Spirited Away: A Personal, Reflective Review of Miyazaki’s Most Hauntingly Beautiful Film

When I first watched Spirited Away, I wasn’t expecting the kind of emotional and imaginative impact that it ultimately had on me. I had heard people call it a masterpiece, a cultural icon, and one of the greatest animated films ever made. But hearing praise and feeling the film strike something inside you are two different experiences entirely.

Spirited Away is not simply a movie. It is a journey into a surreal, spiritual world that mirrors our fears, our innocence, our anxieties, and our desire to grow. Now, after revisiting it multiple times, I understand why it has remained unforgettable for audiences worldwide. This blog is my personal reflection and a deep examination of the themes, visuals, symbolism, and emotional depth that make Spirited Away one of the most defining works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

My First Impression of Spirited Away

The film begins with an almost stubborn simplicity: a young girl named Chihiro, sulking in the backseat of her parents’ car as they move to a new home. The mood feels relatable. Uncertainty. Discomfort. Resistance to change.

This grounded, almost mundane beginning makes the shift into the spirit world feel even more surreal. When the abandoned tunnel appears and Chihiro’s parents decide to explore it, the air subtly changes. I remember feeling that creeping sense of curiosity mixed with unease. Miyazaki creates tension not through jump scares or loud music, but through atmosphere, silence, and the uncanny beauty of the unknown.

The Spirit World Feels Alive, Beautiful, and Terrifying

Once Chihiro enters the spirit world, the film transforms into a living tapestry of Japanese folklore and myth. The bathhouse, ruled by the witch Yubaba, stands as the central location—a place both enchanting and unsettling. Every spirit, from soot sprites to giant radish spirits to faceless deities, feels uniquely alive.

What struck me most was how the spirit world did not feel constructed for the sake of storytelling. It felt like a place that already existed, operating with rules and rhythms independent of Chihiro’s presence. She is not a chosen savior or a destined hero; she is simply a lost child trying to survive in a world that is not her own.

This makes the world feel deeply authentic and immersive.

Chihiro: A Realistic, Imperfect, and Beautifully Human Hero

Chihiro is not introduced as brave, confident, or particularly skilled. She is scared, inexperienced, hesitant, and unsure of herself. And that is precisely what makes her journey so impactful. Watching Chihiro transform from a frightened child into someone capable, thoughtful, and determined is one of the most satisfying character arcs in animation.

Her growth is not dramatic or artificially heroic. It is subtle and genuine. She learns to work. She learns to care. She learns the value of effort, kindness, and responsibility. By the time she faces Yubaba’s challenges or confronts the chaos caused by No-Face, it becomes clear how far she has come.

Chihiro’s coming-of-age story is the emotional heart of Spirited Away.

Haku: Mystery, Memory, and the Pain of Forgetting Who We Are

Haku is one of the most mysterious figures in the film. He is kind but distant, powerful but vulnerable, and loyal to Chihiro in ways even he cannot fully explain at first. His fragmented memories give him an almost tragic air, and his struggle against Yubaba’s control parallels Chihiro’s own vulnerability.

When the truth about Haku’s identity as the spirit of the Kohaku River is revealed, it hits with emotional resonance. The realization that Chihiro once fell into that very river—and that Haku saved her—creates a full-circle moment that binds their stories together. It speaks to a core theme of the film: the importance of remembering where we come from and recognizing the forces that once protected us.

No-Face: A Spirit Shaped by Loneliness and Desire

No-Face is one of the most iconic figures in Spirited Away. At first, he appears quiet and harmless, even lonely. But once he enters the bathhouse, he becomes a reflection of the greed, desire, and emptiness within those around him. The more he consumes, the more monstrous he becomes.

No-Face is not inherently evil. He becomes dangerous only when exposed to the excess and corruption of the bathhouse. His transformation is symbolic. He reflects the emotions and flaws of the people nearby, absorbing their desires until he becomes overwhelmed by them.

Chihiro treats him with kindness, not because she understands him fully, but because she sees the pain in him. Their relationship represents compassion in the face of fear and confusion, which is one of the film’s most powerful messages.

Yubaba and Zeniba: Dual Faces of Power and Compassion

Yubaba is the controlling, greedy, sharp-tongued ruler of the bathhouse, while her twin sister Zeniba embodies warmth, patience, and maternal care. The contrast between them is striking, yet they are not simple opposites of good and evil. Miyazaki avoids such binaries.

Yubaba is harsh, but she is also hardworking and shrewd. Zeniba is kind, but she demands honesty and effort. Through these two sisters, the film suggests that authority and compassion can take different forms, and that people are rarely only one thing.

Themes: Identity, Work, Growth, and the Loss of Innocence

The brilliance of Spirited Away lies in its themes, woven subtly yet powerfully throughout the story.

Identity and Names

Yubaba steals Chihiro’s name and renames her Sen. In this world, losing your name means losing your identity. Chihiro’s struggle to remember her real name symbolizes her fight to maintain her sense of self.

Work as Transformation

Unlike many fantasy journeys, Chihiro’s path to growth is not through combat or magic. It is through labor. She cleans, carries water, scrubs floors, and helps others. Her work humbles her and empowers her at the same time.

Courage Through Vulnerability

Chihiro doesn’t become fearless; she learns to act despite fear.

Environmental and Cultural Memory

The abandoned theme park and empty buildings symbolize fading cultural traditions. The polluted river spirit represents environmental neglect.

Spirited Away is a reminder that remembering our past and caring for our world is essential.

Studio Ghibli’s Visual Language

Every frame of Spirited Away feels handcrafted with intention. The way the lights flicker in the bathhouse, the way food glistens, the movement of spirits, the stillness of quiet moments—everything breathes. The animation is not only beautiful, but purposeful.

Miyazaki uses silence, lingering shots, and environmental details to create emotional resonance. Even simple scenes, like Chihiro riding the spirit train across a flooded landscape, communicate volumes without a single word.

Why Spirited Away Stands the Test of Time

Even after decades, Spirited Away remains one of the most beloved animated films in history because it speaks to universal experiences. Growing up. Facing fears. Remembering who we are. Learning to be kind in a world filled with confusion.

The film is timeless because it does not rely on trends or formulas. It is driven by emotion, atmosphere, character, and meaning. It grows with the viewer, revealing new layers every time it’s watched.