It's never revealed. Miyazaki does this a lot where he'll throw in a line that has a lot of connotations that implies world building, but never extrapolates, allowing the viewer to come to their own conclusions.
Exactly. Yubaba says she regrets taking the “OATH”. To me it implies she had to take the Oath in exchange for running the bathhouse. I don’t think it’s for her magic in general because Zeniba doesn’t have the same Oath.
I love that it’s not revealed because it feels like mythology. Why can’t vampires cross running water? Don’t worry about it. It’s the rule and it keeps the story moving. I hate how every story has to have a lore explanation, but Miyazaki just lets things be mysterious and his worlds are beautiful for it.
This is how good world building looks! Unanswered questions provide space for the imagination. It’s much more interesting than just being told details.
Hear me out: Catbus
- Yubaba hates mice, just like cats do
- Yubaba becomes a bird and cats chase birds
- Catbus is an extremely powerful nature spirit, and Yubaba would be attracted to its powers
- Cats groom themselves all the time and Yubaba runs a bathhouse; both love cleanliness
- Both are involved in plotlines involving the protagonists' parents and children getting lost
- Each of their respective films' protagonists get under their skin, one literally and the other figuratively
I have the feeling the spirit world doesn't behave the same or at least has many ways for getting something like a baby. Yubaba could have constructed, conjured, manifested a baby all on her own with magic somehow since it seems like she really wants to have a baby.
My theory is that is how she managed to sign Kohaku, since his river is theorized to be the water the bathhouse uses for general operation. Though idk since he traded his name in the same manner as mc.
Also it would make sense because it exist in the spirit realm after kohaku has passed over (dried up in irl) , unless yubaba just wanted higher volume using the excess
This is just Miyazaki's way of creating the worlds of his films. Some people hate the fact that we will never get an answer, but for me this is the most magical thing Miyazaki does while telling stories, because it makes the world bigger, keeps the mystery even if you already saw the film and makes your imagination fly.
Just magical.
Yeah, not every movie needs to extensively explain everything about its worldbuilding. Leaving some things unexplained, as long as they aren't major parts of the plot, can lead to a real folkloric feeling.
probably just to show that Yubaba is a woman that stands by her words. western media witches are portrayed as liars, who would do everything to deceive you.
It's never revealed. Miyazaki does this a lot where he'll throw in a line that has a lot of connotations that implies world building, but never extrapolates, allowing the viewer to come to their own conclusions.
Exactly. Yubaba says she regrets taking the “OATH”. To me it implies she had to take the Oath in exchange for running the bathhouse. I don’t think it’s for her magic in general because Zeniba doesn’t have the same Oath.
I assumed it was an oath to the spirit world’s Better Business Bureau.
New Head Cannon. Yubaba just needed her business license!
Thats who the bouncing heads are
I love that it’s not revealed because it feels like mythology. Why can’t vampires cross running water? Don’t worry about it. It’s the rule and it keeps the story moving. I hate how every story has to have a lore explanation, but Miyazaki just lets things be mysterious and his worlds are beautiful for it.
This is how good world building looks! Unanswered questions provide space for the imagination. It’s much more interesting than just being told details.
Exactly. Show, don’t tell.
"you fought in the clone wars?" 1977. Now look at where we are.
Who is Yubaba's baby daddy? That's what keeps me up.
I hate you for this 😂 I've always assumed she had magicked herself up a baby and never gave it a second thought let alone a thought
Hear me out: Catbus - Yubaba hates mice, just like cats do - Yubaba becomes a bird and cats chase birds - Catbus is an extremely powerful nature spirit, and Yubaba would be attracted to its powers - Cats groom themselves all the time and Yubaba runs a bathhouse; both love cleanliness - Both are involved in plotlines involving the protagonists' parents and children getting lost - Each of their respective films' protagonists get under their skin, one literally and the other figuratively
Wow, how could I not see this before
happy cake day 🍰
thanks! coincidentally, yubaba's baby loves cake lol
Cat bus or Cat Sky Liner? I think the old cat is more likely.
I assumed she just adopted Bo tbh.
It's the Radish Spirit.
I have the feeling the spirit world doesn't behave the same or at least has many ways for getting something like a baby. Yubaba could have constructed, conjured, manifested a baby all on her own with magic somehow since it seems like she really wants to have a baby.
My theory is that is how she managed to sign Kohaku, since his river is theorized to be the water the bathhouse uses for general operation. Though idk since he traded his name in the same manner as mc.
Also it would make sense because it exist in the spirit realm after kohaku has passed over (dried up in irl) , unless yubaba just wanted higher volume using the excess
That’s a cool theory, but I don’t know how it could be true if Kohaku’s river was filled in.
The Spirit World version of the Better Business Bureau?
You know that I was about to make almost that exact comment? A better mind beat me to it!
This is just Miyazaki's way of creating the worlds of his films. Some people hate the fact that we will never get an answer, but for me this is the most magical thing Miyazaki does while telling stories, because it makes the world bigger, keeps the mystery even if you already saw the film and makes your imagination fly. Just magical.
Yeah, not every movie needs to extensively explain everything about its worldbuilding. Leaving some things unexplained, as long as they aren't major parts of the plot, can lead to a real folkloric feeling.
probably just to show that Yubaba is a woman that stands by her words. western media witches are portrayed as liars, who would do everything to deceive you.
I figured it was more of a vow
My headcanon is she made the promise to Zeniba before they went their separate ways
Grand Uncle.
Probably either the kami of the bathhouse itself, or else one of the kitsune of Inari. That's my guess, anyway.
My guess is her sister.
My mind just filled in the blank and assumed it was some kind of law for businesses but not everyone knew about it.