Lin
Lin is a supporting character from the animated film Spirited Away. She works as a bathhouse servant at the Aburaya, an establishment run by the witch Yubaba. When the human protagonist Chihiro Ogino comes to work at the bathhouse, Lin steps into the role of a reliable senior coworker and mentor who guides her through her daily duties.
Overview
Lin is a supporting character from the animated film Spirited Away. She works as a bathhouse servant at the Aburaya, an establishment run by the witch Yubaba. When the human protagonist Chihiro Ogino comes to work at the bathhouse, Lin steps into the role of a reliable senior coworker and mentor who guides her through her daily duties.
Appearance
Appearing to be around fourteen years old, Lin features long black or brown hair tied back, parted bangs, and brown eyes. Her attire consists of traditional Japanese-style clothing comprising a pink top with rolled-up sleeves and cropped pants, accompanied by an apron and a cord used to tie back her sleeves, and she is typically bare-footed.
Personality
Lin speaks in a blunt, tomboyish tone and uses coarse self-referential terms, giving off a rough and straightforward impression. Despite her brisk exterior, she possesses a deeply caring and supportive nature. Though initially bewildered by Chihiro's human presence, she quickly adopts a big-sisterly attitude toward her junior. Lin harbors strong dissatisfaction with her confinement at the bathhouse and earnestly aspires to escape her situation to travel across the sea to a distant town.
Abilities
As a bathhouse employee, Lin is adept at performing general labor duties required of a servant, such as cleaning the baths and tending to guests. Additionally, she demonstrates practical skills in aquatic transport, skillfully maneuvering a wooden tub boat across the water to shuttle passengers to their destination.
Background
Lin works as a servant girl at the Aburaya bathhouse catering to spirits. While the film leaves her precise origins and true form undisclosed, she noticeably lacks the distinct amphibious traits of her fellow female workers. When Chihiro gains employment at the bathhouse, Lin agrees to mentor the young girl after receiving her favorite delicacy from Kamaji, subsequently guiding Chihiro through the harsh working environment of the bathhouse.
Relationships
Lin forms a strong bond with Chihiro Ogino, serving as her protective mentor and developing deep mutual affection as they work together. She maintains a practical working relationship with Kamaji, who uses her favorite food to secure her assistance in helping Chihiro. While obedient to her boss Yubaba, Lin is secretly resentful of her oppressive work conditions. When the entity known as No-Face causes havoc in the bathhouse, Lin takes action to help safeguard Chihiro.
Trivia
Lin's favorite treat, roasted newts, is a delicacy shared among the bathhouse staff and is noted to possess aphrodisiac qualities. Early concept designs created by the production team envisioned her as a spirit derived from a weasel or a white fox, an idea reflected in early official concept sketches even though her exact nature remains unstated in the final film.