This film could not be prettier if it tried.

Chihiro’s voice got to me after a while - though it might just be because I went into it with the beginnings of a headache. A little too earnest.

I love Miyazaki’s films because they take imaginative steps where you wouldn’t expect. When the film pans across the various spirits, it’s impressive to see the diversity of the creature design - they could have got away with a lot less.

I’ve also realised that I sometimes struggle with Japanese features because they abandon the three-act structure that’s kind of ingrained into my head by now (thanks, Western cinema); I’ll look for clues that usually help my brain structure the plot, and when they inevitably aren’t there I get a little mentally exhausted.

Is there any reason why it’s not really touched on that they’ve clearly been away for years?

I still think Howl’s Moving Castle is the best Studio Ghibli film I’ve seen, but this was still pretty good. Intoxicating, as always.