For owls that are superb.
From Charon Comeau
This face can make anyone smile!
Nikon Z8 -600mm with a teleconverter and Heavily cropped!
Taken from a friends second floor deck a few houses away! (Thanks Eric)
If I squint I can see a smiley old grandpa face that will fit into a Ghibli film.
Perfect smiley.
I went looking to see if there were any Ghibli owls, and I saw a number of references saying Totoro's design was based off a Great Horned Owl.
I always took him as a more rodent type design, but if you ignore the appendages, it checks out.
I always saw Totoro as an owl so I guess I got it right!
Because the most common artwork I see of Totoro is the standing/sitting position, staring straight ahead posture with the ears. So it always reminded me of an owl.
Looking at him today and considering an owl as the inspiration I can see it more. Having hands and forward facing feet and more pronounced whiskers throws me off from seeing it initially, but I take it that's to make him seem a little more human or at least mammalian and to allow him to hold things like the umbrella he couldn't do with wings.
All Hail The Owly Derp From Whence Snorts and Giggles Flow
I'm not sure what it's actually doing here, but it looks to be having the time of its life, and I'm happy telling myself that's what it is! 😀