Studio Ghibli's classic animated film, My Neighbor Totoro, surely left a lasting impression on many fans. Set in 1958 Japan, it tells the story of a professor's two daughters who unexpectedly encounter the friendly forest spirit, Totoro, in the countryside.
Recently, My Neighbor Totoro aired on the Japanese TV program "Kin'yo Road Show," and the show's official X account revealed a behind-the-scenes detail about the scene where Totoro plays the ocarina in the tree, sparking heated discussion among netizens.
The official X account stated: "The sound produced by the Totoros playing the ocarina atop the camphor tree usually sounds like an owl's hoot to humans. It seems the Totoros learned to play this ocarina from humans at some unknown time, and it's said they play it on clear moonlit nights."
After this detail was revealed, netizens flooded the comments, saying things like: "So, what Dad heard was actually an owl's hoot?" and "When I watched it before, I thought they were drinking some kind of beverage."
Another netizen commented, "I always thought it was an owl's hoot, but maybe it was Totoro playing the ocarina! And every time I see a sudden strong gust of wind, I can't help but wonder if the Catbus just passed by."
Yet another netizen exclaimed, "So Totoro's ocarina sounds like an owl's hoot!!! No wonder Dad could hear it too; I always found that strange, but now the mystery is finally solved!"
One netizen solved the puzzle: "Ah, I see. Dad looked outside and listened intently because he thought he was hearing an owl's hoot."
Of course, for fans, this scene is absolutely iconic. While My Neighbor Totoro was released in 1988, over 38 years ago, it remains a signature Studio Ghibli masterpiece for many. Even after all this time, hearing new production secrets and anecdotes still delights fans. It just goes to show how much thought and effort Studio Ghibli pours into these works...