The classic Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away has enjoyed enduring popularity worldwide for years, standing as a quintessential Ghibli masterpiece across the globe. Just yesterday (January 2), it aired on Nippon TV's "Friday Road Show." The official X account simultaneously dropped some behind-the-scenes interview snippets, featuring director Hayao Miyazaki's take on "No-Face."
"No-Face" is a simple-minded spirit initially devoid of speech. He encounters Chihiro Ogino outside the Bathhouse, yearning for her friendship.
However, once inside the Bathhouse, he's swayed by the allure of money and worldly desires. After being rejected by Chihiro, he grows enraged, swallows a frog, and gains a voice. Ultimately, with Chihiro's help, he reforms, accompanying her to Zeniba's house and becoming her assistant.
The official X account relayed Director Miyazaki's insights, stating: "What kind of being is No-Face? In fact, such people are everywhere around us... They are those who desperately want to attach themselves to someone, to cling to someone, yet lack a sense of self, don't know who they are, or even what their own value is. I believe such people exist everywhere."
This explanation resonated deeply with countless netizens, especially with the rise of a thriving online community. Many seem to lose themselves in the digital realm, much like No-Face, desperately seeking validation without understanding their own worth—a true modern "civilization sickness."
Miyazaki once famously said, "Everyone has a No-Face within them." When designing the film, he stated that the three characters—Chihiro, Yubaba, and No-Face—represent "Sides of an individual." Humans possess both good and bad facets, and No-Face was born as a character that couldn't be definitively categorized as either good or bad.
It's clear that even two decades after its release, Japanese netizens continue to be captivated by this masterpiece. Every broadcast on terrestrial TV sparks lively discussion, cementing the film's timeless status in animation history.