Even if you don’t watch anime, I recommend My Neighbor Totoro. It’s short and sweet (only 1hr and 28m). There’s no complicated premise or complexly detailed visuals in this one. And it still manages to be one of the best Hayao Miyazaki movies that I’ve seen. My Neighbor Totoro is about a family that moves to a small town where the kids discover that their neighbor is a friendly monster named Totoro. What follows is a cute story with whimsy to spare. Expect plenty of Japanese culture being explored. My Neighbor Totoro is just the kind of movie to put you in a good mood.

Satsuki and her sister wait at the bus stop with Totoro