In 2001, the anime landscape changed forever with the release of Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus. The co-founder of Studio Ghibli oversaw the debut of Spirited Away decades ago, and still, the film remains one of the industry’s greatest of all time. Over the years, new details about the epic fantasy have come to light, but some questions remained persistently unanswered. But thanks to Miyazaki himself, we have finally learned a key detail about Spirited Away’s iconic No-Face.
The confession comes from Nippon Television’s Friday Road Show, a regular block aired in Japan. It was there a special version of Spirited Away aired in Japan following the New Year, and the program itself shared a comment from Miyazaki regarding No-Face’s identity.
“There are a lot of No-Face [people] around you… I believe there are people everywhere who latch on to others but don’t have their own sense of self,” Miyazaki shared. So as you can see, one of Spirited Away’s most persistent questions has been answered.
No-Face Is Just Like Us & That Makes the Character Powerful
Now if you feel this quote is familiar, well — you have a good memory. Miyazaki did address No-Face’s mysterious identity back in 2024. A few years ago, the Studio Ghibli co-founder shared a similar breakdown with Friday Road Show as Spirited Away took over the popular television block.
“There are many people like No-Face in our midst… They are the type of person who latches on to others but doesn’t have a sense of self. They are everywhere,” the network originally shared on Miyazaki’s behalf.
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For years, ever since Spirited Away was released, theories regarding No-Face’s identity have been plentiful. The character is now an iconic part of Studio Ghibli’s mythos, and No-Face’s fame has only grown in the past decade. The character’s expressionless face and foreboding figure has sparked countless conspiracies. No-Face’s design is plain enough to take on characteristics of those around him as he’s quite literally see-through, and Spirited Away makes it clear the character loves few things more than adoration. After being gifted a feast and praise, No-Face embraces his self-importance before Chihiro gives him a reality check. Spirited Away then shows No-Face shadowing Chihiro as he learns from the young girl, ultimately ending the movie by Zeniba’s side.
For years, the mystery surrounding No-Face has kept the Studio Ghibli fandom guessing, but Miyazaki’s resurfaced comment should put an end to all the speculation. At the end of the day, No-Face is no god. He is just like us, and in the end, that is what makes the anime icon powerful.
10/10
Release Date
July 20, 2001
Runtime
125 minutes
