Donguri Kyowakoku, the official merchandising chain of Studio Ghibli, has released an adorable new line of rings that capture the wonder and whimsy of My Neighbor Totoro.
According to SoraNews24, the recently released rings function as both jewelry and figurines as each comes with its own tree-themed display stand. Four of the six rings in the collection feature the film's titular forest spirit, while the other two depict the Catbus and Soot Spirits. Donguri Kyowakoku is selling the rings individually in blind boxes for 1,100 yen (roughly $8 USD) each, but there is also an option to buy the complete set for 6,600 yen (approximately $48 USD).
Earlier this year, Donguri Kyowakoku released a similar line of Howl's Moving Castle rings that showcase the colorful personality of the fan-favorite character Calcifer. One ring shows him desperately clinging to a log to avoid being extinguished while another sees him cooking eggs and bacon and a third depicts him making wild, fiery gestures.
Written and directed by beloved filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro made its premiere in April 1988, going on to earn over $41 million at the worldwide box office and win several prestigious awards like the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize and the Mainchi Film Award. The movie tells the story of Mei and Satsuki, two young girls who move to the countryside in order to be closer to their sick mother. There, the girls meet Totoro the friendly spirit, who whisks them away on fun-filled adventures.
While My Neighbor Totoro debuted over three decades ago, as the new ring line illustrates, the film still has a passionate fan following and a prominent place in the pop culture landscape. It continues to inspire creative individuals around the globe. Notably, the Royal Shakespeare Company is partnering with Jim Henson's Creature shop to adapt the movie's story to the stage. Moreover, multiple attractions at Ghibli Park, including a redesigned, patchwork Catbus, celebrate My Neighbor Totoro. The new theme park is scheduled to open its doors in Aichi, Japan this November.
The property has also inspired a plethora of fan-made content. Recent examples include a stop-motion animation video that sees Mei on a blue tricycle recreating the iconic Akira slide and an illustration that blends the world of the Studio Ghibli classic and Pokémon.
My Neighbor Totoro, like fellow Studio Ghibli titles like Howl's Moving Castle, The Wind Rises and Spirited Away, is available to stream on HBO Max.
Source: SoraNews24