Spirited Away, helmed by veteran anime director Hayao Miyazaki, is Japan's highest grossing film and ranks among the most successful international releases of all time. The film, set in modern Japan, weaves a fantastical narrative around the story of a meandering young girl, Chihiro, who discovers a realm populated by gods and soot sprites, where a train crosses the ocean.

Andrew Osmond's in-depth analysis explores the level of creative control Miyazaki wielded in making the movie and assesses the captivating and sometimes perplexing visuals. Osmond further examines the film's thematic links to Miyazaki's other works, stressing Spirited Away’s ability to use animation to create an engaging, hand-drawn world. This updated edition features a new preface by the author exploring the evolution of anime cinema, including works such as Pan’s Labyrinth and Inside Out.