Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro Is Officially Ending in 2027

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Totoro, the famous character from Studio Ghibli, is cherished by anime lovers worldwide. But sadly, the time to enjoy the limited-edition merchandise featuring this beloved forest spirit is almost over.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that the stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro, will now run through the end of 2026. The show, which premiered at London’s Barbican Theatre in October 2022 and ran through March 2024, will continue with another run starting in March 2025. The final performance is scheduled for January 2027.

Joe Hisaishi, the renowned composer behind all of Studio Ghibli’s films, also helped produce the show alongside Griselda Yorke. Since it premiered, the show has received widespread praise from critics and has won a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award, six Olivier Awards, and five WhatsOnStage awards.

This production of features puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and the skill of the Kazego Puppetry Ensemble, offering a unique take on the story. The puppeteers perform alongside the actors, openly visible in dark clothing, to bring to life magical scenes with characters like the Totoro spirits, the Soot Sprites, and the Catbus. You can view photos from the show in the gallery below.

Studio Ghibli Stage Show Extended Through 2026 as Final Curtain Nears

Helen Chong and Victoria Chen star as the sisters Satsuki and Mei Kusakabe in the play. Dai Tabuchi plays their father, Tatsuo, and Jacqueline Tate plays “Granny.” Singer-songwriter Ai Ninomiya provides the singing voice as “Kaze no Koe” (the voice of the wind). Toshio Suzuki, who was a producer on the original My Neighbor Totoro film, created the main illustration for the show.

In a recent statement, Yorke shared her excitement about working on My Neighbor Totoro. She said it was a privilege to bring Joe Hisaishi’s vision for a stage adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli film to life, thanks to the incredible team led by Phelim McDermott. They are delighted to be performing this beautiful show at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and sharing it with a wider audience.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, a famous English theater group, recently adapted My Neighbor Totoro as a stage play – a first for a Ghibli film. This collaboration with Nippon Television highlights how well-loved and well-known Totoro has become in Western countries.

I was really struck by the incredible skill and artistry on display in this show. It’s clear a lot of talented people, working in many different areas, poured their hearts into it – the awards speak for themselves! What’s also amazing is how people from all over the world came together to create this production. It’s a beautiful story about family, nature, and a sense of wonder that clearly connects with everyone who sees it.

Fans of Totoro can now buy tickets to see My Neighbor Totoro in theaters on the official website. The beloved anime film My Neighbor Totoro is also available to stream on both HBO Max and Netflix. It was recently made available on additional platforms as well.

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2026-05-17 03:09