

My Neighbor Totoro (original title: となりのトトロ) is an animated fantasy family film from Japan, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli with Tokuma Shoten. It premiered on 16 April 1988 and runs a compact 86 minutes, which makes it an easy pick for a family movie night.

The original Japanese voice cast includes:

  • Noriko Hidaka as Satsuki Kusakabe
  • Chika Sakamoto as Mei Kusakabe
  • Hitoshi Takagi as Totoro
  • Shigesato Itoi as Tatsuo Kusakabe, the father
  • Sumi Shimamoto as Yasuko Kusakabe, the mother
  • Tanie Kitabayashi as Granny
  • Toshiyuki Amagasa as Kanta Ogaki

Its tagline, “He’s your friendly neighbourhood forest spirit!”, sums up the tone. This is a warm, gentle story rather than a high-stakes adventure. Themes of sibling love, family, rural life and the comfort of nature run through it. If you are looking for a My Neighbor Totoro review score, the Drama4U Score is shown separately on this page.

Who Will Enjoy My Neighbor Totoro

  • Families looking for a gentle, child-friendly animated film to watch together
  • Fans of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli who want to explore the studio’s films
  • Viewers who enjoy slice-of-life stories with a touch of magical realism
  • Anyone drawn to stories about siblings, family bonds and growing up
  • Anime fans who prefer heartfelt, slow-paced storytelling over action

Release Date in the Philippines & Where to Watch

My Neighbor Totoro first premiered in Japan on 16 April 1988. For the Philippines, TMDB data lists a DVD release on 17 October 2017. A Philippine theatrical release date is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026.

Where to watch in the Philippines: the film is currently listed for streaming on Netflix and Netflix Kids. That makes it easy to find for both adults and younger viewers on kid-friendly profiles. A trailer is also available if you want a preview before you press play.

Trailer

Cast

  • Noriko HidakaNoriko Hidakaas Satsuki Kusakabe (voice)
  • Chika SakamotoChika Sakamotoas Mei Kusakabe (voice)
  • Hitoshi TakagiHitoshi Takagias Totoro (voice)
  • Shigesato ItoiShigesato Itoias Tatsuo Kusakabe (voice)
  • Sumi ShimamotoSumi Shimamotoas Yasuko Kusakabe (voice)
  • Tanie KitabayashiTanie Kitabayashias Granny (voice)
  • Toshiyuki AmagasaToshiyuki Amagasaas Kanta Ogaki (voice)
  • Yuko MaruyamaYuko Maruyamaas Kanta's Mother (voice)

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

Where can I watch My Neighbor Totoro in the Philippines?
My Neighbor Totoro is listed for streaming in the Philippines on Netflix and Netflix Kids.
When was My Neighbor Totoro released in the Philippines?
The film premiered in Japan on 16 April 1988. For the Philippines, TMDB lists a DVD release on 17 October 2017. A Philippine theatrical release date is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026.
Who is in the cast of My Neighbor Totoro?
The original Japanese voice cast includes Noriko Hidaka as Satsuki, Chika Sakamoto as Mei, Hitoshi Takagi as Totoro, Shigesato Itoi as the father Tatsuo, Sumi Shimamoto as the mother Yasuko and Tanie Kitabayashi as Granny.
What is the plot of My Neighbor Totoro?
Two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to the countryside with their father to be near their mother, who is staying in a hospital. In the forest around their new home, they discover Totoros, gentle magical spirits of the woods.
How long is My Neighbor Totoro?
My Neighbor Totoro has a runtime of 86 minutes.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

Viewer comments

Loading comments…