Yubaba
Yubaba is a major character in Studio Ghibli's animated feature film Spirited Away. She is a powerful witch and the autocratic proprietress of Aburaya, a grand bathhouse frequented by countless spirits. Ruling her establishment with an iron fist and driven by greed, she operates under strict contracts, making her a formidable central figure in the story.
Overview
Yubaba is a major character in Studio Ghibli's animated feature film Spirited Away. She is a powerful witch and the autocratic proprietress of Aburaya, a grand bathhouse frequented by countless spirits. Ruling her establishment with an iron fist and driven by greed, she operates under strict contracts, making her a formidable central figure in the story.
Appearance
Yubaba has the appearance of an elderly woman with white hair and brown eyes, characterized by an exaggeratedly large head on a short, two-headed proportioned body. Her face features a prominent wart on her forehead, a large nose, a wide mouth, thick eyelashes, and bold blue or purple eyeshadow. She wears a long-sleeved dark dress, earrings, and multiple rings adorned with gems on her fingers, which have painted fingernails matching her lipstick. She can also transform into a flying bird-like creature with a human face.
Personality
Yubaba is ruthless, domineering, and avaricious, treating her bathhouse staff with strict severity. However, she retains a sharp business acumen, honoring her standing vow to employ anyone who asks for work, rewarding high performers, and personally stepping in to manage unruly guests. In stark contrast to her tyrannical demeanor as a boss, she exhibits an absurdly soft, doting side strictly toward her beloved son, Boh.
Abilities
As a skilled witch, Yubaba possesses formidable magic, including telekinesis, aerial mobility via transforming into a human-faced bird, and the ability to unleash concentrated energy blasts from her hands. Her most distinct magic is name-stealing, a curse by which she strips individuals of their true names to bind and control them under her employment.
Background
Yubaba previously lived with her twin sister, Zeniba, but separated due to personality clashes. She subsequently established herself as the master of the Aburaya bathhouse, controlling her staff through magical contracts—most notably stripping Nigihayami Kohakunushi (Haku) of his name to keep him as her apprentice. When Ogino Chihiro stumbles into the spirit realm, Yubaba reluctantly grants her employment under the renamed moniker 'Sen'.
Relationships
She maintains a hostile relationship with her twin sister, Zeniba, while doting intensely on her giant infant son, Boh. She exerts complete authority over her apprentice Haku by keeping his real name, and holds legal power over her staff, including Kamaji, Lin, and Ogino Chihiro—whom she tests strictly yet acknowledges when she successfully serves difficult clientele.
Trivia
Her visual concept and named origins draw inspiration from classical folklore motifs, including the Slavic mythical witch Baba Yaga, as well as play-on-words related to traditional bathhouse utensils.
