In 2023, Studio Ghibli’s official storefront unveiled an lovely plush toy that includes My Neighbor Totoro‘s four-year-old heroine dressed as one the movie’s most well-known spirit characters. Two years later, this hard-to-find toy has lastly returned to the store’s on-line catalog.
Per Donguri Sora, Studio Ghibli’s “kigurumi” (costumed) Mei plush options the character in a hooded Catbus outfit. As My Neighbor Totoro followers know nicely, the Catbus is a gigantic but pleasant feline who serves as transportation for the film’s titular icon. Standing roughly 10 inches tall, “Catbus Mei-chan” has a mushy, furry physique and a wide-eyed facial features. Her Catbus hood can also be detachable, permitting followers to see her pig-tailed coiffure beneath. Together with tax, the toy prices roughly 4,730 yen (US$31.94). Notably, it additionally has a Totoro-inspired counterpart that’s bought individually. Official pictures of each plushies may be seen under.
Studio Ghibli’s Cutest My Neighbor Totoro ‘Cosplay’ Plushie Returns to Official Retailer After 2 Years
In My Neighbor Totoro, Mei Kusakabe is the youthful sister of 10-year-old Satsuki Kusakabe. Written and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, the film is predicated loosely on childhood reminiscences of his time in the countryside whereas his mom was sick with tuberculosis. After shifting out of Tokyo with their father, Mei and Satsuki uncover that the woods round their new home are residence to many nature spirits that may solely be seen by kids. With bright-yellow eyes, mouse-shaped headlights and a Cheshire-like grin, the aforementioned Catbus is one in every of many unforgettable creatures that the 2 ladies encounter. As one in every of Totoro’s devoted companions, the Catbus even steps in to assist Mei and Satsuki throughout the movie’s heartwarming climax.
Through the years, Catbus has cultivated an icon standing that carefully rivals that of Totoro himself. That is evidenced by Donguri Sora’s catalog, which options many Catbus-inspired objects that bought revivals in 2025. Notable examples embody a six-piece mini-figure assortment, a 22-inch-long plush toy and Ghibli’s superbly crafted “Clock on a Pine Tree.” The latter merchandise doubles as a timepiece and a 3D recreation of a well-known My Neighbor Totoro movie scene. Moreover, electrical autos modeled after the Catbus are one of many major modes of transportation at Studio Ghibli’s official theme park in Nagakute, Japan. Every of those real-life “catbuses” carries as much as six passengers and may journey as much as 12 mph.
Donguri Sora’s most important web site doesn’t ship Ghibli’s merchandise outdoors of Japan. Nevertheless, official Ghibli merchandise is steadily bought by way of exterior retailers. On-line, Meccha Japan and Sugoi Mart are two amongst many main websites that carry licensed Ghibli merchandise. Within the U.S., Ghibli merchandise is out there in abundance at retailers equivalent to Sizzling Subject, BoxLunch, Barnes & Noble and Kunokuniya Books U.S. My Neighbor Totoro is out there to stream on Max or Netflix, with availability relying on the viewer’s respective location.
