Spirited Away. A Modern Fairytale
Spirited away is a film created in the Japanese Animation style called Anime. It was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was originally released in Japan in 2001. Today it is still one of the most well known and loved Anime works around the western world. It has a thriving and active fan club and continues to inspire new generations of young people each coming year. The movie Spirited Away is known for its inherent mystical mood and beautiful visuals. It’s truly a work of cinematic art. A quick YouTube search can bring up countless, in-depth, analyses and interpretations. There are many references to various folklore of different cultures around the world. Primarily it appears that the director has been deeply moved by the native Japanese, Shinto religion. He infuses traditional Japanese mythological creatures throughout the film. It was the first Japanese animation to ever win an Oscar. It is still the highest grossing Japanese film even 20 years later. This movie helped bring Anime into the western mainstream culture. It is a gripping film. The concepts are simple enough, and the script simple enough that it can be captivating for all ages. Including young children like toddlers, which can be a challenging thing to do.
The movie starts off with the main character, Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl. She is in the back of her family’s car, driving to a new home. The first scene gives the clear impression that she is moving to a new place and isn’t that excited about it. Her parents are seemingly unsympathetic and distracted. Instantly, the artist evokes a sense of relatability with Chihiro. This opening scene has managed to propose questions and assumptions about her situation. It appears that the move was perhaps sudden. Already I’m asking myself things like, why did they have to move? Where are they going? Who were the friends that Chihiro had to leave behind? The parents are not familiar with the area and appear to be rushed. Her dad takes a wrong turn, and they end up barreling down a dirt road. This is the first indicator of the mystical atmosphere of the story line. Chihiro notices small bird house like structures lying about in the trees. When she asks her parents about them her mom answers dismissively that they are spirit houses. She explains that more traditional and superstitious Japanese people believe that spirits and ancestors’ dwell in them. The parents appear to be modern working professionals. I would guess that Hayao Miyazaki understands a bit of the old ways and the new modern ways. Both show themselves throughout the movie, and his other works. The animation is fluid and I feel, almost soothing. He has notably paid great attention to detail in the movements. He weaves in so many esoteric concepts and individual spirits that it conveys he was well educated in the subject matter.
Ultimately, It is the story of a young girl Jahiro, slipping into the magical spirit realm. Not unlike other ancient fairy tales. The whole movie is from the perspective of the young girl. The family takes a wrong turn and accidentally stops at an abandoned amusement park. They find that one single food restaurant appeared to still be in business. There were large buffets of food set out, and her parents started helping themselves. After a very greedy display her parents then transform into pigs right in front of her eyes and she runs away. Crossing a bridge just as the sun is setting, she sees all the street lanterns light up. Just like that she begins her journey through the spirit world to save her parents. The abandoned park has become a Spirit Bath House. This is another example of the ancient Japanese influence.
I feel like the director wanted to make a modern fairy tale and give life to perhaps fading traditions of his own culture. This movie certainly brought modern awareness to his culture, which I think was part of his intention to create the work. He expresses strong empathy and has a niche for finding subtle ways of compelling that same empathy from the audience. Though the animator has never come out and shared what his exact influences were. It is obviously drawn from his own life and experiences. I am deeply moved by the gentleness of intention.
All of the antagonists were clear forms of evil. Chihiro and the other characters demonstrate heroic goodness. I feel like I can relate to the large active fanbase of Spirited Away fans. It makes me want to learn more about the Japanese Culture and more about their beliefs regarding magical realms. Why are there so many similarities between the Japanese spirits and Celtic Fairys? There is a huge emphasis on respect throughout the plot.
Jahiro is an unlikely hero but turns out to be a triumphant underdog.
Miyazaki shows reverence for the childhood innocence within each of us. From Chihiro’s perspective he is able express how confusing the world can be from the eyes of a young person. As well as the deep love and loyalty that children have for their parents. Despite all the unknowns, and dangers, she perseveres against an evil witch, and other powerful spirits. It also shows how significant and powerful children are in parents’ lives and the world, even if their parents don’t notice. Her seemingly small, insignificant, naive appearance is proven to be inaccurate. Looks can be deceiving, and it is what is within that truly counts. That our power does not come from money, or status, but rather from strength, and love, and the glory of the spirit within in. This is demonstrated by her determined spirit, her hard work ethic, her innocence, her lack of judgment and prejudice. She has also a bit of rebelliousness in her character. She breaks many “rules” throughout the movie and doesn’t take the advice or counsel of many. However, it is by being herself, and following her own heart and intuition that allows her to find her own way and save her parents. Her journey ends with a final test from the witch. She brings forth all her other hogs, which are many, and tells Chihiro that if she can recognize her own parents in the crowd of pigs, then she will restore them. This reinforces the concept of being able to see beneath the surface of things. That there is more to people and the world than meets the eye. There are hidden realms, and souls within, so try to find them.
I feel like this is the main concept that he is trying to express. Of course, like many stories of trips to the spirit world, her parents do not remember anything. Once they are changed back to their human form, Chihiro runs back across the bridge only to find that her parents are right where she left them. Only a few minutes have passed, and they continue back on their journey to their new home.
The movie is riddled with lots of lore and mythology; however, the artist has not put it in plain sight. It’s almost like, if you were already familiar with the myths then you would recognize them. Yet, to the unfamiliar they seem like original ideas. It has depth and complexity along with layers ripe with content for interpretation. This work, like many others, is a very useful tool in bridging the gap between times and cultures. I feel like this movie helped to normalize Japanese animation in the western world. The exceptional artistic skills demonstrated in Spirited Away is inspiring. It made me want to know more about the Japanese culture. It is portrayed in such a beautifully exotic, yet comfortably familiar way. I wonder if he made all the references to older stories and characters hidden as a form of respect? I wonder how he knows so much about the cracks between worlds, and how beautiful they can be.
Hayao has created many other animations with equally timeless and ancient themes. Stories that seem to take place long ago, while occurring right now in modern times. I wonder about bath houses and what their cultural significance is to the Japanese. I wonder if water spirits can take the form of dragons, like in the movie.
When it comes to the impression his expression made on his own culture, it was significant. Every scene is swimming in esotericism and symbology. I am deeply moved by the gentleness of intention. All of the antagonists were clear forms of evil. Chihiro and the other characters demonstrate heroic goodness. Why are there so many similarities between the Japanese spirits and Celtic Fairies? Jahiro is an unlikely hero but turns out to be a triumphant underdog.
The Japanese culture values status and respect. I feel like this single value influences all their creative works, especially this one. My own American culture is known to glamorize and glorify aesthetics. Yet, in spirited away all the characters are plain faced without makeup, and they are dressed modestly. I am certainly influenced by creative expression from my own culture. I believe that it is the expressions of others that shape cultures and values. One of many examples is propaganda. A well-formed campaign that creates a relatable, and meaningful response from the audience can persuade people to believe things, even if they are not necessarily true or even ethical. It is well known that what people see, that is thought or emotion provoking, greatly influences the way someone thinks about things. If we grow up around a certain set of values and have witnessed people around us expressing their love and appreciation for those values, we are likely to understand what the meaning behind those values are. If someone who is completely ignorant to Japanese culture watches Spirited Away, they will be able to discern the differences in the Japanese culture and values from their own. This is the beauty of expression. It’s part of being a human being. We are social creatures and rely on verbal and non-verbal communication to learn from each other. This ability to express our personal values allows us to be able to relate to others and build communities.
If you haven’t already, go watch this animation!
References
1.Story Dive. (2019, November 16). Spirited Away Revealed. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRVpWwMXrl8
2.Spirited away. (2022, August 20). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away
3.Hayao Miyazaki. (2001, November 4). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki
