Spirited Away or Back to Us?

This thesis explores the cultural global impact of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's masterpiece Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi), examining its ability to connect audiences to stories deeply rooted in Japanese tradition but becoming popular in globalization. The research begins with an analysis of the world “culture” and the role is has in shaping people, sometimes connecting them and then explores the Studio Ghibli’s history, exploring his mission to preserve Japanese cultural values while addressing universal concerns such as environmental and spiritual fulfilment. Central to this work is an examination of Spirited Away, which depicts a young woman’s transformative journey in a strange realm influenced by Japanese mythology and folklore, Shinto spirituality, and consumerist critiques. Though the film’s narrative and aesthetic are Japanese, however, its universal themes - discovery of themselves, resilience, the never-ending war between modern and tradition - gave the film the power to transcend cultural boundaries. Examining its reception in Japan and Europe, specifically Italy, the thesis explores how cultural values, such as the research of one's identity, resonates in our societies, fostering a shared appreciation for storytelling and humanity’s relationship with the environment. By taking a multidisciplinary approach combining cultural studies, film analysis, and comparative recognition studies, this study argues that Spirited Away achieves a rare cultural integration that reveals the nature of narrative: the local scale can have global relevance, offering insights into the shared human values and enduring power of cinema as a medium for cultural change. This thesis argues that Spirited Away exemplifies how art based in a particular tradition can address universal concerns, thus bridging the cultural gap between Japan and the world.