Is Totoro a “Rabbit” or an “Owl”?

 Is Totoro a “Rabbit” or an “Owl”?

Among the New Year’s cards I received January 2023(Zodiac sign was a rabbit) , there was one with Totoro printed right in the center. Perhaps because I’d been staring at pictures of rabbits for a long time, I started wondering if Totoro might have some “rabbit-like” qualities. There’s a popular theory about Totoro’s true identity. In an interview, director Hayao Miyazaki revealed that during the production of My Neighbor Totoro, the staff nicknamed the large Totoro “Miminzuku” (a type of owl), the medium-sized one “Zuku,” and the smallest one “Min.” This led to the widespread idea that Totoro is based on a “miminzuku,” or owl. However, Totoro has no wings, can’t fly on its own (though it rides a spinning top), has teeth instead of a beak, and features whiskers, hands, and a round tail. This leaves some people scratching their heads, wondering, “How is this an owl?” On the other hand, the parts that look like Totoro’s ears might actually be the “feather horns” (tufts of feathers) seen on owls, not real ears. These points have fueled another theory: that Totoro is based on a rabbit—specifically, a chinchilla rabbit, which some consider a strong candidate due to its appearance. If you search online, you’ll find photos comparing Totoro to rabbits, so it’s worth checking out. Interestingly, the Japanese kanji for “miminzuku” is “木菟,” where “菟” means “rabbit.”

Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli’s official Twitter shared an illustration drawn by Miyazaki for this year’s New Year’s card. It featured a light brown rabbit named “U-chan” alongside Totoro and some Soot Sprites. Ghibli commented, “A rabbit drawn by Miyazaki. Its name is U-chan,” adding, “It seems it has a twin named Fu-chan too.” This suggests that, in Miyazaki’s mind, Totoro and rabbits might be distinct entities. In the end, whether Totoro is a rabbit or an owl remains a mystery, and it’s fun to let your imagination run wild with the possibilities.

The Origin of Totoro’s Name

There are several theories about where Totoro’s name comes from. In the film, when Mei tells Satsuki she met Totoro in the forest, Satsuki asks, “You mean the troll from the picture book?” This “troll” refers to the creature from Nordic mythology, leading to the idea that Totoro’s name stems from “troll.” Another theory suggests it came from a little girl Miyazaki knew who mispronounced “Tokorozawa” (a city in Japan) as “Totorozawa.” However, in an interview published in the film’s original pamphlet, Miyazaki said, “No one knows Totoro’s real name,” making it hard to pin down a definitive origin.

The Real-Life Model for “Shichikokuyama Hospital”

Many fans remember the destination sign on the Cat Bus that Satsuki and Mei ride, which reads “Shichikokuyama Hospital.” This is modeled after the real-life Shinyamate Hospital. According to the hospital’s website, “Founded in 1939 as Hoseien Tuberculosis Sanatorium, our hospital is adjacent to Hachikokuyama Greenbelt. Its quiet, lush environment has long supported local healthcare and served as the model for the hospital in the animated film My Neighbor Totoro.” 

Back then, it was known as the largest sanatorium in the East. Hachikokuyama Greenbelt lies at the center of the Musashino Plateau, spanning southwestern Saitama and northwestern Tokyo, and is named for the eight provinces—Kouzuke, Shimotsuke, Hitachi, Awa, Sagami, Suruga, Shinano, and Kai—whose mountains are visible from there. “Shichikokuyama” (Seven Provinces Mountain) is a playful twist on this name. In the story, Satsuki and Mei’s mother is hospitalized in a suburban tuberculosis sanatorium, and the family moves from the city to be near her as she prepares for discharge. The white house they live in is also based on a home built for tuberculosis patients’ recovery. 

Tuberculosis and Director Miyazaki

Director Miyazaki's mother was forced to undergo treatment for spinal caries (a type of tuberculosis) during his childhood. This experience is said to have influenced the production of My Neighbor Totoro. The film emphasizes the importance of nature, fresh air, and emotional healing for tuberculosis patients.

Connections to Other Miyazaki Works

In Miyazaki's films, tuberculosis and infectious diseases sometimes appear as central themes. For example:

"The Wind Rises": The protagonist's wife, Nahoko, suffers from tuberculosis and is depicted spending time in a sanatorium. This storyline is inspired by Tatsuo Hori's novel and the real-life figure Ayako Yano.

Thus, not only in My Neighbor Totoro but also in other works, deep and meaningful themes are interwoven.

Conclusion

Reflecting on Totoro's true identity or the origin of its name reveals a character born from the fusion of Miyazaki's rich imagination and real-life experiences. Do you think Totoro is a "rabbit"? Or an "owl"? It doesn’t matter which one—feel free to enjoy your own interpretation of Totoro.

"Captain Corelli's Mandolin"

 Captain Corelli's Mandolin

I’d like to introduce a film that isn’t very well-known: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Directed by John Madden, who also helmed Shakespeare in Love, and starring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz, this movie was released in 2001. It’s a shame that the film didn’t receive high acclaim, especially since its source material is a novel by Louis de Bernières, published in the UK in 1993. The book became an instant bestseller, with one in twenty people said to have read it. In the final scene of the movie Notting Hill, Hugh Grant’s bookstore owner is seen reading this novel on a park bench while Julia Roberts, playing a pregnant character, rests her head on his lap. Over seven years, it sold more than two million copies and was published in 26 countries. Coinciding with the film’s release, a Japanese translation was published in 2001.

The Story

The narrative is based on a real event during World War II on the Greek island of Kefalonia, where 117 Italian soldiers were massacred by the German Wehrmacht after Italy’s surrender. The war encroaches upon the rustic, pastoral island of Kefalonia, entangling the life of Pelagia, the daughter of the island’s doctor, Iannis. Her fiancé, Mandras, a local fisherman, goes off to war and loses contact. Greece surrenders to Germany and Italy, and when Mandras returns, wounded but alive, he has lost his former innocence, now consumed by a fierce hatred for the enemy. Pelagia’s heart drifts away from him.

Eventually, Axis occupation forces arrive on the island. Captain Antonio Corelli, leading the Italian troops, carries a mandolin on his back. Despite the wartime setting, Corelli and his men never forget their love for life and music, and their cheerful demeanor gradually wins over the islanders. Corelli and Pelagia are drawn to each other. Fearing that the surrendered Italian troops might join anti-Nazi guerrillas, the Nazi German forces attack. In a harrowing scene, captured Italian soldiers are gunned down by German troops in the town square. All perish except Corelli, who is saved by his men’s sacrifice. He is taken to Iannis’s home, where he recovers under Pelagia’s care, before disappearing to evade the Germans.

After the war, peace returns to Kefalonia. Pelagia studies medicine under her father’s guidance, but a major earthquake strikes the island. Previously little-known in Europe, Kefalonia has since become a popular tourist destination, thanks to the book and the film.

Challenges of Adaptation

Since the original novel is a sprawling epic, the film adaptation required alterations and omissions, making some of the story’s settings harder to grasp. To shed light on this, let me tell you about Pelagia’s father, Iannis. He is a doctor who has served the island for years and earned the islanders’ trust—yet he lacks a medical license. One might think of Black Jack, the unlicensed genius doctor, but Iannis is no prodigy. He’s a stubborn, straightforward man who dreams of recording the island’s history but struggles to make progress. When the Italian army orders the islanders to provide lodging due to a shortage of barracks, Iannis fiercely resists but eventually agrees on the condition that they supply scarce medical resources, showcasing his tenacity.

He hopes to train his daughter as a licensed successor, but education on the remote island is limited. Worse still, she seems to be falling for the Italian captain billeted in their home. Many can empathize with his struggles. One standout scene features Iannis earnestly explaining to his daughter—now deeply in love with Corelli—what love and affection truly mean. This moment, brought to life by John Hurt, is not to be missed. Hurt, a seasoned actor known for roles in Oscar-nominated films like Midnight Express and as a crew member in Alien, also played Ollivander in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

The Cast

Nicolas Cage, whose uncle is the famed director Francis Ford Coppola, has starred in numerous films. With his father of Italian descent, he was an ideal fit for Captain Corelli. In the movie, his unit even forms an opera chorus dubbed “La Scala.” These Italian soldiers—drinking, eating, singing, and embracing life despite the war—gradually win the hearts of the occupied islanders. The reason Corelli survives the German machine-gun fire in the square is revealed later in both the film and book, so pay close attention, or you might miss it. For those planning to watch, take note of the scene where bones are uncovered after the earthquake. When Corelli later revisits Greece to see Pelagia, he hesitates upon seeing her with a child but visits the island to lay flowers in memory of a man who died protecting him.

Another key figure is Irene Papas, who plays Mandras’s mother, Drosoula. Born in Corinth, Greece, she rose to prominence in Hollywood in the 1950s and is regarded as one of Greece’s iconic actresses. Fans of The Guns of Navarone or Zorba the Greek might recall her striking, thick eyebrows. In the novel, despite being the mother of Pelagia’s former fiancé, she becomes a trusted confidante—a significant role. Sadly, in the film, her character disappears early on, which is a pity.

Beyond the Tourist Image

Our knowledge of Greece often centers on its ancient ruins and the origins of the Olympics, with little awareness of its later hardships. Toward the film’s end, scenes of modern Greece capture the vibrant lives of its youth, moving beyond its tourist image. These exquisite shots reflect the director’s vision—something to look forward to when watching. In the afterword of the Japanese translation, the translator attributes the book’s UK popularity to romanticism tied to Greece since Lord Byron, the poet who fought in the Greek War of Independence and died there, as well as a longing for Southern Europe’s sunshine.

A Broader Impact

Many have read the novel after watching the film, and it has played a vital role in raising awareness of the tragedy between former allies Germany and Italy. For those yet to see it, I urge you to watch the movie and then dive into the half-century-spanning epic of the original story.

"Vivien"

 "Vivien"

When you hear the name "Vivien" in a movie context, who comes to mind? Most people would think of Vivien Leigh from the classic "Gone with the Wind." Some might even think of Vivien Hsu. However, the focus here is not on a woman. It's on a man named Vivien Thomas.

You may be familiar with actor Alan Rickman. He played Professor Snape in the Harry Potter series and gained worldwide recognition. I first knew Alan Rickman from "Die Hard," where he played the villain falling backward off a building. As I was researching Alan Rickman, I came across his role as Professor Alfred Blalock. Intrigued, I searched for more information related to medical films. I found several interesting websites and, to my luck, discovered the full version of the movie "Something the Lord Made" on YouTube.

Vivien Thomas' mother wished for a daughter and even picked out a girl's name while pregnant. When a boy was born, they named him Vivien anyway. The spelling is Vivien, so the pronunciation is between "a" and "e." Vivien attended agricultural school but had to drop out due to financial difficulties and became a carpenter. With his skilled hands, he became proficient in woodworking. When a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was looking for a research assistant, Vivien was recommended. The professor was surprised to see a black man instead of a woman and ordered him to do menial tasks like cleaning and taking care of experimental animals. Despite feeling like a mere errand boy, Vivien accepted the job to not disappoint the person who recommended him. The irritable professor often complained about trivial matters and easily became upset, but Vivien endured it. One day, while cleaning the library, he came across a book on anatomy. This discovery changed his destiny.

Upon learning of Vivien's study of anatomy, the professor asked him to repair laboratory equipment. Using his knowledge, Vivien improved the apparatus and even made new ones, including a canine respirator. One day, the head pediatrician asked the professor to examine a blue baby and suggested performing surgery to save them. Vivien and the professor argued fiercely and repeated surgeries on dogs until they finally developed a bypass procedure for patent ductus arteriosus. When the professor saw Vivien's surgical skill, he muttered, "It's as if God sewed it." This phrase became the title of the movie, "Something the Lord Made." The professor, who successfully performed surgery for congenital heart vessel abnormalities, received numerous awards.

However, Vivien was not invited to the awards ceremony. Disappointed, Vivien confronted the professor, who replied, "It's not because you're black, but because you don't have a medical degree." A public surgery with invited physicians from inside and outside the hospital was scheduled. On the day of the surgery, the professor, having washed his hands and entered the operating room, suddenly rushed out to search for Vivien. Persuaded that the surgery couldn't proceed without him, Vivien agreed to help. The doctors sitting in the tiered observation seats saw the professor performing surgery while listening to Vivien's advice standing behind him like a cloak.

After the professor fell ill and passed away, Vivien continued to work for 33 years and trained many surgeons as a leader in cardiac surgery, sending them across the United States. In 1976, a university-sponsored commendation ceremony was held for him. He was awarded an honorary doctorate, and his portrait was hung in the university hall as one of the contributors to the university. You can still see the portrait next to Professor Blalock's.

I later learned that this movie has been re-evaluated as a document for the advancement of African Americans. Also, the name of the female pediatrician is Helen Brooke Taussig. Although not mentioned specifically in the movie, she entered Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1923 because she was not admitted to Harvard, where she wanted to attend, possibly due to being a woman. So, unwittingly, this movie is also connected to the history of the struggles of women who aimed to become doctors at the time. She left her mark with the Blalock-Taussig shunt.

By the way, there is an interesting episode about the scene of Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, falling. That surprised and fearful expression was not acting but real. Rickman, who challenged the 12-meter high set without using a stuntman, was supposed to fall on the count of 3. However, he was dropped on count 1.

"A Complete Unknown"

The reasons why Timothée Chalamet lost to Adrien Brody at the 2025 Academy Awards can be attributed to a combination of several factors. Below, I will explain the main reasons in detail.

1. High Acclaim for Brody's Film 'The Brutalist'

Adrien Brody's film The Brutalist received high acclaim, being nominated for multiple categories such as Best Picture and Best Director, and winning awards like Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. The success of the film likely influenced the lead actor's award, potentially boosting Brody's chances of winning. On the other hand, while Chalamet's film A Complete Unknown was also praised, it may not have had the same overall impact as The Brutalist.

2. Brody's "Transformative Performance"

Brody's performance in The Brutalist was highly praised as a "transformative performance" that deeply expressed the emotions and struggles of the character. Having already won an Oscar for The Pianist in 2003, his talent was once again recognized. While Chalamet's performance was also excellent, it may have fallen short in terms of emotional depth and impact compared to Brody's.

3. Intense Competition and Vote Dispersion

The Best Actor category in 2025 included strong contenders such as Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan. The presence of these powerful rivals may have led to a dispersion of votes that could have favored Chalamet, ultimately allowing Brody to win. In a closely contested race, Brody might have edged out the others by a narrow margin.

4. External Factors Unique to the Academy Awards

The outcomes of the Academy Awards are influenced not only by the quality of the performances and films but also by external factors such as the actors' popularity, the films' marketing campaigns, and the preferences of the voters. Brody's win was considered a "surprise" by some, suggesting that these external factors may have played a role in his victory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reasons why Timothée Chalamet lost to Adrien Brody can be attributed to a combination of Brody's exceptional acting skills, the high overall acclaim of The Brutalist, the dispersion of votes due to intense competition, and the unique external factors of the Academy Awards. While Chalamet was a strong contender, 2025 was ultimately Brody's year.

"Anora"

 Is there any connection between the movies Anora and Pretty Woman?

There is no official connection between the film Anora (2024) and Pretty Woman (1990), such as a sequel or remake. However, due to similarities in theme and structure, Anora has often been referred to as a "modern-day Pretty Woman" by critics and audiences, leading to frequent comparisons.

Key Similarities

Basic Story Structure

In Pretty Woman, a prostitute named Vivian (Julia Roberts) meets a businessman, Edward (Richard Gere), and a relationship that begins with a financial arrangement evolves into romance.

In Anora, a stripper named Anora (Mikey Madison) meets Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch, and starts as his "contract girlfriend" for $15,000 a week, leading to an impulsive marriage.

Both films share a Cinderella-story framework where a relationship begins with a contract between people of different social standings and unfolds from there.

Romance Across Class Divides

Both stories depict a romance between protagonists from vastly different economic and social backgrounds, temporarily bridging that gap through love. While Pretty Woman ends as a romantic comedy with a classic happy ending, Anora takes a more realistic and bittersweet turn, avoiding a simple redemption narrative.

Key Differences and Originality

Tone and Ending

Pretty Woman offers a dreamy, optimistic romance with a quintessential Hollywood happy ending. In contrast, Anora, directed by Sean Baker, adopts a cynical and grounded perspective, deconstructing the Cinderella trope. Anora ultimately faces reality and independence, rejecting the traditional "rescue by a prince" conclusion.

Social Perspective

Anora portrays the life of sex workers and class disparities with raw realism, questioning the modern American Dream from the viewpoint of the marginalized. Pretty Woman, on the other hand, handles such realities lightly, prioritizing entertainment value.

Production Context

Pretty Woman is a quintessential 1990s Hollywood film, a blockbuster romantic comedy aimed at a wide audience. Anora, however, belongs to the indie film tradition, earning accolades like the Palme d’Or at Cannes and Academy Awards, celebrated for its artistry and critical depth.

Conclusion on Their Connection

While there’s no direct relationship, Anora seems to consciously reference the classic narrative structure of Pretty Woman, reinterpreting it through a modern, critical lens. There’s no definitive evidence that director Sean Baker explicitly paid homage to Pretty Woman, but by adopting a similar plot, he appears to borrow a familiar romance framework only to subvert it. Reviews and audience reactions often describe Anora as "the antithesis of Pretty Woman" or "a realistic Pretty Woman," reflecting how comparisons arise naturally.

Thus, while there’s no official link, the thematic and narrative similarities suggest an indirect relationship, possibly as inspiration or a point of contrast.