Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie Review

A stunning steelbook for one of the best animated films of all time.

Spirited Away is Hayao Miyazaki's greatest masterpiece and one of the best films of all time (animated or otherwise). The film features a fantastical storyline with one strange and remarkable event after another unfolding all the way to the magical conclusion. Spirited Away features some of the most breathtaking animation that has ever been put on film and each frame feels like a distinctive work of art suitable for framing and displaying.

Without any doubt in my mind, Spirited Away is a cinematic masterpiece which deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest cinematic gems the entire world over. (For those interested in some trivia, Spirited Away is not only one of my favorite films: it even inspired my puppy's name... Chihiro). A film that never tires and is always as comforting and magical as it was the first time I experienced it. See it and share it with your loved ones.

Hayao Miyazaki's timeless masterpiece.

For more information on Spirited Away, please refer to the review by Kenneth Brown.

Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The picture-quality remains the same as what is found on the previously released Gkids Blu-ray. For more information and an analysis of the video please refer to the review by my Blu-ray.com colleague Stephen Larson.

Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio quality remains the same as what is found on the previously released Gkids Blu-ray. For more information and an analysis of the audio quality please refer to the review by my Blu-ray.com colleague Stephen Larson.

Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The collectors edition steelbook release features a stunning design with a shimmery sheen that shows the brilliant red hue with clear precision. The design features No-Face on the front of the art work. I personally would have selected Chihiro for the main image but the visual chosen is still a perfectly satisfactory visual that fits the minimalist style of the classy Studio Ghibli Blu-ray steelbook editions from released in collaboration by Gkids and Shout Factory.

There is something special about having this animated masterpiece in a collectible steelbook package and the release feels noteworthy in hand. Though a simplistic design it is lovely (and will make a big impression). The inside art work shows a pivotal scene from Spirited Away: Chihiro and No-Face in the bath house (one of the most iconic moments in the story). The release also comes with a booklet featuring writing by Hayao Miyazaki about Spirited Away.

The steelbook edition does not include the CD soundtrack as found in the digipack collectors edition (which lacked the making-of documentary from the DVD). However, Spirited Away fans may be excited by the news that the soundtrack was recently released on Vinyl for the first time. (Import away!)

Spirited Away Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An outstanding steelbook edition for fans, Spirited Away remains one of the most important anime films ever made. The instant classic has managed to hold up as an essential gem that is worth revisiting time and time again. The animation is breathtaking. The score by Joe Hisaishi is iconic. And, of course, writer-director Hayao Miyazaki creates a world that is full of magic and it is always fun to go back to. The Blu-ray features an exceptional video-audio presentation and a nice selection of bonus materials to round out the overall package. Fans of beautiful steelbook editions should consider adding this beautiful collectors release to their collection. Highly recommended.