Set in rural Japan during the 1950s, Tatsuo Kusakabe and his two daughters, Mei and Satsuki, have moved to the country to be near their ailing mother who resides at a local hospital. As the girls explore their surroundings, the younger sibling, Mei, believes that the forest is inhabited by magical creatures, much to the amusement of her father and sister. However, one day Mei gets lost in the forest and discovers a group of Totoros - protectors of the forest. Eventually Mei convinces Satsuki to find out more...

There's hardly anything I would improve about this film. The visuals, concepts, soundtrack, characters, pace, humour and animation are all some of the best I've ever seen in any film; I was worried the hype would ruin it for me, as it always does, but not even the group of kids in the theatre who wouldn't stop loudly talking could ruin it for me. It is visually engaging and find out more...