How Hayao Miyazaki Writes a Character Arc

Hayao Miyazaki is considered a master storyteller. How can writers learn from the way he develops Chihiro's choices and character arc throughout this story?

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► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIRED
Track Name: "Blue Boi"

[gen]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on explaining and dissecting dramatic flaw-inner need. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[StudioArancini]

@3:43 Nice!
Likewise, Lin works as a sort of mentor. She trains Chihiro. Later, in the train sequence, Chihiro becomes a mentor to No Face. She guides him out of the bathhouse, uses a ticket for him to board the train, and even tells him to "Sit here. Behave yourself, ok?". Chihiro helps No Face with his inner need for companionship.

[carlospadinmartinez]

These kind of videos are so insightful on how to create meaningful and coherent characters in our stories. Thank you very much

[rpaterra]

I love this so much! You explain her journey so thoroughly and clearly. Can’t wait to watch more!

[currywhitmire]

Woah, loved this!! I can’t decide to thank you or hate you for changing the way I absorb and dissect stories haha. Excited to check out your other vids!

[scatteredperceptions]

Thank you! A great analysis of Chihiro, exactly what I was looking for❤

[MartaTaylor]

This was a great explanation, loved it! 😊

[deenara]

Ooo love how you build a language around how to think about narrative and character development. Lol should probably take some life lessons about overcoming flaws

[gaznawiali]

I watched this film for the first time a few weeks ago and I thought it was very strange.

[nexx]

I watched the Japanese version and the American one and realised in America they put more emphasis on the hero journey especially at the end. As if Chihiro needed the adventure to not feel scared of moving. But in the Japanese version I never got a sense of the hero journey I don’t know what to call it. More like a fun story. Maybe they tell stories differently.

[suspiria]

@YoungScreenwriters But her gut feeling not to enter the tunnel was right - why is it a flaw? Obviously she was right and should have trusted her feeling. Am I missing something here? I appreciate Your opinions.