The venerable Studio Ghibli, acclaimed for animated masterpieces like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke, harbors a little-known secret – President Toshio Suzuki has quietly created his own set of digital icon stamps featuring the studio’s beloved mascot, the cuddly forest spirit Totoro.
In the style of emojis, the social messaging app LINE allows Japanese users to decorate conversations with graphical stamps conveying various sentiments.
With New Year’s approaching, a time of peak usage, LINE has introduced an expansive collection of over 1,700 stamps themed around popular franchises like Pokémon, Peanuts, Doraemon, the Moomins, and more.
Tucked among these is a set of 40 original Totoro stamps personally illustrated by Suzuki himself featuring the fuzzy hero along with companions like the miniature soot sprites.
Accompanying the secret stamp set was a handwritten note from Suzuki reading “Toshio Suzuki drew these. It’s a secret from (Hayao) Miyazaki.
Please don’t spread this on social media,” cheekily urging discretion regarding his side project unauthorized by his legendary colleague Miyazaki.
The full Totoro stamp collection is currently on sale in the LINE store for $1.99.
In quiet defiance of his world-renowned colleague, Suzuki indulges his playful side by continuing the adventures of one of animation’s most beloved characters through his own unseen artistic expressions, discreetly shared only with LINE users in the know.
Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki Shares Exclusive Totoro Art Without Miyazaki Knowing
One might assume Studio Ghibli president Toshio Suzuki’s latest round of illustrated Totoro character stamps was done in secret defiance of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki.
However, the mischievous message is likely meant tongue-in-cheek given Suzuki has created Totoro stamps before with Miyazaki’s blessing.
Back in April 2016, Suzuki first tried enlisting Miyazaki himself to draw an initial set of Totoro stamps for the LINE messaging app.
But upon learning they were digital icons rather than physical postage, the notoriously selective Miyazaki declined and passed the duty to his studio co-founder Suzuki instead.
Though not a trained animator or artist, Suzuki decided to take up the challenge, resulting in an array of charmingly simple Totoro, soot sprite, and susuwatari stamps that proved popular with LINE users.
So this latest expanded Totoro character collection also bears Suzuki’s amateur artistic touch, although he impishly claims it was done in secret by the unrelenting perfectionist Miyazaki.
More likely though, Suzuki’s lighthearted warning not to let his extra side project spread on social media is merely his way of having fun promoting Studio Ghibli’s beloved mascot to yet another generation of fans.
Totoro’s Enduring Allure and Global Impact as a Beloved Studio Ghibli Icon
The endearing forest spirit Totoro has become an icon transcending both animation and Japan itself since being introduced to the world in Studio Ghibli’s 1988 classic film My Neighbor Totoro.
His image instantly evokes wonder and comfort across generations.
Several decades later, Totoro remains a versatile mascot starring in major collaborations and advancing Studio Ghibli’s reach and recognition.
Just this month, Okinawan distillery Kumezan Shuzo launched a Totoro-themed “Ukiyo” rice whiskey, featuring a stylized version of the beloved character on the label and box.
Retailing for 7,800 yen (approximately $54 USD), the artisanal blend encapsulates a spirit of traditional Japanese craft meeting modern international demand.
Totoro’s appeal continues crossing borders, languages, and cultures. Through mass retailers across the globe, Totoro-branded toys, apparel, home goods, and collectibles bring Ghibli magic to fans young and old even today.
The character remains timeless, reliving childhood innocence and dreams in the hearts of viewers embarking on their own fantastical adventures.
Just as he guided two sisters through an enchanted forest, Totoro continues leading new generations to discover wonder anew.
Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki’s Three-Decade Journey Shaping Studio Ghibli’s Legendary Animations
At the helm of Studio Ghibli stands two pillars – producer Toshio Suzuki and director Hayao Miyazaki, whose visionary partnership has shaped legendary animations for over three decades.
After their first collaboration on 1984’s acclaimed epic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Suzuki paired with Miyazaki, director Isao Takahata, and publisher Yasuyoshi Tokuma to establish Studio Ghibli in 1985.
From then on, Suzuki shepherded the studio’s films as a producer, working side-by-side with Miyazaki to guide stories from concept to completion.
In 1991 Suzuki took the lead on Takahata’s Only Yesterday and has continued this role for every Ghibli theatrical release since then.
Most recently, Suzuki steered production for Studio Ghibli’s first CG animated feature Earwig and the Witch directed by Miyazaki’s son Goro.
He now oversees the North American premiere of the studio’s latest hand-drawn work The Boy and The Heron, helmed by Takahata disciple Akihiko Yamashita and debuting to audiences on December 8.
As Studio Ghibli strides into its fourth decade, loyal partners Suzuki and Miyazaki still stand at its heart, imprinting their vision on new generations of creators and preserving the studio’s beloved magic for audiences worldwide. Though films and formats evolve with the ages, the Ghibli creative spirit endures.
