Anime Inspiration: Spirited Away
Spirited Away is an Oscar-winning, 2001 Japanese anime fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. From its emotional soundtrack to its charming characters and fantastical art, Spirited Away is brimming with inspiration. Watching this movie has always given me a feeling of bittersweet nostalgia, and I’m excited to share its beautiful story with CF readers!
At its core, Spirited Away is a little bit like a Japanese version of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland: A young girl, Chihiro, gets separated from her parents and accidentally discovers a magical spirit world, undergoing many hurdles to get back to her regular way of life. But it’s really so much more! Like many of Miyazaki’s past anime films (Howl’s Moving Castle, for instance), it’s also a story about tenacity, discipline, staying true to yourself, and most importantly (and my favorite part!), true love.
You can watch the Japanese trailer here and the English trailer here.
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Spirited Away Fashion Inspiration
Chihiro Ogino (also known as “Sen”)
At the beginning of Spirited Away, Chihiro starts off as a sullen and angsty ten-year-old girl who, while moving into a new neighborhood, enters the spirit world! After her parents are transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro takes a job working in Yubaba’s bathhouse in order to free herself and her parents and return to the human world.
As the main heroine, Chihiro’s character transformation into a capable individual is a core factor to the movement of Spirited Away’s plot. During her adventure in the spirit world, she matures from a timid, skittish girl with a childlike personality to a hardworking, responsible, and brave individual who has learned to put her fears aside for those she loves.
