I Saw the "Spirited Away" Stage Show in Seoul — A Middle School Memory Brought Back to Life
In January 2026, I attended the stage production of "Spirited Away" at the Seoul Arts Center. The magic I felt watching the film as a middle schooler over 20 years ago came rushing back.
Hello, everyone.
I recently attended the stage production of "Spirited Away" at the Opera House in the Seoul Arts Center.
The animated film "Spirited Away" was released on July 20, 2001. For me, it's one of my most cherished middle school memories. I still vividly remember the impact of seeing it for the first time in a movie theater. More than 20 years later, I never imagined that this film would be adapted for the stage — let alone that I'd get to see it performed live in Korea.
Here's what that unforgettable experience was like.
What Is the "Spirited Away" Stage Production?
The stage version of "Spirited Away" premiered in March 2022 at Tokyo's Imperial Theatre as a 90th anniversary production by Toho. The adaptation was directed by John Caird, the British theater legend known for his work on "Les Miserables" and a Tony Award winner. Ghibli fans worldwide watched closely to see how he would bring Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece to the stage.
In 2024, the show completed a 135-performance run at the London Coliseum, filling nearly 2,300 seats every night and attracting over 300,000 audience members — making it the largest-ever overseas run of a Japanese-language stage production.
After a run in Shanghai, China in 2025, the show came to the Seoul Arts Center Opera House from January to March 2026.
The Seoul Arts Center Opera House: A Special Venue
The Seoul Arts Center, located in Seocho-gu, is one of Korea's premier cultural complexes, housing seven theaters and three galleries/museums. The Opera House, with its 2,283 seats, is one of Korea's largest performing arts venues.
From the moment I stepped into the building, the atmosphere signaled something special. In the lobby before the show, I noticed many fans who had traveled from abroad specifically for this production — a testament to the level of anticipation surrounding it.
Stunning Quality — The Animation Comes to Life Before Your Eyes
I'll be honest: I had some anxiety going in.
The fantastical world, the otherworldly spirits, the flying scenes, the eerie presence of No-Face... Without CGI, how could live performers recreate any of this?
Those doubts vanished within minutes of the curtain rising.
The Magic Starts with the Title
The opening sequence projects the "Spirited Away" title, and the two kanji characters for "Sen" (千) remain on screen before transforming into a torii gate. From that moment, I was completely transported into Ghibli's world.
Puppetry and Stagehands Create Something Extraordinary
The production's defining choice is its commitment to analog craftsmanship.
Kamaji's six arms are operated by stagehands in black (kuroko), moving so seamlessly that you genuinely forget they're there. The scene where Haku transforms into a dragon and flies with Chihiro uses nothing but physical performance, lighting, and coordinated stagecraft — yet they truly appear to be soaring.
You can see the mechanisms, but they never break the illusion. If anything, watching magic being created by human hands deepens the emotional impact. This is the essence of live theater.
The River Spirit Transformation
One scene that particularly stood out was the Stink Spirit (Okusare-sama) revealing itself to be a River God. This iconic moment from the film was brilliantly adapted for the stage, drawing audible gasps from the audience. Watching the creature transform from filth to majesty felt like witnessing real magic.
No-Face's Presence
No-Face's rampage — growing larger and more monstrous — was handled with incredible ingenuity specific to the stage format. Seeing something that animation renders effortlessly being recreated through human craft and creativity brought a fresh sense of wonder.
Joe Hisaishi's Score, Performed Live
Another major highlight was hearing Joe Hisaishi's original score performed by a live orchestra.
Those familiar melodies — heard countless times through the film — took on entirely new life in a live setting. The music synced perfectly with the on-stage action, amplifying the emotion tenfold.
When that iconic theme began to play, the excitement I'd felt in a movie theater as a middle schooler came flooding back. I won't pretend my eyes didn't get a little misty.
Outstanding Cast
The production featured a stellar cast including Mone Kamishiraishi and Rina Kawaei as Chihiro, and the legendary Mari Natsuki as Yubaba/Zeniba.
What's remarkable is how naturally the performers embody their characters. Watching an adult convincingly portray a 10-year-old girl — through posture, movement, and expression — was a masterful achievement.
Miyu Sakihi and Mina Kazakaze delivered bold, spirited performances as Lin. Satoshi Hashimoto brought new depth to Kamaji. And Mari Natsuki, who voiced Yubaba in the original film, brought an overwhelming stage presence that confirmed she is inseparable from the character.
The Korean Audience's Response
I was curious to see how a Korean audience would receive the show.
The roughly 2,000-seat venue was packed. The audience skewed young, and reactions were strong throughout — hushed silence during emotional scenes, open laughter during comedic moments. The curtain call brought a standing ovation that confirmed the production's ability to transcend language barriers.
Despite being performed entirely in Japanese (with Korean subtitles), the audience was fully immersed. It was a powerful reminder of the universal appeal of Miyazaki's storytelling and the power of live performance.
What I'd Tell My Middle School Self
July 20, 2001. The day "Spirited Away" was released, I was in middle school.
The film became a cultural phenomenon — earning 31.6 billion yen at the Japanese box office, winning the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, and becoming the first Japanese film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
My middle school self could never have imagined that over 20 years later, I'd be watching this story performed live on a stage in Seoul.
Like Chihiro, we all step into unfamiliar worlds every day, face challenges, and grow through them. The reason this story endures across generations is that it carries universal themes we never stop relating to.
One Last Thing — This Is Not a "Live-Action Remake"
I want to emphasize: this production is not a "live-action version" of the film.
Rather than trying to replicate the movie frame by frame, it leverages the unique strengths of live theater to express the world of "Spirited Away" in an entirely new way. That's exactly why even die-hard fans of the film can experience something fresh and deeply moving.
Set design, lighting, sound, puppetry, and above all, the performers themselves — everything combines to transport you to the spirit world.
Show Information
The Seoul run continues through March 22, 2026.
If you're visiting Seoul and have the chance, this is an experience worth making time for. You just might reconnect with a part of yourself you'd forgotten.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Run Dates | January 7 - March 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Seoul Arts Center Opera House |
| Runtime | Approximately 3 hours (including intermission) |
| Language | Performed in Japanese with Korean subtitles |