Teña, J.R.2023

This paper examines the world-building process of Studio Ghibli’s animated film, Spirited Away. Specifically, it explores the role of the setting and minor characters in presenting the world of the film, and it determines the rules and norms of this “other world.” Using the four-step “Critical Discourse” process of M.H. Abrams, this study will describe, interpret, and evaluate the setting and minor characters of the film. Additionally, two theories are utilized to narrow down the parameters of the analysis: Darko Suvin’s concept of the novum and Alex Woloch’s notion of character-space. Considering the objectives mentioned above, a short background on Shintoism is included to provide context for readers to understand the setting analysis and minor character analysis in the succeeding chapters.

In the setting analysis, this study demonstrates how places in the “other world” incorporate Shinto beliefs by presenting places and objects that allude to the religion. On the other hand, the minor character analysis presents these Shinto beliefs through the appearances and actions of each minor character in the “other world.” Aside from Shintoism, both analyses also function as elements that induce a strange newness, a characteristic of the novum, to the protagonist by using the same means mentioned above. Consequently, the setting and minor characters establish rules and norms following the characteristics of the novum and Shintoism. Therefore, Spirited Away’s world-building utilizes this unique approach that embodies characteristics of Japanese culture and a sense of unfamiliarity.

Keywords: Spirited Away, Shintoism, world-building, Kami, Darko Suvin, novum, Alex Woloch, character-space.