20+ Top My Neighbor Totoro Gift Ideas Fans Will Love
Official Totoro Merchandise
Not only is My Neighbour Totoro one of my all-time favourite animations – but Studio Ghibli, the studio that created it – is up there with Pixar in my eyes. I absolutely love Totoro, and over the years have amassed quite a collection of My Neighbour Totoro figures, plushes, and merchandise, while also buying many gifts for friends that also love it.
Most of us know about the classic My Neighbour Totoro gifts you can buy online, but this post will hopefully shed some light on the lesser know gift ideas and treasures that are out there ready to be found by the avid Totoro collector.
Official Totoro Merchandise
It can be tricky trying to tell which awesome gift ideas are official and which are not. The film itself was released in 1988, so many of the original items are long since discontinued, and there has been plenty of time for the unofficial merchandise to sweep through the interwebs.
**Christmas 2018 Update**
Stop the press! This almost slipped me by! 3rd December 2018 there will be a 30th Anniversary Edition of My Neighbour Totoro released!
This will include a box set of the blu-ray, the artbook, art prints, bag, and more. Check it out on Amazon (Amazon Link).
Totoro Books
The Art of My Neighbor Totoro
If you are buying for yourself or a Totoro-loving friend, then the first question you need to ask yourself is – do they like books? If they do, then there is a good chance they absolutely love the Art of My Neighbor Totoro book! It includes stunning artwork from the concept art and the production, it is one of the best official merchandise items you can buy, and the hardback gives it a real collectors feel.
My Neighbor Totoro – The Novel
This is a novel version of the original cartoon, so don’t expect a lot of extra character development or sections that were cut from the film, as this did come after the animation, but it does include some original artwork from Hayao Miyazaki himself
The beloved animation classic by legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro is now retold in novel form. This prestige edition features original illustrations by Miyazaki himself, accompanying a story written by veteran children’s book author Tsugiko Kubo. Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. The girls explore their sprawling old house and the forest and fields that surround it. Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds – and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another.
My Neighbor Totoro Picture Book (Hardcover)
If you’d rather look at pretty pictures than have to read the novelisation, then this is the thing for you. A beautiful hardcover book containing illustrations that come directly from the film. A great way for kids and parents to relive the adventure without having to watch it.
Check Price on Amazon
The companion book to the beloved animation classic My Neighbor Totoro, legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. Featuring artwork taken directly from the movie, this updated edition will allow parents and children to relive Totoro’s magical adventure
Toys, Figures & Figurines
My Neighbor Totoro 3D Puzzle Figure Thingy
I hope you like my descriptive title! This is fantastic and I found it purely by chance on Play-asia.com. This is a 3D puzzle that creates a figure, not a traditional flat 2D puzzle. Currently, they only list a medium Totoro, so I’m wondering if there will be more sizes on the way. This is made from PVC, has 11 pieces and stands approximately 55mm tall when built.
This is great on many levels, you get to build it, you get a displayable figure once it’s done and it’s not too big, so you’ll be able to find a little place to display it. Sounds like a winner all round to me. Check it out on Play-asia.com if you’re interested.
Amazing Totoro Craft Ideas
If you want a closer look at the beautiful and crafty Totoro gifts, then take a look at Totoro Gifts for Craft Lovers over on Made with Joy. There is a beautiful hand-made feel to traditional animation, and perhaps that is one reason why people that love the film, also enjoy a bit of art and crafts.
Awesome Gift Ideas from Etsy
Sure, sometimes you want official gifts, but there are plenty of talented creators and artisans out there that have made fantastic unofficial My Neighbour Totoro gifts that you can buy. If you already have all the official merchandise, then maybe somewhere like Etsy is worth a look.
The Best Gift Ideas You Didn’t Know Existed
Sometimes the best ideas are the ones you had never heard of, that jump out at you with the surprise you’d expect from a surprise party when it’s not even your birthday! Yeah, REALLY surprising! these are the treasures that you wouldn’t find without the help of a trusted guide to help you. Let us be that guide as we show you the best My Neighbour Totoro gift Ideas you didn’t know existed!
My Neighbor Totoro 3D Puzzle Figure Thingy
I hope you like my descriptive title! This is fantastic and I found it purely by chance on Play-asia.com. This is a 3D puzzle that creates a figure, not a traditional flat 2D puzzle. Currently, they only list a medium Totoro, so I’m wondering if there will be more sizes on the way. This is made from PVC, has 11 pieces and stands approximately 55mm tall when built.
This is great on many levels, you get to build it, you get a displayable figure once it’s done and it’s not too big, so you’ll be able to find a little place to display it. Sounds like a winner all round to me. Check it out on Play-asia.com if you’re interested.
*We got ours from Play-asia.com, let us know where you get yours.
CATBUS!
My Neighbor Totoro CATBUS!! 3D Puzzle
I love Totoro, but I think I may be even more excited about the CATBUS 3D puzzle/figure. Everyone loves Catbus don’t they!? I have a friend that would go crazy for this guy!
The Catbus 3D puzzle is from the same range as the medium Totoro, it is made out of a tough slightly rubbery plastic. It is probably vinyl, but I don’t understand the Japanese that adorns the box. Sorry about that. What I do know, is that it has 18 pieces. Those 18 pieces fit together to create this beautiful version of the Catbus from the film.
This is made by Ensky and has the ‘Approved by Studio Ghibli’ sticker on the box. I assume that is true 🙂
We are going to post a full review and build soon.
You can check the current price on Play-Asia.com
*We got ours from Play-asia.com, let us know where you get yours.
The Catbus Returns
Catbus returns once again, and again in puzzle form! This time it is sheets of card that interlock layer by layer to give the effect of a 3D Catbus.
The effect is almost a lower resolution than a typical figure, so may well appeal to people that like retro games and the like, as the blocky stepping of the design, give it a pixelated 8bit or 16bit feel.
I have previously seen this on Amazon, but can no longer find it. I have included a link to Play-Asia, but it seems to be out of print on that site.
The Best of Etsy
If you’re buying gifts for yourself, then you have likely heard of Etsy, but if you are buying for a loved one or acquaintance then you may not have heard of them. Etsy is similar to eBay, in that it is more of a marketplace than an actual online shop. It has hundreds of thousands of sellers that sell their items to you, via the Etsy shop front.
The way Etsy is different to say, eBay, is that there is a strong emphasis on DIY items, art and crafts, and the hand-made.
Things you buy on Etsy tend to be one of a kind or made to order, rather than mass-produced. If you don’t know of it yet, then enjoy browsing 🙂
Wooden Totoro jewellery box
If you like Totoro (which you likely do if you are reading this), then why not buy a wooden jewellery box for all your Totoro jewellery and accessories!?
This cute little wooden box is made from what looks like laser-cut ply and is customisable, with a choice of different dimensions.
The Listing states:
Advantages of our organizer:
– Compactness (it does not take up much space on your desk);
– Functionality (2 small drawers and 1 large (in each drawer there are 2 compartments) + a large platform on top of the organizer);
– Design (it’s not just nice to use, it’s just nice to look at);
– Simplicity (ready to use directly from the box);
– The possibility of customization (we have a wide range of available designs, but if they do not suit you we will create a new one based on your wishes);
Engraved Wooden box
The creator calls this “Tonari no Totoro”
The design on the top is burned by using a technique called pyrography, where the wood is burned with the design – similar to laser engraving.
The designer says:
Once I was asked, if I could make such picture as I made on the top of the box. I liked this idea, I modified the original art, and this box was born.
Made of natural wood. Picture was made with pyrography (woodburning), hadmade. Dimensions are 21Ń…10.5Ń…9 cm (8,3×3.9×3,6 inch)
My Neighbor Totoro –Â Russian Nesting Dolls
How about your very own set of Russian nesting dolls – also known as Matryoshka dolls.
The set includes various size Totoro and even a Catbus.
Great gift idea for the avid Matryoshka doll, or Totoro collector.
My Neighbour Totoro –Â Engraved Wedding ring
If you are looking for a Totoro gift for a true fan, that you also plan to marry, then perhaps ring engraved with Totoro will really seal the deal!
From Etsy:
This is a flat polished black tungsten carbide ring with an adorable My Neighbor Totoro design featuring a couple in love. This is an awesome engraved ring for lovers of the anime. The design is engraved once by default but can be made to surround the entire ring as well.
The best gifts if money was no object
What do you do when you have all the other Totoro and Studio Ghibli merchandise money can buy, but you still have so much money, you don’t know what to do with it all?
After crying into your golden-thread handkerchief and wallowing in self-pity at your overabundance of first world problems, you probably buy these amazing trinkets!
The above image is from an Etsy seller, and it is priced at ÂŁ692!
Well, it is lovely.
This is certainly a work of miniature art, and can we really put a price on art? If you want to check out this piece or others by the same artist click here: Etsy
