Studio Ghibli has been responsible for creating some of the best anime movies in the world and has often seen them experiment with human civilizations and ancient magic co-existing to tell fantastical and imaginative stories. From Princess Mononoke to Ponyo, these movies have been celebrated all over the world and introduced audiences to some of the most iconic characters in animation.
But Spirited Away is no exception and has often been regarded as one of the best from the acclaimed studio. With so many characters inhabiting the spirit world, Hayao Miyazaki looked to many folklore and myths to create a recognizable cast of characters. But how exactly do they fare compared to their mythological origins?
Susuwatari
The Susuwatari made their Studio Ghibli debut in My Neighbor Totoro, leaving dusty soot everywhere before they leave the house. They returned for this film where they act as assistants to Kamaji, who operates the boiler room of the bathhouse and have been seen as some of the best creatures in Spirited Away.
Despite a lot of Japanese mythology used to create many of the characters in the movie, the Scottish spirit known as a Brownie appears to have influenced the Susuwatari's behavior. Known to perform various tasks across homes in return for food, they can become easily offended and will leave permanently.
Kamaji
The mustached Kamaji works and appears to live within the boiler room of the bathhouse, acting as the manager who tries to keep the baths warm for customers while mixing in different scented soaps. With six arms that can extend, he is able to get his tasks done without leaving his seat.
Since the middle ages of Japan, Tsuchigumo was described as spider-like yokai (Japanese spirits) and in ancient artwork, they are portrayed as monstrous-looking creatures. While some artistic interpretation was used to create Kamaji, his multiple limbs and magic could have been very much influenced by the Tsuchigumo.
Onama-Sama
As seen briefly in the movie as they enter the bathhouse, the Onama-Sama were just one of many groups of spirits that are seen as the customers. Appearing to wear capes made out of leaves and sporting different sets of horns from one another, they share a lot in common with a certain group of beings from Japanese folklore.
Based on the Namahage, they are traditionally portrayed in New Year rituals by people who wear capes made out of straw and cover their faces with ogre masks. And while these masks may differ, they usually appear to have horns and large teeth.
River Spirit
Mistaken initially as a stink spirit, the sludgy and grimy being made for one of the most iconic scenes in the movie as Chihiro attempts to restore it to its former glory. Once all the dirt and pollution are removed, it is revealed to be a river spirit.
There are various river spirits in folklore and fairytales across the world, but the river spirit from the movie could be the Kawa-no-Kami. Known to be the river gods' king, people still offer this deity dolls created by various plants to this day.
Kashira
The three bouncing heads that reside in Yubaba's office at first intimidate Chihiro as she asks for work within the witch's business. Appearing as heads of green-skinned, bearded men, they serve Yubaba's orders and even try to dispose of Haku.
The characters are most likely based on the Daruma Doll and its historical context in Japan. Originally, these charms were created to protect children from diseases in the 1600s and many people believed in the magic that these dolls were said to have produced to protect their children from the harm of what they believed was caused by a demon that produced smallpox.
Hopping Lantern
Most likely inspired by Pixar's iconic animated lamp, the hopping lantern in Spirited Away makes a brief appearance. Acting as a guide for Chihiro and No-Face, it shows them to the lair of Zeniba, the twin sister and witch of Yubaba.
Inspired by the Tsukumogami, these spirits possessed items and tools and were popular beliefs in the middle ages. Many artists were inspired by this folklore and there are many forms of art that revolve around this type of yokai, including wood carvings and paintings.
Aogaeru
Aogaeru is a spirit who takes on the appearance of a frog and initially reports Chihiro's presence in the bathhouse. He is also one of the few spirits whom No-Face eats before he eventually spits them all out, making him one of the least powerful Spirited Away characters.
Among Augaeru and the other frog-like spirits that appear in the movie, they could be inspired by The Tale of Gallant Jiraiya, the Japanese folktale. The protagonist of the story, Jiraiya, was a ninja who had the ability to turn into a large toad and could have played a key role in creating this particular spirit.
Haku
One of the main characters of Spirited Away, Haku helps Chihiro throughout the movie as she tries to find her parents while trapped in the spirit world. A mature and knowledgeable river spirit, he has many powers too and transforms into a dragon to aid Chiro during her story which also makes him one of the coolest dragons in anime.
Dragons from fairytales and folklores have taken on many forms and designs from country to country, but Haku's dragon form could have been inspired by Japanese dragons. Specifically, his design is similar to the Mizuchi, an Eastern dragon that has a serpent-like body and has a strong connection to the water.
Yubaba
Acting as the movie's antagonist, Yubaba is a witch with an overly large head who uses magic for her own gain. She owns the bathhouse which the spirits visit and work. Yubaba even forces Chihiro to do some dirty and difficult jobs, including cleaning the polluted river spirit that all made her one of the most iconic animated witches.
She may have had some artistic changes made from her mythological source, but they both share the same dangerous attitude. Yubaba is based on the Yama Uba, a Japanese witch who lived in the mountains and tricked travelers in order to make a meal out of their flesh.
No-Face
Easily one of the most iconic and recognizable characters in the entire movie, No-Face is a spirit who appears to wear a mask and is cloaked in black. It slowly befriends Chihiro throughout the story and with its unusual magical abilities, it is responsible for creating some of the best scenes in Spirited Away.
Among the many yokai in Japanese mythology, No-Face is based on the Noppera-bo. These spirits appear as humans without a face and they often like to trick people without putting anyone in harm's way.
