Spirited Away Review
An inspiring journey through a spiritual world.
Synopsis
Chihiro, a young and determined girl, becomes trapped in a strange spiritual world after a tragic incident with her parents, as she must find the courage she never knew she had so she can save her family by working in a bathhouse filled with spirits.
I’ve watched this movie so many times during my childhood, and I remember being the first ever movie I’ve watched from Studio Ghibli, and I still remember me and my family watching it, with so much appreciation, love, and care. I am really thankful for them introducing me to this amazing universe (Studio Ghibli). This is the type of movie that gets you thinking the whole day, but also hugs you.
Animation Design
It's no news that Spirited Away is a beautifully stunning movie, as Studio Ghibli follows a theme to make their movies aesthetically pleasing for a bigger immersion of the audience on the movie. As the movie director and animation designer (Hayao Miyazaki) wanted to make the spiritual world more colorful and with bigger contrast to the human world so the audience could feel as they were in the story. As the movie also shows a blend between fantastical and realistic elements (such as the spirits with human and animal faces) making the story more relatable, but still showing an idea of wonder.
Chihiro's Development
Beggining
This scene is shown right from the begging of the movie, right before Chihiro is about to enter the spiritual world , from the expression and body language we can see how Chihiro was a insecure and fearful person before working in the bathhouse.
Towards the end
This scene is seen towards the end of the movie, as Chihiro worked for a longer time on the bathhouse and has gone through multiple adventures, and from her body language and facial expression, we see a much more determined and courageous Chihiro.
No-Face Spirit
As Chihiro works in the bathhouse, she is seen with multiple different spirits with different abilities, but the most intriguing and mysterious one is No-Face, as the name says this spirit doesn't have an ability nor a sense of identity. Through the story of the movie we see that No-Face can "consume" other spirits and get their abilities, as all of this is due to Chihiro's kind heart, she sees him outside and let him in the bathhouse, as he wasn't allowed. After No-Face creating a lot of chaos in the bathhouse by "consuming" too much spirits, Chihiro is able to turn him into a totally new and calmer spirit with a sense of self-identity due to her purity, kindness, and love for others.
Chihiro's Relationships
Haku
Haku act as a guide and protector to Chihiro on the spiritual world, as their connection goes since the past, Haku - a river spirit - saved Chihiro when she was a child and she remembers him of his true identity. Their relationship can be seen as a long-term friendship in which we learn and teach each other our best abilities.
Lin
Lin is a worker at the bathhouse in which quickly aids and nourishes Chihiro. She becomes a mentor and friend to Chihiro, as she helps her go through the challenges on the bathhouse. Lin can be seen as a sister to Chihiro, as she introduces the independence and courage that Chihiro needs to face multiple challenges.
Kamaji
Kamaji is the boilerman of the bathhouse as he oversees the temperatures of the baths. Kamaji is initially seen as a tough person, still, he softens towards Chihiro when he sees her determination to save her parents, getting her a job on the bathhouse. Their relationship can be seen as a grandfather relationship, as Kamaji even calls Chihiro his "granddaughter."
The big message...
This movie can be interpreted in many ways, but the main message of this movie is about the journey of self-discovery and growth, and how courage and the importance of kindness can positively change a person. As the film still shows how facing challenges and helping other persons - or even spirits - can lead to personal transformation and self-understanding.
Hayao Miyazaki's Direction
Hayao Miyazaki's direction is a perfect example of a meticulous attention to detail, deep storytelling, and an immense creative world building. Hayao's so fantastically blends the common world to a fantasy, creating a rich and immersive world that communicates with the audience, as this can be seen with multiple other movies of him, such as: Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Boy and The Heron. His ability to provoke profound and complex themes through his animations sets his work apart from any other animation, making him an exceptional director.