
Let Totoro do the talking next time you’re at a loss for words!
Free text and calling service Line has certainly been a hit in Japan and around the world. Obviously, part of their success is offering a decent service for the price of zero, but they’re not doing this out of the kindness of their hearts! A company has to monetize, of course, and Line has proven to be particularly good at getting people to buy their stamps — images that can be inserted into any text conversation. Featuring greater variety than standard emoji and all sorts of official images produced by popular content creators, stamps are an excellent source of income for Line.
And we have a feeling their margins are about to swell, thanks to new stamps featuring none other than Studio Ghibli’s own Totoro!
▼ All these are yours for 240 yen (about US$2.20).
With forty total stamps, there’s likely to be something for most occasions — especially if you’re looking for something that’s a little silly. You probably wouldn’t want to use a Totoro stamp to lets your coworkers know you’ll be missing work, though.
▼ Then again, maybe it’ll make them more forgiving.
The base images for the stamps were drawn by Toshio Suzuki, a Studio Ghibili producer who worked on the original My Neighbor Totoro film. Apparently he approached the legendary Hayao Miyazaki about drawing the stamps, but the director thought Suzuki was talking about postage stamps. Upon explaining the concept more clearly, Miyazaki declined and illustration duties fell to Suzuki.
▼ The producer hard at work
In a Line Blog post, Suzuki discusses the creation of the stamps, going so far as to say that he’s better at drawing Totoro than Miyazaki anyway.
▼ We can’t really disagree!
▼ Magnifying glass Totoro is our favorite.
With all these delightful stamps, though, we now have a serious problem: Figuring out who to talk to! Maybe we can just send them to ourselves? Or use them to annoy Microsoft’s school girl AI Rinna!
As much as we love these stamps, we do kind of wish Suzuki had included a Grim Reaper-version of Totoro as well. It would be perfect for letting everyone know they better leave us alone in the morning!
Sources: Net Lab, Line Blog, Line Sticker Shop
Images: Line Sticker Shop





“A secret from Hayao Miyazaki”: Toshio Suzuki draws Totoro anime stamps but keeps it hush-hush
Studio Ghibli releases new batch of Line app anime stamps, this time for Kiki’s Delivery Service!
Studio Ghibli and Tokyo Metro team up for summer stamp rally with adorable Catbus prize
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Receive Studio Ghibli anime art in new crowdfunding campaign to save Totoro’s forest
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
Meet Asuna, the hyperreal android that will leave your jaw hanging 【Video】
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
Japanese high schools abolish old rules, provide freedom with underwear, hair and dating
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Totoro cream puffs come to the Ghibli Museum neighbourhood with exclusive new Catbus cookie
The Place Where Totoro Was Born: New Studio Ghibli book includes art by Hayao Miyazaki’s wife
Totoro beer? Hayao Miyazaki draws new version of anime icon for Japanese craft beer label
Totoro sequel anime, Mei and the Baby Catbus, to screen at Ghibli theme park this fall
Show off your love for Ponyo and Totoro’s Catbus with these Studio Ghibli baseball jackets
Totoro and Catbus bath mats are here to keep your floor dry and your home Ghibli-adorable【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases Mini Mini Stamp sets featuring top anime characters
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
New Studio Ghibli handkerchiefs feature Totoro and the Catbus, and have a surprise wrapped inside
You can now drive Totoro’s Catbus with this awesome new item from the Ghibli specialty shop【Vid】
Ghibli anime is real? Totoro Catbus spotted on the streets of Hiroshima【Video】
Studio Ghibli anime stamps help seal your love for popular movie characters
New Studio Ghibli exhibition opens in Tokyo, features giant talking Yubaba from Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli releases a Totoro daruma and beckoning Catbus in Japan for New Year
Japan’s Ghibli Museum announces there will be a new Catbus for adults to ride in this summer
Leave a Reply