Spirited Away accurately describes the experience of the viewer as well as that of the little girl who learns courage and love. I was engrossed from start to finish by the story, masterful animation and music. The artists showed an unbelievable attention to detail and created majestic scenery as a backdrop for the story. It’s quirky, but appeals to the imagination and in a world of spirits, anything can happen. Miyazaki takes some liberties, resulting in a hybrid of Alice in Wonderland and The Neverending Story, but that description really doesn’t do it justice.
For more information, take a look at the official site, the trailer and a review.
Miyazaki is a brilliant animator and filmmaker.
His previous film, Princess Mononoke, was only second to Titanic in Japanese video sales.
His use of color is a joy to behold.
So far, I have only seen Spirited Away once, so I hesitate to comment on the plot. Typical of his work, there are no good guys and bad guys; characters do good and bad things based on understandable motivations.
Mononoke was completely hand-drawn; I have read that in Spirited Away, Miyazaki used some computer generated graphics.
There is alot of info about his work on the web, e.g. see http://www.nausicaa.net
» Comment by Phil Hershkowitz on October 21, 2002 @ 9:00 pmThis really does look like a good movie.Really,I love all of their movies and so does my kids.I can’t wait to see it
» Comment by Tammie on October 21, 2002 @ 10:38 pmI loved Spirited Away, and I also loved Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa. Studio Ghibli films are pretty much always excellent. Mononoke did, however, use some computer graphics: See here for details. I don’t think the computer graphics detract at all from either film since they’re blended so well you don’t even notice.
» Comment by Levi on October 22, 2002 @ 9:55 amcongrats to spirited away for an impressive showing and taking home an oscar WOO HOO!
» Comment by whaleman on March 24, 2003 @ 1:51 pmI love this movie so much! It is the best!
» Comment by Tatsu on April 27, 2003 @ 5:37 pmIf I had to choose my most favorite movie, it would be ‘Spirited Away.’ It’s absolutely the greatest! Though I really wish that Chihiro and Haku had kissed in the end when they were falling down the sky…
» Comment by Aimee on June 12, 2003 @ 5:37 pmI went to see it again with a bunch of friends, and none of them liked it. I was flabbergasted, to say the least. I love it and think it’s an excellent film, but it’s not quite my favorite.
I’m okay with no kissing; I like how Miyazaki’s films focus on other emotions and character building besides romantic love. There’s certainly love portrayed, but it’s the enduring sort of love from a deep friendship that I admire beyond the flare of passion.
» Comment by Levi on June 13, 2003 @ 9:15 amI was completly captivated by the movie and really I think if the veiwer enjoys the movie as much as I did then nothing else matters To be honest I watched the movie 7 times and I would say this is the best movie ever
» Comment by Anonymous on July 18, 2003 @ 9:42 amI watch this movie over and over. I miss Japan, it reminds me of it. ^_^ Miyazaki has done it again! With great detail and wonderful characters that will make you scared, laugh, and much more. Lin is my fav in there.
» Comment by Sadako on July 20, 2003 @ 12:02 pmSpirited Away is the best movie ever! It’s worth it’s weight in gold!
» Comment by Mary on July 22, 2003 @ 1:05 pmHaku is so handsome and Sen is very beautiful. I hope have have ‘SPIRITED AWAY 2′. NICE SHOW!!!!!
» Comment by Harr on October 31, 2003 @ 9:42 pmSpirited Away is begging for a sequal! Don’t you people agree?!
» Comment by Cristina on May 8, 2004 @ 4:58 pmWow. I just watched Spirited Away with my Anime class. I..there are really no words to describe it. It’s amazing! I love the plot line, it’s unique in a different way. I really want to buy the DVD now. The musical score is fantastic! My favorite characters would be Haku and Lin. But I also like the spidery dust creatures. ^_^
» Comment by Lor on July 12, 2004 @ 10:18 amBeing English, I think we were the last people in the world to see this fantastic film, even then it had a very limited cinema release here, but to me it speaks volumes, its almost like a religion, to me, even now I watch it 2 or 3 times a week, I listen to the CD sound track while I’m working in my office in which a Giant Poster of our beloved Chihiro watches over me. Plus my wife looks like a Chihiro clone “lucky me”. YES to me, this is without question the World’s greatest ever film!!
» Comment by Johnny on August 17, 2004 @ 11:51 ami have only seen spirited away and would like to know what miyazakis other movies are like. as i enjoeyd this one
» Comment by j mart on November 25, 2004 @ 10:35 amI LOVE this movie. The colors, the music, the plot, the characters, they’re all brilliant!! I watch Spirited Away every week and I practically memorized the whole move!! (No exageration) But no one can ever get tired of watching Miyazaki films. =) I mean where does this guy come up with these ideas?! All the characters are my favorite, especially the tiny sootballs!!
» Comment by Hannah Olivarria on December 14, 2004 @ 3:33 pmi love this movie! i really hope there is a spirited away 2! i think the ending could have been longer or something, because it just seemed weird for chihiro ( sorry,i cant spell the names properly) to just walk away from haku. but if there’s a secound movie then that might eplain it a bit more ( and haku said they would meet again, so maybe there will be a second movie!). i really hope there is! the colour and animation is fantastic, and the music is beautiful!
» Comment by jess on January 21, 2005 @ 4:56 amthere is also Kiki’s delivery service and Castle in the Sky if you like the animator.
» Comment by fareed on January 23, 2005 @ 1:48 pmI love spirited away it’s my favourite movie. I hope thers going to be no. 2 and if there is I would love to see it.
» Comment by Jasmine on February 26, 2005 @ 8:26 pmMiyazaki’s new film, Howl’s Moving Castle was scheduled to be released in the UK on 31st March 2005, but for some reason it has not!
» Comment by Johnny on April 8, 2005 @ 2:41 amDoes anyone know when it is going to be released in the UK? I understand that it’s going to be released in the USA on June 10th, so I might have to take a special trip to the States, I have read that the new Film will feature the voice talents of Christian Bale as Howl,
Jean Simmons as Sophie Hatter, Lauren Bacall as the Witch of the Waste
and Billy Crystal as Calcifer(the wise cracking fire demon, that powers the Moving Castle). Thankfully I have now acquired all of Miyazaki’s Beautiful Films, and presently I would Personally put them in this following Order, 1,Porco Rosso 2,Castle in the Sky 3,Kiki’s Delivery Service 4,Spirited Away(my first Miyazaki) 5,My Neighbour Totoro 6,Princess Mononoki 7,Nausicaa in the Valley of the Wind and
finally 8,The Castle of Calagastro, all of his films are so special to me. What are your Favourites???
I really hope theres a Spirited Away 2. Come Miyazaki Chihiro and Haku need to be togather.
» Comment by Sarena on May 31, 2005 @ 12:33 pmOn Thursday the 18th August 2005, Spirited Away was shown in Central London, in the Open Air, I was there along with 2,300 other fans of this most Beautiful and Enchanting Film.
Also as mentioned in Comment 20, I did go to New York City, and I saw Miyazaki’s New Film – Howl’s Moving Castle, again as per, its a Gorgeous Film, and I saw it 5 times in the space of 6 days. Also finally it gets shown here (UK) from 23rd September, I can’t wait to drag all my Family and Friends along to see it.
» Comment by Johnny on August 20, 2005 @ 6:21 amIt is one of the best movies that I have ever seen and I don’t like alot of movies that don’t already have a show based on them. I do hope that there is a second movie seince there are more things to be explained!!!
» Comment by DemonesShadow on February 3, 2006 @ 9:47 pmcan some one please tell me if there is going to be a second Spirited Away? I really want to know
» Comment by Elizabeth on February 19, 2006 @ 3:32 pmthe reason there should be a sequal to it is because sin and Haku should be together
» Comment by Elizabeth on February 19, 2006 @ 3:35 pmI really want to be in that kind of world with the hott Haku
I just want to no how the rest goes
Ill be the first one to see it maybe
I love this movie! who couldn’t? its got beautiful music, scenery, and the plot to the story. . . . how can anyone say no? my family didn’t like it. . . they need to learn how to live!i watch this movie atleast once a day. I can’t get enough of it!It’s so addicting! And the ending keeps you guessing. They ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, NEED TO MAKE A SPIRITED AWAY 2! Haku and Chihiro need to be together!:)
» Comment by Kelsey on March 31, 2006 @ 11:09 pmCan anyone tell me when Gedo Senki, or as we know it: Tales from Earthsea! is going to be shown in the UK or USA? This latest Studio Ghibli Film is Directed by Miyazaki’s Son!
» Comment by Johnny on June 16, 2006 @ 4:18 amI really loved this movie. It was so colorful and realistic that I felt like the movie was real. There really should be a Spirited Away 2. In it they should show Chihiro and Haku meeting again plus a whole new adventure of course. The ending really left me wondering if Chihiro and Haku really met again.
» Comment by Taylor on July 6, 2006 @ 7:26 pmi really love spirited away and i definatly agree that they should make spirited away2. iv watched it loads of times but always get upset at the end when chihiro and haku have to leave each other. its so sad but the film is absolutely brilliant
» Comment by tabitha on August 14, 2006 @ 11:36 amI really wish Miyazaki made a spirited away 2!!!!!
» Comment by ashley on September 3, 2006 @ 5:46 pmI want to know what happens to haku.And will Chihiro and Haku meet again.
This movie is one i’ll never forget! ^-^ while i was trying to find out if there will be another Spirited Away and just wanted to post something. I agree with all of you that this movie ROCKS and that there should be another!! ^-^
» Comment by bethany on October 10, 2006 @ 7:58 pmOh My God! I simply love this movie and watch it time and time again.Please Please Please make A second part. This is one of those great movies which will always have its originality intact. Its awesome. I mean Haku and Sen are such a great couple and making a movie a couple of years in the future would be teriffic idea. PLEASE…………….
» Comment by Zoia on November 30, 2006 @ 6:28 amSpririted Away is just amamzing and I didn’t even know that Haku and Chihiro liked each other that is so weird
» Comment by Victoria on December 17, 2006 @ 2:46 pmIlove the movie I love all the characters. Please make a new one because i love all your movies esspecially ‘spirited away’ and ‘castle in the sky’
» Comment by Rebeccca on January 1, 2007 @ 4:37 amDo any of you know if there will be a second spirited away, I need to know if you do add Pure-spanish-blood@hotmail.com, I’ll reward you with anything you need to know about anything if you tell me.
» Comment by Denys on January 8, 2007 @ 2:57 pmi think they shud make a2nd spirited away but i really hope they dont make it so she is grown up please dont!! she shud be about the same age no older plz i hate storys where there children come back and have the adventure instead its chikiros story not theres. plz no adults just chikiro sn haku the same age xxxx
» Comment by james on January 20, 2007 @ 10:51 amSpirited Away, it makes me feel so gay!
» Comment by Johnny on May 19, 2007 @ 5:02 am