My Neighbor Totoro poster

My Neighbor Totoro

198886 minutesG
4.7
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
8.1IMDb
🍅 94%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 87/100Metacritic
🎬 8.1TMDb
📊 10.7Popularity
🏆5 wins & 2 nominations total
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Two young girls, 10-year-old Satsuki and her 4-year-old sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuki and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures called Totoros (pronounced toe-toe-ro). They soon befriend these Totoros, and have several magical adventures.

Box Office

Budget:$3.7M
Revenue:$41.0M
Profit:$37.3M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score4.7/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

My Neighbor Totoro Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
10 min
4
Catalyst
20 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
30 min
7
B Story
40 min
8
Fun and Games
50 min
9
Midpoint
60 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
65 min
11
All Is Lost
70 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
75 min
13
Break Into Three
78 min
14
Finale
83 min
15
Final Image
86 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Satsuki and Mei move with their father to a countryside home. The house is old but charming, setting a tone of curiosity, warmth, and subtle anticipation.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

The story hints at themes of childhood wonder, family bonds, and the gentle magic of nature when Mei discovers small creatures near the home.

#3

Set-Up

10 min

The girls explore their new home and surrounding forest. They meet small magical spirits, establishing a world where nature and imagination coexist with their daily lives.

#4

Catalyst

20 min

Mei discovers Totoro, a large forest spirit. The magical world is revealed, and the girls’ lives are changed, introducing wonder and adventure.

#5

Debate

25 min

Satsuki is skeptical at first about Totoro and the magical happenings, questioning whether it is real or imagination. Mei insists on following her curiosity.

#6

Break Into Two

30 min

The sisters embrace the magical world, exploring the forest with Totoro and encountering flying creatures, deepening their connection to nature.

#7

B Story

40 min

Family bonds are reinforced as the girls learn about patience, empathy, and hope while their mother recovers from illness in the hospital.

#8

Fun and Games

50 min

Playful and magical sequences include the Catbus, forest exploration, and interacting with Totoro. Joy, wonder, and the charm of childhood take center stage.

#9

Midpoint

60 min

Mei goes missing, creating real tension. The stakes shift from playful exploration to fear and urgency, highlighting the fragility of childhood innocence.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

65 min

The girls and their father search frantically. The magical world is now a source of hope but also tension, as time is critical to finding Mei.

#11

All Is Lost

70 min

Mei is truly lost in the forest. Fear, panic, and uncertainty reach their peak, and the bond between the sisters is tested.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

75 min

Satsuki reflects on courage, hope, and the importance of family. She must act decisively to bring Mei home safely.

#13

Break Into Three

78 min

Satsuki and the Catbus launch a daring rescue of Mei, embracing the magical tools and allies at their disposal.

#14

Finale

83 min

Mei is safely returned. The sisters, father, and Totoro celebrate. Family, wonder, and magic are reaffirmed, blending reality with gentle fantasy.

#15

Final Image

86 min

The family is united and content. Totoro waves goodbye from the forest. Childhood wonder, family bonds, and the magic of nature endure.