Haku is one of the main characters in the movie. He plays a key role in helping the main character, Chihiro, navigate the strange and magical world she finds herself in. Many people think Haku loves Chihiro as a boyfriend, but he is actually her older brother. He is Chihiro’s deceased older brother, who drowned while saving her in a river in the real world.
When Haku changes into his dragon form, he becomes a beautiful dragon with a teal and mint green mane and a white, scaled body.
Haku has a complex personality. He can be kind and helpful but also strict and serious. He is smart and knows how to handle different situations. Haku deeply cares about Chihiro and does everything he can to keep her safe. Although some characters, like Lin and Zeniba, distrust him, Chihiro puts her faith in Haku, and he proves worthy of her trust. Yubaba controls him with a black worm inside his body, making him her slave.
History and Role in the Story
Haku first appears when Chihiro is on a bridge leading to a bathhouse. He quickly tells her to leave the town before nightfall to avoid getting trapped in the spirit world. Chihiro doesn’t manage to escape in time, so Haku helps her. He gives her food to stop her from disappearing, helps her when she gets stuck, and guides her to the bathhouse. He helps her get a job there and takes her to see her parents, who have been turned into pigs. He warns her not to forget her real name, like he forgot his, or she will be trapped forever.
Haku shows up later, badly hurt, in his dragon form. He and Chihiro fall into the boiler room, and he stays with her while she tries to return a seal he supposedly stole. Despite being a servant of the bathhouse owner, Yubaba, Haku promises to help Chihiro. In the end, Chihiro remembers that Haku is the spirit of the Kohaku River, the same river that saved her when she was a child.
Abilities
Haku has several magical powers
- Dragon Form: Haku can turn into a dragon and fly.
- Magic Knowledge: He knows a lot about magic and the spirit world, which helps him protect Chihiro.
- Spell Casting: He can cast spells, like when he helps Chihiro walk again.
- Telekinesis: Haku can move things with his mind.
- Cloaking: He can hide himself and others, although this doesn’t always last long.
- Force-Field Imprisonment: He can trap others in forcefields.
- Flight: Haku can fly even in his human form.
- Telepathy: He can communicate with thoughts, guiding Chihiro and speaking to her in her sleep.
- Supernatural Cooking: Haku can make magical food that helps Chihiro stay solid in the spirit world and regain her strength.
