Spirited Away - Blu-ray + DVD

I've been introducing my seven-year-old to several of Studio Ghibli offerings, such as Kiki's Delivery Service , Howl's Moving Castle , My Neighbor Totoro , Ponyo , and more recently Studio Ghibli: The Borrower Arrietty DVD (Licensed boxed version, Japanese audio version with Eng Sub) . I held off on showing her Spirited Away until today because I felt some elements such as the spirit world would be too scary for her until now. She watched it with me this afternoon and loved it! Before showing this to her, I explained some elements of Asian folklore (I am originally from Southeast Asia and could relate to some of the folklore underlying this story) so she could follow the story better, though this is not strictly necessary, especially for older viewers. Spirited Away follows the adventures of 10-year-old Chihiro who together with her parents is making a move from the city to the suburbs. Chihiro is not very happy about this move, and when her parents accidentally find themselves off the beaten path on their way to their new home, she discourages them from exploring. Chihiro has a strange sense of foreboding that this new place which her father presumes to be an abandoned theme park is much more than that and she is of course proven right. Her parents are turned into pigs after gorging on food they found at this place, which turns out to be inhabited by the spirit world. In Asian folklore, there is an emphasis on respecting old superstitions, which includes belief in the spirit world inhabited by the Gods and otherworldly creatures. When Chihiro's parents gorged on food meant for the spirits, they were being very disrespectful and so are punished accordingly. The rest of the story follows Chihiro's efforts, aided by the loyal Haku, to redeem her parents and make their escape from the malevolent witch Yubaba who rules over this world. The animation is simply amazing and conjures up a fantastical world of odd-looking creatures (that radish spirit was just out of this world!) in an alternate world that is vividly brought to life. The animation is superior but what makes this such a memorable film is the heartfelt story with its underlying theme of respect, loyalty,friendship, trust, and sacrifice. Chihiro's relentless efforts to save her parents credibly portrays the theme of filial piety and her courage and determination make her a true heroine, serving as a great role model for children. This is a film to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages, and I am so glad that I have the opportunity to share this remarkable film with my own child. P.S. Watch out for deals on Studio Ghibli films here on Amazon, as the prices tend to drop and I've been able to amass my very own Ghibli collection!

Many people feel (including myself) that "Spirited Away" is Miyazaki's best work. It's easily worth seeing more than once, more than twice, putting it in a very special category of work. This is possibly because Miyazaki does so much of his movies himself, giving a purity of purpose that most movies, made by committee, cannot possibly match if the single creator is so gifted, which Miyazaki absolutely is. The plot is surprisingly complex, with numerous characters who don't fit into stereotyped "good or evil" roles. Just watching the first 10 minutes reveals Miyazaki's almost unlimited imagination in action. "Spirited Away" is a bit over 2 hours long, considerably longer than most US animated works. So you get plenty of value, considering you will very likely end up watching multiple times over the years. "Spirited Away" focuses on a girl who faces all sorts of challenges, and is forced to grow up in order to save her parents, after they all became trapped in a completely different world they are sucked into after they lose their way. One involving aspect of the movie is that people and other beings in this other world are simply going to work, trying to make money, eating etc- their motives aren't different from ours. Magic is part of their lives, instead of facing, say, a corporate framework every day at work in our world. This makes their actions much more believable, enabling us to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the movie. The artwork is gorgeous, a visual feast if there ever was one. Some viewers feel that the movie is too dark, but is this different from old Bugs Bunny cartoons? In these you'll see exaggerated cartoon violence, involving blowing each other up with dynamite, falling off cliffs and so forth. In a nation that can't seem to detach from the the 9/11 terror attacks over 10 years ago, these cartoons actually might inadvertently remind some of the unthinkable. Miyazaki's work can't be any worse than these unintentional cartoon events and no kids should be prevented from seeing the movie. I myself had nightmares for years after seeing a Disney cartoon (Fantasia) many years ago, and since "Spirited Away" resolves very positively, I don't think children should be prevented from having such a rich experience. I don't know why Miyazaki makes his animes: is it to make an environmental statement? Because his talents must be exercised? Or maybe just because he can? Whatever the reasons, we are lucky to have the chance to see his work. His worlds are so strongly conceived, so complete, that they seem to somehow be "more real" than our mundane daily lives. For someone able to evoke such powerful imagery, it's not far from a definition of magic. Something timeless and wonderful exists in "Spirited Away", something there isn't nearly enough of. If you haven't seen "Spirited Away", as the introduction says, you are in for a very rare treat.

This movie has staying power. I love it, my boys love it. It’s one of those we watch again and again. It was included in one of the streaming platforms we subscribed to so we got to watch it many times for free. We bought it because it’s a keeper. Great for all ages. The artwork and music are beautiful.

I am so excited to have received this anime. The comfort I feel takes me back to my childhood. A safe place I when I didn't even realize what safe was. Thank you for keeping this available through trying times.

I love the movie SPIRITED AWAY by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. It's a breath taking anime film about a young girl, Chihiro, who is literally "spirited away" to a nether world full of magical beings and fantastic possibilities. She must stay and work at a bathhouse for spirits because a witch has turned her parents into pigs. With courage, hope, love, and the help of a boy named Haku, Chihiro must find a way to outsmart the witch and rescue herself and her parents from this realm and return to the human world. Just like another reviewer pointed out, beneath the surface this film is also about not judging people at face value because there's good and bad in all of the characters, and in us. Chihiro seems to understand that and therefore has compassion for even the most frightening and evil spirits/characters that pop up in the movie and helps them. And even though she might be afraid of them, she doesn't judge them. Perhaps that's the real message of the film and why people find it so endearing... The English dub is fantastic and Daveigh Chase as "Chihiro," Jason Marsden as "Haku," and the fabulous Suzanne Pleshette as evil witch "Yubaba" are terrific in their respective roles. But for those purists out there the original Japanese language track in 5.1 surround sound is available. =========== DVD 1 =========== ** Spirited Away Movie ** (02:04:28-Minutes) = Intro by John Lasseter (Pixar)/Widescreen with English or Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround and French (not in 5.1). English subtitles and captions for the hearing impaired are also available options. BONUS FEATURES ** Introduction by John Lasseter (Pixar) ** (01:11-Minutes) = talks about his first viewing of the film and how it is his favorite. ** The Art O Spirited Away ** (15:12-Minutes) = featurette hosted by Jason Marsden (voice of "Haku"). It also shows Miyazaki and Lasseter as well as some of the actors and the people behind-the-scenes English version of this film, talking about the movie. Sneak Peeks, Scene Selection and Set Up available. =========== DVD 2 ======== ** Behind The Microphone ** (5:40-Minutes) = featurette showing the English dub in the studio with Marsden, Pleshette, Chase and others. ** Storyboard With Sound ** (10:38) = storyboards for a scene with the dialogue intact. You can listen to either the Japanese or English language track. ** Nippon Television Special ** (41:51) = Japanese TV special on the making of "Spirited Away." Japanese with English subtitles showing the concept, storyboards, research, animation, creative meetings etc. that went into this movie. The crew works around the clock to meet deadlines, sleeping and eating at their desks. It also shows the voice actors for the Japanese language track. ** Japanese Trailers & Teasers ** (28:58) = 23 different trailers and teasers for the film. In Japanese with English subtitles. Great film and fantastic DVD set and I highly recommend it. And for other Miyazaki films may I suggest Kiki's Delivery Service and/or Howl's Moving Castle , both favorites of mine (although I didn't like the Kristen Dunst's voice over on "Kiki's...").

Your family will love it

Wonderful anime.

Spirited Away is the Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki film that made of me a full on fan. I am now taking a moment to make all of the squee! sounds a person one tenth my age might make in reviewing this movie. To forestall the flow of superlatives that this movie deserves allow for a little admin. Spirited Away is Family Friendly. Having a young girl as the hero may make it a tough sell for small boys, but it is such a well told story, they may let themselves be won over. It is certainly aimed at the younger family members, but in my house, two adults, no kids it is a favorite movie. Miyazaki has made a movie with enough sophistication and depth to be more than kiddie show. Studio Ghibli as usual has made this such a beautiful movie, that it can be enjoyed as an animated art show even with the sound off. Spirited Away is what a fairy story should be. It contains almost all of the classical elements, but it refuses to be easy to anticipate. There is always an unexpected detail, or another beautiful image that make this a viewing delight. Observing the conventions, ten year-old, whiny and grumpy Chihiro Ogino(voiced magnificently by child actor Daveigh Chase) is moving with her parents from her home to a new life in the country. Along the way they find themselves in what they believe to be an abandoned theme park. Her parents succumb to the temptation of rich and savory food and are turned into pigs. Chihiro being too scared to eat avoids the transformation and learns that this is a magical town where spirits come for their holiday and to take advantage of the wondrous Bath House. The Bath house is ruled by the ruthless, but not entirely evil Yubaba (Again magnificently voiced by Suzanne Pleshette). Here the young Chihiro signs away her name to become one of the workers. Literally she signs away her name and becomes known as Sen. She cannot go back to her old life until she remember her old name. She will be called upon to perfume heavy work, make friends of unlikely spirits, help fight evil and make sacrifices in favor of others. So far this is fairly standard fairy tale stuff. But back it with almost unlimited imaginings of what spirits might look like, non-traditional plotting and depth of imagination. Miyazaki and Ghibli have peopled a complete magical world and shown us a ten year-old girl who can stand up to it and win it and us to her side. This is my second copy of Spirited Away and at least my 4th viewing. It is that good.

I love the time they put into this cover and inside of the case as well. I just bought this for collecting and definitely worth buying if you're a Ghibli fan! It also came with a few spirited away post cards if you like putting them on display on your wall or frame it. I definitely recommend!

Un film strappa lacrime dell'egregio maestro myazaki!!! Assolutamente da comprare per amanti del genere!! Consigliatissimo è spettacolare!! Non posso aggiungere altro comprate e andate sicuri!!

Tres bon film merci 🥳

とても良い

Unique, artistic and thought provoking