Viewing log-Spirited away

Spirited Away directed by Hayao Miyazaki

How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

The film is about the journey of a ten years old girl, Chihiro, in a spirit world. The story started when her family were moving to a new town and got lost in a mysterious forested pathway.Her father decided to take ‘shortcut’ down the forest and stopped at what seemed to be an abandoned theme park. Curious, her father leaded her family through a tunnel and explored the park. Her parents found a deserted town and a stall full of delicious food.They ate greedily at the stall until they turned into pigs. Her journey in spirit world began in order to turn her parents back to normal again. Chihiro had to work with a witch, Yubaba and the journey changed her in order to become matured and brave.

What is the main issue in the text?

A spoiled child forced into the spirit world. That is the main issue of Spirited away. Chihiro had completely separated with from everything she had known and must find her way back to reality. She had to do work in a bathhouse, which was owned by Yubaba, that she never done such as helping to bathe and serve the most difficult spirits in the bathhouse.

What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?

The character that I like is Haku or Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi. He is a young boy that is a dragon and the spirit of Kohaku River. He is Yubaba’s apprentice. He is kind because he helped Chihiro look after her parents, who had transformed into pigs. He knew Chihiro because he once saved her from drowning in Kohaku River. I feel pity for Haku because he had forgotten his real name and past due to the name change and the curse which Yubaba has placed on him. But Chihiro recalled her memory of falling into the Kohaku River and thus free him from the curse.

How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

In my opinion, the story really helped me thinking about spirit world. I never imagined about the spirits. In Spirited Away, the spirits look like animals and ghosts. Besides, I also understand that hard-working is particularly in nowadays society. Chihiro worked very hard every day and never give up in her willing recover her parents and escape from spirit world. With strong spirit and determination, I believe that success can be achieve.