SPIRITED AWAY (2001) MOVIE REACTION | FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@WorkingTitleReacts]

“Princess Mononoke & Grave of Fireflies” will be available for our Sponsors over on Patreon TOMORROW!!!!

[@reymisteryo9163]

Please check out the 2010 anime film "Colorful" and the 1999, Rorouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal.

[@nikolechastre28xd65]

add howl's moving castle to the list mah dudes. that's a nice one from miyazaki and ..well, ghibli lol, the music and the animation from ghibli are legendary in the anime industry, actually the filming industry lol

[@adrianmak9680]

Damn Grave of fireflies too? That is some hardcore stuff.......

[@oyakatadadada5254]

If you want to know the backstory of Princess Mononoke and Grave of Fireflies too, I will write at comment!

[@dtmt502]

is the Mononoke reaction dub or the original sub

[@scientistservant]

When Hayao Miyazaki was younger, the river in his neighborhood was filthy and polluted, so he and a bunch of his neighbors helped clean it up. They all worked together to pull a bicycle out of the water, too, and that memory of his was the reason and inspiration of the Stink Spirit scene.

[@KyuuDesperation]

It's not a stink spirit.

[@KyuuDesperation]

It was a river spirit god/dragon that was mistaken by the greedy as a stinky spirit.

[@scientistservant]

@@KyuuDesperation Alright, I get it.

[@navo159]

In Japanese folklore, spiriting away (Japanese: Kamikakushi (神隠し), lit. 'hidden by kami') refers to the mysterious disappearance or death of a person, after they had angered the gods (kami). There are numerous legends of humans being abducted to the spirit world by kami. There are themes of identity, greed and isolation, and loss of past that are specific to the film Spirited Away in addition to the larger films' themes

[@タナカリエ-w4m]

That's right、Spirited away（Kamikakushi ） is a phenomenon in which a person suddenly disappears one day. It is a concept that treats people who go missing in sacred areas such as mountains and forests, or disappear without warning from towns and villages, as the work of gods.

[@crowquillgal1016]

That is a concept I’ve never heard of and it adds a lot of context to the story and plot! Very kind of you to add this - thanks!

[@sourcreamshawty]

i’m taking a cultural anthropology course and i’m writing my midterm paper on Japanese folklore/mythology and I didn’t know this, so thank you! I’m actually referencing spirited away and came here to learn more. super interesting info, thanks :)

[@user-nv6pd6re5n]

So, Japanese title is "Kamikakushi of Sen and Chihiro".

[@justsomeKy]

" That water looks so good." My favourite part of just about every Ghibli film is the water. It always looks so crisp and delicious lol.

[@Shakshak66]

HydroHomie spotted in the wild

[@katarinadreams6955]

Anime water in general is just gorgeous

[@checkoutmyyoutubepage]

And the food.

[@candycaneri]

If I remember correctly, Lin is a "White Fox" spirit, but she appears as a human. Probably like how Haku appears human but is also a spirit

[@NT-zf8dx]

油屋の従業員は、男性は蛙、女性は蛞蝓だったかと思います。

[@lillyf973]

I had a theory that Lin was human like Chihiro but she had forgotten her human life entirely, she prob was younger than her and wandered in the tunnel by accident. Cause everyone poked fun at her constantly and she talked about how she wanted to get on that train, also how she switched up from being mean to her in the beginning then suddenly being nice after she signed the contract with Yubaba

[@terryrobinson4484]

The guys are frogs and the women are slugs. Haku is a beautiful dragon and I think Lin might be either a fox or a slug as well, but just younger than the others and better shaped to her liking

[@kaede9950]

As a Japanese kid or adult, I could never understand the real theme of this film, but it always gives me nostalgic feeling as my family was running a bath house when I was a kid. Also it reminds me of the Shinto way of thinking, everything in nature has spirit, we call it Yaoyorozu-no-Kami, meaning “8 million gods” in Japanese.

[@haveaniceday3952]

Yeah it isnt a film with a plot focus it has a character focus

[@oyakatadadada5254]

I think the real theme of this film is family love. Kamaji often said "Love power(愛の力）". It is not romantic love becouse Chihiro and Haku are sivilings.

[@anastasia.00]

@@oyakatadadada5254 how are they siblings if Chihiro is human and Haku is a spirit god? 👀

[@SoreStomach]

That explanation is not enough tho, it indeed means 8 million gods in a straight translation but it also implies that number is too many to count, therefore it means infinite amount of god. Not exact 8 million.

[@fgjjdgb3949]

I would then assume that there are more than eight million of them.

[@lovely-maxcaulfield]

The "stinky" spirit that chihiro saved was full of bicycles and human trash... It was a river spirit and this should show the environmental pollution of the sea and rivers from the humans.... I really liked this idea ♥ I think this movie is about growing up... being away from your parents and be responsible for yourself... before, she seemed a bit like a spoiled brat haha... but now she seems more mature, loving and courageous... Edit: OH nooo :(( I edited this comment because of a typo and now the like from WorkingTitleReacts disappeared... I'm literally so sad right now ahahaha

[@fgjjdgb3949]

And not only one river in this film suffered from anthropogenic activity. Haku came under Yubaba's rule because his river was concreted and he lost his natural home.

[@McRino1]

and, the fact sen is the only... sorry, Chihiro, can stand the smell as opposed to all the non-humans shows how used to pollution she already is

[@instagraminsta3850]

It wasn't about pollution, the spirit got stuck in a flood

[@WinterLynne94]

@@instagraminsta3850 No, it was actually polluted. The entire sequence was based on an experience Miyazaki had in his hometown. The river in his hometown had gotten so polluted and full of junk that he and his neighbors came together to clean it. They actually pulled a bike out of the mud. They got the junk out and the river started flowing again.

[@freshtart5465]

Shintoism is one of the predominant religion in Japan. This whole movie is based on shinto beliefs. In Shintoism, everything has a spirit (Kami or deities) - a rock, a radish, a river, a book, a poem, the boiler, etc, all have spirits. Likewise, evil spirits can be purified through offerings and a symbolized bath hence, the bathhouse. Chihiro Kosaka and her family stumbled and inadvertently offended the spiritual bathhouse Kami (Yubaba). They weren't suppose to be there moreso eat the spirit's food.

[@satoonneiei5090]

I think it’s about adulting. Characters in the movie have their own problem trying to live in the adult world. For example, no-face is a representation of an outcast or someone who struggle finding his own identity. So when Chihiro ‘leave the door open’ for him to come in, he become attached to her. When he saw others feel happy when the river god gave them gold, he tried to give them gold too-to please them. Or like when he consumed other spirits, I think he wanna be like them. Giant baby is a spoiled brat who didn’t know how to stand, but after the jouney, he grew up. I also think that when Chihiro got parts of her name stolen when she signed a contract to work at a bathhouse is kinda like how adults have to lose some parts of themselves in order to get a job. ((Apologize for my bad Eng. just wanna share my opinion lol))

[@hachi3430]

I was very surprised you guys didn't really notice the music! spirited away's soundtrack is one of my absolute favorites, it always makes me emotional

[@Angiie_loo]

One Summer’s Day, I cried 😢

[@gloomsi]

the scene when chihiro cries while eating the onigiri and one summer's day plays makes me cry every time LOL.

[@samworf6550]

43:48 That circle-chopping thing he does is (like a great many things in this movie) based on a game played by very young Japanese children. It's how you get rid of cooties in Japan, a ritual Chihiro certainly knows but has already outgrown, which is why she gives him such an odd look when he tells her to do it.

[@foggyfrogy]

I feel most cultures have something similar. For us it's either throwing salt over your right shoulder or putting all "bad" spirit into an egg and breaking it

[@gwendolynrobinson3900]

@@foggyfrogy as far as I'm aware, Americans don't have a ritual for getting rid of cooties. You're stuck with them once a boy touches you ;(

[@foggyfrogy]

@@gwendolynrobinson3900 so that's why so many u.s. americans come to our countries to do a soul cleaning 😩😂

[@SkyForgeVideos]

The movie is an allegorical journey to the underworld combined with symbolism from Japanese Religion and culture. It's not exactly the easiest for westerners to pick up on a lot of it.

[@quangvutruong1416]

I believe the hair tie Zeniba and Chihiro's friends made is what support her in the final test. I am glad that they let her bring it back to human world.

[@jacthing1]

Especially since it glints in the light while Chihiro is looking at all the pigs.

[@natwixterthan18]

Years ago when I first watched this movie it really reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Where a girl goes through a portal to another world and a bunch of trippy stuff starts happening that you can't understand, but at the end of it you feel like you've gone through a life changing journey and learned a valuable lesson. It's cute and fun. I hope you guys react to Howl's Moving Castle. It's another fan favorite from Miyazaki

[@Cibanti]

Exactly this. I totally agree. It is a Japanese Alice in Wonderland, it's not about what happens in the journey but what the journey does to the character. It's just about a bunch of weird totally out of your comfort zone situations that you have to overcome to become a more realized you, to know yourself better: who you are, what do you want, what is important to you...

[@Al-bs5lj]

A lot of Ghibli movies tend to be hard to understand at first, my grandma always played them for me growing up and started my anime obsession, but every time I watch these movies I find new things i completely missed, it’s honestly incredible, I’ve never been someone who likes to rewatch movies, but it’s different with Ghibli since I notice more things the more I watch so each time I see it in a whole new light.

[@CatarinaMaia1619]

So, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and director of Spirited Away, once said in an interview that when Chihiro crosses back into the Human World, she loses her memories of the Spirit World and all that happened (but she keeps her growth), which is obviously a little upsetting to think about - all her friends and memories. But he also said that just because she doesn't remember doesn't mean those memories are gone forever, there's a possibility that her memories could come back to her at a later time. It’s also mentioned somewhere (I can't remember where exactly) that at the end when Haku promises that they’ll meet again, he’s referring to the afterlife, that he'll see her again when she dies. (Kinda puts a damper on those fanfics where Haku turns up in the Human World or Chihiro returns to the Spirit World.) So, I have this little headcanon about how their reunion would go (sort of inspired by the end scene in Titanic); So, as Chihiro grows old, as her spirit/soul becomes less and less attached to the mortal plane, her memories of the Spirit World start to come back to her. Just little bits at a time; the sound of a train as it runs over water-covered tracks, the taste of rice balls and tears and feeling overwhelmed and scared, the sound of a woman's strong, stern, motherly voice, and kind green eyes and a gentle voice “Remember, I am your friend.” Obviously, her family just thinks she's going senile in her old age, but she knows it's real. So she waits. And when Chihiro dies, drifting peacefully to sleep, old and content in her bed, she knows that she's going to see her friends again. She's standing on a grassy hill, little stone figures dot the landscape and the sky is blue and endless above her. Happiness floods her and she remembers... she remembers. She steps forward. He’s waiting... The Bathhouse comes into view, just as it was all those years ago, unchanged... and he’s there on the bridge. Haku. He smiles at her, soft and gentle, and holds out a hand, "I promised we'd meet again, Chihiro." Chihiro laughs loudly, her voice young once more, and when she takes his hand, her own is smooth and unwrinkled.

[@najmaomar4674]

❤

[@うあ-u3p]

素敵な再会のシーンで感動しました。 私のおばあちゃんから聞いた話ですが、人は魂になった後、その人の1番深く記憶にある姿に戻ると言われています。 きっと千尋の中で、霊界を冒険した記憶は1番奥底で眠っていたのだと思いたいです。

[@mx9226]

Let’s hope Studio Ghibli doesn’t copyright this. This is my favorite Ghibli movie. It’s the first one I ever watched so it holds a special place in my memories.

[@KyuuDesperation]

It's been a year, but most importantly, sadly, it's no longer a studio.

[@AshleyGarcia-ck2ki]

Personally, I feel like a lot, if not almost all, Studio Ghibli movies have a similar vibe like this. I think you can take what Happens in a literal sense and/or interpret how you feel. I always saw this as a coming of age journey where she becomes more adventurous and willing to accept change more, as clearly she’s not happy about it at the begging.

[@WolfHreda]

It's funny you mention wanting a tattoo of a soot Sprite. They're arguably one of the most popular designs from this movie. I can see why. They're very simple, recognizable, and cute.

[@m..na.]

I always love how big and jelly like ghibli tears look

[@hei7846]

That scene at 21:03 is still one of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen in cinema. Its just as beautiful 15 years later.

[@crazyape515]

One of my favorite movies. I have such a fond memory of this wonderful friend of the family, Helen (R.I.P., )taking me and my sister to see the movie and I didnt want to because I thought it was Spirit the Horse movie. I was a kid and im sure Spirit was fine. It was such an experience in theaters. Thank you Helen for introducing me to Studio Ghibli and being open minded to foreign films.

[@keybladeshya8566]

I'm so sorry for your loss.. 🙏

[@denden8372]

As much as I understand the metaphors behind a river spirit being polluted. I just always find it so hilarious to see people's reactions of disgust + confusion at that "stink spirit"

[@georgev3433]

The Water Spirit was a reference to Miazaki’s childhood where the town got together to clean up a local river. A bike being pulled out of the muck always stuck with him, and was the reference to the scene.

[@Lannisen]

Anyone reading Scandinavian folklore knows not to follow the scent of food into the woods! Miyazaki was very influenced by European folklore, in this film (following the scent of food, having your name stolen to be under someone's control, needing to eat food to be able to stay in the Fairy world) and in Kiki's Delivery Service you can even see street and shop signs in Swedish. Oh, and I believe Lin is a fox spirit.

[@Lannisen]

Oh, and No Face's gold is very much like troll gold in Scandinavian stories as well, it also turns into dirt or stone.

[@calipo5110]

Japan also has similar folklore like the name being stolen and being spirited away.

[@Nakiimushi]

The town Kiki lives in is inspired by old town in Stockholm :)

[@wanderlustxhours]

@@calipo5110 yea in Japan, when young children got lost back then, we called it “kami kakushi” with the literal meaning being “hidden by gods”. Also, I think in many cultures, there is the thing of not eating food of the after life etc., or like name having power

[@wanderlustxhours]

In that sense, this movie was more definitely influenced by Japanese folklore more than anything else. Literally prob got the idea of the characters from Shinto, and kami kakushi etc

[@ウマットリさる]

"Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind", "Castle in the Sky" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" are some of my favorite Ghibli Miyazaki films. By all means, I want you to see it too.

[@doug3318]

43:56 literally mirrored the mouse and bird doing the SAME EXACT THING I can’t 😂

[@TheDragiix3]

Music composed by Joe Hisaishi :) on the triangular rice balls, they are called Onigiri and they come with different fillings. They are the perfect snack for work or school!

[@0n114]

OST:One Summer‘s Day is beautiful

[@hikarihakai1285]

if i remember correctly Lin is a fox spirit which are famously known to be able to turn into beautiful woman

[@空町ハナ]

本当に子供の頃と大人になってから観る千と千尋じゃ全然感じ方が違うんだよなあ 2020年に日本だとコロナの影響でジブリから4作品が映画館でリバイバル上映されてて全作品観たんだけどその中にもちろん千と千尋もあって、号泣しながら映画館出たもんな、、、、、あんなに泣いた千と千尋初めてだったわ

[@yayoihujimiya9892]

公開当時幼稚園児だったから、怖い映画だって印象があったし、小学生～中学生ぐらいまではハクかっこいい！だったけど、高校生ぐらいから涙なしで観れなくなる。 特におにぎりのシーンで。

[@gothicMCRgirl]

Even though this movie is foreign, I grew up watching it as well. There was much about it I couldn’t understand because the culture was different, but the film was still very magical and special to me. I associate this film with my childhood and with my grandmother, who watched it with me when it played on the television. Now as an adult, I can understand the themes of the film better, and it makes me very emotional.

[@ii-cg3hk]

55:27 This music always makes me cry. Hisaishi's music is really great.

[@jungsuk888]

Your guys’ editing is impeccable! Perfect blend of watching the movie and seeing your guys reactions! You earned a subscriber ✊🏽

[@Lannisen]

My favourite Miyazaki film is based on a Manga he wrote while in film school, Nausicaä And The Valley Of The Wind.

[@nalu3430]

there is no manga for this. in fact, there is no script for this movie. Hayao Miyasaki started making it from pure inspiration. he didn't even knew where the story was going from the start. that explains why it's so random. but believe me, the more times you see it the more you understand.

[@MrKmoconne]

Hayao Miazaki's message for this movie was for the ten year old daughter of a friend. He wanted to let her know it would be okay. An entire movie devoted to a friend's daughter. Life is so anxious.

[@LuminousArc92]

Chihiro passing the test at the end, she used what she remembered about her parents, that they're humans and not pigs the ending is very similar to the Greek myth of Orpheus and Euridice. On their wedding day Euridice is killed by a snake so Orpheus goes to get her back from the underworld. He uses his musical talents to make his way to where souls of the dead are and is able to convince Hades to let him return with Euridice. However he is given the condition that he can't look back at her until he's back in the world of the living. Orpheus returns to the entrance but just before passing through he looks back, wondering the whole time if she had really been following him. There he sees Euridice as she gets dragged back down into the underworld forever. there are different versions of the ending, where he kills himself in grief, where he goes on living but in pain, where Euridice kills him for his actions it makes one wonder what might have happened if Chihiro had looked back before she was through the tunnel. May have been that she would be tempted to remain in the world of spirits

[@hectorsumaoang2320]

wasn't orpheus killed by a cult of mad women worshipping dionysus? there's even a painting of it where he was beheaded and his body mutilated.

[@satomz]

There's a very similar story in Japanese mythology as well. I'll try to give a summarized version. Izanagi, the cofounder of the land of Japan and father to many of the Japanese mythological gods, loses his wife and cofounder Izanami when she gives birth to the god of fire. She leaves for the Underworld and he chases after her. He convinced her to return to the land of the living, but she tells him that he must not look at her while she prepares for the departure from the land of the dead. Izanagi becomes impatient, and looks at her. There he saw Izanami's rotting and severely burnt (from birthing the fire god) body. Frightened, he runs from her, and she chases him but is thwarted when Izanagi seals the gateway between the lands of the living and the dead with a large boulder. As they part ways she places a curse saying she would take thousands from the land of the living for what Izanagi did to her, and in response he said he would give life to thousands to counter that.

[@light80050]

Watching a movie with you guys doesn't feel long at all. I really enjoyed it. Arigato!

[@nalu3430]

whe you see this movie as a kid you enjoy it more cause you don't question the weirdness, you just go with it.

[@Hanmacx]

I like in the end, when the big child asked his mother if she can't have chihiro win, And the Witch said she also is bound by rules

[@HannibalFan52]

As has already been pointed out, the 'stink spirit' was actually a river spirit that had become polluted. The sequence was inspired by an incident in Miyazaki's own life, when he was helping to clean up a polluted river. One of the things he remembered pulling out was an old bicycle, and the removal of a bicycle was the crux of helping the river spirit.

[@mani3001]

This is the first Ghibli movie I saw and it was the trippiest thing. The soot spirits also appear in My neighbour Totoro, but more as dust bunnies. A tattoo of one or a couple of them would be really cool

[@madmanjeshiro8288]

One of the best classics I've watched when I was young. This was a really good movie that brought me down memory lane again

[@BioshockChar]

51:45 oh thats just Thing showing off their lamp-post gear

[@7MonarC]

“They crossed the bridge.” “You’re right!” 😂

[@negitarte]

ジブリ映画の中でも日本の価値観等が全面に出ている作品だよね

[@PeyloBeauty]

i think the movie deals a lot with like "the real you". anyways as a kid that was a whole different trip and I LOVED IT. even though it was creepy at times I enjoyed it to the fullest. It makes u emotional even as a kid. I love ghibli art. I think kid's will have even a greater chance experiencing the crazy universe in there. this also included any other ghibli movie.

[@cstolf]

ジブリの作品は日本人じゃないと、まともに理解できない 楽しめない作品が多いよな 日本に生まれて良かったと思うのと同時に、海外の人に正しく魅力が伝わらないのも悲しい

[@Mikerille]

The stink spirit was a great river spirit, usually revered as gods, but it was mistaken for a stink spirit due to the pollution caused. This is also foreshadowing that haku is a water spirit of some kind, just a lesser, and also is foreshadowing that his river dried up, as he is more physical compared to the very still water based great river spirit. Hope that explains some things!

[@piepowa]

Those rice triangles DO have meat in them sometimes!! They're called onigiri and it's common for them to have tuna, miso, and more!

[@bulletsandbracelets4140]

All of the people complaining about the dub is so wild to me! I love Ghibli dubs

[@mejirobird2175]

I’m sure someone’s already commented this, but dragons usually represent rivers for how they’re narrow and winding! So in a sense, the bath house is nature constantly combating pollution, but it needs human help to take care of unnatural pollution caused by other humans.

[@akemiharaguchi6236]

I think something you guys might be misunderstanding is that this is a crazy shroom-inspired film, but every crazy thing has deep roots in Japanese folklore and Shintoism. I hated this film when i first saw it (the art style was jarring 😢), but came to love how vast the world within this film was, and how it really paid homage to everything it drew inspiration from. Also Chihiro is pretty badass and her growth is great! I’m Japanese so I’m biased, but ENG Subbed is far superior for this film. I think the voice acting makes Chihiros personality seem a bit different in the dub, I personally feel that dub Chihiro is very panicked and in a Tizzy(tm), whereas sub Chihiro is a bit more quiet and sad. Probably because in Asia there is a base respect level you have to show to your parents or else you get your ass beat lol, but the ENG VA went for full tantrum/panic from the very beginning which really set the mood. good example of this is when Chihiro while in tears tells her pig parents that she’s going to save them so don’t get eaten - sounds borderline like she was tweaking, Japanese shows her emotions more.

[@lucianaromulus1408]

It's interesting you say this, as an American of European descent ..i only ever heard the original Japanese dialouge in Princess Mononoke and I felt the dub was much superior in conveying emotion. Maybe if something is in our mother tongue we just prefer it ? To be fair though some shows that are dubbed are done HORRIBLY. I loved this game Zone of the Enders when I was a kid and the 2nd one the English dubbing was TERRIBLE.

[@akemiharaguchi6236]

@@lucianaromulus1408 Hey! I think there could be something in the way they use language that might suggest tone or intent? recently I did some thinking about my strong ‘Sub not Dub’ mindset, and realized certain anime I watched in English dub first I prefer, like Dragon Ball and yugioh… To really test it out, I played a few JRPG games with english dub and it wasn’t bad at all…..! Actually I kinda preferred it because it was easier to focus on the game.

[@lucianaromulus1408]

@Akemi Haraguchi you're right, probably depends on how well one it's translated or two how well its done in its original language. I love keeping things traditional and I don't know a word of Japanese, but it's not just language, it's fully understanding the culture and the background of the language to appreciate it...which I don't understand so perhaps that's why in Princess Mononoke I prefer the English dub.

[@GenAqua]

I love Jason Marsden as Haku. R.I.P Suzanne Pleshette

[@iceblue8978]

ジブリ作品を観てくれてありがとうございます。ジブリは素晴らしい作品が沢山あります。 その中でも絶対にこれだけは観て欲しい映画があります。 1 . Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind 1984年の映画 2 . LAPUTA －Castle in the Sky － 1986年の映画 ジブリを観られるのであれば、最初にこの2つの作品をおすすめします。 英語吹き替えではなく、是非 日本語でこちらの２作を観ていただきたいです。 こちらを日本語で観ることで、大人も楽しめるジブリ作品です。 是非 リアクションをお願いします🙏

[@mnicholas]

The only thing that Disney is involved in is the distribution rights outside of Japan. Studio Ghibli and Disney made a deal to have Disney be the international distributor of Studio Ghibli films, but Ghibli remains the rights of their own merchandise.

[@sk8rgrlteen]

I absolutely love this movie. I saw it when I was 14 back in 2004. It gives me a deep sense of nostalgia and comfort. The scenery.The music. I connect with it deeply. Especially the scene when Sen is helping the dirty river spirit. It so strange but unexpectedly beautiful. Just like it feels when you have a uncomfortable yet surprisingly touching moment in real life.

[@jacoblofthus7908]

Kid in this situation: I don't like this! I wanna go home and see my Mom and Dad! Adult: This sucks! Who's gonna show up to my job and pay my rent??

[@Uta_Chandra.H]

Spirited Away and Coraline was my Big Inspiration ❤ I still can't believe this movie isn't on DISNEY PLUS😢

[@maddwitch]

Jason Marsden, the English language VA for Haku, has been voicing characters for video games and animations since the early '90s. His most famous character is probably Max from the Goofy movies and most recently he has been voicing multiple characters on Young Justice.

[@Melissa-wx4lu]

Max, Kovu from Lion King II, and The cat Binx from Hocus Pocus are probably what most people know him from. He seemed everywhere in the 90 and 00's

[@meruk8682]

Dragons in Japan and Shintoism & folklore are often sacred gods or guardians of elements, particularly water (水龍 water dragon). You saw two river dragon spirits, the one that was polluted by human wastes and the other being Haku. White paper is often used in Shinto rituals to represent purity (particularly represented by the color white). E.g. You see white paper formed in a lighting like shape surrounding sacred trees, torii (gateways to shrines) etc. Hence the paper forms attacking Haku. In the movie it was used as a spell to attack Haku in dragon form, as paper birds.

[@meruk8682]

btw Haku means white, which is the purest color in Shintoism.

[@julieb3996]

As a sort of a girl who identifies like the one in the movie, it's satisfying to see grown men watching this movie.

[@anae3124]

Haku’s voice actor is the same for Binx, the cat from Hocus Pocus. Also one of the characters from Fairily Odd Parents, and Kovu from the Lion King: Simba’s Pride

[@seancurtis1199]

Studio Ghibli is one of the best ever, all of their work is brilliant

[@gracebvillarias1265]

I love watching studio Ghibli

[@austinsinger7565]

Spirited Away is my favorite Ghibli movie! And those so many great Ghibli movies!

[@Gu3ssWhatsN3XT]

I've tried so hard to avoid seeing this reaction because when i was still in high school i remember coming home during my last 2 months all the way through the summer to find my sister watching this movie...every, single, day lmao

[@iHasAbucket0246]

asian dragons are serpent like because they are the spirit of rivers

[@madguy881]

22:40 It does have meat in it actually. Also sometimes fish, fish eggs or veggies.

[@domidium]

Fun fact, Lin is actually a yokai (supernatural being) called a byakko (white fox yokai). It could serve as an explanation for why her human-like form is more refined than the others at the bathhouse; as kisune (general fox yokai) are renowned for their masterful shapeshifting abilities, and are actually one of the most iconic obake (yokai known for their shapeshifting). One of he others are the tanuki (racoon dog).

[@talkaboutrandon7870]

As a child. I love this film. It is my very first animated movie that I have watched. Though I'm not japanese, there's a similar folk lore from our country that is pretty close on what happen to the movie. Growing up with my grandma's stories, then finding a movie that is similar to it feels like my childhood imagination has come to life that's why this is my favorite film. Its colorful, adventurous and wonder.

[@ordinary-not2525]

Haku's voice actor also voiced Max Goof and Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

[@taylorh7993]

i feel like this movie is best enjoyed as a child; the theme and plot are bizarre and almost hard to understand, but that doesn't matter when you're a kid. it feels more like a dream, or a fairytale with twists and turns and lessons and trials. i loved and related to this little girl who started the journey afraid and meek, and came out brave and confident. what a beautiful movie

[@salliejones6002]

Just started watching you guys today I love the editing! Everybody makes good comments. Very much appreciate your trying this movie out

[@BeeAndHumph]

Spirited Away is a complex film with lots of influences from the folklore of Japan and other places, as well as other fantasy worlds that have influenced Miyazaki. There are also many interesting theories about who Haku really is. It all makes a lot more sense as well if you know a bit more about Shinto, Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. Lin is a byakko, a white tiger or white fox spirit.

[@amc_love8634]

The person who voices haku is the same person who voices Max from goofy movie, Thackery Banks from Hocus Pocus and voices in the lion king 2 movie and has been on many 90's t.v shows

[@E_btsot798]

three of my favorite studio gibli films include My neighbor tortoro, kiki's delivery service, and spirited away fourth would be howl's moving castle... i grew up on studio gibli movies.... it was my first introduction into the anime world...

[@ThatGuyChey]

Yesss! My friend got a tattoo of the Soot Balls, 3 of them and they had the little sprinkle candies, i been thinking about getting a tattoo of them as well!

[@_k.g]

46:44 “what’s the plot of this move?” Bruh it’s just about a girl learning how to grow up. Strip away the surrealism and folklore imagery, it’s just a kid learning how to survive, adapt, grieve and grow up.

[@HandchoiceEnterprise]

Some have compared this film to a Japanese reimagining of alice in wonderland, honestly I think the shinto spirits enhance the story of a girl in a world beyond her comprehension. Chihiro's character growth is not only great writing but such an excellent example for children when faced with adversity. I know the situation is fantastical, but watching her transform from a spoilt and needy little girl to such an assertive one is magical.

[@Aardydarling]

I don’t think so at all. The only possible similarity I can think is coming into a different world, everything else is so different

[@KyuuDesperation]

Anyone who compares this to Alice in Wonderland has no class and taste at all! Like Alice in Wonderland is basically a substance trip, while Spirited Away is actually magical and mysterious.

[@juliansantos8478]

The film does not expose the issues in a timely manner. It is clearly a growth journey from childhood to adulthood. She is a girl who is initially very fearful and dependent on her parents and loses them to enter the world of work, she has to arrive and ask for a job, and she does not know anyone, from which everyone wants to leave and they never have money to leave (very much the real world) and she can't initially trust anyone and has to make herself. What I understand the movie is trying to say is "don't lose who you are in that transformation." Then there is the theme of the None Face, who has no personality of his own and enters this world stealing personalities from another and only wants Chihiro's recognition.

[@m..na.]

Omggg yesss my fav ghibli movie!!

[@Tsuya.Alouette]

I remember from a long time ago Hayao Miyazaki said in an interview the great thing about Spirited Away is that it's just about a normal girl surviving in an unknown environment. To me that's pretty powerful. She doesn't have any powers, she doesn't fight, she just survives. Also, No Face is supposed to represent how someone can become corrupted by greed and the negative things around them. The Bathhouse was just that kind of place, unfortunately. That's why Chihiro said No Face needed to leave because the Bathhouse was driving him crazy.

[@judith4646]

Not gonna lie, the stairs scene scared me so much when I was little xD

[@jamesstutz6907]

Wondering how much time has passed. It's looks like a week or two has passed. I am surprised that there is a missing persons report on them or if they have a home to go back to. Chihiro's parents will be surprised in how much time has passed.

[@debbienishiyama4212]

The general theme of the movie is that bad and good people can’t be categorized but in truth that people are just doing there best good and bad we are all capable of being perceived as one or another

[@debbienishiyama4212]

Disney just did the dubbing but the dubs are so bad because they are trying to re tell the story, but you all saying it’s a kid story is a bit wrong, it is quite existential and maybe you should watch it again, and maybe because you’re all just so cartoonified that you can’t catch on the meaning or the artistic and poetic theme of this movie so this is not definitely for kids.

[@rickyconstancio7856]

Spirited Away is like the gateway drug of anime!

[@sleepyfox8983]

So excited for this reaction... the music from the intro takes me back to when I first watched and got enchanted by a Ghibli movie

[@ななむ-y4u]

Finally!! I’ve been loved this movie so I’m glad that you watched it.

[@Akiraspin]

Haku as ROSH PENIN FROM JEDI ACADEMY "IM A GGGGRREEEAT JEDI!"

[@KayaaaaDe]

Man!!! The music takes me back. Brings back so many good memories from childhood.

[@trodnet]

Wow he guessed right away

[@shamkand]

In Japan, they have the Shinto religion. Its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Shinto is polytheistic and revolves around the kami (the deities, divinities, spirits, phenomena or "holy powers"), supernatural entities believed to inhabit all things, so the religion is considered animistic (from the Latin: anima, 'breath, spirit, life" is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence). So everything that is in this spirit world is some kind of spirit, life essence, God, and so on.

[@sonjabirch4865]

My top two studio ghibli movies that I HIGHLY recommend watching are Howl's Moving Castle and Nausica of the Valley of the Wind

[@evacombs9720]

I don't know about Japan, but the rice-ball triangles in Korea are filled with meet (fish, pork, or chicken, and some are filled with vegetable, but this is more recent for vegetarians). They are very cheap and available in most convenience stores. They make an excellent meal - if you are okay with seaweed and fish flavors.

[@IlmurOsp]

just saying, it's better when it's not dubbed. all ghibli films are, just read subtitles dudes.

[@fruitlion8]

Lin is an interesting one. She is in fact another spirit. While she's portrayed as human in the film, in the book she's known as byakko - a fox spirit.

[@c.j.8088]

So the food that chihiro was eating when she went to see her parents was Onigiri 🍙 sometimes they do have meat inside or beans and seaweed etc. it’s really good 😊

[@sejbomb]

I’ve always loved studio Ghibli works, since I was 11 when I first watched Laputa. I now have a Ghibli tattoo sleeve on one arm, including a tea cup with no face on and jiji trying to jump in, soot sprites and kodama spirits too. I also have totoro, yakul and arrietty. I now have the bath ducks on a New Years token on my wrist. Still want to get Yu bird and the mouse combo.

[@myfriendisaac]

20:59 That’s Jason Marsden who also voices Max Goof from *A Goofy Movie.* -Great reaction of a great film 👏🏾🎬🍿

[@purapupupu]

This movie primarily includes three unique cultural aspects of Japan. 1．The concept of the afterlife This movie primarily includes five unique cultural aspects of Japan: The concept of the afterlife: In Japan, it is believed that after death, individuals cross a river called the "Sanzu River" and face a judgment by the deity known as Enma, who determines whether they go to heaven or hell. The river mentioned at the beginning represents the Sanzu River. The character Yubaba represents Enma, the deity. 2．River God Japan experiences a significant amount of rainfall and is prone to flooding. As a result, it is believed that rivers are inhabited by God, often depicted as dragons. Characters such as Haku and the sludge spirit are inspired by dragon God. Even today, Japan has numerous shrines called "Ryujin Jinja" dedicated to the worship of dragon deities near rivers. 3．he divine resides in names In Japan, it is believed that names carry meanings and can influence one's personality, talents, and future. The scene in which the protagonist has their name taken away at the beginning is understood as an act that alters their identity in Japanese culture.