In accordance with Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, there are several basic requirements that humans must have in order to be happy. In many ways, the film ‘Spirited Away’ directed by Hayao Miyazaki is an observation of how each of these individual needs impact the life of ten year old Chihiro, who at the behest of her parents has been forced to abandon the life she once knew. In an instant she is robbed of her feelings of belonging, and the film does an excellent job of portraying her hurt through the classic Miyazaki animation style. It is easy to empathize with the feelings of apprehension and confusion, especially for those in the audience who have experienced moving around at a young age. To be thrust into any new situation would be nerve wracking for a child. Her parents, on the other hand, are excited by the prospect of a new beginning in their new home.
Like many movies directed by Miyazaki, themes of family, selflessness, and rebellion are broadcasted throughout the film. The innocent kindness of youth in contrast to the cynical nature of adulthood set to the incredible and emotive score composed by Joe Hisaishi.
On the drive, the parent’s become lost and come across a tunnel. Ignoring Chihiro’s resistance, the parents decide to go through the tunnel and explore. It seems that nature has taken over an old train station, but there is life and activity to be found past the tunnel. A market. With Chihiro protesting, the parent’s decide to enjoy the food found in said market. Unable to pull her parent’s away, Chihiro is left on her own. As time passes, the world around her changes and creatures begin to appear. Many of these creatures, we later find out, are spirits that can be found in Japanese folklore. Desperate to leave, Chihiro tries to find her parents only to find that they have been turned into pigs.
No longer is Chihiro afforded safety. From this point forward we are propelled into an abstract view of a coming of age story. With the help of a boy named Haku, Chihiro infiltrates the bathhouse owned by the witch, Yubaba, who now has her parents prisoner. The witch takes Chihiro’s name from her as a way to bind her to the bathhouse, robbing Chihiro of her identity. Under the mentorship of Lin, Chihiro, now known as Sen, works the bathhouse and attends to the needs of the patrons when she isn’t busy cleaning up after them. Despite the situation she has found herself in, Sen continues to be incredibly kind to those around her regardless of their intentions. It is through her kindness that she lets a No Face spirit into the bathhouse and helps an old river spirit who has been bogged down by human pollution. She even shows kindness to the child of the witch that had imprisoned her, earning his affection. All these actions impact her course through the film, and while in the short term they may have seemed like the wrong idea, in the end they proved that through kindness, there is more to be gained than through fear.
Overtime, Sen is granted the base of Maslow’s Hierarchy. While it is true that she is a prisoner, she is given food and shelter. Due to her kind nature, she is quick to make friends who stick up for her. When Haku is in danger, Sen puts her own safety aside to make sure that he will be alright. It is this kindness and bravery in the end that helps her to save her parents and escape the clutches of the witch Yubaba. With the help of her allies, Chihiro earns her name and identity back and frees her parents. The tip of the triangle has been achieved. In the end, despite the fact she is once again leaving friends behind, she is content in knowing that things will be alright when it is all over as she is reunited with her parents, driving off to her new life.
Spirited away is a unique glance into the importance of identity to children, and how the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impacts. While the intended audience are children, audiences of any age would be remiss to not see this film at least once.