Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away Secret Success
Why this movie surpassed the others? Why they gain billion box office, and winning tons of award? At first I also wonder because Ghibli's is always known to make the best animated length feature movie despite the genre and theme. So why is this any different? The answer lie within the content of the movie itself, and I'm about to reveal what is so magic about Spirited Away.
There are many reason Spirited Away is the most outstanding, revealing and surpassing the other Ghibli's movie, but let me tell you the synopsis (beware spoiler) of Spirited Away.
Chihiro is a little girl who didn't want to move to other town because she love her old town, but her parent insist of making her embrace new town vibe. Having extra sensory of supernatural/paranormal activity around her (based on my observation), she didn't feel really welcome at new town, and sense something bad will happen to her and her family. On the way to their new home, her father got lost in the way and going into mysterious abandoned hill which full of little house believe to contain spirits and gods (according to Japanese custom belief). On the way of the hill, her parent notice an archway replica which might lead to somewhere. Followed by human curiosity, her parent want to take a sneak peak what is it like on the other side. Chihiro however, sense a creepy atmosphere surrounding the gate, insist to go away from the arch, but well, who is gone to listen to little kids advice? At first, Chihiro is asked to stay in the car, while her parent kind of investigate, but Chihiro is so afraid to be left alone, so she followed them anyway.
At the middle of their investigation, they notice abandoned train station with clock, somehow shown as a pit stop from their destination. Their parent wonder it must be the ruin of old train station, although Chihiro already sense bad vibe from it. Anyway, they continue their investigations and arrive at beautiful plateau, and on the way there, they found old abandoned Chineseque type town with red lantern. As they investigate, Chihiro's father smell something nice...
As they followed the smell (except Chihiro but she follow them anyway), they found a buffet of delicious Taiwanese like food. The parent want to eat there, but because there is no one at the restaurant, they kind of staying away, but the smell was so good, they did eat it anyway, with an excuse they will pay later with credit card or cash. Chihiro thinks her parent make a grave mistake and want to get out of there. On the way to escape, Chihiro explore a place she never encounter before, a grand extravagant Japanese bathhouse. She leaning at the side of the bridge connecting between the town and the bathhouse, and surprise a train pass through under the bridge.
Just then, she heard a boy's voice warn her to get away from the place. The place turn dark suddenly and fast as she could, she run away from the place, wondering why that boy warn her to get away. She going back to town to check out on her parent, but what she see shocked her. Her parent is turned into a pig (without Chihiro's believe or notice) and she ran as fast as she could to search her parent and escape. But she was too late and the geography of that place change totally from nice plateau into dark big lake, which unable Chihiro to go back. Disbelief of what she just experienced, she cried and hoping it was just a dream, and wish for everything to be disappear. Eat by her own words, she herself become disappear gradually and she panic, don't know what to do next.
The boy who warn Chihiro notice Chihiro is in danger and run like a wind to save her, by making her eat the food from that place (he also explain actually they entered a forbidden world to human, so actually they are entering different world rather than different place) Chihiro cry to her misfortune but the boy calm her down. The boy protected her from the vision of Yubaba, a witch that controls around the bathhouse and the town. Escape like a wind, they entered the bathhouse through secret room and doors, and get past the bridge. The boy introduce himself as Haku, and without Chihiro telling her name, he knew already. (it will be reveal how he got her name) Chihiro wonder how he know her name, he explained shortly just he already met with her a long time ago, deep in Chihiro's memories. Haku ask her to see Kamaji, the boiler man and ask him for a job, even when he insist, or she will disappear and never see her parent again. Chihiro hold to his words and do what he says, and meet Kamaji.
Chihiro meet Kamaji, a six hand old man spirit with sunglasses taking medicinal herb and grind for the bath, she request for a job. As Kamaji insist, saying he had no job for human or little girl, Chihiro hold to Haku's word and insist of taking any job. Just then coming from little hole from the wall, little sootball taking coal to fuel the furnace. Wondering that might be the job, Chihiro trying to help the sootball. But instead, the sootball become lazy and ask Chihiro to do work for them. Angry by this riot, Kamaji warn them to get back to work, although it just cause a riot. The argument is save by Lin, the breakfast girl aka helper of the bathhouse. Kamaji said there is no job for Chihiro, but he pass her to Lin, as Yubaba will bring her jobs.
Lin who annoyed by Kamaji, bring Chihiro relentless and wondering if a klutz like her can work in the bathhouse. She bring her anyway and then Chihiro meet the witch Yubaba, who also the boss of the bathhouse. Yubaba already known her presence, using her magic to drag Chihiro instantly to her place, and refuse to give her the job, because she is human. (Human is enemy to spirit and witch alike) However a turn of event occur as Yubaba's son/baby, Boh, crying violently, make Yubaba panic and give a contract job for Chihiro. As a powerful witch, she hold Chihiro's name as an insurance of the contract, meaning taking away her freedom and her real identity, and given only part of her name, Sen. (She just left one character from Chihiro's Japanese name) Then she called Haku as a guide for her to her new job. Surprise they meet again, Sen want to chat with Haku, but to her surprise, he act rather cold and pretend to not know her.
As Haku guide her to her new job, he ask the footman for the available job, but well, as human is enemy to all spirit, she is shunned. However, Haku pass the job to Lin as her assistant, who they meet earlier. Lin as usual, whining and complaining of taking klutz as her assistant, taking Sen to her new job. Behind her facade as feeling morbid about human, Lin actually like Chihiro, as she kind of bad ass confronting Yubaba, asking for the job. Then Sen's new life starts as Lin's assistant, doing all chores for the sake of saving herself and her parents.
As time pass, Sen's feeling grew for Haku (although they only thought themselves as friend), but Lin warn her that Haku is kind of man for not holding for his words, as he owe a lot to Lin. But Haku help Sen anyway, and let Sen meet her parent who turn into pig at the pigsty. Promise that she will save them, she cry and sitting at around the corner of the farm, with Haku consoled her. As Sen going back to her job, she notice that Haku might be a dragon spirit.
On fine ordinary day, a heavy rain comes down, and suddenly a weird spirit come at the back of the bathhouse. Sen notice it and ask it to come in for the shelter in the rain. She leave the door open for it to come inside, and it changed the life of Chihiro's fate. Just then, an unwanted guest name Stink Spirit come to take a bath. As he is unwanted guest, they make any effort to chased the spirit away, although it is not succeed. All of the workers, and Yubaba afraid of the spirit, and serve him anyway. While on that, the weird spirit offer and help Sen get the herbal tablet, although later it give more to Sen in hoping to get her affection. This however don't work on Sen. After that, Yubaba give Sen a shining debut and oppurtunity to please the most disgusting guest, Stink Spirit in hoping for her to quit the job. However, Sen pull it over wonderfully as she getting help from the weird spirit and her determination, it reveal that Stink Spirit actually is the Great River Spirit, polluted by human garbage and toxic waste. The waste reveal to have real gold. As Yubaba congratulate her success, she treat her workers on Sake, although the gold will be contributed to the bathhouse. Sen is rewarded by weird medicine from the Great River Spirit. (there is always weird thing going on in this movie)
On the night after the chaotic event, the weird spirit learning all of the workers will serve anyone who pay. Learning to get affection, he duplicate the gold nugget and swallow several spirit in order to learn more about them.
Sen still want to save her parents, and getting a dream that the weird medicine will change her parents back. Waking from bad dream, she wonder if she is waking up too late, but actually another turn of event come when the weird spirit offer a lot of gold to the workers. Sen however going to search for Haku in terms of saving her parents. However, Haku suddenly being attacked by shikigami (paper like spirit) and he is badly injured. Sen trying her best to save his life. As Haku going up to Yubaba's room, Sen also coming to the top, but hide instantly when she see Yubaba at her room. She however being saved by Boh, Yubaba's baby who then also affected by Sen's true heart, want to play with Sen forever. However Sen refuse (again and again), in order to save Haku. Boh insist want to play with Sen despite she refuse. Just then, a shikigami who follow Sen turn out to be a manifestation of another Yubaba's alike. She reveal herself to be Yubaba's twin, Zeniba, and ask Sen to give Haku to her, as he will be punished for his sin, stealing Great Gold Protection Seal which is also a powerful source of magic. Refuse to give up, Sen protect Haku from being turn over, and another turn of event occur when Boh is transform into rodent rat and Yubaba's bird into fly. Sen fall with Haku to the pit of doom, where he supposed to die and get rid of by Yubaba. But with Sen's help, Haku able to return to boiler room and save by Sen, Kamaji and sootball. Sen give weird medicine to Haku, hoping he will get cure. Suddenly a blot coming out of his mouth and Sen squashed it, and getting the seal back. Sen promise to send the seal back to Zeniba, and apologize on Haku's behalf.
Another shocking event happen when the weird spirit turns out to be No Face, a spirit which thought as a monster to all spirit. No Face eat everything alive if No Face's demand is not fulfilled. Lin ask Sen's an explanation, and Sen didn't denied it either, saying she is the one who let No Face in, and thought No Face is a customer. Sen decide to confront with No Face before she going to Zeniba's house by the train.
As Sen deal with No Face, it turns out No Face like Sen, and will offer anything to make Sen like No Face. However, despite that, Sen refuse and looking to No Face with a bit disappointed, giving weird medicine to No Face for No Face to cure itself from the corruption of the bathhouse. No Face angered by Sen's action and want to eat her instead. As Sen and No Face play tug of war, Yubaba getting angry about the situation, and try to attack No Face, but it didn't work at all. No Face follow Sen to outside of the bathhouse, and Sen being help by Lin to get on the train. From that point onward, Sen's journey is almost coming to an end with her friends (including No Face which is cleanse from all corruption)
Sen and her friend journey to Zeniba's house, and looking at other spirit who drop at every station to their destination. The trip going on several days before they arrive. After they arrive, they being guided by Lamp spirit who lead them to Zeniba's house. To Sen and anyone surprise, Zeniba is most kind-hearted sorceress, who ready to forgive anyone and welcome them as they are family. Zeniba explain she and Yubaba are twin sister, and cannot stand each other, as Yubaba is equivalent to all evil, while Zeniba is equivalent to all goodness, despite they have something in common, never cross them if you has any ill intention toward them. (just from my observation).
Sen ask Zeniba if there is anyway to save her parent, she reply that Sen is the only one who can save them. However, Zeniba give her the rubber band made from knit of friendship that all of Sen's friend made, and a protection spell. Meanwhile Haku is already better and awake from his knock out, and ask Kamaji the where about of Chihiro/Sen (this is kind of crucial moment, as Haku already admit his feeling towards Chihiro, as calling her real name/first name means deep affection in Japanese custom relationship, although in English version, he call her Sen). Kamaji told the whole story and Haku finally confront Yubaba, who is no longer from Yubaba's spell, as Zeniba explain Yubaba put controlling slug device to Haku for mind control, and demand Sen to be release from the contract along with her parent. Yubaba agree on one condition, she must pass the final test she give her later, or Sen will be Yubaba's property forever.
Zeniba sense another guest is arriving, and ask Sen to open the door for him. To Sen's astonishment, Haku alive and well. She is so glad that he save and thank Zeniba for her help and give Haku a second chance. Sen said her real name to Zeniba, and Zeniba said it is a lovely and beautiful name. Sen then saying good bye to Zeniba and No Face (No Face is selected to become her helper) and they go back to the bathhouse for one final confrontation against Yubaba.
On their journey back, Sen finally remember her past meeting with Haku, when she is fall in Kohaku's river. She also remember his true name to be Nigihayami Kohakunushi, or English translated god of the swift amber river but in English version, it only reveal as Kohaku's river (which is like, what the?) He dramatically transformed back to human boy form and they have affection moment with each other, knowing each others real name (which is ultimate Japanese custom love confession) and return to the bathhouse.
At the bathhouse, Yubaba is waiting for her to confront her final test, hoping that she failed. Many people against this, including Boh, Yubaba's son, but Sen take the challenge anyway and because Yubaba cannot even undo the spell she already made (what a loser, she is not really a powerful witch). Yubaba give Sen the final test, which is guessing who is her real parent among all the pigs. Sen sense her parents is not there, and the contract destroyed. Yubaba is really shocked to see Sen's ability, and automatically, returning her real name and identity. All the people cherish for her success and she thank them for everything before leaving with Haku as her guide back to human world.
They return back to the plateau, before Haku explain her parent already at the gate as they remember nothing from Chihiro's experience or like it never happen. Chihiro want to meet Haku again and they promise each other they will meet again, as Haku decide to quit to being Zeniba's henchman and remember how to go back to his home again. Haku give last piece of advice of never look back and they say one final good bye. At the front of the archway, her parent waking up like they never remember anything, much to Chihiro's surprise. As they leave the spirit world and enter the tunnel, their memories (including Chihiro) is fading away from remembering any of the event they encountered. After they return to human world, her parent surprised the dusty and mess of their car, like they being leaving the place for many days and years. Chihiro look back at the archway, and then followed her parent to her new home.
Quite long story huh? This movie that 2 hours to watch, and it worth all of it. Well based on the story there are many reason why every anime fans, new or old, or just one totally good movie to watch, this is the place to start. Why? Here are the reasons.
1. This movie is based on sex prostitute bathhouse in Japan (Edo period).
Surprise? Me too. I only know this when my brother told me. How can Ghibli, I mean Ghibli had such innocent, peace-loving theme turn so dark like this? The movie is like kind of creepy and weird, but despite that, those lovable character can never being based on something so gritty, dark and gloomy. This acclaimed by the director himself, Hayao Miyazaki, claiming Japan is such kind of sex industry, doesn't it? OMG, it just get face slap to our face.
2. There are so many metaphor about life and death.
The train station, the bridge, the change of geography, people coming and go from train station to the another destination, it totally reveal us about life, in between them and our final destination, death. This movie is all about the journey from when we are born to death, which is our final stop.
3. Character that represent best and worst of human behavior.
Greed, lust, power, compassionate, forgiveness, kindness, innocent, you name it. Every best and worst of human behavior compelled through the character without we even knowing it.
4. Mixture of emotion
How many emotion does it feel when we watch this movie? This movie is not like any other movie, which we just only feel two or three feeling. It had a lot of mixture, sadness, joy, overjoyed, suspense, eerie, gore etc....which make this the ultimate emotion mix movie.
5. A lot of turn of event (Deus Ex Machina)
Just when we thought it would end, or like we could expected, it turn otherwise. My only correct guess is Haku's arrival at Zeniba's doorsteps, but other than that, it never failed to surprised me. From the beginning to the end, we never know what is coming, even at the end, we don't even know what Chihiro's real thinking. It is like a dream like fantasy which just disappear as we come to an end.
6. Awesome superb detail background scenery
As anime fans, we know Ghibli is the top in concept art or background creation. But nothing is compared to Spirited Away. The spirit world isn't like any other, it tiniest detail from chain to the interior of every shop and corner, and the magnificent bathhouse with detailed construction and architecture really amazed anyone who sees it. Even with architecture lovers, this is a must see art.
7. You have to watch from the beginning
I'm the one who like to watch mid-section or just skip to the best part, but this one, you have to watch from beginning to the end. Not only every scene is the best one, you won't understand this movie if you didn't watch at the beginning. I tried it and I almost didn't want to watch the movie because I can never understand the plot and it became bored to me. This is the only movie you have to enjoyed from beginning to the end. After watching overall, I might get a rerun watch again, or maybe forever watching this. (Dang! I already trapped in spirit world.)
8. True to Japanese culture and legend
Different from any other Ghibli's movie, this is much emphasized on Japanese culture and legend (or maybe Chinese a bit, since they kind of similar) like Japanese spirit like frog, spider-like, witch, real name divine power, Japanese love confession (obviously looking at Chihiro and Haku's relationship), bridge crossing, transport from the station to the next (the train) and blue sky which reflected by the water (which most on anime intro had this kind of thing), dragon spirit and shikigami, although it kind of blends in with colonial theme, it represent much of Japan during the Edo period, where the rich culture still in tact with community. It also represent as time pass and technology takes over, culture is just simple fade away like the wind, as it simply being removed as it is just merely just like any fairy tales.
However, like any other movie, there is the weakness to it:
1. Haku and Chihiro's love story
For me it kind of cheesy and unnecessary. Kamaji and Zeniba told the audience (literally) by saying their relationship is strong based on love, and in Japanese version, Zeniba also claimed that Haku is Chihiro's boyfriend. Maybe for non-romance fan, this is necessary, but overall, I don't think we should emphasized that, because we already know what Haku and Chihiro's relationship about, and it only known to Ghibli's movie to have some sort or hint of love relationship. (whether about romance or family love)
2. Main Villain is not like villain at all
Yeah, Yubaba is evil, but she isn't as bad ass as No Face. She is just a disturbed pedophile (seriously, based on my observation) who totally spoiled her baby and even hide her affection from the public. (What the heck does she do to Boh?) She is also mean and manipulative towards other, but seriously, she can't even beat No Face? Shame on her. She even can't break the spell she already done. Poor Yubaba.
3. Too many loop hole
What is the relationship between Kamaji and Zeniba? I mean Kamaji know much about Protection Spell, about Yubaba and Zeniba, and he even save ticket of the train without Lin notice, despite Lin also want to get on the train. And what does Haku owe Lin? And how Haku's meeting with Yubaba until he can't even know his real name? And what is Yubaba's activity during she is not in the bathhouse? This lead to too many question that I think it can only be solve by having a sequel or OVA. Miyazaki also said it is supposed to be 3 hour script, but have to cut because of budget and time constraint. Even so, it still a kick ass movie.
Although I want to describe more about the character, I think my article is totally too much information now. Even so, I elected one of my favourite character in this movie, No Face.
Surprise again? You betcha. Why didn't I choose Haku or Chihiro, the main character? It is because for me they are kind of archetype character to me, although Chihiro surprise me by exceeding the typical shoujo protagonist type. However I explain another character in another article.
No Face
Why he is such a bad ass character? He is just a bystander stand-in character in the beginning of the movie, and it turn out to be the most bad ass villain at nearly the end of the movie. Many character ignore him at the bridge, and even audience wouldn't thought he turn chaotic at the end of the movie. I thought he might be the agent who serve Zeniba that will capture Yubaba. (I think that was the initial plan before the changes in the movie, as later he become Zeniba's helper) and he is the most mysterious character around, ironically his physical is almost transparent. (Get it? A pun....Ah well, if you didn't understand, it didn't matter)
He is the creation of the corruption of the place, as he learn through observation and eating other, and showing how fucked up the bathhouse is, full of greedy, lustful and power hungry people who waited to squeeze you out while fantasize you with dreamy, almost paradise environment. His affection towards Chihiro is symbolic, as he is kind of representation of all evil that human could ever done, and the only thing he couldn't do is tempted Chihiro to evil as well, or maybe he want to absorbed Chihiro's kindness.
However, Chihiro able to change him to good side, and even make him available for the job at Zeniba's house. It shows that even when you are totally evil and seems there is no hope to light, there is always a faint brightest light that will guide you to the good side. And he overall represented the story successfully. I wish No Face and Chihiro could be together instead of Haku (of course girl cannot resist good looking guys instead) and someday No Face can have human form as well....haha....
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