Radio-controlled Catbus offers the sights and sounds of the classic Hayao Miyazaki anime.

Audiences have watched the Catbus run across the screen in My Neighbor Totoro, as well as its often-overlooked semi-sequel. Some Studio Ghibli fans have even eaten the Catbus, in the form of the delicious cookies we munched on a while back.

Now comes yet another way to bond with anime’s most popular feline conveyance: driving the Catbus.

The latest offering from Studio Ghibli specialty shop Donguri Kyowakoku is a radio-controlled car, but it’s not based on a Mazda Roadster, Nissan Z, or any other of Japan’s sporty real-world rides. Instead, this is pure Hayao Miyazaki-sourced fantasy, which could be scooting around your home (or office depending on how understanding your boss and coworkers are) right now.

As shown in the above video, you operate the Catbus with a four-button controller, on which Totoro himself makes a cameo appearance.

One button scoots the Catbus forward, while another puts it into reverse, and also changes the direction it faces. So what about the other two? The cat face produces a trio of sound effects taken straight from the movie: the sound of the Catbus door opening, the creature’s distinct purring, and the whoosh as its in-anime destination marker changes. Finally, pressing the musical note button plays the Joe Hisaishi-composed piece of background music that plays during the Catbus’ scenes.

▼ The radio-controlled Catbus’ sound effects and music can be heard here.

Oh, and in keeping with the character/vehicle’s design, its eyes and corner mice light up.

The radio-controlled Catbus (officially called the Tonari no Totoro Hashiru zo! Byunbyun Nekobasu, or “My Neighbor Totoro Speedy-Running Catbus”) is priced at 7,344 yen (US$66) and can be ordered online now here, or purchased in-store at physical Donguri Kyowakoku locations starting May 18.

Source: PR Times
Featured image: YouTube/どんぐり共和国そらのうえ店
Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku
Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku, PR Times
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