Japanese city launches campaign to preserve the forest inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s “My Neighbor Totoro”

A city in Japan has launched a crowdfunding campaign to preserve the pristine forest, which was inspired by Hayao Miyazaki when he created his classic hand-drawn animation. My Neighbor Totoro.

The city of Tokorozawa, about 32 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, has developed a plan to raise 2.6 billion yen ($19 million) to buy 9 hectares of forest, known locally as Totoro Forest. The area, which is home to around 7,000 ancient oak trees, is set aside as a nature reserve for locals and anime pilgrims.

“This area is one of the places where director Miyazaki developed his ideas for Totoro after a walk there,” said a local Tokyo official. Japan Times Newspaper. My Neighbor TotoroReleased in 1988, it tells the story of the professor’s two daughters and their adventures in a mysterious but forest-loving spirit named Totoro in rural post-war Japan.

Miyazaki’s favorite Studio Ghibli is running a forest conservation campaign. Participants who donate 25,000 yen (US$185) to Tokorozawa’s efforts in the city will receive background art prints of Totoro of Ghibli. Initially, only 1,000 sets would be available to donors in Japan, but organizers said more would be made available if demand outstrips supply. Officials say they expect the crowdfunding exercise to cover only a small part of the land acquisition, but hope the effort will generate publicity and enthusiasm for the new nature conservation.

The works of Miyazaki, from Princess Mononoke This one inspiring For your latest functions The wind blowsImbued with respect for nature and a more connected agrarian way of life that once characterized Japanese culture.

Studio Ghibli’s first theme park, located within a 494-hectare natural park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, 90 miles east of Kyoto, will open in November. The 81-year-old animator is also working on what he says will be his last feature film. How is it goingan anime adaptation of Yoshino Genzaburo’s 1937 Japanese novel of the same name. Miyazaki’s longtime producer Toshio Suzuki said the director is making a movie for his grandson, saying, “Grandpa will soon move to the other world, but leave this movie to you.”

Source: Hollywood Reporter