Case Study Notes: "Spirited Away" and "One Summer's Day"

Upcoming Case Study

• Original release goal: End of March
• New release goal: Early April
• Reason: Presenter will be away filming

Resurrected Past Video: "Spirited Away" (October 2018)

• Original video: Taken down by Studio Ghibli
• New version: Edited to meet fair use standards (most of the film audio removed)
• Content: Essentially the same as the original

Theme of Change

• Change is a constant and necessary part of life
• Change can be painful and unexpected
• Key question: Can music express the process of change?

Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli)

• Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
• Plot Summary:
  • Chihiro and her family move to a new place and encounter a mysterious tunnel leading to a strange town
  • Parents turn into pigs, and Chihiro navigates a bizarre world to save them
  • Key themes: Consumption, loss of identity, capitalist systems

Main Theme: "One Summer's Day" by Joe Hisaishi

• Opening: Four chords set the stage
  • First three chords: Comfortable (4-1-flat 7 progression with extensions and major sevens)
  • Fourth chord: C# minor, creates a strange left turn
• A Section: Chordal chords in parallel motion, solo piano melody
  • Vague, uncertain feeling
  • Influence: Claude Debussy, Impressionist movement
• B Section: Conventional tonality with a gorgeous melody
  • Phrases end with unexpected chords, maintaining uncertainty
  • Includes transitions that create a transporting feel
• Ending: F major seven chord, unresolved

Use of "One Summer's Day" in Spirited Away

• Appears Four Times:
  1. Opening: Chihiro and family driving to new home
  2. Outside Pigpen: Chihiro and Haku at pigpen where her parents are
  3. Journey to Zeniba: Chihiro plans to save Haku by journeying to Zeniba
  4. Ending: Chihiro says goodbye to Haku and leaves town with parents
• Function of Scenes: Mark turning points or new acts
• Themes in Scenes: Journey, change, identity, family
• Piece Use: Signals major change in the story

Scene Analyses

1. Driving to New Home:

• Chihiro's apprehension about moving
• Themes: Identity in a new place, family dynamic
• Music reflects journey and rising intensity

2. Outside Pigpen:

• Chihiro and Haku share a moment of kindness
• Themes: Identity (Chihiro's name and card), family
• Longest use of the piece, leading to increased confidence in Chihiro

3. Journey to Zeniba:

• Chihiro decides to take matters into her own hands
• Themes: Journey, newfound sense of self and identity
• Music reflects Chihiro's growing independence

4. Ending:

• Chihiro says goodbye and leaves town
• Changed piece title: "The Return"
• Reflects Chihiro's personal growth and transformation

Weird Elements of Spirited Away

• Unexplained, bizarre events (e.g., parents turning into pigs, shadow creatures, river spirit)
• No in-depth lore explanation; viewers take the world as it is
• Music mirrors the film's unpredictability and beauty

Conclusion

• Music and film: Both leave a lasting impression due to their handling of change and unpredictability
• Importance of change: Inevitable and necessary for growth