In this Studio Ghibli movie, in the 1950s, two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to the countryside because their mom is in the hospital. While getting used to their new rural life, Mei discovers a small, rabbit-like creature in their yard. She chases it into the forest and comes across Totoro, a magical forest spirit that looks like a cat.
Soon, Satsuki also meets Totoro, and the sisters start having incredible adventures with magical beings in the forest.
If you enjoyed My Neighbor Totoro and want more anime that combines supernatural fantasy with everyday life, here are ten recommendations for you:
Anime Like My Neighbor Totoro
1. Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Ghibli
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Supernatural
The movie “Spirited Away,” also known as “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi,” follows the journey of a girl who gets stuck in a strange world and tries to rescue her parents to find her way back home.
Chihiro Ogino, a 10-year-old girl, and her parents stumble upon an abandoned theme park while moving to a new home. Odd things begin to occur once night falls. They encounter ghosts and even eat enchanted food that transforms Chihiro’s parents into pigs. These events are just the start of Chihiro’s adventure as she unwittingly enters a world of spirits and magic.
2. Momo e no Tegami (A Letter to Momo)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Production IG
- Genre: Drama, Supernatural
“Momo e no Tegami,” or “A Letter to Momo,” is about a young girl facing challenges in her new life and searching for answers in a mysterious letter from her father.
After her father unexpectedly passes away, 11-year-old Momo Miyaura and her mother leave Tokyo and move to a faraway island. Momo’s only keepsake from her father is a letter containing just two words.
Momo has to get used to living in old wooden houses, lonely farmlands, and a strange distant temple.
One day, while exploring the attic of their new home, she finds a picture book about youkai (supernatural creatures). After this discovery, strange things start to occur, and three mischievous youkai come into Momo’s life.
3. Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki (Wolf Children)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Chizu
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
“Wolf Children” is a touching tale set in a fantasy world. It’s about the struggles of a single mother as she raises her two unique children in a sometimes unfriendly modern society.
Hana, a hardworking college student, falls in love with a mysterious man who turns out to be a werewolf. But Hana’s love for him never wavers, and they decide to start a family together.
Hana gives birth to two healthy kids: Ame, born on a rainy day, and Yuki, born on a snowy day. Both of them can transform into wolves, just like their dad. However, a sudden tragedy takes their father away.
The pressure of raising their kids in the city while keeping their secret becomes too much for Hana. She makes the tough choice to move to the countryside, hoping that Ame and Yuki can live freely without hiding their true selves from society’s judgment.
4. Miyori no Mori (Miyori’s Forest)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Nippon Animation
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
When 11-year-old Miyori’s parents left her, she closed herself from the world and didn’t want to connect with anyone. She went to live with her grandmother, who lived near a big forest.
One day, Miyori decides to walk in the forest, even though it feels empty and lonely. But as she spends more time there, she notices strange and unique things happening. She begins to realize that the forest is hiding secrets and is much more than it appears to be.
5. Hotarubi no Mori e
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Brains Base
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Supernatural
“Hotarubi no Mori e” is a tale about friendship and understanding between two individuals who were never meant to meet – a human and a youkai (spirit or supernatural creature). Their lives become closely connected, even though they shouldn’t be.
Hotaru and Gin share moments together when they can. Hotaru, a human girl, grows up, while Gin, a youkai, doesn’t age. They both know that time is running out and they won’t be able to be together someday. Their time together is short but meaningful, leaving a mix of happiness and sadness in their hearts.
6. Natsume Yuujinchou
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Brains Base
- Genre: Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural
“Natsume Yuujinchou” is a story about everyday life mixed with the supernatural. It follows Natsume as he tries to help spirits bound by a contract made by his grandmother.
Takashi Natsume has a unique and somewhat scary secret involving youkai, which are invisible spirits. He inherited a special notebook called Yuujinchou from his grandmother. This notebook has the names of many spirits in it.
Now that Natsume has it, spirits want to be free from the notebook’s binding. Natsume meets a mysterious cat spirit named Madara, who later calls himself Nyanko-sensei and becomes his guardian. Together, they deal with the world of spirits and help them find freedom.
7. Mushishi
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Artland
- Genre: Drama, Seinen, Slice of Life, Supernatural
This anime series explores the connections between spirits, humans, and the natural world. They both excel in storytelling, character development, and evoking emotions. You could say that “Mushishi” is a more mature version of “My Neighbor Totoro.”
“Mushishi” follows the journey of Ginko, a traveler who goes from place to place, assisting people with issues tied to mystical and enigmatic creatures called Mushi, which exist alongside humans.
The show takes its time, with each episode presenting a standalone story, some darker while others lighter. These stories are set against breathtaking landscapes and enhanced by a beautiful musical score.
8. Nakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu (A Whisker Away)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Colorido
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Supernatural
Miyo Sasaki is a lively high school girl from a troubled family. She sees Kento Hinode as someone who can help her with her problems, so she doesn’t hesitate to express affection for him.
When Miyo doesn’t get Kento’s attention, she resorts to interacting with him while she’s in the form of a white cat. She’s gained a mysterious ability to do this.
However, Miyo soon realizes that she can’t solve Kento’s problems just by being a cat, and she finds herself facing a tough decision.
9. Hakumei to Mikochi
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Lerche
- Genre: Fantasy, Seinen, Slice of Life
“Hakumei to Mikochi” is about everyday life’s simple, magical moments. It follows two main characters who live in a tiny world that feels like a fairy tale.
Hakumei and Mikochi share a treehouse in a world where everyone is just a few inches tall. Hakumei is energetic and acts like a tomboy, working as a carpenter. On the other hand, Mikochi is calm and feminine, working as a tailor.
Even though they’re pretty different, they’re the best of friends. They enjoy their days together, working, exploring the forest, and going on fun shopping trips to the Tsumiki Market by the seaside.
10. Penguin Highway
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Colorido
- Genres: Fantasy, Sci-fi
“Penguins Highway” is a story about a young boy named Aoyama who’s smart, almost like a grown-up. He has a crush on an older lady who works at a dentist’s office.
One day, something strange happens. The penguins show up near Aoyama’s home. Nobody knows how they got there or why they’re there. Aoyama decides to figure out this penguin mystery, and he gets help from a cute girl. They work together to uncover the secrets of these penguins.
