Satsuki Kusakabe is an 11 year old girl who lives in rural Japan with her father and sister Mei. Her mother has tuberculosis and is confined to a nearby hospital. Satsuki is a strong, outgoing girl on the verge of growing up. With her mother away from the house many of the chores and household duties fall to her such as cleaning and looking after Mei. She enjoys a budding friendship with her neighbor Kanta, who initially acts very awkward towards her. Satsuki is still a tomboy at heart and adapts well to their rural life.When Mei first tells the family about the spirit creature Totoro, Satsuki dismisses it as fantasy. However while waiting for their father late one night at the bus stop, Totoro appears and helps cheer up Satsuski; eventually giving her a package of magical seeds. Late one night, the sisters assist Totoro in a cermonial dance that helps the seeds to magically sprout. As the plants burst from the ground and erupt into the air, Totoro takes the sisters flying into the air.When a planned visit from their mother is cancelled due to declining health, Satsuki takes it out on Mei. Upset, Mei takes it upon herself to make their mom better and attempts to bring her some healthy food. Taking an ear of corn, she sets off on foot alone to visit their mother, but gets lost on the way. As the entire village searches for her they begin to fear for the worst. Satsuki beseeches Totoro for help and using the spirit Catbus they locate her crying alongside the road. Totoro takes the sisters to the hospital and they leave the ear of corn on the window sill in secret for their mother to discover. Show less «