Major themes handled sensitively.

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2015)

Simply one of the best stories of all time (and no, I would not minimize that by adding *animated* as a qualifier). Major themes are the redemptive power of love, self-sufficiency, respect for others-- it's jam-packed with important moments but all of those are absolutely organic and come about seamlessly through the story- telling. No ham-handed anvils drop, but we...and Chihiro come to realize just how precious our loved ones and our everyday lives are and that adventures are not fun but composed of hard work, loneliness, despair....
Chihiro is initially an average girl, grumpy and flighty. When her parents are turned into pigs by a witch, she has to reach inside herself and find more strength than she ever thought she had. Mysteriously, she gets help from unexpected people, as she works in the bathhouse for the spirits (owned by the witch). But why are this person helping her?
Just watch it. I guarantee it will be better than you think it will be.