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Quote 5

Boh: “If you make Sen cry, I won’t like you anymore.”

Boh says this to his mother, Yubaba, when they return to the bathhouse. His impertinence is surprising, since Yubaba has sheltered and pampered him for his entire life. Boh learns much about the world when he is transformed into the Boh-mouse. His more manageable size enables him to accompany Sen on the greatest adventure of his life, and Sen shows him there is more to life than mindless luxury. He observes how she rejects greed for good deeds and sees how her devotion and honor affect those around her. He finds joy in making something for a friend and participating in the real world, as opposed to the virtual reality in which his mother imprisons him. He eventually respects Sen so much that he rejects his mother to help her, even though it means Sen will become Chihiro again and leave him behind. While Chihiro’s parents may not be the best role models for her, and Yubaba may not be a great role model for Boh, Chihiro and Boh draw from their own wells of good judgment and kindness to make the right choices.

Boh’s statement also reveals the transforming power of loyalty and strong friendships in Spirited Away. Throughout her ordeal, Chihiro never wavers in her loyalty to her parents, but as she makes friends in the spirit world and becomes committed to those friendships, her loyalties expand. She must make fast decisions and figure out her priorities. As Sen, Chihiro ends up risking her chance to save her parents by saving No-Face and Haku with the herbal cake she received from the ancient river spirit. In return, Kamaji sacrifices his long-treasured train tickets to send Sen to see Zeniba. He does so because of the loyalty Sen shows her friends, a loyalty Kamaji calls love. Sen’s loyalty inspires loyalty in others, even in the spoiled, selfish Boh.

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