Spirited Away

While moving to a new home in Japan, Chihiro and her parents take a wrong turn down a mysterious wooded path. They come across an ominous-looking tunnel of which only Chihiro is scared. Going through the tunnel, they are lead to a mysterious town filled with restaurants that have all kinds of delicious food on display. Chihiro's parents quickly sit down and start gorging themselves, assuming they will pay the restaurant upon their return. Chihiro's doubt of this strange town leads her to wander off, and she comes across a building of titanic size, where a young boy warns her to leave before nightfall. However, as the sun sets, the town begins to fill up with the gods of Japan's mythology, and Chihiro returns to find her parents mysteriously turned into pigs. The young boy, Haku, works in the building, which is a bathhouse for 8 Million gods. He helps Chihiro find work in this new world, find a way to save her parents from a dinner platter, and find her way home. Review written by Jason Krischke.

I watched this Japanese cartoon on Ovation Television last night. The story was intriguing and I very much enjoyed the different culture of Japan's 8 million gods and many spirits, some good, some evil. There is a poignant scene where almost everyone is saved and sent safely home. However, Chihiro turns to Haku to ask if she will ever see him again and Haku says yes. That sounds daftly simple but I was so invested in the story that I was completely charmed and wept a small tear at this avowal of pure love between a ten year old human and the river spirit/dragon who was Haku. I highly recommend this film. It was wonderful.