Famed Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki has raised 73 million yen (US$620,000) to preserve a small forest local residents call Totoro’s Forest. 25 million yen (US$210,000) of the 73 million yen total came from donations from the general public! This enormous sum has been presented to the city of Higashimurayama in hopes that the historical patch of trees can remain for future generations to enjoy.
Developers were planning to make this portion of the Fuchi no Mori forest into a housing complex, but Miyazaki, along with local residents and supporters from all over Japan, potestested the development plan. The Fuchi no Mori forest was a large part of what inspired Miyazaki’s classic film My Neighbor Totoro. This movie played a huge part in the popularization of anime in Japan and was one of the first anime films to bring the unique art form over to North America.
Usually I like development, but this is a major landmark! You wouldn’t tear down the Hollywood sign and turn that into a housing complex, would you? If the city approves the current plan concerning the forest, the reacquisition of the land could potentially be completed by November. If you don’t mind Google’s poor Japanese translation, you can read more at the official web site for the Save Totoro’s Forest Fund.
Go buy some Ghibli merchandise at JList. The movie can be found at Play-Asia.
