2023 Sprited Away 'Live on Stage' - Filmed Performances of First-Ever Stage Production of Hayao Miyazaki's Coming to TheatersNEW

The Spirited Away Stage Play is Coming to American Theaters Soon
Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature film comes to life in this first-ever stage adaptation, full of dazzling sets, captivating musical numbers, and wondrous puppets of beloved characters. Adapted and directed by Tony Award®-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), two unique casts and performances were filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

While traveling to their new home, Chihiro and her family stumble into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.

Release Date
Spring 2023 - The filmed staged show is coming soon on film.

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About the Movie Spirited Away
"Spirited Away" is widely regarded as a masterpiece of animation and is widely considered one of the best anime films of all time. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film is known for its imaginative and dreamlike storytelling, beautiful and detailed animation, and compelling characters.

The film tells the story of Chihiro, a young girl who becomes trapped in a mysterious and magical world and must find a way to free herself and her parents. Along the way, she encounters a cast of colorful and fascinating characters, including the grumpy but loveable No-Face and the kind and wise Haku.

What makes "Spirited Away" so special is the way it blends a compelling and emotional story with stunning animation and breathtakingly imaginative visuals. The film is full of unforgettable moments, from the awe-inspiring bathhouse where Chihiro begins her journey to the breathtaking landscapes of the Spirit World. The film is a true feast for the senses and an inspiring celebration of the power of imagination.

In addition to its technical merits, "Spirited Away" is also widely acclaimed for its thematic depth and emotional impact. The film is a powerful allegory for the struggles of growing up and the importance of perseverance, love, and friendship. It is a film that is both entertaining and meaningful, and one that will stay with you long after you've watched it.

About GKIDS
GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced that it has acquired the North American audiovisual distribution rights for SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage, filmed during the hit production’s 2022 run at the historic Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. The stage play is based on Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature and is adapted and directed for the stage by Tony Award®-winner John Caird, Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, who gained international acclaim for adapting and directing the world premiere of the landmark production Les Misérables.

GKIDS will release two separate filmed performances of the production, starring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, double-cast as the lead heroine Chihiro. Character actor Mari Natsuki, who voiced the sorceress Yubaba and her twin sister Zeniba in the original motion picture, returns to her original role, accompanied by voice actor Romi Park. They are accompanied by a star-studded cast of Japan’s finest actors.

SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage was created in association with Studio Ghibli, and presented by Toho Co., Ltd. The deal was negotiated between GKIDS and Toho.

GKIDS will release the stage production theatrically in spring 2023.

“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,” said GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “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.”