Spirited Away

It never ceases to amaze me that a sixty-nine year old man has the ability to empathize so much with young children and adults alike. Because in Spirited Away, I think Miyazaki clearly demonstrates that at heart he remains, or at least wants to remain, as innocent and excitable as a ten-year-old girl kid. The fact that all of his films are centered around the teenage generation additionally says something about the importance of our youth. For me, I would like to compare Spirited Away as the Yin to Catcher in the Rye’s Yang. While Holden Caulfield reveals the angst and the confusion surrounding the process of maturing and growing up, Chihiro shows the better side of this transformation with the acceptance of her new surroundings and outgrowing her pouty personality in the beginning. The fact that Miyazaki adheres to the theme of teenage heroes in all of his films speaks to the importance of that phase of our lives, it also speaks to the importance that Miyazaki himself places upon the innocent and honest qualities of a person, best embodied in none other than ordinary children. Chihiro is supposed to be an ideal person, despite her shortcomings, and her experience is an ideal experience. This premise is in great contrast with any shojo anime, and even with Japanese animation in general. Chihiro may be a traditional Japanese girl as the film starts; but as the narrative unfolds, she develops not just into a woman, but into a real heroine. Chihiro’s actions are not only examples of what children should follow (bravery, honesty, humbleness, care for others etc.) but what we all should learn to do. In addition, I think Miyazaki’s disdain for the human ego and the progress of modernity shows clearly throughout the film, as both magic and technology are antagonists in the film, and in the end bettered by Chihiro’s wits. Among others, Miyazaki’s personal and earnest portrayal of a young hero in midst of overwhelming difficulties is one of the reasons why I enjoyed the film so much.