Many film lovers consider My Neighbor Totoro the breakthrough film for Studio Ghibli. The cuddly Totoro is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest creations and inspiration for numerous tattoos.  The following collection of top 59 best Totoro tattoo ideas pull together a variety of elements to display Totoro, ranging from stylized watercolor examples and sharp, deft linework, to faithful recreations etched much like he was shown in Miyazaki’s film. 

  1. Linework Totoro Tattoos Source: @_james_blonde via Instagram Source: @ginger_tattoos via Instagram Source: @zy4n0se via Instagram Source: @uchiwa.ink via Instagram Source: @amber.tattoo via Instagram
  2. Upper Arm Totoro Tattoo Ideas Source: @angelatattoosg via Instagram Source: @evil_rob via Instagram Source: @madelinebrowny via Instagram Source: @patricia.lapetitefrappe via Instagram Source: @tattoo___ying via Instagram Source: @tattoo_destroy via Instagram Source: @thaot_tattoo via Instagram Source: @the_shiroosh via Instagram
  3. Totoro Tattoo Ideas for the Back Source: @beckystartattoo via Instagram Source: @danila_photo_ via Instagram Source: @samkuoktattoo via Instagram Source: @skavinsk via Instagram
  4. Forearm Totoro Tattoo Ideas Source: @mick.bw.ink via Instagram Source: @omar_canzi via Instagram Source: @b_assanuma via Instagram Source: @lockejessmonster via Instagram Source: @paulacastletattoos via Instagram Source: @ptit_fauve via Instagram Source: @skintricate via InstagramSource: @hllywd_homicide via Instagram Source: @jennydella via Instagram Source: @seven_demons_tattoo via Instagram
  5. Lower Leg Totoro Tattoo Designs Source: @beckystartattoo via Instagram Source: @beneatattoo via Instagram Source: @burch_tts via Instagram Source: @colada_ink via Instagram Source: @g3mini_88 via Instagram Source: @kamikaze_tatuajes via Instagram Source: @ksander.tattoo via Instagram Source: @marsh_tattoist via Instagram Source: @mrowa_tattoo via Instagram Source: @madameyubaba via Instagram
  6. Small Totoro Tattoos Source: @arianetattooist via Instagram Source: @chunktattoo via Instagram Source: @magic_tattoo_ny via Instagram Source: @zoe.tattoos via Instagram Source: @zzirong_ink via Instagram
  7. Susuwatari Soot Sprites Source: @sun_tattooist via Instagram Source: @northernlight_tattoo via Instagram Source: @marco_steiner_73 via Instagram Source: @tattoo___ying via Instagram Source: @so.sid.today via Instagram
  8. Totoro Tattoo Designs for the Thigh Source: @attattooat via Instagram Source: @hannahfowlertattoo via Instagram Source: @kerste_tattoos via Instagram Source: @mark_benson_artist via Instagram Source: @montagnerkvalo via Instagram Source: @msophia.ar via Instagram Source: @subculture_ink_161 via Instagram Source: @tati.tattoos via Instagram Source: @tattoosbydaisy via Instagram Source: @tatty.cake via Instagram
  9. Watercolor and Neo Traditional Totoro Body Art Source: @danikastattoo via Instagram Source: @mrscutella via Instagram Source: @omar_canzi via Instagram Source: @rzychu via Instagram Source: @stepano_tattoo via Instagram More About Totoro This Studio Ghibli film follows the main character Satsuki and her younger sister Mei as they settle into an old country house with their father while their mother tries to recover from an illness in a nearby hospital. The two kids befriend the anime character Totoro, a large cuddly creature not dissimilar to a stylized bunny, and encounter other interesting creatures along the way, including the soot sprites seen in another Studio Ghibli film called Spirited Away.  There is a wide array of dark fan theories surrounding Totoro. One argument is that the anime character is the God of Death. However, according to a release from the studio, he is how he seems in the film —friendly and benevolent.  Totoro is such an iconic character that Studio Ghibli uses him as the mascot for the company. 

Many film lovers consider My Neighbor Totoro the breakthrough film for Studio Ghibli. The cuddly Totoro is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest creations and inspiration for numerous tattoos.  The following collection of top 59 best Totoro tattoo ideas pull together a variety of elements to display Totoro, ranging from stylized watercolor examples and sharp, deft linework, to faithful recreations etched much like he was shown in Miyazaki’s film. 

  1. Linework Totoro Tattoos Source: @_james_blonde via Instagram Source: @ginger_tattoos via Instagram Source: @zy4n0se via Instagram Source: @uchiwa.ink via Instagram Source: @amber.tattoo via Instagram
  2. Upper Arm Totoro Tattoo Ideas Source: @angelatattoosg via Instagram Source: @evil_rob via Instagram Source: @madelinebrowny via Instagram Source: @patricia.lapetitefrappe via Instagram Source: @tattoo___ying via Instagram Source: @tattoo_destroy via Instagram Source: @thaot_tattoo via Instagram Source: @the_shiroosh via Instagram
  3. Totoro Tattoo Ideas for the Back Source: @beckystartattoo via Instagram Source: @danila_photo_ via Instagram Source: @samkuoktattoo via Instagram Source: @skavinsk via Instagram
  4. Forearm Totoro Tattoo Ideas Source: @mick.bw.ink via Instagram Source: @omar_canzi via Instagram Source: @b_assanuma via Instagram Source: @lockejessmonster via Instagram Source: @paulacastletattoos via Instagram Source: @ptit_fauve via Instagram Source: @skintricate via InstagramSource: @hllywd_homicide via Instagram Source: @jennydella via Instagram Source: @seven_demons_tattoo via Instagram
  5. Lower Leg Totoro Tattoo Designs Source: @beckystartattoo via Instagram Source: @beneatattoo via Instagram Source: @burch_tts via Instagram Source: @colada_ink via Instagram Source: @g3mini_88 via Instagram Source: @kamikaze_tatuajes via Instagram Source: @ksander.tattoo via Instagram Source: @marsh_tattoist via Instagram Source: @mrowa_tattoo via Instagram Source: @madameyubaba via Instagram
  6. Small Totoro Tattoos Source: @arianetattooist via Instagram Source: @chunktattoo via Instagram Source: @magic_tattoo_ny via Instagram Source: @zoe.tattoos via Instagram Source: @zzirong_ink via Instagram
  7. Susuwatari Soot Sprites Source: @sun_tattooist via Instagram Source: @northernlight_tattoo via Instagram Source: @marco_steiner_73 via Instagram Source: @tattoo___ying via Instagram Source: @so.sid.today via Instagram
  8. Totoro Tattoo Designs for the Thigh Source: @attattooat via Instagram Source: @hannahfowlertattoo via Instagram Source: @kerste_tattoos via Instagram Source: @mark_benson_artist via Instagram Source: @montagnerkvalo via Instagram Source: @msophia.ar via Instagram Source: @subculture_ink_161 via Instagram Source: @tati.tattoos via Instagram Source: @tattoosbydaisy via Instagram Source: @tatty.cake via Instagram
  9. Watercolor and Neo Traditional Totoro Body Art Source: @danikastattoo via Instagram Source: @mrscutella via Instagram Source: @omar_canzi via Instagram Source: @rzychu via Instagram Source: @stepano_tattoo via Instagram More About Totoro This Studio Ghibli film follows the main character Satsuki and her younger sister Mei as they settle into an old country house with their father while their mother tries to recover from an illness in a nearby hospital. The two kids befriend the anime character Totoro, a large cuddly creature not dissimilar to a stylized bunny, and encounter other interesting creatures along the way, including the soot sprites seen in another Studio Ghibli film called Spirited Away.  There is a wide array of dark fan theories surrounding Totoro. One argument is that the anime character is the God of Death. However, according to a release from the studio, he is how he seems in the film —friendly and benevolent.  Totoro is such an iconic character that Studio Ghibli uses him as the mascot for the company. 

Many film lovers consider My Neighbor Totoro the breakthrough film for Studio Ghibli. The cuddly Totoro is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest creations and inspiration for numerous tattoos. 

The following collection of top 59 best Totoro tattoo ideas pull together a variety of elements to display Totoro, ranging from stylized watercolor examples and sharp, deft linework, to faithful recreations etched much like he was shown in Miyazaki’s film. 

1. Linework Totoro Tattoos

Source: @_james_blonde via Instagram

Source: @ginger_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @zy4n0se via Instagram

Source: @uchiwa.ink via Instagram

Source: @amber.tattoo via Instagram

2. Upper Arm Totoro Tattoo Ideas

Source: @angelatattoosg via Instagram

Source: @evil_rob via Instagram

Source: @madelinebrowny via Instagram

Source: @patricia.lapetitefrappe via Instagram

Source: @tattoo___ying via Instagram

Source: @tattoo_destroy via Instagram

Source: @thaot_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @the_shiroosh via Instagram

3. Totoro Tattoo Ideas for the Back

Source: @beckystartattoo via Instagram

Source: @danila_photo_ via Instagram

Source: @samkuoktattoo via Instagram

Source: @skavinsk via Instagram

4. Forearm Totoro Tattoo Ideas

Source: @mick.bw.ink via Instagram

Source: @omar_canzi via Instagram

Source: @b_assanuma via Instagram

Source: @lockejessmonster via Instagram

Source: @paulacastletattoos via Instagram

Source: @ptit_fauve via Instagram

Source: @skintricate via InstagramSource: @hllywd_homicide via Instagram

Source: @jennydella via Instagram

Source: @seven_demons_tattoo via Instagram

5. Lower Leg Totoro Tattoo Designs

Source: @beneatattoo via Instagram

Source: @burch_tts via Instagram

Source: @colada_ink via Instagram

Source: @g3mini_88 via Instagram

Source: @kamikaze_tatuajes via Instagram

Source: @ksander.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @marsh_tattoist via Instagram

Source: @mrowa_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @madameyubaba via Instagram

6. Small Totoro Tattoos

Source: @arianetattooist via Instagram

Source: @chunktattoo via Instagram

Source: @magic_tattoo_ny via Instagram

Source: @zoe.tattoos via Instagram

Source: @zzirong_ink via Instagram

7. Susuwatari Soot Sprites

Source: @sun_tattooist via Instagram

Source: @northernlight_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @marco_steiner_73 via Instagram

Source: @so.sid.today via Instagram

8. Totoro Tattoo Designs for the Thigh

Source: @attattooat via Instagram

Source: @hannahfowlertattoo via Instagram

Source: @kerste_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @mark_benson_artist via Instagram

Source: @montagnerkvalo via Instagram

Source: @msophia.ar via Instagram

Source: @subculture_ink_161 via Instagram

Source: @tati.tattoos via Instagram

Source: @tattoosbydaisy via Instagram

Source: @tatty.cake via Instagram

9. Watercolor and Neo Traditional Totoro Body Art

Source: @danikastattoo via Instagram

Source: @mrscutella via Instagram

Source: @rzychu via Instagram

Source: @stepano_tattoo via Instagram

More About Totoro

This Studio Ghibli film follows the main character Satsuki and her younger sister Mei as they settle into an old country house with their father while their mother tries to recover from an illness in a nearby hospital.

The two kids befriend the anime character Totoro, a large cuddly creature not dissimilar to a stylized bunny, and encounter other interesting creatures along the way, including the soot sprites seen in another Studio Ghibli film called Spirited Away. 

There is a wide array of dark fan theories surrounding Totoro. One argument is that the anime character is the God of Death. However, according to a release from the studio, he is how he seems in the film —friendly and benevolent. 

Totoro is such an iconic character that Studio Ghibli uses him as the mascot for the company. 

                        What does a Totoro tattoo symbolize? 

Totoro exemplifies characteristics of many different Japanese anime series that have crossed over into mainstream consciousness.  A friendly and benevolent forest spirit, Totoro displays many characteristics of the naturist religion Shintoism that appeals to western sensibilities.  His distinctive look – all cuddly fur and wide smiles – appeals to children and adults. Given the age of the film My Neighbor Totoro (it was first released in Japan in 1988), the character has flourished as a tattoo choice as children who were fans of the film have grown up and developed their interests in both popular culture and tattoos. 

                        What style Totoro tattoo should I get?

While you could be forgiven for thinking that the only way to show off a Totoro tattoo is to recreate his look from the classic anime film faithfully, the truth is that you can go in many different directions.  Some popular stylistic depictions of the large, furry, bunny-like forest spirit include fine detailed linework, watercolor, or American Neo traditional style ink.  Other tattoos utilizing themes from My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited away include the soot sprites (Susuwatari), ghosts, and sprites that are inspired by Japanese Shinto folklore. These characters are perfectly suited to supporting images of Totoro in these unique anime tattoo designs.   

                        What is Studio Ghibli?  

Studio Ghibli is one of the best loved animation studios in Japan and home to some of the most highly regarded anime titles.   Under the stewardship of acclaimed director and animator Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli film is responsible for the 2002 Academy Award Winner Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle among many quality titles in addition to My Neighbor Totoro.

                        What does a Totoro tattoo symbolize? 

Totoro exemplifies characteristics of many different Japanese anime series that have crossed over into mainstream consciousness.  A friendly and benevolent forest spirit, Totoro displays many characteristics of the naturist religion Shintoism that appeals to western sensibilities.  His distinctive look – all cuddly fur and wide smiles – appeals to children and adults. Given the age of the film My Neighbor Totoro (it was first released in Japan in 1988), the character has flourished as a tattoo choice as children who were fans of the film have grown up and developed their interests in both popular culture and tattoos. 

Totoro exemplifies characteristics of many different Japanese anime series that have crossed over into mainstream consciousness. 

A friendly and benevolent forest spirit, Totoro displays many characteristics of the naturist religion Shintoism that appeals to western sensibilities. 

His distinctive look – all cuddly fur and wide smiles – appeals to children and adults. Given the age of the film My Neighbor Totoro (it was first released in Japan in 1988), the character has flourished as a tattoo choice as children who were fans of the film have grown up and developed their interests in both popular culture and tattoos. 

                        What style Totoro tattoo should I get?

While you could be forgiven for thinking that the only way to show off a Totoro tattoo is to recreate his look from the classic anime film faithfully, the truth is that you can go in many different directions.  Some popular stylistic depictions of the large, furry, bunny-like forest spirit include fine detailed linework, watercolor, or American Neo traditional style ink.  Other tattoos utilizing themes from My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited away include the soot sprites (Susuwatari), ghosts, and sprites that are inspired by Japanese Shinto folklore. These characters are perfectly suited to supporting images of Totoro in these unique anime tattoo designs.   

While you could be forgiven for thinking that the only way to show off a Totoro tattoo is to recreate his look from the classic anime film faithfully, the truth is that you can go in many different directions. 

Some popular stylistic depictions of the large, furry, bunny-like forest spirit include fine detailed linework, watercolor, or American Neo traditional style ink. 

Other tattoos utilizing themes from My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited away include the soot sprites (Susuwatari), ghosts, and sprites that are inspired by Japanese Shinto folklore. These characters are perfectly suited to supporting images of Totoro in these unique anime tattoo designs.   

                        What is Studio Ghibli?  

Studio Ghibli is one of the best loved animation studios in Japan and home to some of the most highly regarded anime titles.   Under the stewardship of acclaimed director and animator Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli film is responsible for the 2002 Academy Award Winner Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle among many quality titles in addition to My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio Ghibli is one of the best loved animation studios in Japan and home to some of the most highly regarded anime titles.  

Under the stewardship of acclaimed director and animator Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli film is responsible for the 2002 Academy Award Winner Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle among many quality titles in addition to My Neighbor Totoro.