Member Reviews

Sweeping scenes from the film come together to re-tell this story in book form. The story is a little less whimsical in this form - the lack of a soundtrack had a surprising effect on my engagement with the story - I would reread listening to the soundtrack for a more immersive experience.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely gorgeous and so true to the film that so many love. I devoured this book and will immediately buy it.

Was this review helpful?

Really beautiful artwork! My Neighbor Totoro is one of my favorites and it was so nice to see that it’s getting a new and refreshed hardcover.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read! I’ve always enjoyed the Studio Ghibli films.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for providing this electronic advanced copy for review!

I love the film My Neighbor Totoro, and it was fun to re-explore the film through this comic adaptation. It was fun to look more closely at stills from the film and see more details that I usually miss during my watch of the film.

The book is essentially film stills adapted into a comic format and the art is just as breathtaking as it is in the film. There isn’t much added to this comic adaptation, but you get to relish in the artwork and the story from the film at your own pace, from page to page. A wonderful read through one of my favorite movies.

Was this review helpful?

What a joy to re-visit the Totoro anime in book form. I especially adored the luscious scenery and felt like I was right there in the forest greenery. I could almost hear and smell everything in the scene with the rain and the umbrella. The only thing I could fault is that for anyone who hasn't actually watched the animation, the action scenes would be a little difficult to follow. Having read this as a digital arc, I can only imagine how much more glorious it would be in paper form once published.

I received this arc from netgalley and VIZ Media in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

As a massive fan of Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, I knew I needed to read this one as soon as I saw it.

This comic stays true to the film, following the story-line to a T. The artwork used is the one we all love and are familiar with as well.

This is a perfect comic for Totoro fans on-the-go.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for blessing me with a copy of this one.

Was this review helpful?

As someone who hasn't seen the movie, it was interesting to read this and see all the frames and witness the storytelling in written form. I think only super fans of the film would appreciate this comic, but I could also see it being used as a coffee table book. I would love to see this in print, as my e-copy was a bit blurry.

Thanks NetGalley and Viz Media for the DRC! Time to go watch the movie.

Was this review helpful?

A cosy film comic that is a necessity for all Studio Ghibli fanatics and lovers of My Neighbor Totoro.

Was this review helpful?

If you have seen the film, you will know that this comic is literally like watching the movie broken up into pretty art frames. It was so cozy and comforting to read. If you are in the mood to revisit the film or have to give a gift to a friend who loves the film... This is perfection

Was this review helpful?

I have always loved the movie Totoro, and reading it comic format was just as good as watching the movie. It was delightful to be able to study each of the panels and notice details that go by too quickly in the movie. And the artwork is so beautiful it was just nice to be able to slow down and really soak it in.
The story is just as gripping in this format as well, maybe even more so, the emotions hitting a little more forcefully when you're reading them than they do when watching them on the screen, again the slower format allows more room to feel the emotions of the two girls.

Was this review helpful?

I went into this blindly, and was hoping for an adaption similar to Your Name, Garden of Words etc. However the whole book is just images from the movie, frame for frame and very little originality. I was very disappointed in this.

Was this review helpful?

I'd like to start by saying how truly and completely honoured I am to get to read this!!!! I love everything Miyazaki and this was just so exciting. I love the idea of a film comic, it's really cool to get to read the movie. I loved getting to see the different stills and think about how the movement would have worked. Now I just need one for the rest of the movies too!

Was this review helpful?

They really did just adapt the movie so accurately into a book format. The storyline and art are just as beautiful as the movie was. It’s hard to critique honestly because it really was so faithful it felt like the movie had been fully transferred onto the pages. My only concern with it is that some of the animations they turned into the panels just couldn’t translate as clearly or beautifully, because it just wasn’t how they were meant to be experienced in the original conception. But they did the best they could in portraying them anyway. This was a very quick read, despite it being so long, because there was such a focus on the art and the only text really was the dialogue. I loved that there was a sound effects guide in the back.

Was this review helpful?

As an enormous Miyazaki fan, I immediately knew I wanted to pick up this comic version of My Neighbor Totoro. This is a must-have for all Studio Ghibli fans and those who love the My Neighbor Totoro film. The book is essentially the film but in comic format. It's extremely approachable and really lovely. I wholeheartedly think this would be a well-loved addition to any school library, community library, or classroom.

Thanks to Viz Media for the arc!

Was this review helpful?

The all-in-one graphic novel edition of 'My Neighbor Totoro'.

This is a dearly beloved movie, and seeing it in graphic novel form has my heart full because some kid will pick it up one day and get to experience the Ghibli world for the first time, and this book will open that door.
I still remember being nine and seeing Spirited Away in my Xtravision (the Irish version of Blockbuster) and my brother and I being HOOKED! We moved on and discovered the other movies from Studio Ghibli, and My Neighbor Totoro was one of them!

The only note is that my e-arc copy was a tad fuzzy, but it could have been just the format.

Was this review helpful?