Studio Ghibli are responsible for creating some of the most colorful and imaginative animated films of all time. Their most famous release is Hayao Miyazaki's coming-of-age fantasy, Spirited Away. The film follows 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino into the spirit world of Japanese folklore to free her parents from the clutches of the witch Yubaba. Overflowing with enchanting characters and gorgeous artwork, it has encouraged fans from across the globe (including Ariana Grande) to permanently ink their favorite characters and scenes onto their bodies.
A powerful form of self-expression, tattoos carry varied symbolism and meaning for each person, and with Spirited Away having such a strong, passionate fanbase, there are thousands of stunning tattoos emblazoned on limbs inspired by the film, capturing everything from the bold colors to extravagant scenery to the story's heart-warming themes. Here are some of the very best Spirited Away tattoos bound to scratch the ink-itch for body art fans—and perhaps inspire a Ghibli-themed piece of your own.
10 A Spirited Sleeve
While some people prefer smaller tattoos as a statement of their fandom, a full sleeve dedicated to a piece of artwork is not for the faint hearted. Hours of planning and sitting under a needle is required, and this tattoo by Andrew Douglas (who specializes in bringing anime heroes to life through body art) certainly wasn't a small job.
Full of color and character, it not only impressively replicates the Studio Ghibli style, but blends together beautifully in one cohesive sleeve. There's an incredible amount of detail as one character feeds into the next, working its way down the entire arm.
9 Yubaba's Bathhouse
Yubaba's bathhouse is one of Spirited Away's central locations. A resting spot for spirits to refresh, Chihiro begins working at the bathhouse so she can stay in the spirit world until she has devised a plan to rescue her parents.
Kevin Furness has a knack for making his cartoon-inspired tattoos burst to life. This stunning recreation of the scene where Chihiro stands before Yubaba's traditional bathhouse pops with the bold, warm colors of the film, taking her first steps towards her larger-than-life adventure. Not only is this a stunning anime tattoo, but the building's appearance consequently evokes a style similar to traditional Japanese tattoos, nicely tying into Spirited Away's commentary on the new versus the traditional.
8 Haku and Chihiro
Although Haku is considered to be cold-hearted, working as Yubaba's subordinate in the bathhouse, he's always kind and loyal when it comes to guiding Chihiro through the spirit world. Their friendship is beautifully captured in this stunning black and grey tattoo by Kodi Ellis.
It may be small, but it is crammed full of detail, and the heartfelt emotion depicted on each character's face instantly reminds us of the pair's blossoming friendship as they come to care for each other. Haku arguable shows more emotion in his white dragon form, so their embrace is a beautiful moment in the film, translated wonderfully in this tattoo.
7 The Radish Spirit
The bathhouse is full of peculiar beings, but one in particular stood out above the rest. The Radish Spirit may have only made a brief appearance in Spirited Away, but the adorable, awkward character stole viewers' hearts when he begrudgingly joined Chihiro and Lin in the elevator.
The spirit makes for a perfect small tattoo, and Georgina Liliane's placing the character in a warm bowl of ramen (instead of a warm bath) makes for a magnificent, unique work of art. And if that isn't cute enough, Georgina's portfolio includes lots of different Ghibli-inspired designs, including the adorable Ootori-Sama bathing in a cup of matcha tea!
6 No-Face
No-Face is arguably the most iconic character to emerge from Spirited Away, instantly recognizable on merchandise, clothing, and artwork outside the realms of the movie. The lonely, adaptable masked spirit has caught the imagination of thousands of viewers and has consequently been tattooed onto countless body parts.
While many opt for his classic tube-like appearance, this black and white rendering of No-Face, with its mask slipping and full form on display, stands out as one of the very best. Created by Iann Beneteli, his gorgeous black inkwork brilliantly captures No-Face's more horrific side, it's true monstrous mouth fully on display.
5 Soot Sprites
Is there anything more adorable in Studio Ghibli's fantastical films than the Susuwatari? Originally appearing as dust bunnies in My Neighbor Totoro, these little balls of dirt are full of character. In Spirited Away, they work in Kamaji's boiler room, carrying coal for him. They quickly befriend Chihiro, as well as the giant baby Boh, following his unfortunate transformation into an adorable little mouse.
tattooist_louie_ has beautifully recaptured the tiny creatures' friendship in this dainty tattoo. The crisp linework, light shading, and subtle pops of color gives this piece a really elegant appearance. It looks almost as if it has been lifted from the animation cells themselves and delicately placed on the skin.
4 A Villainous Portrait
While some people are drawn towards heroes, it's the villains who speak loudest to others. Yababa is an intimidating, larger than life character, and this tattoo brilliantly captures her personality. Surrounded by her trusty Kashira—three bodiless, green-headed brothers—grimly eyeballing anyone who looks, it's a wonderful snapshot of the film's main antagonists.
Russell Van Schaick's stunning use of watercolors really makes this piece of body art stand out, adding his own unique flair to the design (which is part of a larger Spirited Away sleeve). Animation fans be warned—hours can be lost scrolling through his colorful portfolio!
3 Through The Garden
Seoul-based artist polyc_sj has an incredibly distinctive style that's well suited to anime and comic-themed tattoos. Playing with solid blocks of bright colors, panel-like layouts, and strong geometric shapes contrasting subtle background detail, it's hardly surprising they have a large number of Ghibli-themed tattoos in their portfolio.
Recreating this fan-favorite scene where Haku leads Chihiro through the garden to find her parents, it beautifully captures the emotion of the scene with the bright cherry blossoms mirroring the beautiful pink rhododendrons Chihiro rushes through in the film. But this tattoo stands out thanks to the artist's eye-catching design.
2 The Train Scene
One of the most highly regarded scenes from Spirited Away, Chihiro's train journey with Boh and No-Face presents a moment of melancholic tranquility in a film packed full of unbelievable feats and extreme characters. It provides our hero with an important moment of quiet to reflect on her adventure as she moves through the spirit world on the coveted train.
Jeremy Sloo has captured the distinct calmness of this key scene in this outstanding piece. Tattoos are well known for being a life-long commitment that No-Face's transparent illusion is an incredible feat, fading away as if he might disappear from the artwork completely.
1 An Unbreakable Bond
Of course we have another Chihiro and Haku piece on this list! Their friendship is so integral to the film, it has been recognized countless times by eager fans and their tattoo artists. While many recreate Studio Ghibli's iconic artwork directly, peipokes' reimagining breathes new life into the characters' loving embrace. Presenting Chihiro in a more grown-up manner is only fitting considering Spirited Away's coming-of-age story.
Giving the characters a more realistic, traditional appearance, Pei's clean, light lines packs the tattoo full of detail. Combined with a simple dash of color and an elegant floral border, this is a gorgeous, feminine piece of artwork.