Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away is nothing short of a masterpiece. I first saw the epic fantasy when I was living in Orlando. My cousin was obsessed with Studio Ghibli and instead that it was one of the best movies she’d ever seen and she knew that I’d agree. 

She wasn’t wrong. 

Chihiro’s family has moved to a new city, so she’ll be attending a new school, with new friends, and a whole new world she’s not sure she’s ready for. After taking a wrong turn, her father discovers what they think is an abandoned village, but in reality, it’s the entrance to an enchanted realm that caters to the different spirits of the earth. 

After her parents are turned into pigs, Chihiro is whisked into a fantastic adventure of magic and mystery, in a world ruled by the cruel witch Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro is given the name of Sen. If she hopes to survive, she must use all her cunning and wit to defeat the witch and free her parents so they can return to the mortal world. 

But even in the darkest of times, there are still friends to be found. Haku, a river spirit who is Yubaba’s errand boy, Lin, who works in the bathhouse, and Kamaji, the boiler man, all help ensure Chihiro’s safety until she’s able to beat Yubaba. 

With a box-office gross of i$395.8 million, the film also received worldwide acclaim. It was the highest-grossing film in Japanese history until another animated film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train broke its record in 2020.

The film has seen several releases to home media, including a collectible steel book release through Shout Factory / Gkids. With an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the film, clocking in at about 125 minutes is presented in glorious HD. The set includes audio presented in the original Japanese as well as English, and French each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Extras include:

  • Feature-Length Storyboards
  • Original Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots
  • Princess Mononoke In USA
  • Behind the Microphone
  • Nippon television special (only on DVD)
  • Exclusive Booklet

Currently available through Shout Factory and Amazon once the set is sold out, like it is on Gkids, it’s gone… so act fast!

More Ghibli reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!