The Queen of the Jungle: Princess Mononoke

Greetings all!  Welcome to my second Miyazaki film review for Miyazaki May!  This week, I’ll be reviewing one of my personal favorite Ghibli films- aside from Howl’s Moving Castle.  This may also be one of the more intense of Miyazaki films in terms of content.  Still, it’s definitely one of Miyazaki’s most memorable.  So enough with the talk and let’s get to reviewing this week’s second pick, Princess Mononoke.

After a boar demon named Nago tries to attack his village, Ashitaka is cursed.  His only hope is to travel to a forest in the far west to find a cure and investigated the circumstances of the boar demon’s own dreadful end.  He travels far west to find the forest and Iron Town, an industrial town meant to serve as refuge for prostitutes and lepers.  There, Ashitaka meets the founder of Iron Town, Lady Eboshi, and learns of the forest area surrounding the village.  After killing the forest’s giant boar inhabitants-one of them the possessed boar Nago from the beginning of the film- Eboshi cut down a large portion of the forest for its rich natural resources, which she continues to pursue by killing the Forest Spirit, the protector of the forest.  Her ambitions make her a target for the “Princess of Beasts,” a masked girl who lives with a small pack of wolf gods in the forest.  Not long after learning this, this “Princess”-whose real name is San-breaks through Iron Town’s defenses and attacks Lady Eboshi.  Ashitaka uses supernatural powers caused by the curse to break up the fight and take an unconscious San out of Iron Town.  But not before he gets a bullet put through him-or rather a cannon ball.  After escaping Iron Town, San takes him to the Lake of the Forest Spirit in the hopes of removing the curse and healing his wound.  The Forest Spirit heals Ashitaka’s wound, but doesn’t lift the curse. 

Meanwhile, a hoard of boar gods come to the forest to destroy Iron Town to avenge the death of the other boars that died.  San joins the fight, leaving Ashitaka alone.  Ashitaka decides to return to Iron Town, only to learn that Lady Eboshi has left to kill the Forest Spirit and allow Iron Town to be attacked by a rivaling clan with very little defenses.  Realizing this, he goes to the battlefield where Iron Town’s men are to warn them.  Upon arriving, Ashitaka finds that the boars lost terribly and the men of Iron Town barely alive.  As this is going on, Okoto- the boar leader and only survivor- tries to take sanctuary in the forest with San.  However, he is stopped by a hoard of Eboshi’s men disguised as boars.  Okoto believes these men to be actual boars and is lured by them.  However, Okoto’s very being begins to corrupt due to his injuries and he transforms into a demon, much like Nago.  Everyone finally meets at the Lake of the Forest Spirit where the Forest Spirit himself appears.  After killing Okoto, he transforms into the Nightwalker-a giant creature that is only seen at night.  However, during the transformation, Lady Eboshi decapitates him.  The Forest Spirit transforms into a “God of Death” in search of his head, which destroys the forest in the process.  Ashitaka and San are able to retrieve the head and return it to the Forest Spirit who then dies shortly after.  His death causes the restoration of the forest, the destruction of Iron Town, and lifts Ashitaka’s curse.  Ashitaka and San go their separate ways-San returns to the forest while Ashitaka stays in Iron Town-but agree that they will meet again someday.

This is definitely one of Miyazaki’s classics.  It’s also one of my favorite films by Miyazaki, aside from Howl’s Moving Castle.  But regardless of whether or not it’s a favorite, I give Princess Mononoke a four and a half out of a five star rating.  For those who have seen Princess Mononoke and any of Miyazaki’s other works, this film is definitely different from the typical Ghibli film that many people tend to think of.  But it’s also one of the most memorable.  As always, animation and story are spot on-as always in a Miyazaki film.  I think another great highlight in the film is the acting.  English-dubs of Miyazaki films are always known for using well known actors for the voices of its characters.  In Princess Mononoke, the all-star cast includes Minnie Driver, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jada Pinkett Smith, just to name a few.  Overall, it’s a Ghibli masterpiece through and through.

However, the biggest downside to Princess Mononoke is the violence and gore.  This film is different from most Ghibli films for a reason.  Of all the Ghibli films, Princess Mononoke has the most blood and gore.  Granted, I know I make it sound terrible, but it’s actually not that bad.  It’s like watching any other PG-13 movie.  But for a Miyazaki film, it’s definitely more graphic.  That much said, Princess Mononoke is definitely not for kids.  For older children and teens? Maybe.  But young children? NO!  And on a personal note, the Forest Spirit is creepy as hell!  Seriously, you try staring at that thing.  I guarantee it will be a soul crushing experience! Ok not really.  Anyways, violence and blood aside, Princess Mononoke is definitely a Miyazaki classic, and well worth the watch.

I probably shouldn’t say it again, but Princess Mononoke is definitely a must see among Miyazaki’s collection of greatest, despite the violence and gore.  The film is available wherever anime is sold, but I can’t say that it would be available online.  And with that, that concludes this week’s post.  Tune in next week for the final installment of Miyazaki May!

-Hanime on Anime

Princess Mononoke Trailer