Our pals at Kotaku noted a recent trend amongst a small band of Japanese Twitter users: they make cats look like Totoro, the adorable furbeast from the animated film My Neighbor Totoro. Now, I will say there's only one glaring problem with this movement: it hasn't gone global.
To help the spread of Totocating, a neologism I just conceived, I've assembled a step-by-step guide to transform any cat into Totoro.
Step 1: Print this cut-out that I made
Step 2: Compliment me on my excellent cut-out work
My Twitter handle is @plante, and that's the best place to reach me.
Step 3: Find a cat
Do you live on planet Earth? If so, there's probably a cat either in your home or very nearby.
Step 4: Inform the cat of your plans to transform it into Totoro, and make sure the cat wants to participate
If the cat doesn't want to be Totoro, that is okay. Plenty of other cats are in the world. Find one that wants a new Totoro look.
Step 5: Cut out the cut-out
IMPORTANT: Do this away from the cat. Do not accidentally cut the cat that volunteered to become a Totoro.
Step 6: Lay the Totoro pieces upon the back of the cat
IMPORTANT: Do not glue the pieces to the cat. Cats are not to be glued on.
Step 7: Quickly take a photo, and post it to your social media platform of choice
CC me on Twitter. Remember, I'm @plante, and I am a big fan of cute animals.
Step 8: Share other Totocats
If we all work together, we can make this a thing.
For inspiration, here are some of the original Totocats.
トトロ!#猫 #トトロ pic.twitter.com/PzWIPdkJDM
— ショウコ (@rippy0916) January 16, 2015
"@nekochanJP: 猫の背中にトトロ作った☆ pic.twitter.com/YLysUuAVyu"
— なるるん (@Nrun515) January 10, 2015
うちのじじくんでやってみた pic.twitter.com/B6Wfc8UT6O
【となりのトトロ】
— スタジオジブリ画像集 (@Ghibli_gazou_s) November 25, 2014
猫のせなかにトトロ現る♡ pic.twitter.com/EpmrujtfA0