Spirited Away is the greatest animated film of all time, in my opinion. But to even call the Oscar-winning masterpiece an “animated film” feels like an insult to Hayao Miyazaki. It was a game-changer for all of cinema, one that defied the perceived limits of animated films, one that continues to influence brilliant works from the likes of Studio Ghibli to Pixar. Each scene, most of which being hand-drawn, is visually breathtaking. The plot is dense enough to constitute its own little dynamic world. The characters are complex, unique, and always evolving. Joe Hisaishi’s score is breathtaking & iconic. The themes are deeply profound & texturized. The hidden details & symbols will surprise you with each viewing. But make no mistake: Spirited Away is no “kid film.” It’s about a girl who gets trapped inside another dimension, a netherworld of spirits and demons, and must fight to survive AND find her missing parents! Dark, right? But with it comes immense & uniquely human depth. It’s a story of adversity, facing your battles, and growing up.
The coming-of-age film begins with Chihiro—an immature, anxious, timid protagonist. After her parents get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, she is suddenly lost, alone, and scared. She soon finds herself in front of a huge, ominous bathhouse (Shinto imagery & themes are rampant here and throughout the film). As the night falls, the human world around her is engulfed by a vibrant spirit world. Chihiro meets a few friends, like Haku, but is surrounded by hundreds who reject, doubt, belittle, threaten, and try to harm her. She gets the worst job at the bathhouse and has no choice but to adapt. She must push herself in all ways. And she embarks upon the ultimate journey—slowly evolving into a fearless, cerebral, respected young adult. It is the magnum opus of a director, composer, and studio that teamed up for 40 years of timeless films. They’re all incredible (even better if you watch them in their original Japanese language with just English subtitles). Of course, not all of you who haven’t seen it will like Spirited Away. Art is too subjective. But if you watch carefully with an open mind, you will be astonished.
Rating: 10/10
Classic! 👏
Great review of it.
😎
underrated man. i love anime
I honestly don’t want much anime but I love Miyazaki so much.
Watching Howls tonight
Have you seen Princess Mononoke? Def recommend it as the Miyazaki film to watch once you’ve seen Spirited Away.
Followed by The Wind Rises.
No but ill add em to list.
这是一个好博客
Yesss!
It’s a great one.
Love Porco Rosso, too.
Yesss—one of Miyazaki’s most underrated films!
+ Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Castle
I personally thought Howl’s Moving Castle was a bit too drawn out and sloppy, but still a great film. Love Kiki’s, too!
Fair points.
Just saw Ponyo. Thoughts?
I saw it when it came out, so I was still very young and incapable of understanding all of its subtleties and nuances. Need to see it again!
It felt more like a kid’s film—whereas most Miyazaki films (barring Totoro and a few others) feel more tailored to adult audiences. I prefer the adult stuff since it’s more cerebral.
Fair. Well, I saw it with a nephew and niece. Need to see Totoro. I always thought of these all as kid films. But, you make me reconsider
I always think of Miyazaki films as dynamic in the sense that they can appeal to both adult and younger audiences in different ways. For example, Spirited Away has the visuals and the characters that appeal to younger kids, while its themes and nuances are tailored to cerebral adults.
Well said.
Fun fact: Princess Mononoke is PG-13.
And, that changes the perspective. I thought they were all G or PG
The Wind Rises is also PG-13. Seems like most of Miyazaki’s best ones are PG or PG-13 (with a few G’s, too).
Wow. Thoughts on The Wind Rises? Off to bed, but, I’ll reply later
Great reminder. I have to do homework, but I’ll get back to you on that tomorrow!
iconic anime
Iconic indeed!
A magnum opus
For sure. Princess Mononoke and The Wind Rises are up there behind it though IMO.
Yasss Spirited Away n Mononoke are the best
Indeed! Have you seen The Wind Rises, though? It really is such a masterpiece as well. Def recommend if you haven’t.
Nooo but rly need to now ughhh
The trailer is v neat
Let me know if you check it out. So artistic.
Watched Spirited Away just a few days back and it’s definitely one of the most intricate animations I’ve ever seen.
Well said!
Masterpiece, even do I couldn´t see it all, just some parts. It reminds on the “The Grave of the Fireflies”…
Two masterpieces, indeed! Hope you can finish the parts you haven’t seen soon!
Maybe, one day…
Princess Mononoke is my favorite movie of all time and, comprehensively, I think better than this one. Great perspective nonetheless!
I 100% respect that. Incredible film!
Love Spirited Away!! Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Totoro, The Wind Rises… But I have special place in my heart for Princess Kaguya… I have yet to watch “Graveyard of Fireflies”..
Kaguya is incredible! Loved seeing it. I think Grave of the Fireflies is the only one I haven’t seen either, so you’re not alone! I hear that it’s devastatingly sad so that’ll be interesting to see from a Studio Ghibli. Cheers!
Spirited Away is the first Hayao Miyazaki film I’ve watched. And now, I can’t stop! I’ve watched his other films since these past few days, as well as other Studio Ghibli films. I was amazed because I wasn’t bored a minute till the end. Thanks and cheers, Luke!
Love it Camille! So glad to hear that—thanks for sharing. What are your fav other Ghibli films?
Oh, I particularly like Howl’s Moving Castle, and From Up On Poppy Hill. 😊 I know most people love Princess Mononoke (aside from Spirited Away) but idk, I kind of like the two I mentioned better. Though tbh, all of them are worth watching. And oh, my lil bro loves My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo. 😁 Am still watching some Ghibli today haha 😂
Love that! Seems like Princess Mononoke is a bit of a bandwagon (although I must say that it’s in my top 3) but your choices are great! Isn’t From Up On Poppy Hill so underrated? And cheers to Totoro. What a classic!
Sooo Happy to see your love of Spirited Away and Hayao Miyazak!!! Just wanted to give U a shout out Luke!!!
Thanks so much. Cheers to celebrating what we have in common! Hope all is well!
All is Corona Virus and Trump being culpable as well as Kanye West, but if that’s common ground (as in Spirited Away), Luke, ok… Cheers. Here’s to the apocalypse! How U really doing? Still good for U in yer neck of the woods?
Cheers to common ground! Sorry for the delay, by the way. Was burried in exam work but I’m all good now. How about you?
No worries. Hope your exams went well. I’m faring well enuff, considering the state of the USA and larger world. Thanks for asking. 😉
Good point! Crazy time, right? Your thoughts on the protests. I’m really happy that even white people are starting to step up and see how much systemic racism there is in the US for minorities. Hope we can all make lasting impact together this time!
Um… “even white people” are starting to step up? Luke, maybe U don’t know who I am. That’s okay and not your fault. I saw parts of “Roots” the television series when I was like 5 years old. I been stepping up ever since with no barriers. As in I understood right from wrong. I know what white supremacy is. I know my history. But I am glad you, especially as a young white man are attempting to awake.
Sorry, I think I mis-stated that. I’ve been very active in the BLM movement and addressing systemic racism since I was in 6th grade, and I have some other white friends who have been for as long as they can remember too. I was just saying that it felt like we were in a small minority out of white people, but now it seems a more popular and widespread mindset. You know? Def not accusing anybody of not paying attention to the issue or anything.
Especially from 2013 to 2015 ish, I lost a lot of friendships due to my vocal support for Black Lives Matter and the fight against police brutality. And I wouldn’t take any of those moments back!
What I essentially meant to say is that the difference I personally have noticed this year is that it seems that more white conservatives and moderates are starting to open their minds to the existence of systemic racism in the US (instead of just white liberals). Just my opinion, though. I’m writing a review of Fruitvale Station right now and BLM that I’ll post soon!
I look forward to reading your review sometime soon.
Hi again Luke, When I was 18 years old I came across a book by the artist Sue Coe called X, by Raw Graphics, in the Looking Glass Book Store in Portland, Oregon. And afterwards I wanted to do my senior paper on Malcolm X, but my history teacher wouldn’t allow it. I argued and argued but to no avail. So I ended up studying apartheid and writing about that instead. It was ok to study South Africa’s human slave trade… But so here’s a brief glimpse of my work in college about the fully misunderstood Malcolm X:
https://girlpoweracademy.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/malcolm-x-is-a-girl-power-academy-featured-activist-recommendation/
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing. Checking out now.
Speaking of South Africa and Apartheid, Trevor Noah has produced some fantastic commentary on those issues over the years (as well as American BLM issues). Highly recommend his show if you haven’t seen it!