Spirited Away

Chihiro looks up at the building they just left and sees a large clock on top of it. The wind whirs around her, and shivering, she runs after Mother, asking, “Did you hear that building? It was moaning” (49). Mother believes it is just the wind and remarks on the landscape’s beauty. They come to a large rock bed that appears to be a dried-up stream, and Father smells something delicious wafting down the steps on the other side. He and Mother are suddenly starving and follow the scent. Along the way toward what appears to be a lively street, there are several statues of frogs. The buildings are all oddly shaped and colorful; one has a large eye for a sign, implying that the family is being watched. Mother comments on how strange it is that all of the buildings seem to be restaurants but follows Father to a large buffet of food regardless.

The platters are stocked with the most inviting dishes, including some that Chihiro’s parents cannot even identify, and Mother and Father cannot resist. They begin calling to see if anyone is working, but nobody replies, and Mother assures Father they can pay later. They begin digging in and beckon Chihiro to join them. Grabbing her shirt and grimacing, Chihiro begs her parents to stop because she thinks they might get in trouble. Father chimes in, “Don’t worry. You’ve got Daddy here. He’s got credit cards and cash” (61). Mother and Father become increasingly greedy and gluttonous by the moment, stuffing their faces voraciously. Chihiro looks around, desperately hoping to find someone who can help. She is angry and frustrated at her parents and wanders off to look around. Chihiro sees a large red tower with a tree beside it and marvels at it for a moment before turning around to see a huge red and green bathhouse behind her.  

The bathhouse was not there a moment ago, but Chihiro is mesmerized and drawn toward it. She walks closer, seeing the details on the building and the water streaming out from the sides of it. A splash page shows the size of the bathhouse, with Chihiro looking very small in comparison. It appears to have at least five levels, but there are likely more below. In front of the bathhouse is a long bridge with red railings, and Chihiro starts to walk across. She looks down to see a train track and tunnel below and exclaims, “There’s the train!” (71). Suddenly, a boy (Haku) appears behind her and yells, “Get out of here NOW! You shouldn’t be here!” (73). Chihiro is confused and alarmed, and the boy tells her to leave before dark falls. He notices that “they’re lighting the lamps” (75) and grabs Chihiro by the hand, pulling her into a run and pushing her in the direction she came from. He tells her to cross the river as soon as she can.

Chihiro, looking terrified, runs as Haku promises to distract the spirits while she gets away. He blows a curse toward the bathhouse, and Chihiro runs, asking herself, “What’s up with him?” (78). She runs back to the street of restaurants and calls for her parents. She finds them still eating, and they have grown twice their normal size. She begs them to come with her and leave, but when Father turns around, he is no longer human but a pig. Chihiro is terrified and shocked and then notices her mother is a pig too. Father falls over, having overeaten himself into sickness, and lands on the ground. Chihiro’s hair stands on end as her expression becomes increasingly horrified. Father makes an “oink oink” (84) sound, and Chihiro runs away in fear, hoping that perhaps her parents are somewhere else. She calls for them, but nobody responds, and the street and restaurants begin filling up with dark, shadowy spirits. Chihiro is suddenly thrust into blackness and continues screaming for her parents. She runs through the streets and finally reaches the river.