Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) is often hailed as the pinnacle of anime cinema for its breathtaking animation, emotional depth, themes of growth and environmentalism, and universal storytelling. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature—the first anime to do so—and has influenced global pop culture. Below, I’ve ranked the top 10 moments that showcase its magic, blending visual spectacle, character arcs, and heartfelt resonance. These are subjective but drawn from fan consensus and critical acclaim (e.g., from Rotten Tomatoes’ 97% score and IMDb’s 8.6/10).
- #10 The Soot Sprites’ Piggyback Lift
The tiny, squeaking soot sprites hoist Chihiro and Haku on their backs in a dimly lit tunnel, their synchronized “kyu-kyu” chants adding charm. This feel-good teamwork moment highlights community and wonder, with meticulous particle animation that feels alive and joyful.
- #9 Chihiro’s Emotional Breakdown Over Her Parents
Alone in the empty bathhouse, Chihiro sobs over her pig-turned parents, vowing to save them. This raw, unfiltered vulnerability—captured in close-ups and soft lighting—grounds the fantasy in relatable grief, making her arc profoundly human and a cornerstone of the film’s emotional authenticity
- #8 Boh’s Adorable Rage as Yubaba’s Baby
Enormous, tantrum-throwing Boh terrorizes Chihiro in a playful chase, his oversized features and wobbly movements stealing the scene. It’s a masterclass in cute chaos, underscoring maternal neglect themes while providing levity—proving Ghibli’s genius at balancing whimsy with emotional weight.
- #7 The Radish Spirit’s Humiliating Ejection
The adorable, bewildered radish spirit gets comically yeeted from the bathhouse after a paperwork blunder. This brief, laugh-out-loud gag exemplifies the film’s blend of absurdity and empathy, using exaggerated expressions and physics-defying motion to humanize even the silliest side characters.
- #6 Chihiro’s First Bathhouse Shift and Greedy Frog Feeding
Overwhelmed, Chihiro feeds the ravenous frog-like spirits in a frantic, slime-drenched frenzy. It’s a hilarious yet empowering “trial by fire” that showcases her growth from scared girl to resourceful hero, with slapstick animation rivaling Looney Tunes but laced with Studio Ghibli’s whimsical heart.
- #5 The Stinky Kanji Name Change Ceremony
Yubaba strips Chihiro of her identity, renaming her “Sen” in a tense, bureaucratic ritual. This moment’s oppressive atmosphere and Chihiro’s quiet defiance highlight themes of self-loss and resilience, with intricate set design and voice acting (Rumi Hiiragi’s subtle fear) making it an unforgettable entry into psychological depth.
- #4 Haku’s Dragon Transformation and River Memory Reveal
Haku shifts into a majestic river dragon, soaring through the night sky as Chihiro rides him to safety. The reveal of his true identity as a polluted river spirit ties into the film’s eco-themes, blending awe-inspiring flight sequences with a tear-jerking bond—cementing it as anime’s gold standard for character-driven fantasy
- #3 No-Face’s Rampage in the Bathhouse
The gluttonous spirit No-Face devours the bathhouse’s greed, ballooning into a chaotic monster. This visually explosive scene critiques consumerism with dark humor and horror, while foreshadowing Chihiro’s compassion; its fluid, shadowy animation makes it a technical marvel and thematic gut-punch.
- #2 Chihiro’s Train Ride Across the Water
In a serene, wordless sequence, Chihiro rides a ghostly train over a flooded landscape, reflecting her inner peace amid loss. The ethereal watercolor animation and Joe Hisaishi’s piano score create a meditative pinnacle of beauty, symbolizing emotional release—pure Miyazaki poetry that elevates the film’s introspective core.
- #1 The Final River Reunion and Name Restoration
Chihiro whispers Haku’s true name by the river, freeing him in a luminous, tearful farewell. This climactic release of identity and love, with swirling water effects and swelling music, encapsulates the film’s message of remembrance and growth—leaving audiences with cathartic hope that lingers long after the credits.
