Spirited Away - Recommendations

• TV (366 eps)
• 2004 - 2012

Fifteen-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki is a typical teen with fighting skills, two caring sisters and a special trait: he can see ghosts. However, when Ichigo and his family find themselves under attack by a huge beast, Ichigo discovers that there’s more to the supernatural world than the everyday specter. Vengeful spirits known as Hollows roam the world in search of devouring souls, and Shinigami – soul reapers – work tirelessly to defeat them and guide normal ghosts into a place called Soul Society. Ichigo valiantly fights the Hollow that threatens his sisters, but on the verge of defeat a Shinigami named Rukia gives him her powers, turning him into a Shinigami himself. Ichigo must now adjust to his new life of both vanquishing and saving souls for the sake of Soul Society.

• OVA (1 ep x 70 min)
• 1985

Yohko Asagiri is in love but is afraid to confess her feelings, so she writes a song to express her feelings. Much to her dismay, the love song she wrote acted as a bridge connecting the world in which she lived in to that of Earth's alternate world called "Ashanti." There, the ruler of that world wants her song so that he could use it to open a doorway to Yohko's world and conquer it with his armies. Using the artifacts left behind by the legendary warrior Leda who prophesized her arrival, Yohko and her newfound friends must stop the tyrant's ambition and return both worlds to their proper place and balance.

• Movie (1 ep x 27 min)
• 2009

Rumors have it that a monster has appeared over the city, and Yuki would love to catch a glimpse! However, she soon discovers something even more fascinating: a boy named Tetsu not only knows of the monsters, he has a monster pet of his own named Cenco! Yuki is delighted to meet such a creature and tags along with Tetsu to find out more, but soon the two find themselves in the middle of a dangerous conflict with another monster that threatens them and bystanders alike!

• TV (12 eps)
• 2010

Incensed at the damage done to the sea and its wildlife at the the hands of humanity, Squid Girl rises from the depths of the ocean to enslave humanity! Her mission proves more difficult than it first seems, however, when she gets dragooned into working at the Aizawa beach restaurant. Will the easily distracted, blissfully ignorant, and slightly thick Ika-Musume convert her managers' humble house into her base? Will she use the power of her mighty tentacles to bring all of humanity to heel? Or will she at least learn how to properly wait tables?

• Movie (1 ep x 100 min)
• 2009

16-year-old Haruka is on a mission to find her mirror - a precious childhood gift from her mother that mysteriously disappeared. While following a strange foxlike creature in the woods, she tumbles into a mystical world where once-cherished toys and treasures go when their owners neglect them. Join Haruka and her new friend Teo on a roller coaster ride of adventure as they contend with the island's greedy ruler - who wants the mirror for his own evil plan!

• TV (13 eps)
• 2009

Life continues as normal for Natsume - he still lives with the friendly Fujiwaras, walks home with his school friends, and spends his free time adventuring with spirits! However, as his encounters soon reveal, the relationship between spirits and humans is a delicate one and not always friendly either. As Natsume slowly uncovers the mystery of his grandmother Reiko as well as his own unique purpose, can he use the Book of Friends to reconcile the needs of spirits and humans?

• Movie (1 ep x 116 min)
• 2011

When she hears a strange song from a crystal radio, Asuna tunes into more than just a magical stream of music. Soon, she is transported to a mysterious world where mythical beasts roam and brave warriors fight for their lives. Agartha is a land of breathtaking beauty and unimaginable danger-a place where, it is believed, even the dead can be brought back to life. But at what cost?

• Movie (1 ep x 94 min)
• 2010

For nearly fourteen years, Arrietty has lived with her parents under the floorboards of a house. As 'tiny people', the family must remain hidden from humans, 'borrowing' items from them such as postage stamps or herbs to cook with. Arrietty is old enough to borrow for the first time, and alongside her father, the two explore the house in search of tissue and sugar. But when the pair is spotted by Sho, a boy who is visiting his great aunt, Arrietty's parents fear for their safety. However, unlike her family, Arrietty is convinced that not all humans are dangerous, and together she and Sho form an unlikely friendship.

• Movie (1 ep x 115 min)
• 2006

In the lush fantasy world of Earthsea, dragons and humans no longer live together as one due to the greed of humanity. It is in this world that the young Prince Arren lives – a young man who is dejected, tormented, and afraid of the ultimate goal of life: death. After killing his father and stealing an heirloom sword forged by magic, Arren sets forth with his trusty steed into the unknown countryside, experiencing the joys and darkness of mankind. Along with the powerful mage Sparrowhawk, an unlikely friend and his own personal angst, Arren must rediscover his desire to live while evil forces threaten his precious life's existence.

• Movie (1 ep x 137 min)
• 2013

In an idyllic rural setting an old bamboo cutter and his wife raise a tiny girl found nestled within a glowing bamboo stalk along with a fortune in gold. As she approaches adulthood the bamboo cutter uses the fortune to purchase a villa in the capital, buy himself a title and employ tutors to transform the country girl—now given the name Kaguya—into a refined woman. News of her beauty brings powerful and wealthy suitors who compete for her hand in marriage, culminating in a proposal from the emperor. All the while Kaguya wishes that she and her family could return to their former life and to be reunited with her sweetheart, Sutemaru. Sooner or later, though, her true origins will make their own claim upon her.