Spirited Away is a story about courage, growth and love. And these stunning Spirited Away tattoos will catch eyeballs and bring strength.
Traditional Japanese bathhouse, endless feast, weird creatures, and seamless adventures…Miyazaki Hayao presented a world of fantasy to us in Spirited Away.
Since its release in 2001, it has become one of the most loved movies for children and adults worldwide.
If the story, the visuals, and the movie’s music resonate with you on a deep level, you are at the right place. From Chihiro tattoos to No-Face and Haku, these Spirited Away tattoos can be your next ink.
What is Spirited Away, and what is it about?
Spirited Away is an anime movie about Chihiro Ogina, an ordinary Japanese girl’s adventures. She and her family wandered into a strange new world by accident. And her parents turned into pigs and lost their humanity. So Chihiro has to navigate through the unknown world and save her parents.
Spirited Away is also a documentary about Chihiro’s growth. As she takes us with her through her journey, we learn about the real meaning of courage, love, friendship, honesty, and purpose.
The plots, the visuals, and the music are simple. But the message behind it is inspiring, and most people can find themselves in the movie. That’s why two decades have passed, and it’s still one of the most influential animes in history.
Why are people getting Spirited Away tattoos?
There are many reasons why people are getting Spirited Away tattoos. And they all boil down to three reasons: the visual appeal, a tribute to a relatable character, or reminders of a quality that the movie reflects.
- Visual appeal
The anime movie is no doubt beautiful. As the story unfolds, it introduces us to breathtaking views and unique characters. Even the supporting characters like No-Face are so visually distinctive that they capture your attention from the getgo.
It’s not surprising that people are getting Spirited Away tattoos for the love of the visuals.
- A tribute to the characters
Each character in the story reflects certain qualities or characteristics.
Chihiro is a spoiled teen who finds courage and responsibility. Haku is lost, but his loyalty to Chihiro guides him to this true self. No-Face represents loneliness and greed but eventually completes his self-redemption.
No character in Spirited Away is perfect. But it’s the flaw that makes them unique and relatable. For many, they see themselves in one of the characters, and Spirited Away tattoos honor the bond.
Disclaimer: This tattoo collection is for inspiration only. Please do not copy the artwork. If you love these tattoos, follow artists and show them some support.
Spirited Away tattoos with meaning
Chihiro Spirited Away tattoo
Chihiro Ogino, the protagonist of Spirited Away, is a schoolgirl who started as a spoiled teenager. However, as her adventure unfolds, she learns about friendship and love, and grows tremendous courage and kindness.
Chihiro is among the most popular subjects of Spirited Away tattoos, not just because she’s the face of the movie. But she also represents change and growth.
This black and grey Chihiro tattoo is inspired by a scene when she looks back with determination and courage. The artist keeps the lines clean and makes it a classic Studio Ghibli tattoo.
Chihiro eating the rice balls
Food is an important element in Studio Ghibli movies.
This small bookmark tattoo features a scene in Spirited Away when Haku comforts the sad Chihiro with his magical rice balls. It’s also the moment when their friendship and love start to bloom.
Chihiro blocking the paper birds
Chihiro might be an ordinary girl. But on her journey, she gained strength. And this tattoo is proof.
It is from a scene in the movie when Haku got hurt by Zeniba’s spell and is chased by her paper birds. Chihiro jumps in to protect him and fearlessly block the paper birds with her body.
It’s the love Chihiro has for Haku that ultimately breaks the spell and saves his life.
Spirited Away and Salvador Dali tattoo
Great minds think alike, and great art elevates each other.
This tattoo is based on Salvador Dali’s painting Young Woman at a Window. The tattooist replaced the woman with Chihiro, and the two blend together seamlessly.
Read also: 40 Out-of-this-world Salvador Dali tattoos with meaning
Sad Chihiro
Don’t look back
This black and grey tattoo originates in the movie scene when Chihiro departs for the train station and probably will never return. However, she is willing to sacrifice to save Haku.
Under the tattoo, there’s a line that says, “now go, and don’t look back.” This is a quote of Haku at the end of the movie when he sends Chihiro back to the human world. The two together paint a picture of a young girl exploring the unknown and leaving the past behind. It’s the moment that she grows into her authentic mature self.
Cheer up, Chihiro
Being trapped in an unknown world with parents becoming pigs, sure thing is upsetting.
However, the tattooist Yurici adds a doodle flower bouquet to the imagery and brightens the tone. It reminds us that even in the worst time, there is hope.
Chihiro and the bathhouse
In the movie Spirited Away, the bathhouse has significant symbolism. It represents greed, consumerism, society’s hierarchy, and the toxic working culture.
This tattoo features Chihiro facing the bathhouse, not knowing what is waiting for her. But it’s also the place where she would grow into a better version of herself.
This sleeve tattoo beautifully recreates the stunning bathhouse. The vivid colors and accurate illustrations all demonstrate the skills of the tattooist.
Black and grey Spirited Away bathhouse tattoo
Another version of the Spirited Away bathhouse. This is a more subtle option for those who don’t want a cartoon character tattoo.
Haku, the river god
Haku is the river god that gets lost in the Spirited Away world. He became the apprentice of Yubaba, the witch who owns the bathhouse. He has two forms, the human form as a young man and the dragon form.
This tattoo features his human form. It has perfect lines and shadows and perfectly captures the hair’s glow.
Haku in the form of a dragon
Dragons symbolize disastrous power and sometimes evil energy in western culture. That’s why dragon tattoos can be seen as menacing.
But in Eastern countries like Japan and China, it’s a different story. Dragons often represent royalty. In some cases, they are the guardians of a dynasty, a city, or a river, just like Haku in Spirited Away.
This tattoo perfectly captures the shape and details of Haku. The pure white and green color combo gives a divinity to the character.
Stunning Haku bookmark tattoo
Another stunning Haku tattoo. Such a stunning and elaborate tattoo will capture the attention of anyone, even people that are not fans of the movie.
The sunrise background provides color contrast. And the way Haku is positioned outside of the frame adds motion to stillness.
Chihiro and Haku tattoo
What seems to be a normal black and grey anime tattoo actually comes from an important scene in Spirited Away.
It took place when Haku reunites with Chihiro at Zeniba’s home. Chihiro is thrilled to see him as she thinks he is dead. And what this scene implies is clear: it’s love that breaks the curse.
You will be ok.
Haku and Chihiro start to bond early in the movie. This tattoo features the scene when Chihiro breaks into tears after seeing her parents as pigs. Haku reassures her and gives her strength and comfort.
Chihiro might be unlucky to fall into the strange world. But meeting Haku is a blessing of life. If you have someone in your life that makes you feel the same, this tattoo may resonate with you.
Chihiro and Haku falling from the sky
By helping others, we help ourselves. And this cannot be more true when it comes to Haku. He lost his name and his way home at the movie’s beginning. But by helping Chihiro selflessly, he eventually remembers his name too.
This tattoo is from the scene after Haku recalls his name and identity. His scales come off, and he falls from the sky with Chihiro. It marks the moment when he finally finds himself. Such a tattoo is an art of tribute and a reminder never to lose ourselves.
Say goodbye
Chihiro’s returning to the human world is bittersweet. On the one hand, she can have her parents and normal life back. But on the other, it means she has to say goodbye to her soulmate Haku.
This tattoo features two scenes when they farewell to each other. Haku tells her to go and never look back. He let go of her hands, and she did what he told her to do. But it gives a glimpse of hope with Haku’s promise to meet each other again. The love between the two makes these this black and grey anime tattoo an emotional piece.
Chihiro and Haku friendship tattoo
Another simple and small tattoo dedicated to Chihiro and Haku. In the tattoo, the two hold hands and look in the same direction.
In the movie, they are looking at the grass that used to be a river. Now with the water gone, Chihiro can return to the human world. It’s the last scene in the movie of the two together. But their connection will go on forever.
I will protect you
Haku, in the movie, is not just a river god with magical power. He’s also the protector of Chihiro, her guardian angel.
This tattoo captures the moment when Yubaba is flying above the town, searching for Chihiro. And Haku is blocking her from Yubaba’s view.
If you have someone in your life that keeps you safe, this tattoo will honor your relationship.
Beautiful Chihiro and Haku love tattoo
One thing that the fans argue is whether Chihiro and Haku fall in love in Spirited Away. The tattooist gives her answer with this beautiful tattoo.
Chihiro hugs Haku from the back. And the two are surrounded by cherry blossoms. And there’s nothing more real than the love between them.
I will always find you
There are lots of Chihiro and Haku tattoos. But what makes this one special is the red thread connecting the two. Two worlds might separate them at the movie’s end, but the red line suggests their bond will stay strong.
Black and grey Chihiro and Haku tattoo
Movie tattoos, painting tattoos, or anime tattoos don’t always have to be exact replication. This tattoo is inspired by the love of Chihiro and Haku, but it’s not based on any scene in the movie.
Instead, it depicts a probable future of the two together again and never apart. It represents the pure love breeding from an incredible journey.
Cute small No-Face tattoo
No-Face is probably one of the most memorable supporting characters in Spirited Away. He shows up at the bathhouse by himself and eventually makes a scene swallowing both food and the staff. He becomes a monster because of loneliness and greed.
This small tattoo portrays a cute assumption. In the movie, No-Face consumes everything in front of him. But in this tattoo, he is picked up by chopsticks and is about to be eaten. The imagination and creativity contrast the movie and make this tattoo unique.
Twin No-Face tattoo
There are many siamese concept designs in Gemini tattoos or tattoos for twins. If you happen one of them, such a tattoo will combine your identity with your love for the character.
No-Face and Vincent Van Gogh tattoo
This tattoo has a lot going in a small diamond frame. The background comes from Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Wheat Field with Cypresses.
The tattooist recreated the painting with stunning colors. And those who love Vincent Van Gogh tattoos will have no problem identifying the iconic painting.
In the foreground, we have No-Face chasing a butterfly. His face shows no emotion as always. But from his posture, we see joy. It’s worth mentioning that the butterfly is in the same yellow-orange color as the field, which keeps a cohesive balance in the painting.
Read also: 21 Stunning Vincent Van Gogh tattoos with meaning
A cute No-Face and bathhouse charm
A charm is a small ornament often attached to keychains, clothes, or bracelets. In ancient times, charms were worn to protect people from bad luck. This small charm tattoo with No-Face and the Spirited Away bathhouse is a good talisman for those who love the film or Japanese animes.
No-Face tarot card – the Hermit
Hermit often refers to those who love to stay by themselves, or in short, the loners. This tattoo puts No-Face in the Hermit tarot card. It’s a perfect match because No-Face is probably the loneliest character in the movie.
When faced upright, the card suggests self-exploration and calmness. It also means someone is turning away from temptations and seeking a deeper meaning inside, which matches No-Face’s destiny.
I will give you what I have
This is a tattoo that makes you smile but breaks your heart simultaneously.
When you see the story from Chihiro’s perspective, it’s good to have someone willing to give her whatever she needs. But, as portrayed in this tattoo, she turns down the gold No-Face gives her. It shows the difference between her and the other staff. She is undisturbed by materials.
But when you look at it from No-Face’s perspective, the tattoo is saddening. He is willing to give whatever he has in exchange for friendship. But he was rejected because he got the fundamentals wrong: Money doesn’t buy love and happiness. Such a meaningful tattoo will be a permanent reminder of this message.
Cute small No-Face
It’s not as easy as it seems to tattoo No-Face. Yes, it’s basically a black cylinder with a mask on. But he’s also a shadowy character, which means it gets translucent towards the tail.
This tattoo does a great job of capturing this characteristic. It almost feels like No-Face is popping out from the body.
Monstrous No-Face tattoo
While most No-Face tattoos picture the character as innocent and harmless, let’s not forget he has a wild side. This black tattoo shows that he’s someone not to be messed with.
The foodie No-Face arm tattoo
No-Face is no doubt a foodie. This cute small tattoo pictures him eating a cheesecake, just like everyone else in real life. If you love food and the character, this tattoo may speak to you.
No-Face popsicle
If there’s really a No-Face popsicle, will it be sesame or chocolate flavor?
No-Face norigae
Norigae is a traditional Korean pendant that represents good luck. But the one in this tattoo is regular.
You will find the small No-Face in the pendant when you look closer. And above it is a bath token that was used to exchange for bath remedies in Spirited Away. In fact, No-Face stole the bath tokens for Chihiro, which turns out to help her big time.
Because of the thoughts that go into the tattoo, it’s perfect for Spirited Away fans that wish to invite good vibes into life.
No-Face in a rush
Where is No-Face going? No one knows. But the tattooist brings the character closer to us by putting him in a daily setting. Adding the rainbow is a clever move because it makes the tattoo pop out on the skin.
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke
This is such a lovely yin yang tattoo for Studio Ghibli lovers. On the yin side, we can see No-Face and the stars used to feed the soot sprites.
On the yang side, it features the red mask of Princess Mononoke and Kodama, the forest creatures.
Combining the elements and categorizing them by color, this tattoo perfectly integrates the two movies.
No-Face and Haku tattoo
No-Face and Haku might not have many encounters in the movie. But they are both important in Chihiro’s journey.
Haku in this tattoo is badly wounded. The scene happens when he is chased by Zeniba’s paper birds surrounding him in this tattoo. His blood and hair contrast in colors and make this tattoo stand out.
Stunning Haku dragon tattoo
Haku tattoos are not just popular because people love the character. Dragon tattoos are, by nature, eye-catching and versatile. You can add decorative elements like flowers to tailor-make a design to your liking.
No-Face ramen tattoo for foodies
Who doesn’t love ramen? A Spirited Away ramen? Sign me up.
Chihiro and Haku sleeve tattoo
From afar, this arrow tattoo on the shoulder might look symmetrical. But indeed, it’s the elements’ position that gives it balance.
Soot sprites Spirited Away couple tattoos
Soot sprites are the small insects that carry coal into the burner in the bathhouse. They are considered the bottom of the house’s hierarchy.
In Spirited Away, they might seem to be less important. But the fact that so many people love them proves otherwise. They demonstrate kindness bigger than their size. Matching tattoos like these would belong to a kind-hearted couple.
Cute small Soot Sprite on the arm
Small size, big strength. Plus courage and kindness, this is how these small black folks win the heart of people worldwide.
Soot sprites in a gashapon
Such a fun sleeve tattoo that features Tororo and the soot sprites. Gashapon is a popular game machine that originated in Japan. When you insert a coin, one of the balls will come out. But the fun part is, you never know what exactly you will get.
This sleeve tattoo is a perfect piece honoring both childhood memories and the love for Studio Ghibli.
Dark Spirited Away sleeve tattoo
Creepy and dark, this sleeve tattoo features No-Face picking up Chihiro from a bowl of ramen. In the movie, Chihiro manages to escape. But will she be that lucky this time?
Boh mouse forearm tattoo
Boh is a big fat baby and the son of Yubaba, the villain of the movie. When Zeniba turns him into a mouse, he is forced to follow Chihiro. And he becomes her companion on her journey.
He used to be a spoiled kid, just like Chihiro. But they grow together and learn how to be a good friend. The Boh mouse might make a cute tattoo, like this one. But it also represents something more profound: strength and kindness can be small and quiet.
Kashira arm tattoo
Kashira is the heads of three brothers bouncing around. They are the helpers of Yubaba.
The name of Kashira in Japanese also means “I wonder.” They resemble the Japanese Daruma dolls, which remind us of the deep connection between the movie and real life.
Ōtori-Sama – the Spirited Away duck
Ōtori-Sama, also known as the Spirited Away ducks, are clients of Yubaba’s bathhouse. And honestly, who doesn’t love these cute ducks bathing in hot water?
Ōtori-Sama and Soot Sprites
Ōtori-Sama in a bowl
Yubaba from Spirited Away tattoo
Yubaba – the witch, the villain and the owner of the bathhouse. She turns Chihiro’s parents into pigs and steals her name. Yet, the fact that her identical twin is so kind and loving tells an important truth: good and evil can look alike. And we can only tell them apart by our hearts.
Yubaba and her bathhouse
Which of these Spirited Away tattoos is your favorite?
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