Haku is a white dragon, friend of the main character (Chihiro) from the movie Spirited Away. Haku helps Chihiro to escape Yubaba’s Bath House, although he was Yubaba’s apprentice. He has the ability to transform itself voluntarily into a human being; he can become invisible, and is able to fly.

This human dragon is the personification of the “Kohaku River’s Spirit”, in which Chihiro fell once when she was a small child. In the film, the river is a big symbol that brings a series of transformations and conflicts to many characters, through the whole story.

In Japanese mythology, the “river spirit” is related to the energy of the elements, and has a strong relationship with the mountain and airflow spirits. It was the destruction of the river that drove Haku to fall into Yubaba’s servitude. At the Bath House, he remained patiently, waiting for his powers to grow. He also became wise because of the hardships he encountered.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAME

In some parts of the movie, one gets to understand that Chihiro’s mother and father despised the river: this hate almost led to the death of her daughter. Chihiro was freed from Yubaba’s servitude when her true name was remembered. Yubaba controlled people by stealing their original names and assigning them false identities.

In the original Japanese version, the authentic name of Haku is Kohakunushi Nigihayami, or Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, instead of the simple “Kohaku River” granted by the English translation.

The word “Haku” can be translated as “White” in Japanese, and it describes the color of his skin as well as his purity. He is the inseparable friend of Chihiro Ogino; though he initially appeared only as a human boy to her.