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!
Spirited Away is my wonderfully weird favorite. But then, I haven’t seen Totoro yet! 🙂
Totoro! my little man loves Totoro too 🙂 he even has his little own Totoro costume!
My kids really love Ponyo.
My favorite character (from my fave Ghibli film!) is Chihiro from Spirited Away.
My introduction to the studio was with Princess Mononoke, so I have a soft spot for the characters in that movie, but I love Chihiro from Spirited Away.
Sasuki is my favorite Miyazaki character. I admire her bravery and positive attitude in the face of adversity.
I have not seen them.
We love Ponyo, and the Catbus is always a favorite!
My soon to be four year old is growing up on Ghibli!! I don’t know if I can pick a favorite, but I do so love Calcifer from ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’!!
Ponyo!
Ponyo was our family’s first introduction into the studio’s movies and still a big favorite with totoro a close second. I love the mom in Ponyo she is so loving, strong, and laid back. I wish I could be a bit more like her. My girls run around the house singing the theme songs to Totoro and Ponyo all the time.
My favorite from all the Studio Ghibli characters is Howl. Hands down. My fictional character crush 🙂
I love Ponyo;it was my daughter’s first real movie!
Mononoke Hime and Lady Eboshi will always be my favorites!
We love Totoro!
My favorite is Calcifer, the witty and snarky fire demon. However my husband’s favorite is Princess Mononoke-hime and will tear thinking about the movie specifically all the things Mononoke-hime has to over come.
I was always rather smitten with the dog in Howl’s Moving Castle. I knew there was something up with that pup from the moment it entered the scene!
I love Gigi most of all but Ponyo and Howl are a close second and third.
I love Totoro. It’s the theme of my son’s nursery and our master bathroom! When we went to the Ghibli museum in 2010 I was able to give them some of my sculpture in tribute to my favorite Miyazaki films.
Nausicaä! Saving the world.
Chihiro from Spirited Away, though I love all of them!
Kiki’s Delivery Service shot to number 1 when my daughter came running to me during her first viewing and said “MOM! Girls can save the day too!”
Sophie and Howl are my favs by far!
My favorite character is Nausicaa. She’s just so darn cool and loyal and courageous. But my favorite Ghibli movie is Castle In The Sky. 🙂
Thanks!
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My favorite character is Chihiro.
I have only seen a couple of Ghibli films but so far my favorite character is Princess Mononoke!
Our family has just discovered studio Ghibli this year. So far we absolutely love totoro, Kiki, and ponyo.
My favorite character has to be Mei from My Neighbor Totoro. “Creepy!”
It’s really hard to pick a favorite character from all the movies we’ve seen. My kids have a favorite character in each movie. May from Totoro, Jiji from Kiki, Calicifer from Howl’s, and Ponyo’s Mom from Ponyo (her driving cracks them up!)
There are so many wonderful characters that it’s hard to pick just one, but one of my favorites is Dola from Castle in the Sky.
My 3yr old daughter and I love Ponyo!
Totoro! He is just so cute and snuggly! 🙂
Ponyo or totoro! All Such lovely films!
I’m new to these, but excited to give them a try! Hubby and I are always looking for good new geeky entertainment for our toddler!
Ponyo was our first Ghibli movie so that remains the one near and dear to my heart.
🙂
I’m new to Totoro but I would like to watch it with my daughter and grand daughter; I know they love it.
I love Ponyo because The Little Mermaid is my favorite fairy tale.
I’d have to say “No Face” from Spirited Away. He’s a prime example of the complicated gray-area character that Miyazaki is so expert in creating – a conflicted, flawed, vulnerable, yet far from “bad,” and a wholly identifiable character that so many American children’s media seem to be unable to portray. I’m currently expecting my first and I can’t wait to show her Miyazaki’s films – so many positive and nuanced girl and women characters and heroines!
My youngest loves her Ponyo. So much that she has me hold her over my head and give her “Ponyo Kisses”. My older daughter loves Sophie. As someone who works with Seniors, I absolutely adore how Miyazaki portrays elders in his films.
Favorite? Favorite character? How can I pick one??? I love Sophie from Howl’s (but also Calcifer), and Jiji from Kiki’s, and my kids adore Mei from Totoro.
While I love so many characters, I think I’ll have to go with Chihiro.
This may sound creepy, but I live how scary NoFace is.
I dont know anything about the films, but would love to experience new things (other than Disney princess) for my girls. Thanks!
Chihiro from Spirited Away – the very first Ghibli movie I ever saw! 🙂
Oh man, I don’t know if I could pick just one favorite. I will say that my love for Totoro has been reawakened since I just watched it again the other day. The sisters remind me so much of my son, wild and free spirited but sensitive and sweet at the same time. He is 5 and I think he is ready for these amazing movies, finally! 🙂
I have always been a Totoro fan! For my birthday this year, I got myself a “Hello Neighbor” crossover shirt and some Totoro earrings to match it at a convention!
I love Studio Ghibli films! I would say my favorite character is Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle (followed by Calcifer). A long long time ago the then Sci Fi Channel would play Anime on the weekends and I would clean my room while I watched all of it. Now I have two children and I frequently show them Ghibli films. My now seven year old son and I saw the Ponyo dub in the theaters and bought the DVD as soon as it came out.
For us, it’s Totoro! We’re all big fans of Totoro in the Oliver home! Thanks for the chance. 🙂
Howl is my favorite
I caught Kiki’s Delivery Service as a repeat on TV when I was a kid – never knew it was Miyazaki until I ‘discovered’ Ghibli films in college. Still remember it vividly, so she really stuck with me! Love them all! Maybe Nausicaa as my favorite, and Sophie second, but Spirited Away was my first introduction, and the first that I introduce others to every time, so Chihiro is close.