Studio Ghibli: Spirited Away

[nerdyyoungmama]

Hello! Wondered if anyone could assist.

I may be being overprotective, but all I see is great reviews for this Spirited Away film - but the trailer looks a little overwhelming for my 8-year-old! She is very sensitive so this may be me being a little too worried. However, someone at school has been talking about it and she wants to watch it with me.

How have your children taken it? I suppose it may just go over her head, with it being fantasy and all.

I'd let her watch it but it depends how sensitive it actually is. Has she watched Frozen? It's no darker than the dead parents thing IMO.

I’d be wary tbh. I found it a bit scary in places and it’s a very odd story.

depends how your daughter feels about talking radish spirits...

It's mostly fantastical. It's all spirit world

The only thing I would say is when the parents get turned into pigs that could be a tad disturbing...

Oh and no face can be quite creepy. He basically swallows people and looks like a monster for a while (but they all survive and come back)

I'm making this sound awful but my kids watched it when they were about four. I introduced a friends kid to it at the same age and they cursed me for ages as he wanted to watch it every single weekend

As a side note have you seen my neighbour Totoro? It's by studio ghibli too but perhaps a bit easier (though still with Japanese fantasy elements) my kids love Totoro.

Hi, there are some scary bits IMO, like at the beginning when Chihiro's parents turn into pigs and NoFace is quite scary at the end but in general its a wonderful film.

I think most kids films have some peril and suspense in.

Has she seen any other ghibli films?

If not maybe start with Ponyo instead?

Maybe start with some of the other Studio Ghibli films which are more 'gentle'.
My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo are both fantastic films.
Arriety is a Ghibli version of The Borrowers and is also lovely.

you'd be better starting with totoro and kiki's delivery service.

I like to look up movies on commonsensemedia which will tell you a recommended age plus point out some of the scarier bits/

I would introduce

Ponyo
Totoro
The Cat returns
Then Spirited away
And Howls Moving Castle after just because its a bit deeper than the others in terms of storyline.

My 5 year old loves Kiki's delivery service as well if you are considering other Ghibli films.

Oh yes of course...Kiki's Delivery Service is wonderful. I can't believe I forgot to mention that one.

It’s not where I’d start, because at the very least it’s pretty, um, out there. If she’s not watched that kind of thing she might not really get it. At 8 my youngest didn’t enjoy it much.

My Neighbour Totoro, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Arrietty are all much better introductions to Studio Ghibli for an 8 year old. Arrietty is the story of The Borrowers, and is a particular favourite of mine.

Aww my favourite film. My DD's are 5 and 10 and both scared of it so I have to watch it on my own. They both love my neighbour totoro and ponyo like pp suggest.

My DD watched it at 6 and found it fine. Obv it depends on the kid.

I'd say 8 is a bit young. My kids were teenagers when they discovered it.

Kiki’s Delivery Service is perfect for her age - and a much gentler film! My 12yo still enjoys it 😊

Ghibli films are on loop in our house and I’d say DD first watched this one at about 9. It’s a fabulous film with lots of layers, but does have a creepy element, so it depends on your child. No face becomes a monster fed by greed and selfishness. It becomes harmless and friendly when shown kindness and fairness. The parents into pigs scene is brilliant though!

Why don't you watch it first and then you'll have a better idea of whether it's suitable or not?

I agree, start with My Neighbour Totoro, Ponyo or Kiki's Delivery Service before moving onto Spirited Away etc.

But for the love of god don't show her Pom Poko. What you think is going to be a cute movie about Japanese raccoon dogs, quickly develops into them using their scrotums as parachutes. 😳

Other people above can given you lots of ideas for gentler softer sweeter studio ghibli films but ultimately it depends very much on your 8 year old. Think of it like a (proper) fairy tale / adventure story

features - your parents are turned into animals so can't rescue you -

you must keep yourself safe and then rescue yourself and them by...

finding friends and allies
making deals
being brave
working hard

I think it's an absolutely great film for little girls to watch and the music is so beautiful

I love all those mentioned, but Ponyo had me sobbing in the cinema!

@FedUpWithBriiiiick "But for the love of god don't show her Pom Poko" see I agree but for very different reasons this film turns hardened adults into emotional wrecks. The inflated scrotum space hoppers are the comic relief.