Mei Kusakabe

Curious Toddler

The second daughter of the Kusakabe family, a 4-year-old curious toddler. She is the most level-headed among her sisters and the first person to make contact with Totoro.

Quotes

  • What is Totoro?
  • Did you say Totoro?
  • So we can meet again, right?
  • Mom, get well soon.
  • Totoro, let's keep being friends.
  • Don't get lost, okay.

Trivia

  • Mei Kusakabe's curly hair is inherited from her mother.
  • Mei is not set to attend kindergarten.
  • Totoro was originally named Miminzuku and is 1302 years old.
  • Mei's pronunciation of corn as 'トウモコロシ' is a toddler speech feature.
  • It is said that Mei's face is modeled after Hayao Miyazaki himself.
  • In the initial concept, the protagonist was a single 5-year-old girl resembling Mei.

Alternate names

Mei Mei-chan Kusakabe Mei-chan Kusakabe

Tags

Totoro Studio Ghibli My Neighbor Totoro Hayao Miyazaki toddler curly hair sisters forest spirit

Profile

Species
human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Toddler build with brown curly hair. In the first half, a white blouse with puffed sleeves, dark pink sleeveless dress, and yellow shoes. In the latter half, often wears a light pink sleeveless dress, pink sandals, or a straw hat with a light pink ribbon.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Brown
Distinguishing features
  • brown curly hair
  • round cheeks typical of a toddler
  • large eyes
Iconic items
  • light pink dress
  • ribbon straw hat
  • corn
  • plush toy (small Totoro)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
curious
Detailed personality
Despite being a 4-year-old toddler, she is extremely level-headed with a strong interest in new things and mysterious beings. Shy around strangers but close to her sister Satsuki, she depends on her sister while also having a stubborn side. Rich in emotional expression, she laughs or cries openly and honestly. She causes worry when she disappears but quickly shows her bright energy and action-oriented nature.
Keywords
  • curious
  • level-headed
  • stubborn
  • cheerful
  • shy
  • energetic
Talents
  • bravery
  • endurance
  • cheerful personality
Skills
  • interacting with nature
  • adventurous spirit
  • crisis avoidance
Motivation
Wants to meet the mysterious creature Totoro, wishes for mother's recovery
Habits
Often uses toddler speak (e.g., トウモコロシ, オジャマタクシ)
Favorite foods
corn
Hobbies
exploration, nature observation
Favorite places
Tsukamori, garden
Person
sister Satsuki, Totoro

History

Backstory
4-year-old toddler and second daughter of the Kusakabe family. A member of the family that moved from Tokyo to a rural village to be near their ill mother. Young and full of curiosity, she encounters the mysterious creature Totoro living in the forest on the family property. She does not attend kindergarten and is left at neighbor Kanta's grandmother's house on days her father goes to university. Energetic and brave, she also has the innocence of a child. In the story, she faces her mother's worsening condition and argues with her sister, but in the end, they rejoice together at her mother's recovery and reconcile.
Debut date
April 16, 1988
Work title
My Neighbor Totoro
Media type
Movie

Meeting Totoro

Significant event
Meeting Totoro
Description
Discovers small Totoro and medium Totoro in the hollow of the garden's camphor tree, followed by meeting big Totoro.

Confusion from Mother's Worsening Illness

Significant event
Confusion from Mother's Worsening Illness
Description
Becomes anxious upon learning of her mother's worsening condition and gets lost. Safely found with help from Totoro and Cat Bus.

Hospital Visit by Cat Bus

Significant event
Hospital Visit by Cat Bus
Description
Rides Cat Bus to the hospital where her mother is staying and confirms she is safe.

Relationships

Satsuki Kusakabe

Sibling

Older sister. Very close; takes good care of her as an older sister and always worries about Mei.

Tatsuo Kusakabe

Father

Father. Archaeologist, somewhat scatterbrained but kind. Cherishes Mei.

Yasuko Kusakabe

Mother

Mother. Hospitalized due to illness. Mei always wishes for her recovery.

Kanta Ogaki (Kanta)

Friend

Lends her an umbrella while taking shelter from rain. Searches for lost Mei together.

Totoro

Friend

Meets Totoro for the first time and shares mysterious experiences thereafter.

Kanta's Grandma

Guardian

Takes care of Mei when father goes to university.

Kusakabe Family

Kusakabe Family: child

Media appearances

My Neighbor Totoro

Movie / Supporting

Released April 16, 1988

My Neighbor Totoro (Stage Version)

Stage play / Supporting

London premiere in 2022

Voice cast and creators

Chika Sakamoto

Voice actor
Chika Sakamoto
Language
Japanese
Version or series
1988 movie version
Notes
Original

Cheryl Chase

Voice actor
Cheryl Chase
Language
English
Version or series
Streamline version

Elle Fanning

Voice actor
Elle Fanning
Language
English
Version or series
Disney version

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Original author

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Character designer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name
Studio Ghibli
Role
Animation studio

Tokuma Shoten

Creator name
Tokuma Shoten
Role
Publisher

Toho

Creator name
Toho
Role
Licensee

Related goods

Mei Kusakabe Plush

Item name
Mei Kusakabe Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

Mei Kusakabe Figure

Item name
Mei Kusakabe Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Limited