What kind of pyromaniac would want to burn down "Totoro's Home"?

by Chris MaGee

This is really sad. Anime News Network is reporting that a Western-style heritage house in Suginami City, Tokyo popularly known as "Totoro's Home" has been destroyed after a suspected case of arson. The house, built in 1929 and protected by the Suginami City municipal government, was featured by Hayao Miyazaki in his book "Totoro no Sumu Ie (The Homes that Totoro Lives in)". The "My Neighbour Totoro" and "Spirited Away" director described the house as one "that Totoro would have enjoyed living in dearly."

According to authorities the security alarm in the house was triggered on Saturday, February 14th at 2:00 a.m. Tokyo time and the fire broke out shortly thereafter, gutting the 80-year-old structure.

The house was set to become the center of a public park, but of course that has all changed now. Above is a pic of the house (courtesy of Sports Nippon) in better times. Let's hope the king of the forest himself comes knocking on whatever jerk lit the house up.