The classic animated feature film My Neighbor Totoro, produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, now boasts over 30 years of history. The incredible landscapes and adventures within the film, visible and experienced only by 'children,' remain an enduring masterpiece for both adults and children, even in 2020.
For some unknown reason, discussions about a My Neighbor Totoro sequel have recently surged on Japanese Twitter. While many viewers certainly wish for a follow-up, this classic masterpiece actually already has a sequel, and it's said that the vast majority of people are completely unaware of its existence!?
▼Mei even shared the milk candy that appeared at the very beginning of the My Neighbor Totoro film with the Kittenbus.
The My Neighbor Totoro sequel is titled Mei and the Kittenbus (original: めいとこねこバス). It's a mini-film with a runtime of just 14 minutes, exclusively screened at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, Japan, starting in 2002. Because it can only be viewed inside the museum, many people who have never visited are completely unaware of this animated short's existence.
It is said that this sequel short film was created from nearly 15,000 hand-drawn frames, and the music was composed by none other than Mr. Joe Hisaishi himself. Despite being a mere 14-minute animated short, the production process was meticulous and uncompromising.
▼The CD cover for the Mei and the Kittenbus soundtrack, also available on Amazon.
▼The tiny Kittenbus looks incredibly adorable.
▼The elderly Catbus, appearing quite old, perhaps a venerable elder among the Totoro species?
▼Even Totoro shows him respect; he truly seems to be a very important figure.
▼Japanese citizens also shared content from the Mei and the Kittenbus picture book.
ジブリ美術館でしか見れない「めいとこねこバス」
となりのトトロの続編で、色んな猫バスと会えてかわいい…#ジブリキャラ #草壁メイ pic.twitter.com/ElrVZ6XLtg— 樺さん。 (@22_crychris) May 3, 2020
▼And postcard merchandise.
▼Fan-created Kittenbus artwork.
Speaking of My Neighbor Totoro secrets unknown to most, it brings to mind an image that circulated online in the past. It depicted a fusion of what appeared to be the elder sister Satsuki and younger sister Mei, standing with the Great Totoro at a bus stop, waiting for their father to alight.
▼The twin-tailed little girl, seemingly a fusion of elder sister Satsuki and younger sister Mei.
In fact, this originated from one of three illustrations for My Neighbor Totoro conceived by director Hayao Miyazaki in 1975. The original idea was for a single girl to be the sole protagonist of the animation. Later, due to the critical acclaim of director Isao Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies, Miyazaki developed a competitive spirit, leading him to split the character into two, resulting in the Satsuki and Mei we know today.
As can be seen, the girl on this poster possesses both Satsuki's and Mei's clothing and characteristics. It is understood that when Miyazaki was still drawing the second poster, it depicted Satsuki standing with Totoro. By the time he moved on to creating the third poster, it evolved into the 'mysterious girl' introduced in this article.
Furthermore, according to records in the book Ghibli Textbook 3: My Neighbor Totoro, the initial concept for My Neighbor Totoro was the interaction and communication between a single girl and a spirit. Later, deeply influenced by Isao Takahata, Miyazaki changed his mind, intending to extend the film's runtime by splitting the single girl into a pair of sisters. 
However, because the box office performance and public discussion surrounding My Neighbor Totoro after its release were not as strong as initially anticipated, this mysterious girl from the concept art gradually faded from discussion.
via： huffingtonpost