What child in their right mind would not leap with joy to hear the words: This afternoon we are going to the Culture House to see one of the great classics of Japanese anime, My Neighbour Totoro?
Not our son anyway!
Boring, boring, boring Daddy!
What's so boring, Kai?
My neighbour!! How exciting is that going to be? I bet Totoro is useless at slaying robot armies and blowing up spaceships!
Yes, Miyazaki's tranquil portrait of rural life in post-war Japan is indeed a bit short of car chases, explosions and the body count is non-existent.
Now if it had been called Killer Robot Totoro or Totoro the Terminator he'd have been there like a shot!
Well, it was wonderful. Kai sat still for the whole film and grudgingly admitted that the catbus was quite cool.
His pal Tycho, who is not unkeen about a bit of intergalactic carnage, has actually seen the DVD of Totoro about 20 times.
Maybe there is a glimmer of hope?
Is Kai ready yet for masterpieces of Polish animation?
Do you really mean "bonking", John?
SvaraRadera