An anime that is thought-provoking and entertaining

Rating: 10/10 (3 April 2003)

Spirited Away is the best anime by Miyazaki that I've ever seen. Miyazaki is well known for embedding thought provoking messages in his animations, and this one is no exception. Coming from an Asian background (I'm a Chinese), I can really appreciate ideas that Miyazaki wants to get across in the movie: over weighted kids, the negative aspects of a capitalistic world, the love of money over the love of a love one, the power of love, the "bubble economy", etc. This is a movie for everyone. The more experience you get from life, the more complex the movie will appear to you. If you watch the movie for once and you don't think it is any different then any other anime, watch it for a second time. If watching it for two times is still not getting you anywhere, watch it for a third time. Indeed, watch it for as many times as you need until you complete digest the movie, and you will find yourself learning something new every time. Watch for the metaphors between the lines and the symbolic meanings of every character, and get ready to surprise yourself!
If you just want to spend two hours in the theater for some good entertainment, this anime is not going to disappoint you either. The characters are beautiful, the backgrounds are lavishing, and the storyline is entertaining.
In my opinion, this anime deserves the Oscar. If you like Amelie or Chacolat, Spirited Away is the anime that you will love!