Fantasy and adventure await in this book based on the winner of the 2002 Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature!
Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bath house for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world.
Experience one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most critically acclaimed animated films in a deluxe hardcover volume!
Hayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition. Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership. In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities. Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings. In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema. Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth. Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema. His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Perfect for fans of the Spirited Away movie and Studio Ghibli! The frames are images from the movie itself, so if you love that you’ll definitely want to add this to your collection.
Chihiro and her family are moving to a new home. On their way there, they stumble across an old amusement park. But after dark, it becomes a bath house for spirits where her parents are then trapped. Chihiro must work there in order to save them. She can’t do this alone and befriends others who all help her in her quest.
Having watched Spirited Away previously, I wasn’t a big fan of the voice acting but being able to read the story made it so much more enjoyable. I was able to appreciate Chihiro’s bravery and selflessness. There’s so much she endures just to save those she loves. The supporting characters are unique and fun. Even those who haven’t seen the movie will appreciate the art and a story that’s filled with so much heart.
Thank you to VIZ Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
A collection of panels from the classic Studio Ghibli film, "Spirited Away" tells the story of a young girl who must work at a bathhouse for the spirit world in order to rescue her parents and make it back to the physical world. If you have seen the movie, this is a great way to reexperience the magic. If you have not, then this will whet your appetite to go and get it.
Bonus points for including a pronunciation guide for all of the Japanese "noises" that are drawn in the panels, a fun way to experience the film.
I am one of the very few people who has never seen a Studio Ghibli film. They have been on my watch list for so long, so when I saw this book at the library, I was so excited to get my hands on it! It was so adorable and bizarre, and how have I never consumed this type of media before?! It's right up my alley, and I really hope there are more books like this for other projects because I am in love with this!
I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Hayao Miyazaki and VIZ Media for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Arguably one of Miyazaki’s most well-known films, reading this book was so nostalgic to me. It’s incredible to see such familiar scenes and moments printed out on a page.
I found it to be very well adapted and can see it being a very popular purchase for collectors or lovers of the film.
I was really looking forward to reading this since I'm a fan of the movie and I'm definitely glad I did! I was able to read it within a few hours. it really helps that the photos are beautiful
After reading this, I feel like watching the movie again! I could hear their voices like I watched the movie recently, which I have not. No Face is still just as strange and relatable as ever. Chihiro is cute, and I love the little soot gremlins, too. Chihiro's faces are so funny at times, like when the stink spirit shows up.
Miyazaki is an amazing writer, and his ideas teach us life lessons while keeping us entertained.
Flipping through this book was like stepping right back into my childhood! Studio Ghibli has always had a special place in my heart, and this book brought back all those cozy, magical movie nights. I have seen this movie so many times and there is no such thing as watching it way too much!
Every page turn had me reliving scenes from 'Spirited Away,' which, yes, is totally my all-time favorite Ghibli movie. I am biased. The artwork? Stunning, though some of the photos are kinda big for my taste, but hey, more to love, right?
And let me tell you, she is THICK! over 800 pages of Ghibli glory. This book is not just a read; it’s a journey. If you're as Ghibli-obsessed as I am, this is a must-have for your collection. It’s more than a book; it’s a treasure trove that’ll make you feel all the feels all over again.
So, if you want to keep a piece of Ghibli magic on your shelf and dive back into those 'Spirited Away' vibes anytime, you need to check this out. Trust me, your inner fan will thank you!
When they say film comic they really mean film comic 😅
While it was nice to relive the movie's beautiful details in a panel-by-panel collection, it would've been nice if some creative liberties had been taken with this one. Instead of literal shot for shot panels, why not bigger and brighter rendered original images of the film with more details? I also thought this edition might include some fun behind the scenes tidbits, early drawing sketches etc but literally all it has is the film panel-by-panel and a glossary at the end to explain the sound effects being used on some of the panels.
Beautiful to look at but quite a lazy production. Honestly, just watch the movie instead.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in return for an honest review. 3/5 stars As someone who has been a huge fan of Ghibli movies since I was younger, I was excited for this book. Those who love Spirited Away will not be surprised by anything in this book; it is comprised entirely of stills from the movie. The readability was sometimes not phenomenal- some speech bubbles were significantly too narrow for English lettering, and so that words were printed on a slant to make them fit. It may have been the digital file I had, but I also thought that the images were not as crisp and clear as I would’ve expected. Overall, I just don’t think it added anything, really. If I felt like I wanted to experience the story, I would just watch the movie.
En route to their new home, Chihiro and her parents become lost in the spirit world. When Chihiro's parents are turned into pigs for eating the food, her only choice is to beg for a job at the nearby bathhouse under the control of Yubaba. With the help of new friends, Chihiro must do all she can to save her parents and herself.
There's not a lot to say about this one, other than I loved it. I love the film anyway, and this comic was made up from stills of the film. It was a really unique way to experience Miyazaki's art and story. The story was, at its heart, about friendship and love. It's beautiful.
Spirited Away isn’t just an anime — it’s a piece of my childhood. Every time I watch it, I feel like that little girl again, standing at the entrance of a magical world, scared but curious. Chihiro’s quiet strength, her bravery, and her kindness have always spoken to me in a way few characters ever could. The hand-drawn animation, the colors, the music… everything feels alive and timeless. Even now, when I feel lost or sad, watching this film brings me peace . Reminding me why I’m here, to explore the world full of wonders, finding your own path even though you’re scared you have to move forward and let life surprise you 🍃✨
The film comic of the delightful fan favorite Spirited Away this is the story in manga form to all to enjoy. Chihiro is whisked into a magical world of a bathhouse after her parents and her get lost and stumble into an abandoned village and turn into pigs. Chihiro uses her wits to survive the various creatures all conniving in their own scheming ways. Brought me back to the movie.
Spirited Away is a masterpiece and one of my all time favorite films, so I knew up front I would love this all-in-one edition.
The book captures all the beauty of the film, and captured my heart again with Chihiro and Haku's story. I would recommend these all-in-one editions to those who already love the Studio Ghibli films as well as those who want to explore a beautiful new world.
The book is stunning and the artwork is just as great as I remember it. This one brought back all of the nostalgia of me watching Spirited Away in the back seat on a portable DVD player in my way to California! Was nice to revisit such a lovely story.
I enjoyed this comic of the film alot. Even though I found the main character Chihiro a little whinning at first but I like how she grows as a person as the movie/comic goes.
This was the perfect companion book to the movie Spirited Away. It was just like the film and left me feeling the same way as when I watch it. The transfer of the artwork was practically identical and the story was spot on. I loved this book and would read it over and over again.
I knew the story since I'd seen the film but it still surprised me how fast 856 pages flew by. If you need to read a massive book for a challenge and you'd like something fluffy and light this is a great option.
This is a beautiful graphic novel of Spirited Away. The pictures were gorgeous. I did find the words across the page about copyright distracting for fully getting into the story but understand why. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book.