How Billie Eilish Transformed Spirited Away Into a Song

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is a masterpiece of fantasy animation, weaving a tale of self-discovery, family bonds, environmentalism, and cultural critique. The story follows ten-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into a mystical world where her parents are turned into pigs, forcing her to navigate a realm both wondrous and perilous to reclaim her identity and return home. Capturing the film’s rich layers in song would be a daunting task for any artist—but Billie Eilish took on the challenge, distilling Spirited Away’s magic into her evocative track, CHIHIRO.

From Dreamlike Animation to Dreamlike Music

Much like many Studio Ghibli films, Spirited Away has a dreamlike quality that resonates deeply with Eilish. The singer’s affinity for translating her subconscious thoughts into art—especially drawing—parallels the film’s visual storytelling. “I have crazy f—ing dreams,” Eilish once shared, explaining how drawing and creativity help her process emotions and ideas. She describes how she “draws the song” when composing, a visceral process that perfectly suits the layered narratives found in both her music and Miyazaki’s work.

A Tale of Names and Identity

Central to Spirited Away is the theme of names and identity. In the film, Chihiro’s friend Haku explains how the witch Yubaba controls people by stealing their names, a metaphor for losing oneself. Eilish’s song opens with a direct nod to this: “When I come back around, will I know what to say? / Said you won’t forget my name / Not today, not tomorrow.” These lines evoke the anxiety and defiance threaded through the film’s story—the fight to retain identity amid disorienting change.

Lyrics and Soundscapes Mirror the Film’s Mood

Eilish’s lyrics and musical arrangements craft a wistful, murky atmosphere that echoes the haunting visuals and emotional complexity of Spirited Away. The repeated plea, “Open the door, can you open the door?” channels the urgency and vulnerability that Chihiro experiences, capturing her descent into loss and struggle.

The sonic palette—rich with Eilish’s signature ethereal tones—forms a perfect fusion of the artist’s voice and the film’s mood. “It’s kind of from her point of view, mixed with mine,” Eilish told Rolling Stone, praising Studio Ghibli’s stunning visuals as “some of the best ever.”

Inspiration from a Shared Experience

The song’s creation followed a recent viewing of Spirited Away with her brother Finneas, who produced the track. Eilish recalls being struck by the memorable imagery of the flooded train gliding across a vast watery expanse—a surreal, oceanic scene that stayed with her. Finneas crafted the beat as they immersed themselves in the film’s evocative world. “I love that movie. I’ve seen it so many times,” she said.

A New Artistic Frontier

For Eilish, Spirited Away opened creative doors, inspiring her to push artistic boundaries on her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. The film’s rich symbolism and emotional depth allowed her to explore themes of loss, identity, and resilience in fresh ways, proving that great storytelling—whether on screen or in song—transcends mediums and generations.

Through CHIHIRO, Billie Eilish transforms Miyazaki’s enchanting tale into a haunting musical experience, inviting listeners to journey alongside her into the spiritual and emotional depths of Spirited Away’s timeless world.