Makkuro-Kurosuke
Summary
The Susuwatari, which translates literally to "travelling soot," are small, spherical creatures resembling dust bunnies or soot sprites. Initially introduced in My Neighbor Totoro, they are shy and slightly frightening beings that inhabit abandoned structures. They possess fuzzy, pitch-black bodies with two inquisitive eyes. While they primarily move by hovering, they can extend stick-like limbs to perform tasks and lift objects far exceeding their own weight. When excited, they emit a squeaky murmur, and crushing them causes them to dissolve into soot powder. In My Neighbor Totoro, the family home is infested with these creatures. The characters rationalize their presence as Makkuro Kurosuke, an optical illusion resulting from moving quickly from bright light into darkness. Once the house is reclaimed as a residence, the family drives the Susuwatari away, forcing them to relocate to other abandoned areas. They reappear in Spirited Away working in Kamaji's boiler room. The protagonist Sen befriends several of them by assisting with coal carrying, learning that without work, they revert to mere soot. Another character, Lin, tends to them like livestock, feeding them Japanese candy called Kompeito by throwing it on the ground.
