Anime Series Reviews - Princess Mononoke

An Otaku's Guide to Anime & Manga

Anime Series Review:
Princess Mononoke

Titles

English & Japanese: Mononoke Hime ("Princess Mononoke")

Rating

Total Number of Episodes

Movie

Episodes Seen

Movie

Version

Japanese subtitled and English dubbed

Voice Acting

Both the Japanese and English voice casts are talented and they fit their roles nicely.

Music

The music in this movie is up to standard of Miyazaki films.

Animation

Animation is reminiscent of other Miyazaki films. Slightly simple, in that it lacks the usual bright colors and big hair/eyes of traditional anime style. But still quite nice.

Plot Summary
(May contain spoilers. You've been warned!)

Mononoke Hime is the story of a young man named Ashitaka. While protecting his village from a berserk demon, he was marked with a curse that would cost him his life. In order to find a cure, he traveled to the lands west of his home. Here, he met Lady Eboshi and her town of ironworkers. From her, he learns of the Wolf God's Princess, who is leading the animals of the forest against her people. He also learns that Lady Eboshi desires to destroy the forest where the Deer God lives. When the Princess arrives to kill Lady Eboshi, Ashitaka saves her from death and, badly wounded, the two leave the town. The Princess, San, later takes him to the pool in the forest of the Deer God, to lay him to rest. Later, the Deer God restores Ashitaka's life. From here, we learn that the Boar God was planning to move against the humans. Once Ashitaka has recovered, he leaves the forest to return to the humans in the town. We then see the battle that took place between the boars and the humans, and learn that samurai have attacked the town. Ashitaka goes for Lady Eboshi, only to learn that she intends to kill the Deer God. Despite his attempts to stop her, she succeeds. The Deer God then turns into a giant God of Death, who is only stopped when Ashitaka and San give him back his head. After this, we see that the forest is gone, but the town has been covered by grass and flowers. Ashitaka then resolves to go live with the people of the town, while San to lives where the forest was.

Objectionable Material

Violence - This is what earns Mononoke Hime an 'R' rating. There are several scenes of extreme violence, as well as lots of blood.
Nudity - None
Sexual Situations - None
Profanity - Very little
Mature Ideas/Issues - This movie deals with hate, the struggle of man against nature, and other mature themes.

Kat's Rating

Mononoke Hime is a great movie.

Dub vs. Sub

See my review.

Anime vs. Manga

I'm not sure if there is a manga equivalent to this movie. If there is, I have not read it.