My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook by Studio Ghibli

A charming cookbook featuring recipes for the delicious food seen in the classic Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio Ghibli’s films beautifully showcase the deep connection between Japanese culture and food, bringing animated meals to life with stunning detail. Given the studio’s emphasis on the joy of cooking and sharing meals, it’s only fitting that a cookbook inspired by My Neighbor Totoro makes its way to eager fans and food lovers alike. Now, audiences can recreate these beloved dishes in their kitchens, savoring the flavors that have enchanted them on screen.

Studio Ghibli’s movies feature enticing food that has been animated in gorgeous detail. With My Neighbor Totoro: The Official Cookbook, fans are invited to recreate these delicious recipes in their own homes!

Featuring step-by-step instructions and photography, this charming cookbook provides recipes for the delectable dishes seen in the movie, including Satsuki’s Homemade Bento, Moving Day Caramels, and Granny’s Ohagi. The book will also teach readers how to cook the fresh vegetables grown in Granny’s garden. Additional recipes inspired by the movie, such as Soot Gremlin Donuts and Acorn-Shaped Sweet Potato Snacks, are sure to delight all. Interspersed throughout this cookbook are numerous images and a retelling of the movie’s key moments.

This book is perfect for all fans of the classic movie who want to bring a little bit of Studio Ghibli’s magic into their homes and onto their dining tables.

Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, has produced 24 feature films, many topping Japan’s box office. Classics like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke rank among Japan’s highest-grossing films. The studio has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Spirited Away and four consecutive Oscar nominations. It co-founded the Ghibli Museum in 2001. The Boy and the Heron (2023) won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Oscar for Best Animated Feature. In 2024, Ghibli received an Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Studio Ghibli treats food as more than just sustenance—it’s a storytelling device, a symbol of comfort, community, and culture. Meals in Ghibli films are depicted with incredible detail, making them feel almost tangible. Whether it’s a simple homemade bento, a steaming bowl of ramen, or a lavish feast, food scenes often carry emotional weight, reinforcing themes of love, nostalgia, and togetherness.

Key Aspects of Food in Ghibli Films:

1. Symbol of Comfort & Care
   Food is often an expression of love and nurturing. In My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki prepares a bento for her younger sister Mei, showing her affection and responsibility. In Spirited Away, Haku gives Chihiro a rice ball to help her regain strength, symbolizing his care and protection.
2. Connection to Tradition & Nature
   Many Ghibli films emphasize fresh, home-cooked meals made with seasonal ingredients. Only Yesterday and From Up on Poppy Hill highlight simple yet meaningful dishes tied to Japanese culture, while My Neighbor Totoro showcases the beauty of farm-grown produce.
3. Transformation & Growth
   Food often plays a role in character development. Chihiro’s reluctant eating in Spirited Away reflects her initial insecurity, while her later ability to eat and appreciate food signifies her growth and acceptance of the spirit world.
4. Contrast Between Good & Evil
   Ghibli films sometimes use food to contrast innocence and greed. The gluttonous feast that turns Chihiro’s parents into pigs in Spirited Away serves as a critique of overindulgence, while the modest meals enjoyed by kind-hearted characters emphasize gratitude and simplicity.
5. A Celebration of Everyday Life
   Even the most ordinary meals—like breakfast in Howl’s Moving Castle or ramen in Ponyo—are depicted with mouthwatering detail, turning simple moments into something magical and heartwarming.

It’s awesome that this Totoro cookbook is labeled a “children’s cooking picture book” because it means extra fun for young chefs and learners! Every kanji character comes with phonetic readings, making it super easy to follow along—even if you’re still learning Japanese. Unlike some grown-up books that skip this, the furigana helps you read the words and look up new ones without a struggle. So, whether you’re whipping up tasty treats or picking up new Japanese skills, this book makes it a total adventure!