what is spirited away about

Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, animated by Studio Ghibli. The film tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, a ten-year-old girl who, while moving to a new neighborhood, enters the world of kami (spirits of Japanese Shinto-Buddhist folklore) . The major themes of Spirited Away, heavily influenced by Japanese Shinto-Buddhist folklore, center on the protagonist, Chihiro, and her liminal journey through the realm of spirits. The film is a coming-of-age story in which Chihiro is confronted by a variety of challenges and emotions. The story is also a tale of resilience and persistence, as Chihiro gradually draws on her inner strength to endure this land where humans are designed to perish. Although seemingly meandering in its plot, Spirited Away is driven by Chihiro’s one goal throughout the entirety of the film: to free her parents and get back home. The film can be interpreted in numerous ways by the viewer, and its ambiguous nature is one reason why Spirited Away continues to be adored two decades after its release.