This is just a speculation thread. I was very amused and intrigued by Totoro’s cameo in the new Toy Story 3 trailer and since he appeared on the table with 4 main characters, (Woody, Mr. Pricklepants, yet-to-be-named Purple-haired doll, and Trixie) I was curious as to why he would be included in that scene. Does he have an importance to the plot of the story? What do you all think?
Most likely he’s just a random toy that they had there as an in-joke.
That is very probable and I assume that’s most likely correct, but why was he in a scene with only main characters and not in a scene with a group of nameless toys?
Erm, what is Totoro from anyways? 
He’ s the main character from the 1988 Hiyao Miyazaki film entitled My Neighbor Totoro. He’s like a giant magical cat-like forest spirit. It’s a Japanese film but it’s distributed in the United States by Disney and John Lasseter is a long time fan and friend of Hiyao Miyazaki.
Oh! I love his film Spirited Away! I need to catch on his 80s stuff.
Well we don’t know the doll is a main character…they could have been left there by the kids and just didn’t bother to move. And there could be lots more toys on the other side, as well as on the floor waiting for whatever Woody’s doing.
He’s probably just there as a cute little shout out to Studio Ghibli. If I had to guess he’s probably only going to be in the scene we saw. Maybe 2 at most. Then again with Pixar you never know.
…That’s like asking who’s Buzz Lightyear.
Not everyone likes Anime. I cant stand it, and didnt know who he was either.
It’s not a matter of liking Totoro. My Neighbor Totoro is considered such a classic film by American critics, he’s Hiyao Miyazaki’s best known film and character worldwide, and he’s Studio Ghibli’s mascot. Even if you’ve never seen the film, you at least have to know about him. The fact is, he’s such a well known pop culture icon that it’s incredibly surprising to hear that people haven’t heard of him. He’s pretty much the Japanese Winnie The Pooh.
[RUMOR] Ghibli and Pixar Studios will collaborate on a film. TS3?
cartoonleap.com/2009/12/26/s … riendship/
Hayao Miyazaki and John Lasseter ‘Friendship Figure’. Inseparable, that’s what they are.
toystory.ti-da.net/e2691368.html
Pixar Builder wrote
I second that.
I don’t think Totoro will play a large role. It seems like a cameo, and I really couldn’t see them animating such a famous character, for fear of people complaining how “untrue” it was to the original film. Of course, the toy Totoro may not act the same as the “real” one, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. You never know with Pixar.
I’m thinking it’s probably just a cameo, particularly for the reason 1986 just mentioned about how people might complain if Totoro doesn’t stay true to his character and that sort of thing. He might just be part of a crowd of other toys in that scene as they all gather round the computer to try and do whatever they’re doing.
I really do not. (know about him)
Why would Americans in general know anything about Japanese icons? the only Jpn icons I think are household names here are Godzilla, Hello Kitty, and Pokemon. Beyond that we’re pretty oblivious. Not saying there aren’t film buffs who are plenty aware of these things, but I’m almost certain that if I asked 50 random strangers, and even family members, only a handful would be able to tell me they know who totoro is.
I don’t think Hayao Miyazaki’s work is as mainstream here as your suggesting. Most critically acclaimed here than most other anime, sure. but your average person isn’t a critic.
Well, YourMileageMayVary.
I didn’t know who Totoro was before this topic was posted and I never heard of him. I bet that most of America doesn’t know who he is either.
I, being an all things animated freak knew this, but here in AMERICA , with AMERICANS who don’t live in Japan, that’s not exactly common knowledge. And it seems like you’re trying to insult The Doctor’s intellegence when you phrase it like that.
I wasn’t trying to insult anyone, but if it sounded like that then I apologize. I was just commenting how surprising it is to me that some may still be unfamiliar with the character since he’s very well known. But, like I said YourMileageMayVary and I guess it ultimately differs from person to person (and now, after reading this forum, should all know who he is). By the way I live in California, which is in America, so I don’t know why you needed to put the word in caps lock.
Anyway, back to the original subject of the post I think that since he’s already a licensed Miyazaki character, he probably won’t have more than that small cameo. Which is rather disappointing to me because I absolutely love Totoro 
Let’s try and calm this down and stay a bit more on topic please, guys.
I agree, Pixar Builder, I love Totoro and I think it would be great if he could have a bigger role even though it’s unlikely.