Spirited Away Is A Masterclass In Everything | Guilty Pleasures Ep. 121

[@brooklynparkse]

Miyazaki understands the power of a hopeful little girl. Ghibli is one of the extremely few Japanese animators that makes average young women powerful without sexualizing them. His stories are quiet, introspective, and respectful of the characters, and that’s why he’s the goat.

[@EvWuzhere]

Hes thee throat goat

[@camillaabreu1967]

Yes! Yes!

[@marihobistan]

this comment made me cry and i’m not exaggerating

[@alaytheaherr]

YES THANK YOU GARRICK FOR POINTING OUT ALL THESE PAINSTAKING DETAILS ABOUT ANIMATION AND HOW ALL THESE ARTISTIC CHOICES ARE SO DELIBERATE

[@francesleones4973]

This is why great animated films take so long to create. Attention to detail in Ghibli films is insane. Makoto Shinkai and I guess all major anime studios have Miyazaki to thank for setting the bar high.

[@ellav7812]

I'd love to see them discuss all the details in Howls bedroom, because that is an insane amount of detail

[@francesleones4973]

@@ellav7812 an entire episode could be dedicated to just that 😄

[@Arico]

can we get a miyazaki month?? i would love to see them cover some of the more mature movies like princess mononoke or nasiucaa as well!

[@katiedanielle6116]

this is a goood idea yall

[@SakuraPixie]

YAS. And, as heart breaking as it is, Grave of the Fireflies. The Studio Ghibli film that destroyed me but also an important one to watch

[@Slapchop721]

Yes!

[@laurenkewo2787]

​@SakuraPixie I like this idea, but I don't wish the pain of that movie upon my worst enemy 🥲

[@SickSea]

Yes!! Kiki, Howl, and Mononoke pleaaaaaase!

[@chaoticgacha]

4:39 Garrick comparing studio ghibli movies to the beatles is even funnier when you learn that miyazaki hates the beatles 🤣

[@christiannoellecharles1205]

Just do a Miyazaki/Ghibli month, accompanied by Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso, Howl's Moving Castle, and Castle in the Sky. Then an anime month with Akira, Paprika, Your Name, and The Girl who Leapt through Time. Then you achieved the basics in Anime Cinema.

[@hannahappa]

I would love to see you guys do more of these with anime - even more ghibli like howls moving castle (I feel like Kelsey would love Howl lol)

[@kizi180]

For me I appreciate Howl's Moving Castle after I read the book. is sooo good but context is needed.

[@hannahappa]

@@kizi180 would you recommend I’ve always thought about reading it but never got around to it

[@kizi180]

@@hannahappa 100% yes.

[@not_sophs]

Kelsey will love Howl

[@saikogrrl]

Yes! Ghibli month! Ghibli month!

[@deprecious2921]

I also like that Miyazaki animates how things FEEL. I saw a tumblr post explaining but the way he animates water isn't how it is based in reality but how water feels on the skin

[@emmadunbach3207]

I love that you mentioned the radish spirit but there’s a complexity to the radish spirit that you guys didn’t mention. Yes he looks weird, yet he’s a critical character for Jihiro. She meets him in the elevator, he is very large, takes up lots of space which makes the elevator ride maybe a little uncomfortable (there is judgement here from our main character that is unspoken but very apparent). Later on, she’s in trouble and runs into the elevator where the Radish Spirit is once again…he immediately covers her and moves the elevator to a different floor for her without saying a word, without expecting anything in return. He shows her a kindness that’s rare, he was observant and read the room to understand what was going on regardless of what she may or may not think about him. The radish spirit even celebrates her small wins in the bathhouse-why would a stranger offer a helping hand and so much support? Because it’s important to remember there are side characters in life who care for you. He is hands down my favorite character. Be carefree and show kindness to people like the radish spirit does

[@kadellis]

I want to hear more about how in ALL his movies, women, young and old, are incredibly developed and heroic. You guys have GOT to come back and do more!!

[@carbajalgabriela20]

I really hope you do Howl's Moving Castle, from the soundtrack to the animation, story, everything about this movie is comforting

[@mkwoodstock]

Howls moving castle was my fav ghibli film with spirited away

[@peacechickification]

@@mkwoodstockfor me it’s these two and ponyo. Can’t pick a favourite, but I think if I could only ever watch one of them again, I think it’d be ponyo only because it’s more joyful than spirited away and howls moving castle, they are gorgeously solemn, but solemn nonetheless.

[@ellav7812]

If they do, I want them to cover the anti-war 'undertones' and Miyazakis background as well as the comfort.

[@alaytheaherr]

spirited away is a love story in the way it says "love is when people inspire each other to live" something something quote by miyazaki.

[@emilyf4178]

Yes yes yes. More Garrick talking about anime. Please make Kelsey watch Princess Mononoke and Howls moving castle

[@Rooney87]

These are the best eps for me, 3 different perspectives. A hardcore fan, someone who's never seen them and someone in the middle. I like the music eps but I'd love to see more of this, especially if guys tackle Your Name.

[@francesleones4973]

Yes! Makoto Shinkai is another Japanese animation legend that needs to be discussed. Oh, it can also be a chance to discuss RADWIMPS and their collaborations on the films. That band is amazing ❤

[@arielle.notthemermaid]

I agree love to hear their thoughts, but there's no guilt in Your Name. All pleasure :')

[@saikogrrl]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@abbylynne9798]

I love seeing passionate people talk about things they love. Specifically watching Garrick in this episode is great. And I totally agree-animation is so underrated as a medium. **also Perfect Person podcast shout out-love listening every week

[@Asi41055]

“Mono no aware” pathos of things - the awareness of impermanence often portrayed in Japanese media as a gentle sadness or wistfulness. Especially in manga and anime, you see this in those slice of life, slow scenes you guys mentioned (the reflection of the trees in the glass, the long quiet train ride). It’s a melancholic ambiance.

[@clumsyskelet0n]

Garrick’s excitement is infectious ♡

[@PokhrajRoy.]

It’s shocking how much Pop Culture Kelsey is disconnected from because we know she’s THE ‘Clueless’ Adjacent Media/Anime Girlie in an alternate reality.

[@bug.me.with.a.caterpie]

This has opened Kelsey's third eye 👁

[@genevieveleblanc9205]

Kelsey was too busy doing drugs and having sex in high school to watch anime with us nerds 😂

[@nailinthefashion]

I feel like she would have been an Inuyasha anime and Nana manga enjoyer if she had been enlightened sooner in life

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Nice to see the gang back! Nice to see you are entering your Studio Ghibli Era.

[@thomassol9725]

I didn't know that these films were on the table.. I'm gonna need episodes for Kiki's Delivery Service, Princesses Nasuca of the Valley of the Wind and Laputa/Castle in the Sky please

[@robertscott1949]

The four train tickets were not for anyone's return trip. As Kamaji said, the train only runs one way. Chihiro was committed to walking back along the tracks. The four tickets were for four passengers: Chihiro, No-face, Baby, and the Bird.

[@Meg_Sprite]

Love Miyazaki!! Princess Mononoke is my favorite and I feel like right now it’s so needed with the environmental impact. Please do that next!

[@sdpoe]

Absolutely what I was thinking as well! 🙌🏾👏🏽

[@nailinthefashion]

As a Mononoke enjoyer as well I hope you have seen the Deer King cuz they took inspiration directly from it

[@whitneyj9080]

FINALLY! So happy! I wrote a grad rhetorical essay on silence and ma (what Miles describes with the train scene) and got a scholarship because of Miyazaki's films ❤❤❤

[@arielle.notthemermaid]

I was an asian studies majors, and I have Japan studies buddies who wrote papers about the underlying philosophy in Miyazaki's film... There's just so much depth

[@saikogrrl]

Whoah amazing!

[@AnnaBanana1]

My favorite is Kiki’s Delivery Service, but I think y’all should do Howl’s Moving Castle next!!

[@taznavarro9317]

Love this episode. Wish it was 3 hours long. Would love to hear more about the social commentary aspect of Spirited Away. Consumerism was mentioned briefly but there's so much more. Yubaba is a caricature of a greedy capitalist. She took away Chihiro's name when she signed the contract and changed it to Sen, meaning 1000. Yubaba reduced Chihiro to just a number. The working conditions in the bathhouse were horrible. The girls' sleeping area was very crowded. It also showed the negative effects of capitalism - excessive consumerism, loss of identity, child labor, greed, exploitation, environmental destruction, etc I also read somewhere that Miyazaki thinks that the materialism of Japan in the 80s distanced the people from spirituality. That's why there were abandoned shrines in the beginning when they were driving to the amusement park.

[@cernunnos_rex]

thiiiis all of this

[@dangerousdandelions]

Miyazaki’s movies are so profound because even though it’s animated it depicts how accurately being alive /feels/

[@shayla146]

This is my absolute favorite Studio Ghibli movie, thank y'all for covering it 🤩🌟 I hope y'all stayed safe during the hurricane & that the whole Try Fam is safe 💜

[@francesleones4973]

I am with Garrick on love for Hayao Miyazaki's work and on how ANIMATION DESERVES TO BE RESPECTED AS AN ART FORM!

[@hullahulla]

Please do Your Name! But also, these music themed pods have been some of the funniest and most randomly interesting (especially since they don't necessarily rely on us having watched or been attached to what you're talking about)

[@Wishexe]

I saw spirited away when I was about 5. It literally blew my mind and drives me as a visual artist. It still motivates me to this day 20+ years later.

[@eddygirlisrad]

The fact that they didn't recognize the radish spirit is a daikon radish cracks me up. But also, please do ALL the Ghibli films. They are all so good.

[@miss_ayla]

It's very eurocentric of them, honestly. Haha.

[@eddygirlisrad]

@@miss_ayla I think they just aren’t familiar with daikons. Everyone has a first time learning what something is. The first time I saw Spirited Away was the same. I didn’t know what a daikon was either. It’s ok to not know something. Just means you get to learn about a culture you weren’t familiar with, and THAT is so fun and awesome.

[@miss_ayla]

Right, but I'm not saying that it isn't okay to not know something. However, they have a very Western-centric view of the world where they presumed that because they hadn't seen this vegetable before then it must not exist, even going so far as to call it a weird radish that was probably a reject that grew incorrectly. It doesn't take much to Google something, and they have a whole host of employees who could have looked it up for them. Zach even sat there with his phone Googling things about the film. It's Eurocentric to assume that everything in a film must cater to a Western audience, their immediate response to something they didn't recognise was to make fun of it, not to pause and wonder whether the said item was simply from a culture they were not familiar with. Overall, the people at Second Try seem really progressive and I applaud them for their handling of these issues but we only get better by people pointing it out.@@eddygirlisrad

[@2chais]

Lol I was scrolling through the comments to see if anyone had mentioned Daikon. That and also the mispronunciation of Ghibli which I have yet to see mentioned 😂

[@eddygirlisrad]

@@2chais the pronunciation of Ghibli varies as much as gif’s pronunciation does.

[@nataliekeables6595]

The way I SCREAMED upon seeing this notification. So happy to see yall talk about Miyazaki films 💜

[@SilmarilSam]

I'm so psyched for you guys to do Your Name. Can't wait to rewatch it and cry lol

[@camryncolella243]

I truly believe you can NOT consider yourself a filmmaker or cinephile unless you have seen a Studio Ghibli film! Truly one of the most amazing human beings, Hayao Miyazaki, is a loud and proud feminist! He's always had strong female leads who save themselves and has stated how his mother was his hero growing up. Love love LOVE this film! Disney has NOTHING over Studio Ghibli

[@cestpasgravecady]

As an 02 baby I legit grew up on this. My mom was trying to pirate that one horse movie for my sister and accidentally downloaded spirited away and I fell in love with it as a baby and watched it almost everyday for most of my childhood. It scared me and comforted me over and over.

[@Itsrei98.]

Can't wait to see kelsey fall in love with Howl if they do Howl's moving castle! PLEASE DO HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE!! 🔥

[@2948jdjdj]

Spirited Away, Coraline, and Pan’s Labyrinth are all kinda the same plot but are films from 3 different continents and they are my favorite films! If anyone else knows of any like these I’d love to hear more

[@nailinthefashion]

The phantom tollbooth is a classic, maybe you haven't seen it yet

[@meggzilla009]

I feel like anime food looks so good because of all the things you said and because you are looking at something that visually looks like the best version of that food you've ever had... or would taste like the perfect thing youve ever had. Loooooved this

[@laurens3055]

I grew up watching Studio Ghibli. They were my favorite movies and helped me understand the magic and gray nature of the world. Also a huge appreciation for the natural world. My 3yr old nephew now loves the movies too. He loves Ponyo

[@PokhrajRoy.]

So interesting to see them discussing International Cinema.

[@kismitj]

hell yes to doing both movies and music. miyazaki is a capricorn. of course he's a perfectionist.

[@emilyborges8381]

On a day I could no longer Sesame Street I turned this on for my son totally forgetting the amount of blood. This became his favorite movie for a long time and was his 3rd birthday party theme.

[@nu80sdiscofunk]

MAN i love this so much, plsss do a ghibli movie month or something this made me want to rewatch them all again!!

[@bluejayjas]

I just wanna say that in one of my children's lit courses, we were required to watch and analyze Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. It was amazing

[@laurenkewo2787]

More Studio Ghibli please!!! The themes, the artwork, the music. *Chefs kiss*

[@jzrth]

the way i screamed when i saw the title!! Ghibliiiiii

[@TriforceLiz]

I knew today would be a difficult day, so I saved this episode until now. I've been waiting ages for a Miyazaki Guilty Pleasures episode and this fulfilled everything I was hoping it would be and more! I think Miyazaki has a way of finding such truth in his films and taking the space and time he needs to portray his stories with as much emotional integrity as possible...I dread that it will become a lost art in modern animated western films. I also deeply appreciate the way he portrays his female heroines. I think Kelsey would absolutely love Howl's Moving Castle for so many reasons, though I think Miyazaki's entire repertoire is fantastic. I've loved the music episodes as well. This podcast has truly become one of the great "Pleasures" of my week and I think it is an underrated gem!

[@CassieQuach.]

No no because the way you HAVE to watch Howls Moving Castle next so Kelsey can experience that magic and Howl. PLEASEEEEE! 😭✨

[@Teatimne]

Omg I'm so glad ya'll are branching out to Ghibli movies, also I neeeeed to know what Kelsey thinks of Akira 😂Also what I find one of the most beautiful/noticeable things in Ghibli films is called "ma" in japanese, the train scene in Spirited Away is a great example of that. Miyazaki explains it as: "the time in between clapping my hands is Ma. If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it's just busy-ness. But if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow to into a wider dimension. If you just have constant tension at 80 degress all the time you just get numb." I just love how this breathing space makes the story feel more real.

[@francoisviljoen5650]

Otaku Garrick is in the chat and I am LIVING. Can't wait for you guys to do Akira

[@Sweetcarolinainseoul]

Kelsey, the other movies that you need to see are Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo(the most superior telling of the Little Mermaid story), and How's Moving castle. My comment is long, but probably worth reading. It's facts about the movie that I learned from a Japanese Person: This movie is a Giant Metaphor for the housing market crash that happened. Where the housing market prices were really artificially inflated in Japan, and then the housing market completely crashed and all the people who had taken out loans to invest in real estate, were left unable to pay their debts. That's why he says "don't worry I have credit cards and cash". No Face also just consumes and consumes and blows up bigger and bigger. Until, he gets deflated and all the gold disappears. Which is basically what happened in the economy. The prices were driven up by speculation, which is just the idea of money. It was empty. Hence the gold disappears. Also those soot spirits have those pieces of coal that represent debts and one of them gets crushed so Chihiro picks it up but doesn't have anywhere to put it. Just like how the government didn't know what to do with peoples' debts when the housing market crashed. The other two common themes are greed and capitalism. For example, if she doesn't get a job she will cease to exist. The over lying theme is that people are selling their bodies to capitalism. The baby is about how rich kids in Asia are raised (very spoiled and too sheltered).

[@amoriemerson4192]

Yessss! This video made me so happy! I'm so happy that you all loved it! I saw the live on stage performance recently and it was amazing! Obviously, a very difficult production to pull off but it was amazing seeing how they brought it to life.

[@wendycook6895]

My first Miyazaki was Kikis delivery service. I just love his movies so much.

[@mia-xp8ls]

i'm so hype this episode is an hour plus, i can't wait to hear everyone's (especially garrick's) thoughts. let's gooo

[@MsUzawa]

I am so excited they are covering Spirited Away (Ghibli films)! I hope they cover more because this was my childhood ❤

[@Bisexualdragon4042]

THE WAY MY MIND WAS BLOWN WHEN THEY EXPLAINED NO FACE. I always loved him because he just wants friends and love, but I never thought about how the way he was trying to make friends was toxic. Like holy shit you can watch a Miyazaki film fifty times and still miss stuff

[@MeredithHagan]

I went into Spirited Away having zero context for Japanese folklore. But Celtic mythology has shockingly similar themes in it - fairies would often steal children away to the Summerlands (the spirit world) and that would be the reason for children getting sick and dying young. And western fairytales have very similar rules as well, like the parents getting punished for eating the food - remember how little Ofelia receives the same warning in Pam’s Labyrinth? The only part that really didn’t have a western folklore correlation was Haku and his river, and even that was easy enough to understand. Miyazaki is a genius.

[@VoidSeal513]

I'm so thrilled to see you guys getting into animation. First Over the garden wall and now Japanese animation. I really hope that you guys get the chance to watch the other Miyazaki films (Your name would also be a fantastic watch)

[@Actuallyalizard]

My 3yr old is currently obsessed with Spirited Away, Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. I think a month or so of Studio Ghibli would be awesome

[@hillsizz]

Yessss! So pumped for this! Hayao Miyazaki is my most favorite ever! I want more! Howl's Moving Castle is my personal favorite but I love them ALL. ❤️

[@marinavillanueva9010]

GARRICK FINALLY LETTING HIS WEEB SIDE OUTTTTTTT!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ HELL YEAHHHHH!

[@rachelryan4515]

I would love to see you guys talk about some Korean movies! Like Train to Busan could be so fun!

[@kaylalian19]

the scream i screamt when i saw this uploaded!! i love ghibli films, so glad you guys are featuring this on the podcast!

[@xcaret9712]

BABY THIS IS WHAT I CAME FOORRRRR

[@jessicagowans90]

I am so glad y'all covered this movie. It is still my number one favorite anime film from childhood. The story and animation was so good. They took their time creating this movie and you can tell by paying attention to detail wotht the animation. It was beautifully done

[@jessicagowans90]

With*

[@itsasecret9333]

Kelsey saying that this movie gives you a blueprint on how to live really shook me, because Miyazakis latest film, the boy and the heron, is titled how do you live in japanese, and it's deeply autobiographical. It makes me feel like that is a major recurring theme in his work

[@arielle.notthemermaid]

I was so thrilled by this episode, but also one realization I had from this is Ghibli's film is hard to grasp with a western eye... It's hard to explain this but some of their commentary proves to do so

[@kiery2306]

I was first introduced to (the fox family dub) of Totoro when I was 3 in 1998 because my mom picked it up from a bargain bin. It didn't take long for Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service to join the collection and they became my 3 favorite movies, along with all the other Miyazaki films. I have such a love for them that they became my 1st tattoo I got when I turned 18.

[@ragasaur5878]

Spirited Away terrified me as a child, and I still am scared of No Face. He's the reason I'm afraid of being eaten alive. Great movie 😅

[@Courtney-CM]

Can't express how much joy seeing you all together again AND talking about anime added to my week (if not month)!

[@sierravalentinee]

Almost half way through and I’m so grateful to listen in on this discussion. I think about this film monthly at the least and sometimes I can’t remember why a certain moment reminds me of Spirited Away but now I’m thinking it was all the feelings I couldn’t name at 12 actualizing themselves in random moments throughout my life

[@ankitasudhir8457]

You guys will love kiki’s delivery service and howl’s castle

[@michellespangler5602]

Omg Your Name is my favorite movie PLEASEEEE I AM BEGGING DO THAT NEXT😭😭

[@celesteblack1803]

What a fortuitous episode!! I just watched Spirited Away last weekend for the first time in 10+ years, and I had forgotten how good it is!!

[@meaghancook1465]

I got so excited when I heard Garrick’s voice that I just had to come watch the video version. Welcome back!!! ❤

[@sheeeeevs]

Will never understand how this isn't the #1 rated podcast on spotify. Love yall

[@themermaidmak]

Super pumped for Your Name! ❤ Otherwise Weathering With You is really good as well!

[@ileiahall7523]

helps I watched this at 11 and didn't overthink it when I first watched it. Every year since I have learned more.

[@cassbass13]

Oh I’m glad you guys posted! Hoping your try fam is all safe 🩵

[@nerdmuma]

i just absolutly adore hearing garret just compleatly nerd out! please continue with this anime kick!

[@Itsrei98.]

I'VE WAITED FOR THIS MY WHOLE LIFE!!! THANK YOUUUUU!! 💖🪷

[@oddleopardkai5949]

I loooove this movie so much! I can’t describe how excited I was when I saw this episode in my sub feed 😍 I’d love for yall to cover more Ghibli films! A lot of my novels have some Miyazaki inspiration ✨

[@stellatuda9508]

I looooove that you guys are doing international movies. And this is one my favorites and it's just magical. ALSO, white radish DOES look like the radish spirit

[@deluge_]

YESSSS I LOVE SPIRITED AWAY. HAKU IS MY 5 YEAR OLD GENDER AWAKENING!!!!

[@saikogrrl]

YES Zach thank you for mentioning the Miyazaki cat meme, that was what I immediately thought of when you said he was in lots of memes 😂

[@saikogrrl]

I prefer international episodes to music episodes of the Pod, I would totally be down for Ghibli month!! 😁

[@whitneyj9080]

Kelsey needs to check out more of Studio Ghibli and how incredible Miyazaki is at building women and girl characters!

[@EvWuzhere]

Miles no-face impression is so good

[@bug.me.with.a.caterpie]

I love this episode. Almost every Studio Ghibli film has a strong female protagonist and Kelsey will fall in love with them all, she will be an otaku 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

[@tis-gem]

This is my FAVORITE animated film ahhhhh, thank youuuuuuu

[@wawooosh]

Howl's Moving Castle pleaseeeeee! Loved the multiple perspectives you guys brought with your different levels of familiarity!!!

[@louellaworsham7745]

The idea of "spiriting away" a sick child exists in western mythologies as well, like in the British Isles (as well as areas in the states such as Appalachia). They believed that a sick child would be taken by the faeries to live with them in the faerie world rather than believing the child had died.

[@frostingsuga2866]

speaking of international film would love to see train to busan on here

[@kaylawalsh4160]

Absolutely right: the collective creaming of jeans to Miyazaki is boundless

[@Olympus150]

I’m really hoping y’all do Your Name and all the Makato Shinkai movies too. I love them so much

[@reactivepidgeon1875]

I LOVE 'YOUR NAME'. I'm so psyched!!

[@victorialopez8459]

I love Spirited Away so much. It was not only the first movie I ever watched, it’s also the first thing I EVER remember. Literally scenes from this movie are my oldest memories. I wrote a 17 page research paper on Spirited Away for Uni and my professor gave me a 99 (it was the highest grade in the class, and the second highest was a 90). Fucking love this movie.

[@saikogrrl]

My favourite is Totoro, but I get that this one had the widest international appeal. 🙂 I think Kelsey would also love Ponyo!

[@somshunsun]

Great episode as always fam! Also really did love the music episodes so More of those sprinkled here and there would be lovelyy

[@crisencrypted_ytv]

the scream i scrumpt when i read the ep title, YESSSS

[@kazza6078]

Kikis delivery service needs to be discussed