Chihiro & Me

One day’s summer is where this all starts, Chihiro and her parents are moving into a new house, and she will be going to a new school away from what she knows. Still, as it goes, they got lost on the way and stumble upon an old building leading to somewhere on the other side, now Chihiro is not an adventurous person, but because she didn’t want to be left alone she followed her parents onto the other side. There are so many times in our lives where we have such curiosity that we let the unknown tempt us.  We make our imaginations take form in us in hopes that we will follow it, no matter if it is good or not, we can’t resist.

Back to Chihiro, they end up going through this old street with restaurants all around it, but no one was around to serve her and her parents. Her parents were so eager to eat, but she was not. Then suddenly, strange events start to accrue, and it leaves her without parents and having to save them, but first, she must work in this magical place where humans aren’t welcome. She meets with a boy named Haku, who is there to help her along the way.

In this blog, I am just here to tell you what I got out of it. After you read this, I hope it leads you to want to watch it if you have not already. Let’s discuss first what are the things in life that take over us? There is gluttony, greed, and power. Throughout this film, it can teach us so much about how the human race is flawed with the desire of it all. The only thing that can break it all is true love. God calls us each by name, and by living in the stink of sin, we tend to forget where we came from and what our right name is. It is like we have no face, no identity, but of the sin itself.

Even though Chihiro is a child, I have learned so much from her. Her bravery to stand her ground and not let anyone take her name or her self-awareness is inspiring. She becomes this hard worker to save her parents from their terrible fate caused by their gluttony. She is also not afraid to truly love. God gave us each other because He knew that man was not made to live alone, so he sent us the gift of friendship to restore the meaning of true love.

Chihiro has this ability that the rest of us lack, she can see the beauty in stillness and does not desire the material things of life. No, matter how many times others showed her how incredible greed was, she didn’t want any part of it.

This part of scripture from The Old Testament in the book Genesis reminds me of what is the spirit of this film.

Genesis 18:31-33

³¹ Then Abraham said, “I have been brave to speak to the Lord. But what if there are 20 good people in the city?”

The Lord answered, “If I find 20 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”

³² Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me bother you this one last time. What if you find 10 good people there?”

The Lord said, “If I find 10 good people there, I will not destroy it.”

³³ When the Lord finished speaking to Abraham, he left. And Abraham returned home.

You are probably wondering why do I use this quote from the bible? And what does it have to do with this film? Well, how I see it, is that since humans were not the norm in this town and for Chihiro to be obedient and loyal was the only human that was still purely good, she had no alternative motive, but to make right of her parent’s wrong. I feel with all that is going on. We are like Abraham asking God to spare us from our transgressions to let him know that there are still a few out there that try our best to be purely good. 

This movie “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki has been a part of my childhood for as long as I can remember. I have always been able to relate to Chihiro, but now watching it again at 23 years old after not seeing it for several years was an emotional and spiritual experience for me. The last time I watched it was with my Abuela, of course, that memory will always live on in me. 

So, what am I hoping that I can get out of it? Also on what the world can get out of watching this film is that love can break any spell or hold that sin has over us. Even the purest love of friendship can overwhelm the sins agenda. And that purest love is a friendship not only amongst ourselves but our friendship with God. 

So, I hope that you check out this movie…..