Among all the films in Studio Ghibli’s collection, "Spirited Away” stands as the most widely recognized internationally, thanks to its exotic, hauntingly beautiful art direction rooted in Japanese tradition. Enchanting atmosphere aside, the same issues that tend to affect most Studio Ghibli films remain evident. Miyazaki may be a master at crafting fantastical realms and populating them with memorable characters, but his storytelling often leaves a sense of incompleteness. “Spirited Away” kicks off on a promising note, maintaining momentum until Chihiro’s departure from the bathhouse. After that, the story loses direction and finds a hasty and understated resolution, without providing a proper payoff to the audience.

I've read in a few articles that Miyazaki intended the film as an inside joke meant to point the finger at Studio Ghibli's toxic environment and internal struggles following its mainstream success, allegedly portraying lead producer Suzuki as the villain. It’s an intriguing concept that offers a glimpse into Miyazaki’s view of the industry, but there’s no way it can be understood by watching the film on its own, starting a trend for Miyazaki of closing in on himself and writing stories that only he can understand, with Suzuki thinking of misleading universal interpretations for the marketing department.