A fundraising campaign to save the Totoro forest in Japan

A Japanese city wants to preserve the forest that served as the inspiration for the famous cartoon

, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign supported by Studio Ghibli, a spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

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The locality of Tokorozawa, about thirty kilometers northwest of Tokyo, plans to acquire this 3.5 hectare forest for around 2.6 billion yen (18.3 million euros).

"

," Tokorozawa's spokesperson told AFP, adding that the city wanted to transform this forest with some 7000 trees in a nature reserve.

Totoro, spirit of the forest and huge plump gray creature star of the animated film released in 1988, is one of the most famous characters of Studio Ghibli, at the origin of many other animated successes such

or

.

In exchange for a donation of 25,000 yen (175 euros), participants in the campaign targeting a Japanese audience will receive a set of five prints of drawings made by the animation studio.

Initially, 1,000 lots will be available, and more may be added later, the spokesperson said.

Donations are expected to cover only a small portion of the amount needed to acquire the forest, but the city hopes through this campaign to draw attention and build momentum of support for its preservation.