Totoro Costume
Channel Studio Ghibli's iconic forest spirit with this cozy, friendly look.
Totoro is the giant, cuddly forest spirit from Studio Ghibli's 1988 classic animated film My Neighbor Totoro. People choose this costume because it is instantly recognizable, incredibly comfortable, and brings a sense of nostalgic warmth to any event. The look centers around a round grey body with a white belly patch, distinct black arrow markings, and pointed ears.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $25–60
Try it on
See yourself as Totoro
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Totoro costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Totoro costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Grey Totoro onesie or hooded sweatshirt
A plush, oversized grey hooded onesie or hoodie featuring Totoro's face and pointed ears on the hood.
DIY: Use an oversized grey hooded sweatshirt and hot-glue two stuffed grey felt triangles to the hood for ears.
White belly patch
An oval-shaped patch of white felt or fleece attached to the center chest and stomach area.
DIY: Cut a large oval out of white felt and attach it to a grey sweatshirt using fabric glue or double-sided fabric tape.
Grey chest arrows
Several inverted V-shapes (crescents or arrows) made of grey felt, arranged in rows on the white belly patch.
DIY: Cut five to seven crescent shapes out of grey felt or draw them directly onto the white felt patch with a thick black fabric marker.
Black umbrella
A classic, full-sized black stick umbrella, referencing the iconic bus stop scene.
Grey trousers or leggings
Simple, comfortable grey pants to match the tone of the onesie or sweatshirt if not wearing a full bodysuit.
DIY: Use any matching grey sweatpants or leggings already in your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Totoro costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your grey base layer, such as the grey sweatpants and the hooded sweatshirt or the full-body onesie.
- 2
If DIYing, cut a large white felt oval and fabric-glue it to the center chest of your grey top.
- 3
Cut out seven small grey felt crescents (or inverted V-shapes) and glue them in two neat rows near the top of the white oval.
- 4
Pull the hood up over your head so the pointed ears and Totoro face features are clearly visible.
- 5
Carry the closed black stick umbrella in your hand to complete the classic movie poster silhouette.
- 6
Put on comfortable grey or black sneakers to complete the cozy, practical outfit.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup minimal and natural. If your hair is visible under the hood, style it simply, or paint a small black nose on the tip of your nose using face paint for a subtle animal touch.
Totoro for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Totoro with Mei Kusakabe wearing a pink dress, white blouse, yellow satchel, and straw hat.
- group
- Add Satsuki, a blue medium Totoro (Chu-Totoro), a white small Totoro (Chibi-Totoro), and someone dressed as the Catbus.
- kids
- A soft, plush zippered Totoro romper is an incredibly popular, warm, and adorable option for toddlers.
- Plus size
- An oversized fleece onesie provides a comfortable, naturally round, and screen-accurate silhouette for all body types.
- pet
- A simple grey dog hoodie with felt ears and a white felt belly patch makes a perfect pet companion.
Tips
- Onesies can get very warm indoors; wear a lightweight t-shirt and shorts underneath so you can easily unzip if needed.
- If you are using a real umbrella as a prop, make sure the venue allows full-sized umbrellas inside.
- For outdoor trick-or-treating, this fleece-based costume is excellent for staying warm in chilly October weather.
- For photos, recreate the iconic bus stop pose by holding the umbrella upright and looking slightly curious.
Totoro costume FAQ
- What is the easiest way to make a DIY Totoro costume?
- The easiest way is to buy a plain grey hooded sweatshirt, fabric-glue a white felt oval to the chest, draw grey arrows on the white felt with a marker, and glue two grey felt triangles to the hood for ears.
- What props should I carry with a Totoro costume?
- A classic black stick umbrella is the best prop, referencing the famous rainy bus stop scene. You can also carry a small green leaf on your head or a small sack of acorns.
- Is a Totoro onesie suitable for Halloween?
- Yes, a plush Totoro onesie is perfect for Halloween because it is warm, comfortable, highly recognizable, and requires very little preparation.
Did you know? Totoro's design was inspired by a mix of several animals, including badgers, owls, and cats, and he has served as the official mascot for Studio Ghibli since his debut.