This premium official magnet brings a touch of tenderness and magic straight from the poetic world of Studio Ghibli. This cute and practical little collector’s item showcases the most unusual and memorable mode of transport in Japanese pop culture.
The design incorporates the stylistic features and unique craftsmanship of Japanese miniature creations, combining the playful appeal of a micro-soft toy with the practicality of a powerful magnet. This mini magnet faithfully captures the unique silhouette of the famous cat-bus. Its ultra-soft polyester fabric exterior offers a wonderfully delicate tactile experience, transforming a simple magnetic accessory into a truly charming little decorative item.
The accessory ensures both its physical qualities and its holding power thanks to the discreet integration of a high-quality neodymium magnet, renowned for its superior magnetic force despite its small size. The design showcases the Catbus’s comforting face, embroidered with its huge, knowing smile, bright yellow eyes and small, pointed ears. Its miniature design showcases its numerous paws and iconic silhouette. Designed primarily to personalise a fridge, a magnetic noticeboard or any other metal surface, it allows you to attach your notes and photos with a touch of charm. This discreet collector’s item is ideal for animation fans of all ages.
Technical specifications
- Manufacturer: Benelic
- Range / Type: Mini plush magnet (Plush Magnet)
- Supplier reference: S-6199
- Licence: Studio Ghibli
- Sub-licence: My Neighbour Totoro
- Character: The Catbus (Nekobasu)
- Materials: Polyester fibres (outer covering) / Neodymium magnet (internal magnetic component)
- Product type: Three-dimensional decorative magnet
- EAN code: 3760372331580
- Packaging type: Sewn-on official licence label and individual cardboard backing
Origin and character lore
In Hayao Miyazaki’s eponymous masterpiece released in 1988, My Neighbour Totoro, the Catbus — whose real name is ‘Nekobasu’ — is a bizarre and fascinating nature spirit. This imposing, gleaming cat has the unique feature of a hollow body fused with the structure of a bus, complete with windows, ultra-comfortable fur seats and twelve legs that allow it to run at phenomenal speed. Capable of moving invisibly through the countryside and cutting through forests without ever felling a tree, he is visible only to children or spirits like Totoro. At night, he lights his way using his own headlamps and glowing mice that serve as position lights. An iconic character from the Ghibli universe, he makes a heroic appearance at the end of the film to help Satsuki find her lost little sister, Mei. This miniature plush magnet version perfectly captures the whimsy, originality and profound kindness of this cult figure from Japanese animation.
