Catbus

Lore & Background

The Catbus is a fictional character from the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is described as a large, grinning, twelve-legged cat with a large bushy tail. Its hollow body serves as a bus, complete with windows and seats covered with fur. The character has gained popular reception since the release of My Neighbor Totoro, being described as 'one of the most iconic characters from Studio Ghibli' and 'almost as recognizable as Totoro himself.' Its popularity has inspired merchandise such as clothing, toys, and a vehicle at Ghibli Park in Nagakute. Additionally, a baby version called Kittenbus stars in a sequel titled Mei and the Kittenbus. The velvet worm species Eoperipatus totoro was named due to how the species resembles the Catbus in its elongated, multi-legged appearance.

In Their Own Story

In My Neighbor Totoro, the Catbus appears as a magical creature that serves as transportation. The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. In the original Japanese version, the Catbus is voiced by Naoki Tatsuta. In the English-language versions, it was voiced by Frank Welker and Carl Macek. The Catbus has become one of the most iconic characters from Studio Ghibli, almost as recognizable as Totoro himself. Its popularity led to the creation of a sequel, Mei and the Kittenbus, which features the Catbus's baby, Kittenbus. The character has also inspired a velvet worm species name, Eoperipatus totoro, due to its resemblance to the Catbus's elongated, multi-legged appearance.

Reader's Guide

The Catbus is a fictional character in the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro. It is a large, grinning, twelve-legged cat with a large bushy tail and a hollow body that serves as a bus, with windows and seats covered with fur. The character has gained popular reception since the release of My Neighbor Totoro. It has been described as 'one of the most iconic characters from Studio Ghibli' as well as 'almost as recognizable as Totoro himself.' It has inspired merchandise such as clothing, toys, and a vehicle at Ghibli Park in Nagakute. Additionally, Catbus's baby, Kittenbus, stars in a sequel to My Neighbor Totoro titled Mei and the Kittenbus. The velvet worm species Eoperipatus totoro was named such due to how the species resembles the Catbus in its elongated, multi-legged appearance.

Did You Know?

• The Catbus has twelve legs and a large bushy tail.
• Its hollow body serves as a bus with windows and seats covered with fur.
• In the original Japanese version, Catbus is voiced by Naoki Tatsuta.
• In English-language versions, it was voiced by Frank Welker and Carl Macek.
• A velvet worm species, Eoperipatus totoro, was named after the Catbus due to its elongated, multi-legged appearance.