26 ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Quotes Brimming with Quirk and Charm

Whether watching a movie or series, reading a book, or listening to music, we have all used escapism and our imaginations to travel to foreign lands and find reprieve from the stress of our busy lives. This reality is beautifully explored in the cult classic children's film "My Neighbor Totoro." Read 26 quotes from the film.

Another Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli masterpiece, the anime film "My Neighbor Totoro" focuses on two young sisters, Satsuki Kusakabe and Mei Kusakabe. They are voiced by real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, who befriend and go on adventures with a giant furry forest spirit called Totoro.

Their discovery and relationship with this spirit forms during transition and trauma within their family. Satsuki and Mei had moved to the countryside with their father to be closer to the hospital where their severely sick mother was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Read 26 quotes by these two sisters, their father, Tatsuo Kusakabe, their mother, and the elderly "Nanny."

An image of Mei and Satsuki Kusakabe with Satsuki’s quote: “Totoro, I beg you, please protect Mei.” | Source: youtube.com/CrunchyrollCollection

Satsuki Kusakabe Quotes

“I hate boys! But I love Nanny’s food better than anything else in the whole wide world.” — Satsuki Kusakabe

"We'll have to share your roof for a while, sir, if you don't mind." — Satsuki Kusakabe

“We thought you might not be too happy about the house being filled with spooks.” — Satsuki Kusakabe

"Hide!..Whoops. I thought that was a policeman. Hello!" — Satsuki Kusakabe

“Totoro, I beg you, please protect Mei.” — Satsuki Kusakabe

An image of Mei and Satsuki Kusakabe with Satsuki’s quote: "We'll have to share your roof for a while, sir, if you don't mind.” | Source: facebook.com/GhibliUSA

Tatsuo Kusakabe Quotes

"Hi, sorry I'm late...my train was delayed so I had to wait for the next bus. Were you worried?" — Tatsuo Kusakabe

“Everybody, try laughing. Then whatever scares you will go away!” — Tatsuo Kusakabe

"Normally you can't see soot gremlins, but every once in a while when you go from a bright place to a dark one you can catch a glimpse of them." — Tatsuo Kusakabe

“I also believe that you met the King of the Forest, Mei, and meeting him is a sign of good luck. But there’s no guarantee that you’ll see him all the time.” — Tatsuo Kusakabe

An image of Tatsuo Kusakabe with his quote: "I've always wanted to have a haunted house. It's been my lifelong dream!” | Source: facebook.com/GhibliUSA

"You must have seen one of the spirits of the forest, and that means you're a very lucky girl. You can only see the spirits if they want you to. Let's go give them a proper greeting." — Tatsuo Kusakabe

“Trees and people used to be good friends. I saw that tree and decided to buy the house. Hope Mom likes it too.” — Tatsuo Kusakabe

"I've always wanted to have a haunted house. It's been my lifelong dream!” — Tatsuo Kusakabe

Mei Kusakabe Quotes

“Can some ghosts live upstairs?” — Mei Kusakabe

An image of Mei Kusakabe with her quote: “Do you like spirits, Mommy? Even fuzzy ones?” | Source: facebook.com/GhibliUSA

"Well Mei, so much for bringing dad his umbrella." — Mei Kusakabe

“To-to-ro? You’re Totoro!..I bet you’re Totoro…" — Mei Kusakabe

“Do you like spirits, Mommy? Even fuzzy ones?” — Mei Kusakabe

Nanny Quotes

“It isn’t the end of the world. Your old Nanny’s here to help. Let’s see that beautiful smile.” — Nanny

"If the soot gremlins decide you're nice people, they won't harm you. And eventually, they'll go away." — Nanny

An image of Nanny with her quote: “Your old Nanny’s here to help. Let’s see that beautiful smile.” | Source: facebook.com/GhibliUSA

"Kanta is such a dirty kid; he can always use a good drenching." — Nanny

“If we all keep smiling, the sprites may gradually go away and leave this place alone. Yes, I’m sure that somewhere up in that ceiling, they’re busily discussing plans for leaving the house.” — Nanny

“Your old Nanny’s here to help. Let’s see that beautiful smile.” — Nanny

More ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Quotes

"It's collapsing!" It's collapsing!" — Mei and Satsuki

“You’d better be careful after I get home because I intend to spoil them rotten for a while.” — Yasuko Kusakabe

An image of Totoro, Mei, and Satsuki Kusakabe with Yasuko Kusakabe’s quote: “I could've sworn that I saw both of the girls up in the treetop, laughing.” | Source: facebook.com/GhibliUSA

Although it was released in 1988, the film remains beloved worldwide and won five awards when it was released. These were Special Awards from the 1989 Blue Ribbon Awards, an award for Best Film at the 1989 Kinema Junpo Awards, where it also took home the Readers Choice Award and two Mainichi Film Concours in that same year.

Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki are synonymous with releasing some of the most breathtaking and well-written Japanese animation films. Read 22 quotes from another one of their movies, "Ponyo."