‘Spirited Away’ (2002), a multi-award-winning masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, is an atypical, anime, coming-of-age story. Based on Japanese folklore, it tells the story of Chihiro (Daveigh Chase), a young girl trapped in a magical world full of spirits where she must take on greater responsibilities to survive in her quest to escape her incorporeal prison.
Hayao Miyazaki (born 5th January 1941) is a highly-coveted Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, animator, author and manga artist. He also co-founded Studio Ghibli alongside Isao Takahata. In 2014, Miyazaki was awarded an Honorary Academy Award, making him only the second Japanese filmmaker to win it besides Akira Kurosawa in 1990. Like his other movies including, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988) and ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997), ‘Spirited Away’ refers to nature, ecology and pollution by humans, reflecting in the stinking spirits.
An ever-present theme throughout the film’s entirety is Chihiro’s coming-of-age. When she travels from the human world to the spirit world, she becomes an outsider that must hide her true self, similar to a teenager trying to fit into adult society. Chihiro meets Yubaba (Suzanne Pleshette), the owner of a bathhouse who strips Chihiro of her true name, changing it to Sen, a symbolic gesture of having to conform to expectations in the working world. The name Sen means one thousand in Japanese and signifies that Chihiro is one of many. The name releases her from childhood and begins her metamorphosis into adulthood. Chihiro has to deal with many tribulations by herself as her parents (Michael Chiklis and Lauren Holly) have been transformed into pigs, a connotation of greed. This also suggests that there is a moral to this story that greed and money are not what life is about and that there is more to being an adult than being wealthy and having material objects.
To gain the audience’s attention, there were many film techniques used including the numerous different genres of music that reflected the actions of the scene. An example of this was the Japanese folk music that played throughout, reflecting the movie’s cultural context. The music becomes fast-paced and dramatic when Chihiro visits Yubaba and when Haku (Jason Marsden) is in dragon form is injured. When the action is slow and solemn, the music would become lullaby-like.
In terms of camera angles, high angles were used to show inferiority and insignificance, whilst, low angles were used to show superiority and intimidation. A prime example of this is when Yubaba threatens Chihiro after she requests employment.
‘Spirited Away’ is a beautiful wacky movie provides great insight into Japanese culture and mythology. It is a must-see movie that inspires and teaches people to overcome their fears and act courageously to save those they love from danger. This movie teaches morality, about being kind and selfless, not greedy. The bizarre world of ‘Spirited Away’, wonderful watercolor backgrounds and intense focus on the smallest details make the movie come to life. I highly recommend watching this movie as it will certainly grab your attention.