In 2001, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli introduced the world to what would soon be regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time — Spirited Away.
Spirited Away is a Japanese animated fantasy film that follows 10-year-old Chihiro as she embarks on a wild and mystical journey. While she and her parents are on their way to their new home, a wrong turn eventually leads them to what appears to be an abandoned town. However, things are not quite as they appear. Chihiro soon finds herself separated from her parents as she ends up in a perplexing, enchanting, and slightly terrifying realm full of spirits and other strange creatures.
This Oscar-winning film has captivated generations over the past two decades, and it’s certainly not finished yet. A theatrical production of Spirited Away is now in the works, which will be the very first stage adaptation of one of Miyazaki’s films. The play will be written and directed by Tony Award-winner John Caird.
Two different actresses have been cast in the lead role as Chihiro — Kanna Hashimoto (Kingdom) and Mone Kamishiraishi (Your Name.).
The theatrical production of Spirited Away is set to make its world premiere run at Toho’s Imperial Theatre in Tokyo from February through March of 2022. It will then tour across several other cities in Japan, including Osaka (April 2022), Fukuoka (May 2022), Sapporo (June 2022), and Nagoya (June-July 2022).
