The Simpsons almost had an episode parodying hit Studio Ghibli animated film Spirited Away, but it never made the cut. Speaking to Cartoon Base, The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman said the Spirited Away parody would've been part of Treehouse of Horror, its annual Halloween special, though didn't share why the idea was scrapped.
Spirited Away is the 2001 animated film from Hayao Miyazaki, where a young girl visits an abaonded amusement park and ends up trapped in a mystical and mysterious world full of spirits and monsters. It's one of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's most famous films, and even the proposed parody came from a place of love.
Selman called it a "love letter" to the filmmaker, though said The Simpsons team got another chance to show their appreciation a few years later, with a Season 25 episode.
"We were able to take another approach at our love letter to Miyazaki a few years later with, Married to the Blob," he said.
Married to the Blob sees Comic Book Guy fall in love with a Japanese manga artist only have her father reject their marriage after Homer embarasses him. Looking to make things right, Homer goes for drinks with the father and drinks very strong wine, which turns Springfield into a Studio Ghibli-esque wonderland during his walk home.
The Simpsons has otherwise dipped into anime influences on several occasions, such as with an episode inspired by hit show Death Note.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
