Miyazaki's Spirited Away as a Storytelling Tool

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Recommended: Importance of emotions in society introduction

In Spirited Away, emphasis is placed on the importance of collectivism for Chihiro to achieve her goals - most prominently through the varied interaction with different characters, driving this narrative plot. Such a method of storytelling thus express how the force of the community is fundamental to the Japanese society. Chihiro’s success in saving her parents hinges on the help she receives and gives in the spiritual world. In particular, Haku’s emotional support allows Chihiro to survive in a world she does not belong - Chihiro retains her sense of identity as a human instead of completely disappearing, and is accepted reluctantly into the bath house by gaining employment. In this way, Chihiro is included as part of the collective group consciousness, propelling her goal in saving her parents.

Likewise, the help Chihiro receives from other characters essentially derives from the positive collectivism and their empathy towards Chihiro’s situation, in an effort to include her as part of the collective spirit. Interestingly, these characters seem to be alienated from “mainstream society” in the workings of the bath house, with Kamaji as the “slave to the boiler room” and Rin as a lowly helper sneered at constantly - similar to how Chihiro is alienated from the spirit world she does not belong to. This might indicate how once Chihiro expresses her desire to stay within the collective structure, characters especially on the fringe of this “society” strives to help her in any way they can. Though not obliged to help her, Kamaji grants her a few tickets - first by vouching for her identity and subsequently helping her gain employment and giving her the train ticket in search for Zeniiba to save Haku. At the same time, Chihiro becomes...

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