Essays on My Neighbor Totoro

The Japanese term ‘shojo’/‘shoujo’ is translated to English as ‘a girl’ or ‘a young girl’ (Anime-Planet, “Shoujo Anime”). The word is widely accepted in Japan in purpose of one anime genre’s description. This word is in use when we talk about Shojo culture – genre of Japanese art of animation with the young girls as the main characters in manga comics and anime movies. Shojo culture was created at the beginning of the previous century and it went through some changes from its beginning. Shojo art pieces might be based on the fantasy or reality; some are ...

Hayao Miyazaki does not like to give interviews and as a great cinema master he is permitted to avoid them. However, judging by those interviews available, it is possible to conclude that he appears to be rather pessimistic in respect to the future, in general. This is rather interesting, since his cinematic works do not have any element of pessimism. Instead, the majority of his movies provide viewers with the glimpse of hope. For instance in Spirited Away, Chihiro manages to survive the hardship without any complaints and even proposes a fantastic ability to deal with them effectively. In ...

It is considered that Hayao Miyazaki does not like to give interviews and therefore avoids them. However, judging by those interviews available, it is possible to conclude that he appears to be rather pessimistic in respect to the future in general. This is rather interesting, since his cinematic works do not have any element of pessimism. Instead, the majority of his movies provide viewers with the glimpse of hope. For instance in Spirited Away, Chihiro manages to survive the hardship without any complaints and the ability to deal with them adequately. In case with Howl’s Moving Castle, the ...

Introduction

The film, my neighbor Totoro presents us with how reality can be viewed. Unlike other films, the characters in this book constitute animals. Miyazaki, an author of the book believes that reality can be viewed from a more direct experience. The way the book is organized is an indication of the confidence Miyazaki has in his claims. Miyazaki claims that he is not interested in religion but that he is interested in “spirits” in Japanese way of life (Mccarthy 121). At the superficial value, the statement may look unreligious, an antichrist and associated with cult. However, as I would explore ...