A new figurine modeled after the star of Studio Ghibli classic My Neighbor Totoro toys with the rumor of Totoro actually being a death god.
Correction: this article originally stated that the figure retails for US$200, but in actuality the price is in Singapore dollars. This has since been changed. Apologies for any confusion caused.
Beloved by children around the world, Totoro is a lovable children’s character from the 1988 Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro. Even now, almost 30 years after the movie’s initial release, it’s rare to find a child in Japan who hasn’t seen the animated classic, and it’s almost impossible to find someone who hasn’t at least heard of the furry forest spirit. Licensed merchandise abounds, and it’s hard to resist buying at least one piece of cute Totoro merch if you visit Japan.
It may bot be officially licensed, but art and design website World’s End is currently taking preorders for a new and rather unconventional Totoro figurine. Designed by artist KILAS and made from a combination of resin and fiberglass, the “My Neighbor KILAS Figurine Natural (Totoro)” is currently retailing for Singapore$200 (US$146). That may seem like a hefty price tag for a sculpture of a children’s animation character, but this particular piece of art is certainly not meant for kiddies.
KILAS’ design is actually based on an urban legend of Totoro (which has been publicly debunked by none other than Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki) which depicts Totoro as a de facto grim reaper. The figurine comes with Totoro’s trademark umbrella, but also sports an interchangeable scythe and a very eerie skull complete with a cigarette in place of its stomach:
▼ Don’t stare at those blank eyes for too long!
▼ Sporting a scythe in place of the umbrella
With dimensions of 8.2 inches (20.8 centimeters) in height by 6.6 inches in width and 6.6 inches in depth, the figurine is also the perfect size to hold some burning incense sticks, which add to the overall death theme:
That’s not all, because an alternate “My Neighbor KILAS Figurine Porcelain (Totoro)” version also comes in a bone-chilling chalk-white. Even creepier, perhaps?
World’s End will be taking preorders here until March 25, after which it will take approximately eight weeks to deliver each unique, hand-painted figurine. Even though the death god urban legend has been proven false, it’s certainly a unique addition to anyone’s Totoro collection!
Source, images: World’s End