Toyota Breathes Life into the Iconic Cat Bus--Uncovering the Details Behind the Highly Anticipated Vehicle Design
Toyota Unveils APM Cat Bus Inspired by Studio Ghibli's "My Neighbor Totoro"
On February 27, 2024, Toyota unveiled a unique electric vehicle – the APM Cat Bus. This vehicle, designed by Naoki Nagatsu and his team in collaboration with Studio Ghibli director Goro Miyazaki, is a faithful recreation of the iconic Cat Bus from the beloved Studio Ghibli film, "My Neighbor Totoro."
The APM Cat Bus was meticulously designed with a keen eye for detail. The team took into account the vehicle's appearance from a child's perspective, ensuring the design was whimsical and engaging. The Cat Bus's eyes are positioned slightly out to the sides, not facing forward, and its "cat brown" sections are raised rather than outlined, giving it a distinct and endearing appearance.
One of the most notable features of the APM Cat Bus is its removable seat covers, making cleaning a breeze. The seat covers are also lined with the same fur-like material as the roof, adding to the vehicle's overall aesthetic. The details, such as the lips, teeth, and nails, are painted in specific colours, further enhancing the Cat Bus's lifelike appearance.
The design challenge for the APM Cat Bus was transitioning from on-screen animation to a three-dimensional vehicle. Adjusting the tire pressure and ensuring the vehicle was level were crucial steps in achieving the desired look. The steering wheel is centrally located in the vehicle, and its colour matches the cat's fur, as do the instrument panel and other details.
Director Goro Miyazaki placed particular importance on the otherworldly eyes of the APM Cat Bus, and Nagatsu felt a great sense of accomplishment seeing the designers and painting personnel work together as a team, going through countless revisions to get the design just right.
The APM Cat Bus's destination reads "Ghibli Park," hinting at a possible connection to a future theme park based on Studio Ghibli's works. The license plate numbers on the APM Cat Bus contain a hidden meaning when sounded out in Japanese, but the specifics of this hidden meaning remain unknown at this time.
The APM Cat Bus is more than just a vehicle; it's a tribute to the magic of Studio Ghibli and the enduring appeal of "My Neighbor Totoro." Its unveiling marks a significant moment in the world of themed vehicles and serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and attention to detail in bringing beloved characters to life.
This collaboration between Toyota and Studio Ghibli not only revolutionizes the automotive industry but also blurs the lines between finance and technology, as the APM Cat Bus encapsulates the essence of anime and storytelling, transforming a fictional transportation method into a tangible reality. With a possible connection to a future theme park, this unique electric vehicle embodies the spirit of innovation and creativity in the entertainment and finance sectors.
