Another example of simplicity being employed to create a remarkably complex character is No-Face, perhaps the most recognisable figure from Ghiblis most celebrated film, Spirited Away. As the name suggests, the character doesnt have a face. Instead, he is effectively a shadowy mass with a white mask. He also doubles up as a simultaneously terrifying and compelling figure. No-Face is, at first, gentle and quiet. He appreciates the kindness of Chihiro, who allows him into the bath-house when no-one else will. Yet No-Face has a problem. He needs to eat. He will eat anything (or anyone), gradually increasing in mass until he is unstoppably huge and taking on the voice and personality of whoever he consumes. After eating a greedy, selfish worker No-Face becomes uncontrollably gluttonous and nasty. He learns rapidly that his ability to produce gold will allow him to get whatever he wants, and he manipulates the workers at the bath-house into bringing him all of the food in the building. Eventually, when they try to get rid of him, he flies into a rage and goes after Chihiro. Its not until she calms him down and makes him vomit up his many meals that he returns to the silent, gentle form in which he first appeared. Suddenly Chihiro has a new friend, and No-Face is loveable once again. This is a clever move, and shows how ambiguous and complex Miyazakis writing can be. No-Face is simultaneously a horrifying villain and a gentle spirit.
