Shigesato Itoi is an established name in the Japanese cultural scene, but what he is known for may differ depending on who you ask.
To some, the 63-year-old is one of the most acclaimed advertising copywriters, who created an astonishing body of honed and catchy slogans, claims and come-ons during Japan's upbeat period of high economic growth in the 1970s and '80s. Others may remember him as a talk-show host or regular guest on prime-time variety shows — while some know him as the designer of Nintendo's popular computer game, "Mother 2" (titled "Earth Bound" for overseas).
Even if none of these claims to fame rings a bell, however, movie buffs may recognize Itoi as the voice-actor of the father of Mei and Satsuki in Hayao Miyazaki's popular animation film "My Neighbor Totoro"; while TV fans may know of him as the real-life husband of actress Kanako Higuchi, who plays the mother of the family in mobile-phone company Softbank's ongoing super-cult "Otosan" ad series.