Studio Ghibli‘s impact on American media has always been wide-ranging, but its influence has officially reached the pop music industry thanks to a song in the third studio album of US music artist and songwriter Billie Eilish, CHIHIRO, which was inspired by one of Ghibli’s most famous movies, Spirited Away.

On May 17, 2024, Billie Eilish released her long-awaited third studio album. Hit Me Hard And Soft, with 10 songs on the track list, the album contains 45 minutes of impactful, incredibly personal ballads. Eilish co-wrote the album’s unique pieces alongside her brother Finneas.

Together, the two created a groundbreaking collection of songs, each complete with hidden nuances and references to fellow artists. In addition, Billie noted to Zane Lowe in an interview with Apple Music, that “This is the most ‘me’ thing I’ve ever made.” However, anime fans may be surprised to learn that one of the songs is actually a hat-tip to one of Studio Ghibli’s best film, Spirited Away.

Studio Ghibli’s Most Popular Film Inspires One of Pop Music’s Biggest Artist

Spirited Away Inspired Eilish’s New Song: CHIHIRO

Following the adventures of a 10-year-old girl into the spirit realm located in an abandoned amusement park, Spirited Away is Miyzaki’s first Academy Award-Winning feature film that has well-earned its title of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic project. The film’s theatrical release was back in 2001, but even today, it continues to inspire Hollywood’s most prominent artists. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Eilish discussed her song, CHIHIRO, based on Spirited Away’s protagonist of the same name:

“The song is loosely based off of that movie, which is one of my favorites. It’s kind of from her point of view, mixed with mine. The visuals in that movie are some of the best ever.” – Billie Eilish

Lyrical References to Spirited Away in CHIHIRO

Spirited Away Influenced the Song’s Beat, Lyrics, and Music Video

Billie also noted in her interview with Rolling Stone that the song’s beat and music video is primarily inspired by the film’s stunning visuals and environments:

“There’s all those visuals of the train in the water after the flood, and it literally looks like an ocean with a train track. I had just watched Spirited Away, and Finneas had made that beat. I love that movie. I had seen it so many times.” – Billie Eilish

However, fans of Eilish and Ghibli’s films, such as @gibsonnggirl and @liitlink on X, have also pointed out several lyrical nods to the film’s messages and underlying themes. For example, “I saw you turn around, but it wasn’t your face” could be a reference to multiple moments, including Chihiro struggling to remember her parent’s faces after they turn into pigs.

On the other hand, it could also be a reference to Chihiro not fully recognizing Haku in his dragon form.

Furthermore, “and you don’t know if you’ll make it back / I said, no, don’t say that” may be referencing the film’s overarching story of Haku helping Chihiro get back home despite their many challenges.

Finally, “And that’s when you found me, I was waitin’ in the garden. Contemplatin’, beg your pardon” could be representative of Chihiro and Haku’s touching scene in the garden outside the pig farm, sharing onigiri.

Both Billie and Finneas share a strong connection to Spirited Away. Not only did it inspire her recent album’s most talked about song, but she mentioned to Vice Australia that her 2019 album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, is also accredited to Ghibli’s projects: “I owe most of it to Spirited Away and Miyazaki.”

“It is so weirdly unrealistic but realistic; when Finneas saw Spirited Away, he was so scared from the parents turning into pigs that he had to go to therapy for years because of it. I remember watching and being like, “This is hard,” and I watch it over and over and over…” – Billie Eilish

Even though Spirited Away is over 20 years old, its influence and impact on Japanese and American media are unmatched, and it’s thanks to artists such as Billie Eilish and Finneas that help fans remember the ingenious qualities of Studio Ghibli’s best films.

Sources: Rolling Stone;