The anime film that first brought worldwide attention. This classic is suited for everyone.
Synopsis
This coming-of-age story is as iconic as it is beautiful. The struggle that everyone faces as they grow up "Will I be able to handle things without my parents/guardians by my side?" is explored.
While on the way to their new home, Chihiro Ogino and her family take a detour that ends up being a trap. In order to rescue herself and her parents from a horrible fate, Chihiro must face intense trials that tests her bravery and determination. With help from new friends that she meets along the way, will Chihiro be able to overcome her fears and anxiety to safely leave the dangerous new world she is slowly being enveloped by?
Review
Spirited Away is a film that has stuck with me ever since I watched it in high school.
Though I've always been interested in Japanese anime shows, I've never watched any movies, besides Ponyo when I was much younger. When my friend recommended it to me as "her favorite anime film" I figured I had to at least give it a shot. One of the most highlighting features that a great story leaves me with, is the feeling of emptiness after I finish it. From book series, video game stories, or film series, that void in my heart is something that I hate having, but I know can only come when I've experienced something truly amazing. Spirited Away left me feeling this way for a few days and I spent some time analyzing why.
At first watch, Spirited Away was a cluster of events that, while all strange, flowed together to form a cohesive and enticing story. I didn't understand the meaning of the movie until I went on a trip without my parents for the first time. It's not until one is left alone without their parents or guardians that they realize how much they rely on them. While it's true that some experience this at a younger age than others, no matter how old one is, the feeling of being alone persists.
Spirited Away captured this feeling of helplessness and self-sufficiency in a beautiful way. As Chihiro continues to face struggles, though she has some companions to help her, she is still required to do everything herself and the consequences are hers alone. At the climax of the movie, Chihiro must face her fears alone and make the proper decisions that will decide her fate.
I score a Spirited Away a 9/10. Spirited Away encapsulates the struggle of being alone for the first time and how one must learn to act regardless of one's fears and worries. The hand drawn animation style and artwork bring a sense of authenticity to the fictional world created.
Reception
To say that Spirited Away is the most impactful anime movie would be an understatement. This movie not only held the top-grossing anime film worldwide for nearly two decades, but it's currently the only non-English-language animated film to have won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Many criticize the Oscar for not including notable foreign films in their awards, claiming that the Oscars focuses only on the best American films, not the best films worldwide, so this feat is quite noteworthy.
As previously mentioned, Spirited Away held the top box office spot for Japanese animated films worldwide for around fifteen years. This record was shortly broken by Your Name but was quickly regained through its rerelease for the anniversary of the movie. Spirited Away lost its number one spot when Demon Slayer: Mugen Train was released in 2021 globally. Currently, Spirited Away is ranked second in box office scores worldwide at $395 million.
Comments