Today is a very good day for fans of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. At long last, the magnificent masterpiece My Neighbor Totoro, and the marvelous Howl’s Moving Castle, are available on Blu-ray! And as part of the celebration, GeekMom has a fantastic giveaway pack for 2 lucky readers!
But first, let’s discuss Totoro. Released in 1988, this edition marks the 25th anniversary of the film. Let’s all pause for a second while I cry violently over my keyboard, hitch sobbing, “Where did the time go?”
If you’ve been a fan of the film from the start, then you probably remember the first English dub – where, sadly, the main character Satsuki was unfortunately and cringingly pronounced “sat-SOO-ki.” (Proper pronunciation is “SOT-ski.”) The film was re-dubbed in 2005 by Disney, with real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning playing the lead characters Satsuki and Mei. Around these parts, we prefer this re-recording. I was so glad when the film was re-dubbed, but that’s just me. I know many families with children who grew up watching that original run-and-gun dub session, and are absolutely devoted to it.
For me, well… I used to be the writer for a show called Ninja Warrior, otherwise known as Sasuke. So I’m a little touchy about Japanese pronunciation. It makes me crazy when people say “sah-SOO-kay” instead of “SAH-skay.” This anniversary edition of Totoro contains the 2005 re-dub.
Whenever other parents ask me what movies I recommend for a child’s first feature film experience- Totoro tops my list. Totoro was Vivienne’s first film in a movie theater, and last year I spoke with today.com about the importance of Ghibli in my home life. I’m always surprised to discover that despite knowing the Academy Award winner Spirited Away, many people still have no experience with the many other Studio Ghibli films, much less the wonderful, magical Totoro. It’s always a pleasure to introduce someone to the catalog.
Totoro isn’t just a great movie – it can provide you with such an enchanted jumping off point for play-acting with a toddler. You’ll totally see the world in a different manner. Any acorn could have been dropped by a Totoro, any huge looming tree could contain a door to where the spirits of the forest live, and any strong wind might be a catbus flying over your head. A friend of mine recently sent us some lavender seeds in a tiny planting kit that happened to grow quite fast! One foggy morning we checked the pot to find tiny sprouts peeking up out of the dirt, and my daughter exclaimed, “Totoro was here!!! Totoro was here!!”
Also available on blu-ray this week is Howl’s Moving Castle. This came on the heels of Spirited Away, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
I have a personal connection to this film – I have a small, cough-and-you’ll-miss-me role in the film. I was lovingly referred to as “Girl C” in the script, and play the girl in blue working at the hat shop in the beginning of the film. You can hear me clearly as the movie starts – I’m the low, raspy voice talking about Howl ripping out a young girl’s heart. As a Miyazaki fan, I about died when I was cast in this film and became part of the Ghibli family. And in case that wasn’t enough, the day I recorded at Disney, the incomparable Jean Simmons came in for her session right afterwards. I was introduced to her, we had a lovely chat, and then I was allowed to stay and watch her perform.
I would officially recommend this film for children who are five or six, but frankly, Vivi has been watching it since she was a little over two, and I have a friend who’s son has been obsessed with this movie since he was very little. You know your child best of all, so as with any film, I would watch it first to see if they would dig it or be freaked out by chickenfooted castles that walk, or obese witches of the waste, and gauge it from there. I love strong Sophie who isn’t afraid to tell people what she thinks, and how she presents a brave face to every challenge thrown her way.
To see these films in HD is a Ghibli fan’s dream. And I’m so excited that GeekMom gets to giveaway not one but TWO packets containing:
• 1 Blu-ray Combo Pack of My Neighbor Totoro
• 1 Blu-ray Combo Pack of Howl’s Moving Castle
• 1 My Neighbor Totoro 7″ Plush
• 1 Paperback Copy of Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata
• 1 Hardcover Copy of The Art of My Neighbor Totoro: A Film by Hayao Miyazaki
• 1 $20 VISA Gift Card for Movie Snacks
To be eligible for the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below. Tell us who your favorite Ghibli character is! Or tell us if you’re new to the films. Remember to submit and double-check your email address, since that’s how we’ll let you know if you’ve won! The winner will be randomly chosen from all of the entries. The contest is open to U.S. residents from now through Friday, May 24th, and the winner must respond within 48 hours of prize notification or will have to forfeit! Good luck!
Moro
We love the Catbus! And, omg, just found out that there’s a Kittenbus, in a short film only on view at the Ghibli Museum. Did you get to see it?
I’m new to Studio Ghibli, but I would love to see “Grave of the Fireflies”.
i loved totoro!
We love Catbus!
Oh I would love to win one of these packs. My daughter is turning two this weekend, and this post reminded me that I really wanted to show her Totoro. I think now is the perfect time. Thanks!
Porco Rosso!
i’m new to the films!
My son would absolutely love this! He loves Studio Ghibli! 🙂
Princess Mononoke!
Spirited away
Nausicaa – my introduction into the world of Studio Ghibli and still one of my favorites.
Gotta be Ponyo!
Gigi is my favorite
Ponyo is our favorite.
I grew up watching Totoro (the first English-dub) and I am obsessed with that movie till this day. My son on the other hand loves Ponyo, he has watched that movie over 15x.
Love love LOVE Totoro! I have a stuffed Catbus on the shelf in my office, in fact!
I’m a fan of Kiki, I’ve always been partial to magic and she just catches my attention with that hello kittyesque red bow
Our family’s favorite is definitely Ponyo. But now that we’ve got a big sister/little sister situation, I think Totoro will probably surpass!
We love Kiki here! So funny and sweet!
Big, big Ghibli fans! Still awed by Howl’s Moving Castle–such an achievement.
I love Studio Ghibli! My current fave character is Chihiro!
My son loves Ponyo (we love her chicken feet!); my daughter loves Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away; I love Princess Mononoke but don’t think the mini’s are quite ready for it.
I’m a big fan of Kiki 🙂 My son’s favorite so far is Ponyo.
I can’t choose a favorite! Totoro, Ponyo, and Kiki would be the top three for me, though I love all the characters!
we all have our favorites. my daughter loves Kiki and on her 4th birthday insisted on a Kiki haircut and a red bow. my litttle son of 2 loves Totoro and giggles everytime when Totoro cringes up when the raindrops fall on the umbrella. i get teased that i drive as crazy as Sosuke’s mom… but i just think my family is jelous of my superior driving skills lol
I love characters like Ashitaka, and I’m very fond of Howl. My 3 year old son loves Ponyo and Kiki!
I’ve been meaning to watch the classic Ghibli movies. I really want to, but no one wants to share their copies. This would be perfect for me!
My daughter answered, “Ponyo!” right away when I asked her. I, personally, love Totoro!
I love Miyazaki movies and although we don’t have them all we have a good collection started. I’m glad I’ve gotten to share them with my girls… So this is tricky trying to pick a favorite character. But I can’t help loving Calcifer.
My kids and I love the soot sprites. No idea why, but we cheer whenever they come onscreen. I was able to find some soot sprites keychains recently, so apparently we aren’t the only fans out there. Thanks for doing this contest!
Catbus! No, really, it’s Ponyo, but how do you not love the catbus? Ponyo is amazing, though. So open and wonderful. My daughter eats ham because of her.
My favorite is Princess Mononoke, the wolf girl who is powerful without anyone else’s help for the most part, and she defends her family.
Totoro for sure!
Totoror is the core and it all flows from there for my family.
I love Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke! He’s so compassionate and he’s always willing to risk his life for the ones he cares about. He is truly a selfless character. He’s not a perfect human, but none of the Ghibli characters are. That’s one aspect that make their movies stand out from the others. He has personal and selfish issues, but eventually learns to put them aside to do what’s right. He’s not good or evil, he’s both. And that’s what makes him so great. The movie Princess Mononoke itself can be described this way. It’s an amazing achievement in filmmaking and in my top five films of all time. I’ve known about Ghibli for around three years now and my life has been much better because of their films.
I’m new to the films!
I am the biggest Totoro fan!
I love Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle. This would be an amazing collection to win!
Totoro, Toooo-tooooo-ro. ^.^ I love the soot balls. And Howl’s Moving Castle is the bomb-diggity.