ID this anime

A few years ago I saw this movie in Japanese language class, but I didn’t catch the name of it. The main protagonist was a young girl, and she finds this big furry bunny Pikachu-looking creature with a big silly grin in the woods. It used a leaf for an umbrella and it could fly too. There was also an orange flying cat bus. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, I got the feeling it’s pretty famous. It was all in Japanese with no subtitles so I couldn’t really tell what was going on, but damnit it was good.

Any help?

  • Mike

That’s an anime directed by the very famous Hayao Miyazaki called My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro). Some of his other films you’ve probably heard about include Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away).

Thank you!

  • Mike

And don’t forget the just released Castle in the Sky, Laputa!
My personal favorite.

not to mention Kiki’s delivery service.

I love Hayao Miyazaki. I saw Flying Island of Laputa when I was really young and was blown away. I didn’t know what it was for years and then one day my brother turned up with it on video. I love that film. Has anyone seen “Tombstone for Fireflies”. Its not by Miyazaki but by his Studio Ghibli. I’ve heard its great but i’m not sure if i’d shell out for it.
Mogi

GoF is not as, um, “magical” as the rest of those. In fact, it’s pretty depressing. Wonderful movie, though.