Satsuki Kusakabe, an 11-year-old girl, relocates to the countryside with her father, Tatsuo, and younger sister, Mei, to be near their mother, Yasuko, hospitalized with tuberculosis. As the eldest sibling, she shoulders caregiving duties for Mei, juggling protective instincts with the emotional toll of her mother’s condition. She alternates between mature composure and wide-eyed curiosity, often concealing her worries to preserve Mei’s sense of security.

Cheerful yet prone to flashes of irritation—especially when tempering Mei’s spontaneity—she demonstrates a strong sense of duty through managing chores and academics while remaining receptive to whimsical adventures, like forging a bond with Totoro, a gentle forest spirit. This interplay highlights her struggle to reconcile youthful imagination with the weight of adult-like obligations.

Notable moments include sharing her umbrella with Totoro during a storm, receiving seeds and nuts in return, and later enlisting his aid to find Mei after a quarrel. Her dynamic with Mei pivots on sibling friction and unwavering devotion, evident in her relentless search for Mei despite fatigue. She gradually connects with neighbors: Granny, who offers guidance, and Kanta, a classmate whose jests shift to earnest camaraderie.

Her practical yet vibrant style features walnut-brown hair, brown eyes, and playful outfits like orange suspenders over a yellow shirt or a sunshine-toned dress, often shown barefoot at home to mirror her active demeanor.

In spin-offs such as *Mei and the Kittenbus*, she appears briefly, asleep during Mei’s encounter with the titular creature. Her name, meaning “May” in Japanese, pairs with her sister’s (“Mei”) to evoke themes of renewal and familial ties. Her journey emphasizes resilience, threading fear and hope as she bridges the ordinary and the magical.