What is No-Face?

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Let's talk about one of the most mysterious characters in Spirited Away.
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▬▬▬▬ Tale Foundry Team ▬▬▬▬
• Talebot - The Talent
• The Taleoids - The Talent's Helpers
• Benjamin Cook - Writer, Director, & Voice Actor
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Additional Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com

[@RadioactiveZerg]

I can't blame the guy for being so hungry around all that Studio Ghibli food

[@iahawanchannel]

same

[@phuonglinhvu4856]

Yeah like food in japanese animated films look so damn tasty

[@Hari-Harmonies]

They draw them so well though. I remember the crying scene where Haru is comforting her with some food, and all I could think of when I first saw it as a kid and hadn't developed empathy was that looks really good.

[@Gamesfromthemedusatavern]

Fact

[@trishapellis]

I've been told that No-face is essentially a blank slate - that he reflects whatever is around him. In the street where everyone ignores him, he ignores them - but Shihiro does not ignore him, so he acknowledges her. When he's surrounded by overconsumption, he mimics that. When Shihiro is kind to him, he mimics that. In Zeniba's house, things are quiet and welcoming, so he is quiet and friendly. A friend of mine who knows more about Japanese culture says that No-Face is another person who's lost his name, like what almost happened to Shihiro - that he is what she could have become. I'm not sure if that was purely my friend's conjecture or where she got it from, but that did seem to fit - someone who doesn't have an identity, mirroring everything around them in a desperate attempt to find one, perhaps be given one through other people's acceptance.

[@sagejungwirth4155]

Her names chihiro

[@Saffron831]

Oh wow, that's an awesome theory. As a lifelong fan of the movie I'd never heard of it, but it does make sense. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@arcturionblade1077]

That was my personal take on Noh-Face. A spirit, perhaps once a person and human being like Chihiro, who lost their identity, their memories and sense of self. But I also see Noh-Face as a criticism of Japanese society in general. Faceless entities without personality who can only cling onto others like emotional vampires.

[@malkaviian]

"Is pretty hard to imagine giving No Face a hug" speak for yourself

[@CmanOmega]

Who?

[@Celeste-jh2lj]

Fr. Id hug him

[@King-lt5yw]

...without being eaten alive, take a hint

[@ARebuh]

He will eat you

[@TalesofDawnandDusk]

As someone who translates 1000 year old Japanese folktales and makes videos about them, I've read through the sections of the Konjaku Monogatari Shu dealing with spirits and oni and I can confirm, I have never come across a No-Face like being. He is definitely out of place. A fantastically well designed creature, to be sure, and his mask and behavior just generally fit with what I understand supernature Japanese beings to be, but even after reading very very old Japanese sources, I've never found anything that makes me thing "hey, I'll bet this is where No-Face comes from."

[@briancall5819]

Fascinating

[@Tiana_atr]

That's really crazy to me, because imo he feel like he fit perfectly alongside Japan's yokai and spirits. Crazy how Miyazaki managed to make something out of place yet so familiar that its hard to believe he's (as far as we know) original.

[@TalesofDawnandDusk]

@Tiana_atr Yeah, it's a testament to Miyazaki's brilliance.

[@Daemonworks]

The Noppera-bo springs to mind. They appear as faceless humans, are basically harmless though they'll give you a bit a fright. They're also sometimes depicted as not being their own sort of entity, but just a form taken by the usual mix of tricksters for a prank. An iffy identity, not really malevolent but can give you a bit of a scare... checks out.

[@Olothur]

Every story was told for the first time. Miyazaki told us the story of no-face. That's the source and now it is classic.

[@theplatitudefromouterspace]

When I was a younger man, I introduced my niece to movies like Spirited Away and Edward Scissor Hands, freaked the crap out of her, last christmas she got me a No-Face money bank. Proud uncle's not crying?! You're crying!

[@someguycalledCh0wdah]

I am also not crying

[@endyiguess]

No faces ambiguity is what makes him so iconic

[@peppersweetsauce]

No-face's mysteriousness with his "mask" seemingly both cute and scary at the same time, which completes his charm.

[@Tera_B_Twilight]

Thank you for the kind and nuanced take on No-Face. Have you seen the video of Adam Savage's cosplay of No-Face? Japanese convention-goers refused and even got angry at the chocolate coins he was passing out. It seems they considered him bad luck. To me, No-Face has always been, not greed, but hunger. I've been "hungry" in that sense. There is a profound emptiness when you feel like you have no place in the world and it was so reassuring when I saw that No-Face found HIS place at the cottage. His hunger was finally satisfied with the guidance and acceptance Zeniba offered him. I also eventually found satisfaction. I would not wish the hunger on anyone and it can make monsters of otherwise innocent people.

[@redmii69]

When I was younger, I actively avoided watching Spirited Away because I was afraid of No-Face, but after watching it again as an adult, I ended up really liking him.

[@lonerimortal8]

One interesting fact that i remember to this day is that in the aftermath of his rampage, there is a scene with yubaba talking about using his gold to repair all the damage, but then on that same scene all that gold turns into dirt. I think there is a lesson here and to this day i didn't figure out what it is 😅

[@pressplay3510]

No face is like someone you see a lot and want to get to know but never end up talking too

[@Polygonetwo]

As someone who has a little no-face plushie, it is not at all hard to imagine giving him a hug.

[@phuonglinhvu4856]

I really love Studio Ghibli storytelling. There is always a kind of nostalgic feel that I get even when I'm watching for the first time.

[@gabbonoo]

He's obviously Noppera-bō. It mimics familiar faces, causes trouble, even attacks. personifies aspects of those who lack sense of belonging

[@toomanymonkeys21]

He wants to be wanted. He’s hungry for companionship, for purpose. He’s a bit of a people-pleaser in a way, though not all the way. Crazy like a narcissist, but unlike a narcissist, able to accept a lesser, good place for himself. That last bit, to me, is endearing.

[@HilBethJay]

I can't wait for your inevitable "monster loving" episode. I'd love to see what you've researched!

[@michaelcherry8952]

It's interesting that No-Face actually has quite the character arc. No-Face has no place in the world of Spirited Away. That's why he appears and disappears. He tries to take his place in the bath house by behaving the way he THINKS he's supposed to behave and it clearly doesn't work. Chihiro is someone who accepts him for who he is. When he accompanies Chihiro to Zeniba's house, he's welcomed, as a guest. Zeniba offers him tea and cakes as, to quote Rex Stout "a jewel on the cushion of hospitality". She teaches him to knit (probably the first time in his existence that someone thought it was worth teaching him anything). Again, the key word here is "acceptance". He's finally found his place and I even think he's a bit less insubstantial at Zeniba's house. He goes from a wandering spirit, insubstantial as mist and refused entrance to the bath house (until Chihiro unwittingly lets him in) to becoming a bloated monster of greed to an honoured guest. The train ride to Zeniba's house and the comfortable and comforting atmosphere there, bring No-Face into his own. I love Spirited Away for a lot of reasons, but I honestly have a special place in my heart for No-Face.

[@lartcheche78]

And thus, Slaneesh strikes yet again !

[@v.v365]

I watched this movie several times showing it to my toddler nephew for the first time, and every time I was confused by No Face’s character arc. This video completely demystifies him to me, and it makes the story deeper in my mind. I can finally see why this movie won so many awards

[@dragonturtle2703]

I’d advise you do what Isaac Azimuth did: release Nebula videos on KZbin, just a year later. And announce what is on Nebula as it comes out as a sort of “you can buy Nebula or wait”. As opposed to never getting it otherwise.

[@dearthditch]

Late to say, but I love the current opening scene you use now, as opposed to the one awhile back. It’s lovely

[@Chariotrequiemiscoolok]

First time I saw him, I immediately thought of the Menos Grande from Bleach. But this guy was adorable.

[@thinusconradie4297]

This is one of the finest episodes of Tale Foundry yet, and I have been watching for years.

[@elidbear6543]

I love your videos continue making them, they always make my day just a little bit better.

[@BallZackKisser]

1:07 Hell no, when I was a kid I deadass avoided Spirited Away because of that guy lmao.

[@NierYdrasil]

absolutely great character breakdown!

[@allysoncygan5110]

This made me cry. I saw this movie in theaters back in the day and it left a huge impression on me - I was only around 10 so I couldn’t articulate it but it made me get into anime in part because of just how deeply I felt, even on a subconscious level. I don’t think I noticed every nuance but it all coalesces together to make this a movie with strong feelings. I didn’t piece together how No Face changed or the music but I just knew on a gut level he was lonely.

[@ShardSK]

freaky uncanny timing for this video to come out considering i watched Spirited Away for the first time literally yesterday

[@disodosid]

Before today, i thought of No-Face as a unique take on the Noppera-Bo, but your video has been very eye-opening; i never fully understood him until you helped put the missing pieces of the puzzle together for me. I'd like to think we're all No-Face 💖

[@gabbonoo]

he's still Noppera-Bo. they just made it closer to a troubled teen looking for a sense of belonging.

[@commonviewer2488]

A shadow of a person that wants to be seen, but lacks an identity

[@GojiMet86]

Bruh, I already have problems with Two-Face people, I don't need a No-Face in my life.

[@nerfytheclown]

Mister robot, sir: you're exceedingly good at what you do. Thank you.

[@LegoCookieDoggie]

Honestly in one of the top episodes of this channel.

[@greatazuredragon]

Yeah, he is a great character.

[@braedynhamaliuk4402]

In the words of a legend: "euuhhh"

[@swz_tor]

i always considered no face as a very ghibli-ish reversal/complication of a few archetypes that miyazaki felt could bounce off each other well. namely the buddhist concept of the hungry ghost then its tension against the average Noh theater mask’s role.

[@TheTaleFoundry]

Get Nebula using our link for 40% off an annual subscription! go.nebula.tv/talefoundry Or click here to listen to the first episode of The Sojourn: nebula.tv/videos/thesojourn-s1e1-the-cold-divide?ref=talefoundry

[@fourkir]

when I watched the movie as a kid, he was by far my favorite character out of all the other ghibli movies. he's def still one of my favorites until now

[@lefdee]

when he frowns getting smashed by a wave i instantly feel bad for him

[@mikejavaux4697]

Probably 1 of my favorite creators on KZbin. All his videos are well done and researched into the topic of each video. And I love that he’s able to break down the psychology of every character so well and so deep that it makes u reconsider ur thoughts of everyone. And for me it’s helped me take a set back in real life and not be so quick to judge someone. I actually started trying to understand y some ppl act or just are a certain way.

[@adrianr87]

What an unexpected and welcomed treat.

[@avereth]

I really need to watch this again. It's been so many years, and these subtleties flew right over my head when I was little.

[@TackyKnacky]

Spirited away has always been my number 1 favorite movie without question. It holds such a special place in my heart, and it taught me some of my most valuable lessons. Some film makers are unmatched in their craft but studio ghibli is in a league of its own.

[@Sinistar1983]

Coincidentally, I just watched the movie yesterday, so this is a nice follow-up

[@darkness32185]

I feel an odd connection with no face. He eats and eats and feels disgusted and angry when something important happens and can’t fit into with anyone no matter how hard he tries. This feels almost like if all my emotions where turned up to eleven.

[@drbread665]

i've always wanted to know more about no-face from spirited away, even going out of my way to find character analysis' of them on youtube. so i'm really glad tale foundry made this one.

[@bennie1079]

I never knew how much I needed an explaination of this character... it feels satisfying to look into his head and at his perspective

[@lauraholmes2402]

I went to a comic con dressed as chihiro and turned a corner to see someone dressed as no face. He didn’t miss a beat, he just offered gold to me. It was brilliant.

[@The_Squatch_97]

I clicked on the notification and despite this video getting displayed, I got a Chibidoki short, of her getting jumpscared by her own fart

[@Insertboredom]

I have been waiting so long for someone to talk abt him

[@TheOrginalPrincessColey]

I have No Face and some soot sprites in a jar tattoos on me, that’s how bad I want to be friends with no face lol

[@WarriorKalia]

It's funny because for the past week I've had No-Face's character song stuck in my head when I'm trying to sleep. And then this comes out.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

I absolutely love the way Studio Ghibli conveys different characters.. It's so refreshing compared to the plain repeating recipes we see here in America.

[@andrewmalinowski6673]

Linking the greed of Chihiro's parents and No-Face reminds me of what Eileen from Nerd Cookies said, describing the entire premise of "Spirited Away" is essentially inspired by the consumerism and globalism of the mid-90s in Japan. While the character of No-Face seems like a "blank slate" the entire time he's seen it comes across like someone who's used to rejection and isolation, something I remember feeling when seeing "Spirited Away" and found them to be a unique character as most Studio Ghibli characters are well-designed and reflect aspects of their personality as his simple cloak-like body and mask reflect the lack of an identity

[@noahslade-joseph7231]

Clicked on this video IMMEDIATELY - love your channel, love Studio Ghibli, love No Face - match made in heaven haha

[@missing_names8001]

When I first watched Spirited Away No Face was one of the beings I remembered clearly. I love No Face and felt bad for them when I first watched

[@butimbetterthantony]

this is making me sob. i relate to no face so much, I loved and cared for him from the very first watcch

[@IdkwhymynamecantjustbeCody]

I'm so glad I found your channel, I'm shocked I hadn't before.

[@DavidZetaKrone]

Good video. It sounds like there's something different in your audio mix this time? Or maybe the presentation of TaleBot's voice. Feels like I can hear the human a bit more than usual. Not a bad thing, just noticeable.

[@FIDELELIZONDO-zw3oo]

Nearly spat out my water when this showed up on my home page. I loved that movie! He was my favorite!

[@MorningGloryDancer]

This was such an awesome video essay. Thank you SO MUCH for making it. I can’t wait to share it with my Ghibli friends.

[@steadyrow]

to me he's a toxic friend, a vice, the trappings of entering adult life. The more you feed them the hungrier they get. But desires, once tempered with discipline, are no more than a gentle companion in life.

[@ahobimo732]

Ooooohhhh boy!!! I've been waiting for this one!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@Dnd-Owlin]

Good morning Tales

[@thechickenwizard8172]

No face scared me so much as a kid to the point where i couldn't watch the movie again till i grew some balls as an adult. Now it's safe to say that spirited away is my #1 favorite film I've ever seen

[@widdershins3785]

When I saw this as a kid, I refused mentally to continue after Noh Face. Up until now, my mind fully blotted out the rest of the movie convinced it ended with a rampage at rejection. It lost control, and in its sorrow brought the house down. But I'll tell you what research I have done. There's a long standing tradition in Japanese story telling of haunted masks, specifically the painted white ones tied to Noh theater. In addition, there is the Nopperabu yokai that primarily is just a faceless human. The latter mostly exists on a common, reachable level of public storytelling of the sudden encounter of "turning around" only to be surprised by a sudden lack of face on a travelling companion and etcetera. No details as to why, no perceivable threat as to what this ghostly figure does... purely the shock of encountering something severely out of place. Even the name is the usual play on "Featureless." The former case, of encountering those with blank mostly featureless masks from a bygone era only to be scared out of the place when the Masking is over only to reveal a yet another No-Face. I think the authors quotes make sense. It's a figure that's not supposed to have identity. No face, no will, no body, no aims. No Control. Thank you. You made me empathize with the dark smudge on my memory.

[@chapablo]

I can’t wait until my kid is old enough to to watch this movie without freaking out at No Face. What age would be best to introduce her to it, do you think?

[@Miksy51]

It's a Yo-kai. Yokai Also a little story. When I watched the movie with my cousin, No-Face just sorta looked like Marionette or Puppet from FNAF 2 to us (because of the mask). And the two things just, sticked, stayed in our or at least my head... Odd. Now I know No-Face is No-Face. (And this movie came before the game of course.) Also thought Haku was a boy cursed to be a dragon. Really great essay video! 3:41 oh hey! It's the wallpaper on one of the computers! :)

[@denisejeffries2675]

I 🖤NO-FACE

[@noideas439]

How could they hide this from me for 14 minutes

[@TrevyBurgess]

I love your stories and your voice, oh wise robot.

[@swellestgoat3803]

This is why I love video essays

[@RumTumTaver]

Love this video.

[@Meridianbat]

youtube keeps making me glad I have nebula. tried to watch it and interrupted mid-roll so many times

[@Gycek]

i have never watch or even hear about this anime but i had saw this character design and, well, i wanna look like him. he is so cool

[@mischake]

Spirited away is a beautiful movie where making friends is how you solve all your problems. Even characters that seem tk turn out to be evil just need a hug😅

[@kloroform1681]

I am definitely going to watch Spirited Away now. It looks amazing. 😊

[@liarliarplants4hire]

“ Have you seen this man?” Me: “ In my nightmares, Comicon, Halloween, my sibling’s night stand (thet have that no face coin plate where he makes music and eats money), the poster in my room siblings room, my sketch book and… he’s at my window…” No-Face: [Standing outside my window]

[@Vinemaple]

Being a supremely uncomfortable character is a pretty relatable situation, for many people.

[@justinAclark2075]

I think the idea of No-Face being a child makes a lot of sense. For the most part, the movie is about kids trying to learn from the misery of their parents. No-Face doesn't have any parents. A lost kid, trying to figure out the world.

[@Iightbeing]

Beautiful

[@erickvonengelwalten8568]

Well, im no social commentarist, and i dont like this sorta of interpretation, but given in what context this story is interpreted, i think No-Face is a figure to represent a lack of culture, heritage, values, morality, he is only there because he forgotten what he is. And have to find meaning on others to guide his principles. Perhaps he is the shadow of Miazaky himself, a man who speaks open about culture, values, morality and doing great art, but has to bend the knee to "capitalism", western culture, money, enterprises, deal with the devil to his product has some market value", that of course, presuming that Japan is not a nation that copies the Western culture to its core after WW2. A man who have causes like protect nature, feminism, motherhood, but treats his son and his employess on screams and with no respect, and produces tons of "plastic garbage" to sale, destroying a bit the world he claims is so pure and valuable. A man to talks about peace, but never let an oportunity to depic warmachines with a tint of pride and excitment like a child who wants to be an warrior. Maybe, just maybe, no-face is what how he feels inside... Empty and needing some help to find a momma and a cozy place to stay, forgotten by the world.

[@magma2050]

I've always thought of it as akin to the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40,000. It isn't really an identity of its own, only capable of personifying and reciprocating emotions that it absorbs from others, without any real understanding of what it is that it mimics. Actions without deliberate motive or a concept of consequence. A mirror to the basest desires of those around it. The Chaos Gods become four unstoppable monomaniacal beings driven by the overwhelming desires of the trillions of mortals in that dark universe: Brutality, Power, Pestilence, and Self-gratification. Instead here, No-Face experiences greed (the desire for a token that was denied) and reciprocates by providing it, only seeing and reflecting that single desire. It continues to reflect mindless greed by collecting more tokens, but becomes diminished when Chihiro rejects them which shuts down the emotion it reflected. However, when exposed to the unrestrained greed of the rest of the bath house staff, its state of greed gets amplified a thousandfold, as the "gold" it gives out creates more greed in a feedback loop.

[@IamNotYojimbo]

". . . you still kinda want to be his friend, don't you?" Uh. No? No.

[@Isabela-n9z1f]

How was this recommended to me only a minute after it was uploaded

[@markmaxwell5090]

I was definitely confused and scared of no face but now after this video I understand what he was

[@Razberrii0624]

OH FUCK YES MY FAVORITE MOVIE❤❤❤❤

[@Raccoon-Animações]

my goal is to comment on all animation channels on KZbin (by the way, I'm Brazilian)

[@golgekarakus753]

The backround when he is talking has words... "enemy" "start" "elegant" is it the script? No... i havent heard elegant yet.

[@jonathany1240]

See, growing up I thought benevolent shadow spirits that are quick to anger were a common thing. I saw them all the time in my parents' home.

[@whtiequillBj]

there is something very ironic about the name Noh Face. Noh means skill or talent which the Noh Face in Spirited Away very much doesn't have any of either sill nor does it have talent at least till it finds it place at the end.

[@MrSlugCat]

I wanna give no-face a hug :(

[@hurricanefury439]

it's spelled noh face not no-face the name comes from his face being a Japanese noh mask

[@mccloaker]

I always imagined No-Face was how Miyazaki viewed modernity. No-Face starts out giving people whatever they want, like gifts and gold, and he ends up bloated, self-serving and crass, yet by then everyone still worships him. His 'bitter medicine' is when the girl doesn't play with him. Zeniba represents how Miyazaki regards traditional, pre-consumerist society. He's saying he thinks society would be happier if it went back to traditional values.

[@julesrules7297]

My favorite film of his!

[@warrirornunluv801]

NO-FACE! MY BOY!

[@anythingyoucando1546]

I think he is a crack. A void. Emptiness itself. People crave to fill a void with anything.

[@Miksy51]

18:40 reminds me of soranaki overseer from yo Kai watch 4

[@AC-ni4gt]

No wonder.... I was wondering why Zeniba said "Come in" like that.... I didn't understand until today. That and some of other scenes of the movie stood out to me the most.

[@Theoq99]

Huh that's funny just yesterday I was watching some stuff about no face and now you do a video too...