Enjoy a look at the art of, what is often labeled as one of the best animated films of all time, Spirited Away.
Until last year (2020), 19 years after its release, Spirited Away held the title of most successful and highest grossing film in Japanese history. At the 75th Academy Awards, it won Best Animated Feature, the first ever non-English animated movie to do so.
The story follows Chihiro, a 10-year old girl. While moving to a new neighbourhood, she finds herself and her parents in the world of the Kami. After stumbling across an irresistible feast, the parents are turned into pigs by the witch, Yububa. Chihiro then takes a job at her bathhouse to find a way to free them.
Parents’ transformation
Door to and from the spirit realm
Yubaba’s Bathhouse
No Face
Muddy River Monster
I really enjoyed the scene of the muddy monster that arrives at the bath house, and has a bicycle pulled out of it. It turns out it’s a river spirit. The idea of this is actually based on an experience Miyazaki had. He cleaned a local river that was polluted and pulled a bicycle out of that too. But once cleaned, fish returned to healthy waters.
Quiet Moments
Something characteristic of all Miyazaki films are these quite moments, or attention to the seemingly insignificant acts like putting shoes on or waiting.
To get a bit of insight into the ideas and process around putting this film together, check out this interview from a press conference Miyazaki did in Paris on the premiere of the film in Europe.
The Art Of Spirited Away book
If you want to see more of the art of Spirited Away, then you’ll want to get your paws on this art book.
It features commentary, and colour stills, sketches, storyboards, and illustrations that brought the story to life. It also has the full English-script for the movie.
If you somehow have not yet seen the movie, stop wasting your time on this site on go watch it. It’s on Netflix. Then come back and drop a comment, and let me know what you enjoyed about it!
For more cool art, head over to the Art Inspiration section of the site.
