“Ryu” is a term used in Japan for dragon. I was reminded of the scene in Spirited Away where the protagonist Chihiro rides on the back of Haku, a river spirit who takes the form of a boy but can also transform into a dragon.  When I first watched the film back in college, I struggled with the conventions of Eastern films and didn’t fully embrace it.  But after seeing it again years later, it has grown to be one of my favorite films that I can watch repeatedly.