Only one character could possibly conclude this list. Although it may seem slightly uninventive to top the list with someone so well known, Totoro is the most ingenious creation in Studio Ghibli's history, and is so iconic that he is now the mascot for the entire company. Created by Miyazaki for the film My Neighbour Totoro, Totoro manages to straddle the line between being a brilliant creation and a perfectly considered merchandising opportunity. That may sound cynical, but Totoro's overwhelming popularity has increased the studio's infamy to no end. Hasn't every Ghibli fan dreamed of owning a Totoro bed after watching that fantastic scene when little Mei falls asleep on his giant belly? Totoro is effectively a cross between a giant teddy bear and a grinning cheshire cat. In other words, he is just about the cutest animated character ever created, with his adorable image only amplified by his vast size. Given that My Neighbour Totoro is perhaps the most "family-friendly" and arguably child-oriented film in Ghibli's canon, it is no surprise that it is helmed by such a comforting and fun figure. That doesn't mean, however, that Totoro isn't also a favourite of grown-up viewers too. He essentially maintains the same silence as many other characters on this, while continuing Miyazaki's incredible run of creating figures that don't need to speak to portray complex emotions and win the hearts of audiences. His role is effectively to help the two children (whose mother is unwell) through a very difficult time, and he does so while only repeating a single word - his roared "TO-TO-RO". Undoubtedly Ghibli's icon, he encompasses everything that is impressive about the company's characters and animation style. He's funny, cute and brilliant in his visual simplicity.
