Spirited Away
The fanciful adventures of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost and venture through a hillside tunnel. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, Chihiro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world.
Richard reviewed
August 3, 2025•
I bought Spirited Away on DVD, and it was my first-ever Studio Ghibli experience.
That alone made it unforgettable.
The animation is stunning, every frame hand-drawn with care.
It’s a story about courage, identity and empathy, told with quiet magic and emotional depth.
Sure, the pacing is gentle and some of the logic is abstract, but that’s part of its charm.
It doesn’t explain everything, it invites you to feel your way through.
Bottom line: Spirited Away was my gateway into Ghibli and it set the bar high.
That DVD wasn’t just a movie, it was the start of something magical.