In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Spirited Away, we talk about themes that help us understand the film.
Cast
- Chihiro Ogino/Sen – Rumi Hiiragi
- Haku – Miyu Irino
- Yubaba – Mari Natsuki
- Zeniba – Mari Natsuki
- Lin – Yoomi Tamai
- Chichiyaku – Tsunehiko Kamijō
- No-Face – Akio Nakamura
- Akio Ogino – Takashi Naito
- Yūko Ogino – Yasuko Sawaguchi
- Chichiyaku – Tsunehiko Kamijō
- Aniyaku – Takehiko Ono
- Kamaji – Bunta Sugawara
- Hayao Miyazaki – Writer and director
The themes and meaning of Spirited Away
Spiritual growth and transformation
As discussed in the Title Explanation section, Chihiro’s physical body isn’t just whisked away to a strange land—her spirit goes as well. And here, her spirit’s name is Sen. And Chihiro is completely reliant on Sen in order to survive this scary world. She must look to Sen to be strong when she feels weak, to show bravery when she’s scared, to resilient when she believes there’s no way to win. People who cannot overcome their anxieties and deal with the real world will forever feel stagnant or lost. But Chihiro’s persistence and perseverance in the face of impossible odds displays her transformation from scared and apprehensive child to courageous and confident young woman. Sen is her guide on that journey.
Essentially, what we witness is Chihiro’s spiritual growth. While most coming-of-age films focus on the internal growth, they rarely defamiliarize the scenario by literally removing one’s spirit from our mortal realm. In this new world, Chihiro is entirely reliant on her spirit to forge ahead. If her spirit is weak, then she is weak. But as Chihiro’s spirit grows and deepens, her tenacity and willpower break new grounds. As Sen develops, Chihiro watches and learns and understands and evolves. She becomes more emotionally intelligent, her heart warms and strengthens, and her understanding of the world expands.
This is the energy she brings back to the real world when she returns to her parents at the end of the movie. She’s no longer scared about moving to a new town because she is spiritually centered.
Japanese philosophy in Spirited Away
Chihiro’s spiritual growth is deeply intertwined with Japanese philosophy and spirituality. These topics pervade Spirited Away, often subtly, adding depth and cultural specificity to the narrative that might go unnoticed by those unfamiliar with Japanese traditions. Let’s discuss three important facets that will enhance your understanding of the film: Kami, Mottainai, and On.
The role of Kami
In Spirited Away, the concept of Kami, or spirits, forms the fundamental structure of the narrative, shaping the world Chihiro finds herself in. From the very beginning, when Chihiro’s family stumbles upon what seems to be an abandoned amusement park, we are actually witnessing a realm deeply rooted in the Shinto belief system, where Kami dwell and are revered.
The bathhouse, for example is populated by a variety of these Kami, each representing different elements and aspects of nature. They take on myriad forms, from the mysterious No-Face to the radish spirit and the many other unusual patrons of the bathhouse. These spirits symbolize the profound Shinto reverence for all aspects of nature, highlighting the belief that every natural element, object, or concept houses a divine spirit.
Spirited Away presents the concept of Kami not as distant, superior beings, but as entities that exist within the same realm as humans, sharing in their joys and struggles. They display human-like emotions and traits, blurring the lines between the mortal and the divine. This aligns with the Shinto philosophy that views the spiritual and physical worlds as interconnected rather than separate. For instance, take the river spirit Haku, who becomes Chihiro’s ally. His identity as the spirit of the Kohaku River, and his story of saving Chihiro when she fell into the river as a child, underline the protective nature often attributed to Kami in Shinto beliefs.
In Spirited Away, the concept of Kami provides a spiritual framework for the narrative. It plays a critical role in shaping the setting, characters, and the themes, infusing the film with a sense of spirituality and natural reverence intrinsic to Japanese culture.
The principle of Mottainai
The principle of Mottainai, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, embodies a sense of regret towards waste, valuing the complete utilization of an object or resource. In Spirited Away, this concept emphasizes a sense of respect for resources and a critique of wasteful behaviors.
The theme of Mottainai is most evident in the character of the Stink Spirit, who visits the bathhouse. What initially appears as a disgusting, filthy creature is revealed to be a river spirit, polluted and choked by waste, a vivid symbol of environmental degradation caused by human negligence and overconsumption. When Chihiro helps cleanse the spirit, pulling out tons of human waste and pollution, it is a direct commentary on our wasteful practices. This scene emphasizes the Mottainai principle by showcasing the harmful effects of not valuing and preserving our resources, particularly natural ones.
This theme is also reflected in the transformation of Chihiro’s parents into pigs after gorging themselves on food in the deserted amusement park. Their mindless consumption, without respect or consideration for the resources at hand, manifests the concept of Mottainai by demonstrating the potential consequences of greed and wastefulness.
By incorporating the principle of Mottainai into its narrative, Spirited Away offers a poignant critique of excessive consumption and waste, while promoting a more respectful and sustainable approach to our environment and resources.
The influence of On
The principle of On, a key tenet of Japanese ethics that signifies a sense of moral indebtedness, plays a significant role in the character development and narrative progression of Spirited Away. It is through the lens of On that we can appreciate Chihiro’s actions and motivations throughout the movie.
Chihiro’s journey to rescue her parents is initiated and motivated by the concept of On. Haku, the river spirit, helps Chihiro survive in the spirit world when she first arrives, offering her food from the spirit world to prevent her from disappearing. This act of kindness creates a sense of On in Chihiro. She feels a deep sense of obligation towards Haku and, as the film progresses, her actions reflect her endeavor to repay this debt. She risks her own safety to get the medicinal herb to heal Haku, and later, she helps Haku remember his true name, thus freeing him from Yubaba’s control.
Moreover, Chihiro’s treatment of No-Face also resonates with the concept of On. Even though No-Face is an outsider, feared and eventually despised by the bathhouse inhabitants, Chihiro consistently treats him with kindness. When No-Face spirals into a destructive rampage, it is Chihiro who offers him help, primarily motivated by the kindness No-Face showed her earlier.
The principle of On thus becomes a moral compass in Spirited Away, driving the protagonist to act with kindness and courage. It is a testament to the fact that in a world undergoing constant transformation, the values of gratitude, reciprocity, and responsibility hold steadfast.
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