The Radish Spirit is one of the many creatures partaking in Yubaba’s bathhouse in Spirited Away, and he plays an important role in Chihiro’s introduction to the world of Kami. Spirited Away is a Japanese animated movie by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki and follows a young girl named Chihiro who is transported to a bathhouse in the spirit world and has to work until she figures out a way to escape. It’s a movie made for younger audiences, but the themes are mature and the characterizations are honest so that anyone can enjoy. Spirited Away deals with loneliness, maturity, and abandonment all with the backdrop of incredible Studio Ghibli animation.
Spirited Away won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards and there is a case to be made that it’s Miyazaki’s best movie. There is a treasure trove of beautifully designed and analysis-worthy Japanese folklore-inspired characters in every inch of Spirited Away. Some are antagonistic toward Chihiro, like Yubaba, the witch who runs the bathhouse with an iron fist. Others are friends. The first spirit Chihiro meets is Haku, an amiable employee of Yubaba trapped in his own way. One of the first creatures to show Chihiro something approaching kindness is the large and silent Radish Spirit. He plays a brief but memorable role in Spirited Away.
Radish Spirit Protects Chihiro
When Chihiro first arrives in the Kami world in Spirited Away, one of the few creatures willing to help her is the spiderlike Kamaji, who bribes another worker, Lin, to deliver her to Yubaba to get a job. Lin must hide Chihiro, a human, from the guests and employees as they travel to the top floor of the bathhouse. On their way up the elevator, they encounter the giant sumo-wrestler-like Radish Spirit, who joins them on the elevator. Despite trying to avoid gaining anyone’s attention, Chihiro can’t help but stare at the spirit. When he gives her a knowing glance back, Chihiro silently shrieks and resumes minding her own business.
However, due to a nosy employee, Lin has to leave Chihiro alone with the Radish Spirit. To Chihiro’s surprise, the creature moves in front of the girl and shields her from anyone else all the way to the top floor. When they reach the top floor, the Radish Spirit peers out to make sure the coast is clear and when Chihiro exits nervously, the spirit gives her a quiet and supportive bow that she gratefully returns. Though he doesn’t speak a word to her, the Radish Spirit is one of the few characters in Spirited Away to recognize a scared, alone girl and help without any expectation of reward.
Radish Spirit Also Proves His Kindness In The End
When Chihiro returns from Swamp Bottom, she flies back to the bathhouse to end her contract with Yubaba. The witch is waiting with a test, and every worker and guest has come out to support Chihiro. One of these many friends is the Radish Spirit, who is waving a fan and cheering her on. When Chihiro completes the task and earns her and her parent’s freedom at the end of Spirited Away, the Radish Spirit is cheering harder than anyone. It’s a joy to watch Chihiro win over everyone at the bathhouse, and seeing one of her first supporters there for her at the end brings the story full circle.
