Princess Mononoke (Animation)

Princess Mononoke (originally titled Mononoke-hime in Japanese) is a 1997 Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film is set in a fictional world inspired by Japan’s Muromachi period, exploring the conflict between nature and human civilization.

The story centers on the struggle between forest deities and animal spirits, and humans who seek to transform nature through iron production. At the heart of this conflict is Ashitaka, a young warrior cursed by a wounded boar god, who strives to find balance between the two sides. Princess Mononoke holds a significant place in animation cinema due to its epic narrative and mature thematic content.

Plot

The film begins with Ashitaka, a young warrior from the Emishi people of eastern Japan, being cursed after killing a demonized boar god that attacked his village. Unable to be cured, Ashitaka embarks on a journey westward in search of a cure. Along the way, he becomes entangled in the conflict between the people of Iron Town, who destroy the environment through industrial production, and the forest deities who defend the natural world. Ashitaka meets San, known as Princess Mononoke, a girl raised by wolves, and comes to see the validity of both sides, striving to bring peace between them.

Themes

The film explores themes such as the impact of human civilization on nature, the disruption of ecological balance through industrialization, the mutual consequences of violence, and the possibility of coexistence among different communities. Neither side is portrayed as purely good or evil; the spirits defending nature and the humans representing industrialization act according to their own values and needs. This multifaceted approach presents the human-nature relationship not as a one-sided conflict but as a complex and contradictory process.

Characters and Voice Cast

Ashitaka

The main character of the film. A young warrior from the Emishi people of the east. After being cursed by a deity, he sets out westward in hope of a cure.

• Japanese voice: Yôji Matsuda
• English voice: Billy Crudup

San (Princess Mononoke)

A girl raised by wolves who defends the forest and fights against Iron Town.

• Japanese voice: Yuriko Ishida
• English voice: Claire Danes

Lady Eboshi

The leader of Iron Town. She advocates for industrialization and production, yet also acts as a protector of women and outcasts.

• Japanese voice: Yûko Tanaka
• English voice: Minnie Driver

Jigo

A wandering monk who forms alliances with various factions and seeks to seize the head of the Forest Spirit.

• Japanese voice: Kaoru Kobayashi
• English voice: Billy Bob Thornton

Moro

The wolf goddess who raised San. She defends the forest and is an enemy of Lady Eboshi.

• Japanese voice: Akihiro Miwa
• English voice: Gillian Anderson

Okkoto

A giant white boar god who wages war against humans.

• Japanese voice: Hisaya Morishige
• English voice: Keith David

Toki

One of the women working in Iron Town. She plays an active role in the community’s daily life.

• Japanese voice: Sumi Shimamoto
• English voice: Jada Pinkett Smith

Production

The production of Princess Mononoke was carried out by Studio Ghibli, with Hayao Miyazaki serving as director and screenwriter. The film was created using traditional hand-drawn animation techniques. Approximately 144,000 drawings were used during production, and Miyazaki personally contributed to a significant portion of them. The musical score was composed by Joe Hisaishi and performed by the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra. The Japanese voice cast includes Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, and Yûko Tanaka. The English-language version was produced by Miramax, Studio Ghibli’s American distribution partner.

Box Office Performance

The film achieved major commercial success in Japan. Produced with a budget of approximately 2.4 billion yen (about $23 million), it grossed over $177 million worldwide. Total box office earnings in the United States and Canada amounted to $11,696,687. Upon its release in Japan, it became one of the most-watched films of the year. The film also attracted international attention and was released commercially in various countries.

Awards and Nominations

Princess Mononoke won a total of 14 awards and received 6 nominations. At the 21st Japan Academy Film Prize, it won several awards including Best Picture. It also received honors from prestigious Japanese film organizations such as the Blue Ribbon Awards, Kinema Junpo, and the Mainichi Film Awards. Internationally, it garnered critical acclaim for its environmental themes and narrative structure, and was screened at several film festivals; however, its number of international awards remained limited.