A Film by Hayao Miyazaki

Well, everyone, here it is, the last showing of the 2023 iteration of Studio Ghibli Fest by Fathom Events! Back in March, I decided to take my son to a showing of My neighbor Totoro, an activity that kicked off us watching every single Hayao Miyazaki film in the theater, with the exceptions of the Spirited Away stage play due to subtitles and The Wind Rises because I wasn’t sure it would hold his attention (he’s only eight). I did, however, watch both of these films myself, so for me it was a clean sweep! This is all leading up to the US release of the much-anticipated new film, The Boy and the Heron, which premieres sometime in December. Even though I have had Blu-Ray copies of almost all of these films for years now, I had only ever seen Ponyo during its theatrical run, and only one other Ghibli film theatrically, Arrietty, due to my local theater in the town I used to live in NEVER getting stuff like that. Getting to see these films in the way they were intended was awesome, and I can’t wait to see what is coming up next year.

Despite seeing a version of Spirited Away back in April as part of this series, it has been an EXCEPTIONALLY long time since I’ve actually watched this film. This will likely break everyone’s hearts, but I always liked the film, but never loved it. Perhaps, I can chalk this up to when I originally watched it, at the age of 20-1 way back when it first hit DVD back in 2001-2. I feel like I was not mature enough to notice the nuance, considering I was always a junkie for dystopian and cyberpunk science fiction anime over fantasy films. Knowing what I know now about some of the themes in the movie now, most notably Hayao Miyazaki using it as a commentary of human trafficking, there is a lot I got out of the film this time around that I always missed before. While I still have some issues with the film that I will discuss later, I can see why it is highly lauded and won an Academy Award.

“Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Chihiro’s family is moving to a New house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress, Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange New place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.”

Spirited Away, perhaps Hayao Miyazaki’s most famous film, stands as a seminal work within the realm of animation, and even after two decades looks far better than most animation produced today. The film tackles many complex themes, such as loss of identity, cultural identity, the effects of loss, greed and even friendship to marginalized people. It’s one of those movies with multiple layers that Shrek is always talking about. To go into it, like I previously did, taking everything at face value is indeed the wrong way to look at the film, because there is so much more to it.

The film opens with Chihiro, a young girl, and her parents inadvertently stumbling upon an abandoned amusement park while on a family excursion during a big move (echoing the opening of My Neighbor Totoro a tad). As they traverse this surreal terrain, they become unwittingly ensnared in an alternate realm, moving farther and farther from reality with each step. This universe is suffused with surreal landscapes and inhabited by a pantheon of spirits and entities found in Japanese folklore.

Chihiro’s parents take part in a feast, not meant for humans, beginning a grotesque transformation into literal pigs in the process. Now alone and separated from all she knows and unable to escape, she embarks on an odyssey to retrieve her family and return to her own world before it’s too late. She is helped along by some incredible characters, with even the smallest part really adding something to the overall tone and style of the film.

All of the characters in Spirited Away constitute the emotional and intellectual core of the narrative in many ways. This is especially true for Chihiro’s transformative arc, from a timid, somewhat bratty, and insecure child to a resilient, and compassionate heroic young woman. This change in her character mirrors the larger theme of metamorphosis and self-discovery found throughout the film. Almost every character comes away better than before after meeting Chihiro and vice versa. The supporting cast, including the cryptic No-Face, the benevolent Kamaji, and the formidable Yubaba, all add layers of complexity and depth. As with many films from Miyazaki, there are no real “villains” throughout the film, sure some characters are antagonists at times, but his films have most of his characters grow with no one-dimensional “evil for the sake of it” characters.

Miyazaki’s creation of this parallel reality is a masterwork of visual storytelling. Every frame is imbued with painstaking detail and imagination. The animation, a testament to the consummate artistry of Studio Ghibli, imparts a sense of wonder and immersion. The film’s ability to transport the viewer into an enchanting world is emblematic of Miyazaki’s unparalleled creative vision.

One noteworthy aspect of Spirited Away is the English voice dub, directed by John Lasseter. Lasseter’s team of voice actors, including Daveigh Chase as Chihiro, Suzanne Pleshette as Yubaba, and Susan Egan as Lin, skillfully and artfully bring their characters to life. The English adaptation of the film remains faithful to the original Japanese version, ensuring that the nuances of the characters and their emotional depth are preserved. Everyone should know that I’m more of a dub guy, and especially when taking a kid to the movie I’d prefer not to have to read the film to him. Unlike a lot of these Disney dubs from around this era, the one for Spirited Away is top notch.

For subtitle only fans, the Japanese voice cast that brought the beloved characters to life is also very well done. The film’s protagonist, Chihiro, was brilliantly voiced by Rumi Hiiragi. The iconic No-Face was given a haunting and enigmatic presence through the voice talent of Akio Nakamura. Other standout performances include the spirited Haku, portrayed by Miyu Irino, and the mysterious Yubaba and Zeniba, both voiced by the versatile Mari Natsuki.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away achieved not only widespread acclaim but also a remarkable milestone in the world of cinema by winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Its Oscar victory was a testament to the film’s artistic brilliance, unique storytelling, and cultural significance, marking a turning point in the recognition of animated films as a serious and impactful medium in the global cinematic landscape.

The Academy Awards bestowed the Best Animated Feature category to recognize outstanding achievements in animation after most rightfully pointed out how underappreciated the medium was within the stuffy tradition-based institution. It was still thought by many that “cartoons are for kids” or even worse, “cartoons are not art”, both terrible ways to look at a large swath of filmmaking history. At the time of Spirited Away’s victory, this category was relatively new, having been introduced in 2001. Prior to that, animated films were typically considered only for technical categories. I have issues with this award today, as it largely goes to Disney or Dreamworks films almost every year based on familiarity versus artistic merit, but for one day in 2003, anime as an entire medium was finally taken seriously, and for a fan that felt awesome!

The Academy’s recognition of Spirited Away marked a significant turning point in the history of animated cinema. It paved the way for other international animated films to receive the accolades and respect they deserved. Furthermore, it highlighted the potential for animated films to be more than just entertainment for children but vehicles for powerful storytelling and profound themes, capable of impacting audiences of all ages.

My only issue with this film, what I alluded to before, and honestly what keeps me from saying it’s my favorite of all Ghibli films, despite it being a great movie, is that the ending comes VERY quickly. I’m not sure the film could have justified a longer runtime, but once the characters find Zeniba’s cabin and learn how to handle their situation, its a matter of minutes before every loose plot thread suddenly comes together as the story races to the finish. While it in no way ruins the movie, I wish a few revelations had more foreshadowing, such as who or what exactly Haku was before he came to the spirit world and the sudden changes of heart a number of characters have all at once. This is the same issue I had with Howl’s Moving Castle, and something that likely arises from the way Miyazaki storyboards his films.

Spirited Away is a cinematic magnum opus that invites scholarly examination for those looking for an animated feature that transcends the medium. Hayao Miyazaki’s storytelling prowess and Studio Ghibli’s artistic ingenuity combine to form a work of enduring significance – even those that are not well-versed in anime likely know about the film due to its Oscar Win. The film’s multifaceted characters, mesmerizing animation, and profound thematic exploration, when coupled with the excellence of the both voice casts, render it a cinematic treasure.

If you want to see more GKIDS material that I’ve reviewed, click HERE.

And for more Ghibli content, Click HERE

Up next is going to be a twelfth film in this eleven part series, because Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron is coming out VERY soon!

In fact, the bonus features of this showing included a special interview segment after the film talking about the upcoming film, and a full music video of a performance of the film’s theme song as seen below. You can tell they want this new movie to be a huge success in the West, and I am honestly impressed with the attention and love it’s getting through this promotion.