25 Things You Missed In Spirited Away

Did you catch all these hidden moments in Spirited Away?

Let’s go back to a simpler time. Back in 2003, the work of Hayao Miyazaki and the team at Studio Ghibli captured the world’s heart with Spirited Away. What you probably didn’t know is the fact Miyazaki didn’t even make it to the ceremony. He wasn’t there to see his film become the first and only foreign featured film to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

That’s what’s in store for you with this video. We’ve got tons of behind the scenes and moments in the film that you missed out on during your multiple viewings. We’re talking about stuff like the crew’s rush to get the film produced on schedule, how multiple voice actors ate KFC during some recordings, and the spiritual symbolism attached to the film. We’re trying to say this video, right here, is required viewing for any Studio Ghibli fan.

Screen Rant is going to run the gambit. We’re explaining the characters’ names and how the story came together—subtle nods to other studios and even changes made under the American crew. There’s so much in store that we just want to get into it.

Strap in, and get ready to journey back to those warm feelings and full-hearted attempts at the animation that we long for today. We’re giving you a reason to go back and watch Spirited Away here (not that you needed an excuse)!

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Sit back and click play; you won’t regret it--promise!

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Written by: Davis McCondichie
Narrated by: Justin Freitas
Edited by: E. L. Rompepelotas

[kathleenjackson]

The first time I ever saw this film I distinctly remember thinking, “I’ve got absolutely no idea what I’m looking at, but I simply cannot look away.”

[rodrigocarranza]

Spirited Away isnt a Movie, its an experience. Something that gets inside you and never leaves. It feels like an old memory, like youve been in that world even though you havent. No words con make justice to Spirited Away.

[alecat-san]

Spirited Away will always be my favorite Studio Ghibli movie next to Howl's Moving Castle.

[syruscloud]

my much older cousin took me to the movies to see this one when i was 7 years old. i was so upset because as a boy i didn´t want to see a movie about "a girl traveling to a magical world". i came in grumpy and left just in awe. back then there was no internet so all those years i kept it in my heart fantasizing about seeing it again one day. when the day came 8 years later i became that little excited boy once more. such an unbelievable nostalgic and emotional movie.

[kikicyclogue]

Hi I’m japanese.
The front of the house sign for the bathhouse says 油屋 it reads “YuYa” it doesn’t read “Sentó” .
“YuYa” can mean hot water house which is a bathhouse. But it doesn’t show any connection to Chihiro’s name.

The house on an island scene is homage to an 80’s anime film “A Night of Galaxy Train”.

[AA-egnf]

The scene where Chihiro was in the barn with the pigs. I believe those were other humans who fell victim to Yubaba's trap.

[kawaiicherryberryz]

“Only if I knew Japanese” was literally my thought every time I think about this movie, every aspect has a deeper meaning and every action in this movie had a meaning but it’s something I’ll have to do more research on.
It wasn’t until my Japanese friend told me that each character had a meaning to them as well.
The weird white fat character that was in the elevator with chihiro is actualky the god of daikon.
It’s basically saying all the characters that they were serving were a god of something.
It’s crazy

[Sage_of_the_Arts]

When I was young, around 7-8 years old I didn't like Spirited Away all because the no-face scared me. I didn't touch that movie until I was 13, when it came up on Netflix. I watched it again and soon got over it, forgetting about the movie again.

Now I'm 14 and I've watched Sprinted Away many times and each time I love it more and more. Spirited Away is the best Studio Ghibli film and I won't ever change my mind.

[yahspeddy]

For the 3% reading this, i hope you become successful in everything you dream of and accomplish more than you had lmagined. My dream Is to become a successful Artist!

[benjalucian]

No, the backing up of the car at the end, is not the reverse of the arrival. It looks like weeks have gone by since they drove up. Grass that wasn't there, is now overgrown. To keep the family from having to face serious questions on their disappearance, I imagined that the road to the theme park was always overgrown, but they saw it differently when they arrived because it was part of the spirit world. It was back to 'normal' when they began to leave.

[shrekpaidaisuki]

This is more of a "Did you know? Ghibli—" video more than a "What you missed" one, but I didn't expect anything from Screen Rant so that's fine.

[boshvasara]

This movie and many of Miyazakis films never leave me. I always go back to them through memory as if I lived them! One memorable moment was in Porco Rosso when that woman sings a French song. It was so beautiful and majestic. It felt very much alive even though... it never happened irl. It hurts to know we will never see films such as these in the future. But I understand thats simply how the market works.

[michaelmalachite]

No mention on the faces being gone from the memorial statue in front of their car, the faces were there in the beginning but gone at the end symbolizing how Chihiro helped spirits move on 🙏

[Viewer]

Hayao Miyazaki more than an art genius... In this film he designed whole storyboard by himself ❤
We all love Ghibli studio animation 😊❤

[eyelnne]

It's one of the few movies I could watch on repeat, and never get tired of.

[nicoleabed]

Please have Ryan George do a pitch meeting for this movie 🙏🏻

[semantikachowdhury]

This movie is amazing. I really liked it. Some parts were weird but that's 👌.

[jeremyrobinson]

No face's transformation is frog like because the first thing he consumes is the frog character, he was not worm like, plus when he offers the gifts he will only consume you if you take them. He consumes the greedy.

[MithrandilPlays]

i watched this movie once 12 years ago. I really need to rewatch, going on a massive nostalgia trip rn

[fatalalchemy]

I remember seeing this movie at my grandmas house when I was younger. I was so entranced, I had a huge crush on Chihiro, but I was also frightened by some of the other charachters. I didn't know the name of the movie because there was no guide on her TV but it stuck with me forever. It felt like a distant memory, always peeking up in my head until one day in high school I met a girl who said this was her favorite movie and it immediately clicked. I went home again and watched it that day. This is a magical film forsure