In "My Neighbor Totoro", what is wrong with the mother (why is she in the hospital)?

In "My Neighbor Totoro", what is wrong with the mother (why is she in the hospital)? - Free stock photo of adults, analysis, anticipation

Title says it all: In "My Neighbor Totoro", what is wrong with the mother (i.e. why is she in the hospital)?



Best Answer

In this site, in particular this internal link:

It was implied that her illness was tuberculosis. In the novelized version of "Totoro" (illustrated by Miyazaki), it was stated that Mom was suffering from TB. Shichikokuyama Hospital, where she was staying, had a good reputation for treating TB, and that's why they moved there. The house they moved into was originally built a long time ago by a rich city man whose wife was suffering from TB. Granny used to work as a domestic for this lady, but the lady died. That's why the house is somewhat different from the other village houses, more Westernized, with gables.

This is a bit autobiographical: Miyazaki's mother suffered for many years from spinal TB, and she was away from home for a long time.

But from Wikipedia (spoiler):

The girls perch in a tree outside of the hospital, overhearing a conversation between their parents and discovering that she has been kept in hospital by a minor cold and is otherwise doing well.




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Does the Mom in Totoro come home?

In other words, Mei never returned home, as she died. In addition, Yasuko was suffering from a terminal illness instead of a minor cold as shown in the film. Satsuki was going to eventually lose her mother as well.

Is Totoro the God of Death?

The legend goes as follows: Totoro is the God of Death, and anyone who can see him is either dead or close to dying. The affirmation is strong enough on its own. We know Miyazaki looooves metaphors, and Studio Ghibli seems to have a weak spot for gods and spirits.

What happens in My Neighbor Totoro?

When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby. Two young girls, 10-year-old Satsuki and her 4-year-old sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother.

How old is Satsuki in My Neighbor Totoro?

In MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, it's 1958 Japan, and 10-year-old Satsuki (voiced by Dakota Fanning for the English-dubbed version), 4-year-old Mei (Elle Fanning), and their father (Tim Daly) move to the countryside where their mother is hospitalized with a long-term illness.



Therapist Reacts to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: MART PRODUCTION, Jonathan Borba, MART PRODUCTION, MART PRODUCTION