Stories from the set

The character No-Face personifies the silkworm, which plays a significant role in Japanese culture.

Miyazaki came up with the appearance of most of the Gods himself, and drew some from Japanese folklore.

According to the director's original plan, the film was supposed to be more than three hours long.

The film's original title translates as «Sen and the Mysterious Disappearance of Chihiro».

Chihiro's family was traveling in a first-generation Audi A4 sedan.

This is the first film to reach $200 million in box office revenue before its release in the United States.

The fantasy scene of the river spirit taking a bath is based on real events from Hayao Miyazaki's life. He once took part in cleaning a river and, among other things, pulled a bicycle out of the bottom.

One of the pillows in the bedroom of Bo, Yubaba's son, is decorated with an image of the cat Jiji from another Hayao Miyazaki anime, «Kiki's Delivery Service».