“I had to make a movie just for 10 year olds”: The Definitive Hayao Miyazaki Movie That Was Born When the Genius Ran Out of Ideas

The legendary filmmaker behind Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki’s movies have enchanted audiences of all ages, going beyond the cultural barriers with their timeless themes and breathtaking artistry. Despite the universal appeal of his works, there was a time when Miyazaki found himself creatively exhausted, struggling to find inspiration. This period led to the birth of what is often considered his masterpiece, Spirited Away.

Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

At the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, Hayao Miyazaki revealed the story behind the creation of Spirited Away and how his slump period resulted in this epic story. Needless to mention, John Lasseter, the director of Toy Story and A Bug’s Life, also joined Miyazaki in this event as he personally chaperoned the release of Spirited Away in North America, serving as the executive producer and overseeing the English-language dub.

The Origin of Spirited Away: Hayao Miyazaki’s Slump Period

Hayao Miyazaki was interviewed along with John Lasseter during the 2012 Toronto Film Festival by the late film critic Roger Ebert. This fascinating encounter was penned down by Ebert in his personal blog. Miyazaki revealed that he had originally planned to retire in 1999 following the release of Princess Mononoke.

Haku and Chihiro from Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

At 62 years old, after pouring his heart and soul into that project, he felt it was time to step away. However, due to a fateful turn of life, his so-called retirement didn’t last long, and soon, he found himself back at Studio Ghibli, trying to come up with his next project.

However, there was a problem. Despite brainstorming for quite a long time he found no new ideas for another epic story. But this creative block led to an unexpected revelation, as he stated,

I wanted to make a movie especially for the daughters of my friends. I opened all the drawers in my head they were all empty. So I realized I had to make a movie just for 10 year olds, and ‘Spirited Away’ is my answer.

It was a refreshing departure from the trend in Hollywood, where animated films are often pitched to younger audiences but claim to fit all ages. However, Miyazaki genuinely intended Spirited Away to resonate with a younger demographic, particularly the daughters of his friends, while trusting that adults would also find value in the film.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Style: Finding Depths in Simplicity

One of the standout aspects of Hayao Miyazaki‘s creations is the emotional authenticity instead of constant movements or actions. In Spirited Away, the story revolves around a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro who finds herself in a mysterious and magical spirit world. This movie has been hailed for its detailed world-building and Miyazaki’s unique ability to create spaces filled with “ma”— a Japanese concept of emptiness or pause.

Chihiro and Kaonashi on train | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The pauses, where characters stop to observe their surroundings or perform actions that don’t directly advance the plot, allow the audience to feel an emotional intensity that few animated films achieve. In his own words,

If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it’s just busyness, But if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension. If you just have constant tension at 80 degrees all the time you just get numb.

This philosophy is evident in Spirited Away, where the quiet moments serve as emotional anchors amidst the fantastical elements. Chihiro’s moments of fear, curiosity, and courage are felt deeply because the film takes the time to show them. Rather than bombarding the audience with relentless action, Miyazaki builds tension through subtleties, allowing the story to grow naturally.

Ultimately, Spirited Away altered Hayao Miyazaki’s career rather than merely being a return to form for him. It originated from a creative blank and grew into a tribute to the power of hand-drawn animation, emotional depth, and simplicity in storytelling. What began as a project for 10-year-olds became a cinematic experience that continues to captivate audiences of all ages to this day.

Spirited Away is currently available to watch on Netflix.