Live-Action Adaptation of Spirited Away Set to Arrive in North America

The highly praised stage adaptation of Spirited Away is set to make its way to North America. Following its debut in Tokyo in 2022 and a run in London in 2024, this adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s beloved anime film will embark on a world tour from 2026 to 2028, featuring stops in Los Angeles and Toronto.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage will visit several locations, including Taiwan’s National Theater (December 2026 to January 2027), Tokyo and a Japan National Tour (March to August 2027), the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto (May to August 2027), the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (September to October 2027), and the London Coliseum (March to July 2028). Casting details have yet to be revealed.

This production promises to be a visual feast, showcasing intricate puppetry, a cast of 50 actors, and a live performance of Joe Hisaishi’s theatrical score. The show will be presented in Japanese with English surtitles projected for the audience.

Commissioned by Toho in 2021, the play is produced under the guidance of the Toho Theatrical Department. John Caird, known for Les Misérables, directs the project, collaborating with Mako Imai on the script adaptation. Brad Haak arranges Hisaishi’s score for the stage, while Jon Bausor designs the set, Toby Olié creates the puppets, Shigehiro Ide choreographs the movements, and Sachiko Nakahara designs the costumes.

The official synopsis of the play captures the essence of the story:

Spirited Away follows the captivating journey of Chihiro, who, while moving to a new home with her family, accidentally enters a realm filled with extraordinary spirits governed by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are transformed into pigs and she is forced to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must rely on her cleverness to navigate this bizarre world, rescue her parents, and find a way back to reality.

For those unable to attend the world tour, there’s good news: a filmed version of the production is available through an outlet. It premiered in North American theaters in April 2023 and was later released on Blu-ray. It can also be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV.

This announcement arrives just weeks before the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away on July 20. Since its release, the film has solidified its status as one of the most impactful animated features of the 21st century, prompting audiences to rethink the potential of animation. It significantly boosted the global recognition of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, demonstrating that animation can convey complex, mature narratives that resonate with both children and adults.

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