Danica Davidson
November 6, 2020 
Earlier this week the Japanese city of Tokorozawa began playing Totoro music at its train station. There was promise of a Totoro-themed statue at the same station to be unveiled before the end of the year, and that time has already come.
According to Anime News Network, the monument of Totoro, Mei and Catbus was unveiled with the help of kindergarten kids from the area. The statue is about five and a half feet tall, and Tokorozawa is hoping this will help increase tourism to the region.
Hayao Miyazaki, who has lived in Tokorozawa, released this statement: “I want my beloved Tokorozawa to preserve its greenery and its landscapes from long ago.”
Before, Miyazaki had said, “If we didn’t live in Tokorozawa, Totoro would never have been born.”
Source: Anime News Network
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
