Satsuki Kusakabe
Satsuki Kusakabe |
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| Japanese Name: | 草壁 サツキ (Kusakabe Satsuki) |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 10 years |
| Gender: | Female |
| First Appearance: | My Neighbor Totoro |
| Second Appearance | Mei and the Kittenbus |
| Voice actor (Japanese): | Noriko Hidaka |
| Voice actor (Streamline): | Lisa Michelson |
| Voice actor (Disney): | Dakota Fanning |
Personality and Bio
Satsuki Kusakabe is the devoted older sister of Mei in My Neighbor Totoro. While she often exhibits a nurturing spirit, there are moments when her frustrations emerge, particularly in the face of their mother’s illness. For instance, towards the end of the film, Satsuki scolds Mei for expressing her disappointment about their mother not returning from the hospital for the weekend. This highlights the pressures Satsuki feels as she tries to maintain a sense of maturity while caring for her younger sister.
Despite her occasional irritability, Satsuki is a fundamentally loving and responsible sister. She strives to protect Mei and provide her with comfort during challenging times, even as she grapples with her own emotions regarding their mother’s health. Lively and spirited, Satsuki is a beacon of strength, navigating the complexities of childhood with grace. Her kindness and sense of responsibility shine through, making her a relatable and admirable character in this heartwarming story.
In the Film
In My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki Kusakabe embarks on a new adventure as she boards the moving van with her four-year-old sister, Mei. As the eldest daughter of Tatsuo and Yasuko Kusakabe, Satsuki quickly steps into a nurturing role, guiding Mei through the challenges of their new rural life. Upon arriving in the countryside, the sisters stumble upon the enchanting world of Totoro, a giant, anthropomorphic creature that becomes their whimsical friend.
Through a series of delightful escapades, Satsuki and Mei form a deep bond with Totoro, sharing magical experiences that bring joy and wonder to their lives. Throughout the film, Satsuki also maintains a friendship with Michiko, adding another layer of connection and support in her life. This combination of familial love and friendship highlights Satsuki’s character as she navigates the joys and trials of childhood in a beautifully animated world.
Appearance
Satsuki full appearance with Mei.
Satsuki has a distinctive look, marked by her short, walnut-brown hair and deep brown eyes, which can appear nearly black due to the film’s coloring and animation style. Her everyday outfit is a lively combination of colors: she typically wears a tangerine skirt with matching suspenders, a sunshine-yellow collared shirt, and a sky-blue pair of shoes. In a few scenes, she tops off this ensemble with a simple white hat. In the second half of the film, Satsuki is seen in a charming yellow dress with white trim, and during the end credits, she sports tangerine overalls featuring a small embroidered image of a chibi Totoro on the right leg.
Noticeably taller than her younger sister Mei and even some of her classmates, Satsuki’s height reflects her role as the “big sister.” At home, she usually opts for more casual clothing or pajamas, and, like Mei, she prefers to go barefoot inside the house and around the yard, embracing the comfort of her surroundings.
Misconception: Satsuki does not wear a sky-blue and carnation-pink version of her typical outfit. This perceived color change is simply due to darker lighting that affects the scene’s color palette.
Personality
Howl and Sophie glide through the clouds, walking and flying hand in hand.
Satsuki Kusakabe is a bright, optimistic young girl with a strong sense of responsibility, especially when it comes to her younger sister, Mei. Though young, she strives to be a role model, emulating the calm and gentle nature of her mother, whom she deeply admires. Satsuki even dreams of having her hair resemble her mother’s—a small but touching symbol of her admiration. She is diligent and intelligent, as seen in her dedication to her studies and her willingness to help around the new family home. Her open-minded and warm personality is also evident in her relationships with others, such as the grandmotherly “Granny” and her classmate Kanta, whose kindness she learns to appreciate over time.
Despite her mature outlook, Satsuki often carries the weight of family concerns alone. She tries to mask the grief and pressure she feels, only letting her emotions show later in the film, when she breaks down in front of Granny about her worries for her mother’s illness. The responsibility of being a “big sister” weighs on her, as she feels the need to set a good example for Mei, even when it becomes challenging.
Satsuki’s occasional frustration—especially with Mei’s youthful impulsiveness—reveals her own struggles with balancing maturity and childhood. Though she may get irritated, her love and good intentions always shine through, making Satsuki a deeply relatable and endearing character
Relationships
In the kitchen, Satsuki cooks with a self-sufficient spirit.
Mei Kusakabe
Satsuki and her younger sister Mei share a close and protective sibling bond, despite their occasional arguments. Satsuki, often feeling pressured to be mature, sometimes struggles with Mei’s childish behavior. When Mei complained tearfully about their mother not returning home from the hospital, Satsuki’s patience wore thin, and in a moment of frustration, she snapped, telling Mei to “just grow up.” Immediately regretful after Mei ran away, Satsuki searched for her tirelessly, even enduring painful blisters, showing her deep love and concern for her sister, despite the challenges they sometimes face.
Totoro
Totoro becomes a comforting presence for Satsuki during moments of uncertainty and fear. Initially skeptical of Totoro’s existence, Satsuki grew eager to meet him after seeing how much he meant to Mei. When she finally meets Totoro, she’s both thrilled and captivated by his gentle nature, even sharing an umbrella with him during a rainstorm, an act that surprises her as Totoro claims the umbrella as his own. Later, Satsuki is profoundly grateful to Totoro for helping her find Mei, and their unique connection becomes a symbol of hope and support.
Tatsuo Kusakabe
Satsuki’s relationship with her father, Tatsuo, is affectionate and easygoing. As a university professor, Tatsuo works hard to care for his family, and Satsuki respects him deeply, appreciating the warmth and support he provides. They share a friendly and lighthearted bond, which is a source of comfort for Satsuki as she navigates her role as an older sister.
Yasuko Kusakabe
Satsuki looks up to her mother, Yasuko, who is hospitalized with an undisclosed illness. Missing her mother dearly, Satsuki worries about her health and hopes for her recovery. Satsuki’s admiration extends beyond Yasuko’s presence; she wishes her own hair resembled her mother’s, a small but heartfelt symbol of her desire to emulate Yasuko’s calm and nurturing personality.
Kanta Ogaki
Kanta, Satsuki’s classmate, has a complex dynamic with her. Initially, he approaches her awkwardly, bringing a basket with cake from his grandmother, only to later shout that her house is haunted. Frustrated by his behavior, Satsuki sticks her tongue out at him and declares, “I hate boys,” though she still appreciates the gesture. As their friendship develops, Kanta shyly offers her an umbrella on a rainy day, showing a kinder side, and later helps her search for Mei, revealing his growing support and friendship.
Granny
Satsuki has a respectful and warm relationship with Granny, the kind elder who often helps look after her and Mei when their father is away. Satsuki treats Granny with admiration and gratitude, appreciating the care and kindness Granny offers to her and her sister during their mother’s absence. Granny’s supportive presence provides Satsuki with another reliable adult figure, which she values deeply.