By Larisa Crowder on April 4, 2022

Studio Ghibli fans rejoice!

The beloved animated film Spirited Away officially made its debut on the stage. The acclaimed Studio Ghibli film has earned devoted fans around the world since its release in 2001. It tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents. While moving to a new neighborhood, they stumble upon the world of Kami (spirits of Japanese Shinto folklore). After her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro begins working in Yubaba’s bathhouse to try to find a way to free them. From there, viewers are taken on a spectacular journey filled with an imaginative cast of characters.

Reimagining it as a live-action performance would surely be an ambitious feat. In fact, the production’s designer and puppeteer Toby Olié admits, “Adapting the limitless imagination of Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic animation for the stage was both a monumental joy and challenge.” […]

More: ‘Spirited Away’ Makes Live-Action Theater Debut on Stage in Tokyo