Scary Totoro

The films produced by Studio Ghibli have long been favourites of those studying Japanese, not only for the enigma of whether Nausicaa was wearing pants or not, but also for the inspiring characters, imaginative storylines and marvelous animation (just don't bother watching Geddo Senki - it sucked BIG TIME, although I did feel well rested after snoozing through most of the second half). The very name of the forest spirit "totoro" in Tonari no Totoro,  is young Mei-chan's mispronunciation of the Japanese word for troll, torōru (one less translation issue for those working on the Japanese version of Lord of the Rings). I also seem to recall that Mei, instead of saying tomorokoshi, said tomokoroshi, which is only amusing when you listen with your Japanese ear and realise that she transformed a "cob of corn"* into "friend-killer". And this segues into the real reason for the post - I just wanted an excuse to post the most disturbing Totoro image I have ever seen. If you value the innocence of childhood memories please don't click on this link. (thanks to Deas)

*トウモロコシ
**ともころし/友殺し

Comments

[Harvey]

That totoro image is nasty.
I was just in the Ghibli store in Osaka station over the weekend too... All those cute images have been washed fro my memory.

I didn't know that his name was her mispronunciation of tororu!

[Deas]

Anytime. Ha ha.

And I too didn't know that "Totoro" originated from Mei-chan's flubbed Japanese. Awww.

[Tom]

Throughout Geddo Senki I kept wondering why they were talking about a gold mine (金鉱). Odd how I thought of that way before 均衡 ever crossed my mind. Me stupid.

[Will]

Odd that you stayed awake long enough to contemplate that!

[Tian]

I was trying to find more info on this and your blog post was the only thing in English that came up. You may want to check this out: http://ameblo.jp/head-bad/entry-10027332335.html

[may hirase]

:'( that broke my heart so much. i shouldve heeded your warning but i was too curious. :'(