My Hero Academia: Vigilantes has carved out its own corner of the franchise by focusing on characters that challenge the hero society. The spin-off is recognized for its gritty and eye-opening take on heroism from a much different and far more relatable level. It offers a more morally gray narrative compared to its predecessor, and it expands the world of heroes and villains in a way that adds greater depth to the overall series.

Recently, in Episode 9 of the anime, Vigilantes features a perfect and utterly unhinged Easter Egg pulled straight from Studio Ghibli. Upon first viewing, fans may not connect the dots immediately, but once they do, they’ll never unsee it. It’s the kind of detail that can easily be overlooked or dismissed, but it’s undeniably Ghibli-coded.

My Hero Academia Vigilantes Gives a Subtle Nod to My Neighbor Totoro

The Catbus From Totoro Makes an Appearance in Vigilantes With a Terrifying Twist

The Studio Ghibli reference in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes' ninth episode is easy to overlook, especially for fans who haven’t watched the iconic film My Neighbor Totoro in years. In a chaotic sequence, a cat transforms into a monstrous, bus-jacking menace after being stung by one of Kuin Hachisuka’s bees. The feline then becomes the bus itself, tearing through the streets in a way that feels chaotically reminiscent of the Catbus in Ghibli’s film. However, this version is much more of a nightmare than a fantastical wonder.

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The drug-laced venom comes from the current antagonist of Vigilantes, Kuin, also known as Queen Bee, and functions by amplifying quirks beyond their natural limits. In this instance, it stings a cat that hops onto the roof of an ordinary bus, triggering a bizarre transformation that endangers the lives of civilians as the Monster Cat tears through the streets at speeds that require intervention from Ingenium. The visual homage is difficult to ignore and provides a clever and dangerous twist on one of Ghibli’s most beloved creatures.

The Catbus in Totoro Is One of the Film's Most Unforgettable Creations

The Catbus in My Neighbor Totoro Is Much More Than a Means of Transportation

On the surface, the Catbus in My Neighbor Totoro is one of Studio Ghibli’s most charming and surreal creations. It serves as a whimsical form of transportation for the forest spirits and ultimately helps Satsuki find her sister Mei after she runs away. With its glowing eyes for headlights and wide Cheshire grin, the Catbus feels cozy rather than a terrifying danger. It’s a childhood fantasy come to life and adds to the magical nature of Miyazaki’s world.

It acts as a guide for the girls, helping them navigate the world and their tangled emotions.

However, the Catbus serves as much more than just a fun, magical creature. It carries significant symbolism and provides a sense of comfort within the narrative. The Catbus appears during the film’s most emotionally charged moments and becomes a vehicle for hope and connection. For Satsuki, the bus leads her to Mei before ultimately taking them to the hospital where their mother is being treated. The Catbus then transforms into a representation of both childhood wonder and possibility. It acts as a guide for the girls, helping them navigate the world and their tangled emotions.

The Catbus provides Studio Ghibli fans with an unforgettable and whimsical experience through Satsuki and Mei’s journey. While Vigilantes takes a chaotic twist on the creature and turns it into a speeding danger, the design itself pays homage to the beloved creature in My Neighbor Totoro through a darker, grittier lens that is unique to its storyline. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes' nod to the iconic Studio Ghibli film was done in a way that honors the original design while offering its own distinct twist.