67 pages 2 hours read

Hayao Miyazaki

Spirited Away

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | YA | Published in 2002

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Spirited Away: Book 1, Chihiro and her parents move to the countryside but become lost and stumble upon an abandoned amusement park. After her parents gorge themselves on food and turn into pigs, Chihiro discovers the park is inhabited by spirits. With the help of Haku, a river spirit, she navigates the mysterious world and seeks a way to save her parents and return home.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki is widely lauded for its stunning animation, imaginative world-building, and emotional depth. Critics praise its complex characters and rich narrative, though some feel its pacing lags in parts. Overall, it's highly regarded as a masterpiece in animated filmmaking, blending captivating visuals with a compelling, timeless story.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Spirited Away?

Fans of immersive, fantastical worlds and strong character arcs will be captivated by Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Readers who enjoyed Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or Neil Gaiman's Coraline will find similar enchantment and depth, with a unique Japanese cultural twist that sets it apart.

Recommended

Reading Age

8-12years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Japanese Literature

Themes

Relationships: Mothers

Relationships: Fathers

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Topics

Arts / Culture