On July 20th, 2001, Spirited Away premiered in Japanese theaters. Twenty years later, the film is regarded as one of the best films ever made and has left an immeasurable mark on culture worldwide. As you probably know, the film is about Chihiro, a young girl whisked away into the realm of spirits after her parents are turned into pigs. With the help of the mysterious boy, Haku, Chihiro is able to find work at a bathhouse run by the menacing Yubaba. Chihiro must find the strength within herself in order to save her parents and escape the spirit world. Filled with colorful characters and amazing animation, it’s considered to be famed director Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus.
To celebrate this 20th anniversary, we’re hosting a Spirited Away-themed giveaway with Shout Factory, GKIDS, and Bluefin! The winner(s) will win a Spirited Away Collector's Set and other related merchandise.
SIGN UP HERE!Need more Spirited Away? Here’s cool facts about the movie you probably didn’t know.
Daveigh Chase, the English voice of Chihiro, has also voiced Lilo in Lilo and Stitch as well as played Samara in The Ring.
The Susuwatari’s favorite food is small star-shaped candy called Konpeitō.
The film was the highest grossing movie in Japan for 19 years until Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train was released in 2020.
Jason Marsden, the English voice of Haku, also voiced Max Goof in A Goofy Movie.
Some inspirations for the bathhouse included Dogo Hot Springs in Shinkoku, Meguro Gajo-en, and the Nikko Toshogu shrine.
Masashi Ando, the film’s character designer, wanted Haku to have an insightful, mysterious gaze, so he encircled Haku’s pupils with color to make his eyes shine.
