‘Spirited Away: Live On Stage’ Blu-Ray Review – Whimsical Stage Adaptation Delivers Its Own Unique Charms

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), SPIRITED AWAY: Live on Stage features two unique casts and performances filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

For in-depth thoughts on Spirited Away: Live On Stage, please see my colleague Cody Allen’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Spirited Away: Live On Stage comes to Blu-Ray fresh from being filmed in Tokyo with two different performances of the show with different lead actresses provided on two separate discs. The resulting presentation is a dazzling journey that presents this material practically perfectly. This presentation is simply the stage version of the show captured with the utmost professional care. The image looks wonderfully crisp and clear with natural skin tones and some highly detailed facial features and makeup effects. 

The adaptation does a nice job of translating the fantastical setting of the animated film to a real-life theatrical aesthetic that delivers its own brand of magic. The transfer remains sharp and detailed with no real variance from sequence to sequence. The colors featured in the footage have a pleasing sense of vibrancy to them. The transfer does not feature anything in the way of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. This is an experience that impresses in high definition.  

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray disc comes with a strong DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track in the original Japanese with optional English subtitles. The sonic intention is not to completely immerse in the way that a feature film can, yet this track captures every intended facet of this adaptation effortlessly in a way that transports you. Whether listening to the dialogue or giving yourself over to the musical components, every sound comes through with a natural fidelity that bolsters the experience. It does not quite feel like you are in the audience due to the lack of a surround sound presentation, but the experience is exactly what it needs to be. There were no digital anomalies or other issues spotted. Both performances deliver in every way.

Special Features

There are no special features provided for this release. 

Final Thoughts

Spirited Away: Live On Stage is an experience that does not feel like it should work. The sensation of watching a Hayao Miyazaki feature is unparalleled, and the feature film Spirited Away is one of his greatest achievements. To have that translated outside of the realm of animation feels like folly, yet the realm of theater is just removed from reality enough to conjure its own distinct world. This production is an entirely different thing from the film, and it is fantastic. The care put into translating this world into something tangible is breathtaking, and the performers bring so much personality to the characters. This set even gives you the option to see two different interpretations of the lead role, which seems like a unique treat most audiences cannot experience. GKIDS and Shout! Studios have released a Blu-Ray with a terrific A/V presentation but no additional special features. We feel very grateful that this unique artistic achievement has been captured and preserved for posterity. Highly Recommended 

Spirited Away: Live On Stage will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray on November 14, 2023. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: GKIDS and Shout! Studios have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.