2018

Movies and TV

Mei Kusakabe is a fictional character from Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed animated film, My Neighbor Totoro (1988). She is a young girl, approximately four years old, who moves with her older sister, Satsuki, and their father to a rural countryside home while their mother recovers from an illness in a nearby hospital.

Mei is characterized by her boundless curiosity, energy, and independent spirit. She's adventurous and unafraid to explore her surroundings, leading her to discover the magical creatures residing in the forest, including the iconic Totoro. She often mimics adult behaviors and is very attached to her older sister.

Her innocent and unfiltered perspective is central to the film's themes of childhood wonder and connection to nature. Mei's temporary disappearance in the latter half of the film highlights the fears and anxieties associated with protecting loved ones and navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood.