The sequel was first released in Japan in 2003 and is regularly shown at Ghibli Museum [103] but has not been released on home video. In Japan, My Neighbor Totoro initially sold 801,680 tickets and earned a distribution rental income of ¥588 million in 1988. In 2004, Walt Disney Pictures produced a new English dub of My Neighbor Totoro to be released after the rights to the Streamline dub had expired. Trevor Johnston from Time Out also awarded the film five stars, commenting on its "delicate rendering of the atmosphere" and its first half that "delicately captures both mystery and quietness". The first word that comes to mind when describing the books is magical; yes, as magical as the film.

The companion book to the beloved animation classic My Neighbor Totoro, by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyaza. For instance, unlike the film, Satsuki, the first born, was comparatively older and more mature in the book than in the film.However, complaints aside, more mature readers should be able to identify almost immediately the artsy and grandiloquent writing chops harnessed and displayed here sufficiently by Mrs. I have this an extra star because of the actual book itself, a lovely hardback, great illustrations, and compact. Ultimately, this works better as a supplement than a substitute for the film and is unlikely to attract a new audience unfamiliar with the original. Told mostly from the view of 11 year old Satsuki, it explores the challenges of moving to a new house and having an ill family member. The film's central character Totoro was used as a mascot by the Japanese campaign "Totoro Hometown Fund Campaign", which aimed to preserve areas of satoyama in Saitama Prefecture.

The girls discover that a planned visit by their mother has been postponed because of a setback in her treatment. Don't get me wrong, there is that magical feel of adventure with Totoro and company but the struggles of country living, mixed with school, medical fees and work commutes plays out more strongly here. The film has left such an impression on me that when the printed copy was released, I immediately availed myself a copy. Following the request of the paper's authors, the species was named for the character because he "uses a many-legged animal as a vehicle, which according to the collectors resembles a velvet worm". Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds--and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another.In 2013, Eoperipatus totoro, a species of velvet worm that was discovered in Vietnam, was named after Totoro. As the narrative has already been set out in the movie, it is no surprise that the book’s writing style was simple and straightforward. The book itself is a beautifully presented hardback, and scattered throughout are gorgeous illustrations, that I think really add to the overall experience.