Adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’ to Take Over US Theaters

A stage play adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli’s ‘Spirited Away’ movie is already in the works and will hit US theaters this spring.

The film is a heartwarming story that revolves around Chihiro. She is a young girl who embarks on a journey in a mysterious realm. She will work for the old witch Yubaba who makes a deal with her in exchange for her protection.

Chihiro must face the challenges with courage as she finds her way back to her real world. She will embark on an adventure while meeting some new friends along.

SPIRITED AWAY (2002) dir. Hayao Miyazaki pic.twitter.com/e0Diq8ZBHm

— Studio Ghibli (@GhibliUSA) February 8, 2023

Gkids, a New York-based producer, confirmed this week that Spirited Away would be the next anime they’ll be working on. It also announced that it acquired the audiovisual allocation rights for “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage.”

GKids president David Jesteadt said, “We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity for Studio Ghibli fans in America to experience the stage production that wowed Japanese press and audiences last year.”

Spirited Away Stage Play Castings

Screenings of this Hayao Miyazaki animated classic will feature a complete performance same as the stage play’s 2022 show in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, the announcement came after the stage play of another Miyazaki work, Neighbor Totoro.

The transcendent Spirited Away stage play is coming to theaters soon https://t.co/k4S2MbpVrU pic.twitter.com/RNBdnHgZs4

— Polygon (@Polygon) February 8, 2023

According to Avclub, GKids will be releasing two separate stage performances. It will star Mone Kamishiraishi and Kanna Hashimoto, who will both play Chihiro. Moreover, Mari Natsuki, the original voice actor for Yubaba in Spirited Away, will have the same role in the play.

Natsuki recalled, “I never thought I would play the same role on stage two decades later. Just like Kanna, I would like to play like a debutante and enjoy this stage version as a completely new one.”

GKids’ Jesteadt added, “This imaginative stage adaptation by the legendary John Caird, featuring two wonderful performances by lead actors Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, helps bring to life one of the greatest films of all time in a dazzling new way.”

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