No-Face

Kaonashi has a dark, shadowy body with no clear shape.

He always wears a white mask, which sometimes changes expression to show feelings.

Most of the time, he walks upright, but when he grows large from eating too much, he moves on all fours.

He can become invisible or hide himself when he wants.

For eating or talking, he uses a real mouth hidden under his mask.

Kaonashi does not have a strong sense of self.

He cannot speak regular words unless he has swallowed someone and uses their voice.

Usually, he only makes soft "Ah" or "Eh" sounds.

Kaonashi is quiet, lonely, and looks for someone to accept him.

He reacts to kindness but can also act in scary or wild ways when feeling rejected or lost.

In the beginning, Kaonashi was just a character who appeared on a bridge, but as the story changed, he became much more important.

He does not have a home or family, and no one really knows where he is from.

Kaonashi is often seen as a symbol of people's hidden feelings or loneliness inside everyone's heart.

Kaonashi can give people the things they want, like gold, but these gifts are actually made from dirt and turn back to dirt later.

He can swallow people whole and borrow their voices and personalities.

He is able to turn invisible and sneak around quietly.

He grows bigger after eating others or eating a lot of food.

Sometimes, after swallowing others, pieces of their appearance (like hair) show up on him.

Kaonashi is most drawn to Chihiro Ogino because she shows him kindness, even when others do not.

He gives her a bath token to help her, and later tries to give her gold to make her happy.

He causes trouble for other workers at the bathhouse, especially after swallowing Aogaeru, the frog worker.

After meeting Zeniba (Yubaba's twin), Kaonashi finds a safe place to stay and is accepted for who he is.

Kaonashi’s English name is "No-Face."

At first, he was not supposed to be a big part of the story, but the director decided to make him a key character.

Some people once thought Kaonashi was modeled after a real-life animator, but this was denied.

Kaonashi's mask and lack of a real face made him the only character in "Spirited Away" who gets different names in different languages.

There is a special song about Kaonashi, written by the movie’s director.

"Ah... ah...."

"Where is Chihiro? Bring Chihiro out!"

"Chihiro! What did that little girl make me eat?!"

"Want it!"

Arrival and Meeting Chihiro

Kaonashi first sees Chihiro Ogino on the bridge and becomes very interested in her.

He is standing outside in the rain near the bathhouse.

Chihiro mistakes him for a customer and invites him in, leaving the door open.

He enters the bathhouse quietly.

Helping Chihiro and Learning About Gold

Kaonashi wants to make Chihiro happy, so he steals a bath token and gives it to her.

After seeing how excited the workers get for gold that comes from Kawa no Kami, Kaonashi learns that giving people gold makes them accept him.

Swallowing Workers and Causing Chaos

Kaonashi starts to create fake gold from dirt using his power.

He tricks and swallows Aogaeru when Aogaeru tries to grab Kaonashi’s gold.

After gaining Aogaeru’s voice, he starts talking more and his body even changes to look frog-like.

He becomes a guest and is called an "important customer" because he can make lots of gold.

Growing Out of Control

Kaonashi eats a lot and becomes huge, scaring and swallowing several other characters who get close to him.

He offers Chihiro more gold, but she refuses, which surprises and upsets him.

Angry and sad, he swallows more workers and loses control.

Kaonashi chases after Chihiro but is given a bitter dumpling by her.

After eating it, Kaonashi throws up everything and everyone he swallowed and becomes small and gentle again.

Joined by Chihiro to Zeniba's House

Chihiro brings Kaonashi with her to visit Zeniba.

Kaonashi is talented at knitting and helps Zeniba, who lets him stay at her house.

When Chihiro and Haku leave to return to the bathhouse, Kaonashi stays behind, happy to have found a place where he belongs.

Kaonashi was never meant to be a big character, but his story became important as the film was made.

He helped Chihiro many times, even though he caused trouble, and his actions led to other characters helping Chihiro as well.

Director Miyazaki has said that Kaonashi represents feelings that everyone has inside.

In the end, Kaonashi finds peace and learns how to express his true self.