Who directed Studio Ghibli’s 2001 film Spirited Away?

Hayao Miyazaki directed Studio Ghibli’s 2001 film Spirited Away. He also wrote the screenplay and created the film’s story, which follows Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl trapped in a mysterious spirit world.

Spirited Away became one of Miyazaki’s most internationally recognized films. Its central themes include growing up, remembering one’s identity, environmental responsibility, and the value of work. Chihiro’s name is changed to “Sen” by the witch Yubaba, making her struggle to remember herself an important part of the story.

The film was produced by Studio Ghibli, with Toshio Suzuki as producer. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making it the first—and, for many years, only—Japanese animated feature to win that prize. Miyazaki is sometimes confused with Isao Takahata, another major Ghibli director, but Takahata did not direct this film.