Spirited Away

Synopsis

Ten-year-old Chihiro Ogino, initially reluctant and somewhat bratty, finds herself unwillingly caught up in an unusual situation when she and her parents explore what seems like an abandoned amusement park during their move to a new house. As twilight falls, Chihiro uncovers that they have actually entered the spirit realm, where ghostly beings and supernatural events abound. Her parents are turned into pigs after eating food meant for spirits. Now trapped in this unfamiliar world, Chihiro must muster the courage to navigate and survive among the spirits, with help from the enigmatic Haku and other diverse characters she meets. In "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi," Chihiro embarks on a remarkable adventure in a surreal environment as she strives to save her parents and return home.

Background

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi held the record of being the highest-grossing film in Japanese history from 2001 until 2020. As of December 2020, it has amassed a total of 31.68 billion yen from Japanese box office sales and a total of $395.8 million worldwide. This critically acclaimed film has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award—more commonly known as the "Oscar"—for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003 as well as the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival (alongside Bloody Sunday). It is also among the top 10 in the British Film Institute's list of the "50 films you should see by the age of 14." The English version of Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi was dubbed by Walt Disney Pictures and premiered in 2002. The film was released on DVD and VHS formats in North America by Buena Vista Home Entertainment in 2003.