In the 1950s, Tatsuo Kusakabe relocates with his daughters, Satsuki and Mei, from the bustling city to the peaceful countryside of Japan. Their objective is to stay close to their ailing mother, who is currently receiving treatment in a nearby hospital. The sisters are introduced to a rustic way of life in their new surroundings. During one of her outdoor ventures, Mei stumbles upon a small, rabbit-like creature in their yard, and pursues it into the forest. Once there, she meets Totoro, a colossal, mystical entity that embodies the essence of the woods. Mei and Totoro become close companions instantly, and soon thereafter, Satsuki also encounters the enigmatic creature. The girls' lives brim with extraordinary excursions as they come into contact with an array of supernatural beings within their novel habitat.