Susuwatari

Overview

Susuwatari are fictional, mysterious spirit creatures created by Studio Ghibli, appearing in the animated feature films My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Resembling tiny, fuzzy balls of black soot, they inhabit old, deserted houses as well as the bustling boiler room beneath a spiritual bathhouse. Affectionately nicknamed "Makkuro Kurosuke" by the children in My Neighbor Totoro, they function both as harmless household dwellers and as diligent worker spirits under the supervision of Kamaji in Spirited Away.

Appearance

Susuwatari have pitch-black, single-segmented round bodies covered in soft fuzz, featuring two distinct eyes on their front. Their physical forms are composed entirely of soot, causing them to dissolve into plain black powder if squished. In Spirited Away, they possess thin, spindly, spider-like limbs that can extend from their spherical bodies to handle objects.

Personality

Susuwatari are timid and skittish by nature, habitually scurrying into dark crevices or high corners when startled by light or sudden intrusion. They communicate with high-pitched chirps and frequently move together in large swarms. They possess a fondness for sweets, especially konpeito star candies, which they enthusiastically gather around when offered. While generally hardworking laborers under Kamaji, they also exhibit a playful, opportunistic streak, such as pretending to be overwhelmed by heavy burdens when someone else offers to carry their workload.

Abilities

Susuwatari are capable of floating lightly through the air and traveling upward into hidden rafters. When gathered in numbers, they periodically release bursts of black soot, coating their environment in dust. Despite their tiny size, they display remarkable strength, effortlessly transporting heavy lumps of coal that a human child like Ogino Chihiro can barely lift. Their physical existence in the boiler room is sustained by magic; if they cease working, the spell dissipates and they revert into lifeless soot.

Background

According to regional folklore, Susuwatari dwell in old, unoccupied houses and are visible primarily to children, causing no harm beyond spreading dust. In My Neighbor Totoro, a large colony lives in the aged house moved into by the Kusakabe family. Once the home is thoroughly cleaned and filled with family laughter, they depart together under cover of night. In Spirited Away, they serve as furnace helpers in the boiler room of Yubaba's bathhouse, continuously feeding coal into the fires under Kamaji's direction to keep the hot springs running.

Relationships

Kusakabe Satsuki and Kusakabe Mei give them the nickname "Makkuro Kurosuke," excitedly hunting for them around their new home. Kusakabe Tatsuo and Kanta no Obaachan reassure the girls that these entities are harmless background spirits rather than frightening monsters. In the boiler room of the bathhouse, they work under Kamaji, who directs their tasks and feeds them konpeito. Though initially cautious around Ogino Chihiro, they quickly grow friendly toward her after she assists them with their heavy furnace duties.

Trivia

The name "Susuwatari" translates literally to "soot traveler" and can be written in kanji as "煤渡り." The iconic phrase "Makkuro Kurosuke" used in My Neighbor Totoro was derived from a picture book character mentioned within the film rather than being their official species name. As one of the rare recurring original creatures across separate Studio Ghibli films, they have become recognizable mascots celebrated for their quirky group animations.