Although I have heard a lot of good things about Japanese Anime I’ll be honest, I am woefully ignorant about the genre as a whole, having only ever seen one anime film before.

Even in my ignorance I had, of course, heard of Studio Ghibli, the world renowned Japanese film studio, and I even knew that Spirited Away is not just the most critically acclaimed film in in Anime but is also widely considered, by those in the know, to be one of the greatest animated films of all time.

Therefore, not only was this a perfect chance to expand my horizons but it also serves as a great choice for my next ‘Modern Classic’ review.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki

Awards: Oscar winner – Best Animated Feature film

Ten-year old Chihiro and her parents are on their way to their new home in the suburbs, when her father takes a wrong turn and they stumble upon what looks to be an old abandoned amusement park which turns out to be a supernatural bathhouse for many of Japans spirits, ran by an evil spiteful witch called Yubaba. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, Chihiro must work for Yubaba in order to find a way to break the spell and save her parents.

I’ll admit that for those, like myself, who are rather uninitiated in the ways of anime and Japanese culture may not fully appreciate all of the elements at play; feeling sad when you should be happy, laughing at things that should be thought-provoking. But that being said, the animation is stunning and so rich in detail that it weaves a fantastical, whimsical and beautiful story that can transcend language and cultural barriers.

Spirited Away is a film that sits with you long after the credits have rolled and, although I still find myself very much a Pixar girl at heart, I can understand why this film is considered one of the greats and I look forward to combing through Studio Ghibli’s catalogue of films for another dip into the anime pool.

Until next time… x

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