I absolutely love this film.I did feel myself wanting more romantic development w/ Ashitaka and San. It wasn't blasted as the primary focus which I like, yet I felt it could've grown a little more than was shown. Idk, maybe I'm just a romantic. :P I love the moral ambiguities and blurring of good and evil though(which Miyazaki seems to be the master at). It really adds the humanity/realism since there are no absolutes in reality. Hisaishi's score in Mononoke-Hime is possibly my favorite of his.
@zo26ey Heh, I've wondered that numerous times, but I've noticed that in a lot of Miyazaki films that even though two characters might be obviously interested in each other, they don't usually kiss; and even if they do, like in Howl's Moving Castle, it's quite subtle; maybe San wasn't ready to feel that human yet? I think I remember her saying in the end that she is still not ready to forgive the humans for what they did to the forest..just a thought
When I was a kid, we had a sitter watch me and my brother, and she was a huge anime fan, particularly of Miyazaki, and she brought this film to watch, and I absolutely loved it. It was then that I had to watch all of Miyazaki's films, and now that I've seen them all, I honestly can't decide which one is the best. Princess Mononoke, or Spirited Away cause Spirited Away was just as fantastic in my opinion
I don´t think that Eboshi is such a villainous character. She is ruthless sure but she is also very admirable. She´s the type that does what needs to be done. Without her people of iron town would probably starve and shes fighting man ( the samurai ) and animals at the same time trying to protect her people. She only leaves her women behind cause she knows they can defend themself and because she is forced to by jigan.
If it has Studio Ghibli as the producer and Hayao Miyazaki as the director you are guaranteed a amazing movie. I love all of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. they are part of my childhood and I still adore them
Are you insane! Eboshi's respect was well diserved. She took in lepers and treated them like normal people. Everything she did was for the good of her people. She was definatly not greedy. other than that good review
@Indego84 No, she just wanted to monopolize a forest, wipe out its inhabitants, was willing to give up her "girls" in the heat of battle, and even went so far as to shoot at animals for merely planting trees. Not only was she greedy but she was pretty power hungry too.
@BionicSlime I have to agree with indego84. she wasn't your typical antagonist. i wouldn't even consider her an antagonist. yes, she was greedy and power hungry, but at the same time, her care for her people was genuine. i think the inclusion of an entity that is pure evil, like the creature in the beginning of the movie that cursed Ashitaka, somewhat undermines Eboshi's antagonistic traits.. and i think that's the main point of her character..
@BionicSlime it's like Miyazaki saying that there's this natural duality in human beings - there's no such thing as an absolutely good or absolutely evil person. (which is a reality.) hence the evil creature was some weird, fictional entity. Going back to Eboshi, yes, she did like power. a lot. but she did want the best for her people too, and treated them with respect. the fact that she allowed her women to fight in the war is a very strong statement as well. i see it as something
@BionicSlime that shows social equity based on gender. and the women DO want to fight for her. anyhow, sorry for the long reply, i do like this review a lot. Miyazaki is a genius. This is one of those movies that both anime lovers and, maybe, some anime haters will like.
@feedul Except anime is not reality and yes I know Miyazaki tends not to have purely good/evil characters, that doesn't always mean they cannot exist. I disgaree still with Eboshi, lepers working to make weapons in order to kill forest creatures doesn't really sound like a noble cause. Also, just because something worse exists out there, it doesn't diminish the fact the lesser of two evils is still an evil (so to speak). Jason is the lesser of two evils between him and Freddy but that doesn't
@feedul make what Jason does any less horrible. I'm not saying Eboshi is like them its just an example. Ashitaka to me has always proven in the film how Eboshi acts and I agree with his views with her. She's not a monster but don't forget its her fault the boars went nuts, she was the one who hired Jigen and most importantly, it was her who got Ahsitaka cursed and had to be "dead" from his clan. Her actions are not completely excusable. I don't believe the whole "women fighting the war" thing
@feedul was what people think it was. Based on Eboshi's words and Ashitaka's mission to let her know whats happening, it appeared more as an abandonment issue rather than a woman's pride issue. There's never been any doubt in the film or in my mind that they couldn't fight, but I find little pride or respect in a person who leaves her people behind knowing they are in war just to kill a forest god and use people like Jigen.
@BionicSlime Actually, you have to remember that while the film focuses on Irontown's battles with the forest, it's kind of implied that main reasons for Eboshi's despoiling of the countryside is to gain the resources to A. protect her poeple against the depredations of neighboring samurai and nobility, and B. start an industrial revolution (hey, you need one in order to gain the benefits of modern technology).
@BionicSlime Also, it's made fairly clear that Eboshi treats her people much better than the nobility of the era were generally inclined to, and is well-liked for it. On a side note, it's interesting to note that even Eboshi's closest retainers all seem to be people of relatively humble origin, when you consider that the setting is basically feudal Japan.
@BionicSlime Also, Miyazaki actually said in an interview that Eboshi would be perfectly willing to sacrifice herself if it meant strengthening Irontown. On the other hand, in that same interview, the Samurai attacking Irontown apparently did so because the pollution from the ironworks was interfering with the livelihood of the farmers downstream that they were protecting. Oh, the ambiguous morality in this movie is awesome.
this is one of my fave animes ever are may include tv series 10.pokemon 9.finalfantasy 8.grave of the fire flies 7. devil may cry 6. ponyo 5.spirited away 4.dragonball 3.grave of the fireflies 2.howles moving castle 1.princess of mononoke
i agree with your statments! this movie was like the first anime movie i watched EVER ...got me hooked on anime ever since.... although i got in trouble for watching it wen i was like 2 years old
probably the best movie ive ever seen and is definitely the most moving films ive seen my only negative comment (and i think its because i watched it online) is the voices did not match the movement of the mouths but its a minor flaw lastly i thought that lady egoshi was not a antagonist because people just take the side of nature as the good side but neither nature or the humans were right and she was just trying to help her people like taking in bandaged people and saving women from a brothel.
I think this may be part of what helped me get into anime, first I saw spirited away, then my nabour totoro which I found boring, then I saw this which I really liked better than the other two, I then found a website that showed this and spirited away called just dubs, I then looked through there list of anime and saw one I had heard of (naruto), and I watched it, then I watched bleach and fma and now I am a pretty big anime fan
Absolutely, I think in my opinion it surpasses majority of Miyazaki's work in terms of quality. I have always felt this anime film was worthy of being called one of the greatest anime films of all time. But that's my opinion.
It is the perfect example of a great anime film. I can't choose my favourite, I'm torn between sevaral. Anyay, great review and I hope you do some more :].
Its close but I don't think it belongs in an R rating, aside from the violence, there's no swearing, nudity or drugs or anything that would push it any farther.
I certainly know that question wasn't addressed to me, but I don't think Princess Mononoke could have gotten an R rating, because:
1) The MPAA doesn't take animation as seriously as live action movies (To hell with them!), and
2) The movie is not the kind to dwell on violence. In other words, it's not gratuitously violent, but rather artfully violent, which is not nearly as bad.
I agree!This is the most perfect anime....no perfect movie there has ever been! Anime fan or not,everyone should see this movie! Thank you for reviewing one of my favorites,and keep up the awesome reviews!
I absolutely love this film.I did feel myself wanting more romantic development w/ Ashitaka and San. It wasn't blasted as the primary focus which I like, yet I felt it could've grown a little more than was shown. Idk, maybe I'm just a romantic. :P I love the moral ambiguities and blurring of good and evil though(which Miyazaki seems to be the master at). It really adds the humanity/realism since there are no absolutes in reality. Hisaishi's score in Mononoke-Hime is possibly my favorite of his.
OmegaOwA 2 weeks ago
your five star rating of this movie gave me a nerdgasm.....u mad?
BEyondDaGamer 1 month ago
I wish they got together in the end!!!!! Prince Ashitaka is so hot!!! :)
mangachick8 6 months ago
ugh darn i remember this it was awsome i gotta watc it now
barcakid101 7 months ago
I have just one negative comment
WHY DIDNT THEY KISS IN THE END????
exsept that one of my favorite movies (anime or not)
zo26ey 8 months ago
@zo26ey Heh, I've wondered that numerous times, but I've noticed that in a lot of Miyazaki films that even though two characters might be obviously interested in each other, they don't usually kiss; and even if they do, like in Howl's Moving Castle, it's quite subtle; maybe San wasn't ready to feel that human yet? I think I remember her saying in the end that she is still not ready to forgive the humans for what they did to the forest..just a thought
KateCanFly777 6 months ago
Awesome movie, this is one of the inspirations to Avatar according to Cameron since he is a fan of animation. There are some similarities
Johnlindsey289 8 months ago
Review Porco Rosso Next please!!!!
Bloodydice45 11 months ago
Finally I found the anime I was trying to find for almost 4 years now. I saw it when I was 9 and I have never forgot it
aylightzero 11 months ago
Ashitaka=BAMF
xXxthat1boyxXx 1 year ago 5
Do find english better because i hate the dub in this film. That is only my opinion but i'd like to know yours
TazerRazer 1 year ago
When I was a kid, we had a sitter watch me and my brother, and she was a huge anime fan, particularly of Miyazaki, and she brought this film to watch, and I absolutely loved it. It was then that I had to watch all of Miyazaki's films, and now that I've seen them all, I honestly can't decide which one is the best. Princess Mononoke, or Spirited Away cause Spirited Away was just as fantastic in my opinion
gamefan991 1 year ago
I don´t think that Eboshi is such a villainous character. She is ruthless sure but she is also very admirable. She´s the type that does what needs to be done. Without her people of iron town would probably starve and shes fighting man ( the samurai ) and animals at the same time trying to protect her people. She only leaves her women behind cause she knows they can defend themself and because she is forced to by jigan.
GorillerViller 1 year ago
If it has Studio Ghibli as the producer and Hayao Miyazaki as the director you are guaranteed a amazing movie. I love all of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. they are part of my childhood and I still adore them
telemarker93 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Well thats your opinion buddy!
Indego84 1 year ago
Are you insane! Eboshi's respect was well diserved. She took in lepers and treated them like normal people. Everything she did was for the good of her people. She was definatly not greedy. other than that good review
Indego84 1 year ago
@Indego84 No, she just wanted to monopolize a forest, wipe out its inhabitants, was willing to give up her "girls" in the heat of battle, and even went so far as to shoot at animals for merely planting trees. Not only was she greedy but she was pretty power hungry too.
BionicSlime 1 year ago
@BionicSlime I have to agree with indego84. she wasn't your typical antagonist. i wouldn't even consider her an antagonist. yes, she was greedy and power hungry, but at the same time, her care for her people was genuine. i think the inclusion of an entity that is pure evil, like the creature in the beginning of the movie that cursed Ashitaka, somewhat undermines Eboshi's antagonistic traits.. and i think that's the main point of her character..
feedul 11 months ago
@BionicSlime it's like Miyazaki saying that there's this natural duality in human beings - there's no such thing as an absolutely good or absolutely evil person. (which is a reality.) hence the evil creature was some weird, fictional entity. Going back to Eboshi, yes, she did like power. a lot. but she did want the best for her people too, and treated them with respect. the fact that she allowed her women to fight in the war is a very strong statement as well. i see it as something
feedul 11 months ago
@BionicSlime that shows social equity based on gender. and the women DO want to fight for her. anyhow, sorry for the long reply, i do like this review a lot. Miyazaki is a genius. This is one of those movies that both anime lovers and, maybe, some anime haters will like.
feedul 11 months ago
@feedul Except anime is not reality and yes I know Miyazaki tends not to have purely good/evil characters, that doesn't always mean they cannot exist. I disgaree still with Eboshi, lepers working to make weapons in order to kill forest creatures doesn't really sound like a noble cause. Also, just because something worse exists out there, it doesn't diminish the fact the lesser of two evils is still an evil (so to speak). Jason is the lesser of two evils between him and Freddy but that doesn't
BionicSlime 11 months ago
@feedul make what Jason does any less horrible. I'm not saying Eboshi is like them its just an example. Ashitaka to me has always proven in the film how Eboshi acts and I agree with his views with her. She's not a monster but don't forget its her fault the boars went nuts, she was the one who hired Jigen and most importantly, it was her who got Ahsitaka cursed and had to be "dead" from his clan. Her actions are not completely excusable. I don't believe the whole "women fighting the war" thing
BionicSlime 11 months ago
@feedul was what people think it was. Based on Eboshi's words and Ashitaka's mission to let her know whats happening, it appeared more as an abandonment issue rather than a woman's pride issue. There's never been any doubt in the film or in my mind that they couldn't fight, but I find little pride or respect in a person who leaves her people behind knowing they are in war just to kill a forest god and use people like Jigen.
BionicSlime 11 months ago
@BionicSlime Actually, you have to remember that while the film focuses on Irontown's battles with the forest, it's kind of implied that main reasons for Eboshi's despoiling of the countryside is to gain the resources to A. protect her poeple against the depredations of neighboring samurai and nobility, and B. start an industrial revolution (hey, you need one in order to gain the benefits of modern technology).
umbrellashotgunman 2 months ago
@BionicSlime Also, it's made fairly clear that Eboshi treats her people much better than the nobility of the era were generally inclined to, and is well-liked for it. On a side note, it's interesting to note that even Eboshi's closest retainers all seem to be people of relatively humble origin, when you consider that the setting is basically feudal Japan.
umbrellashotgunman 2 months ago
@BionicSlime Also, Miyazaki actually said in an interview that Eboshi would be perfectly willing to sacrifice herself if it meant strengthening Irontown. On the other hand, in that same interview, the Samurai attacking Irontown apparently did so because the pollution from the ironworks was interfering with the livelihood of the farmers downstream that they were protecting. Oh, the ambiguous morality in this movie is awesome.
umbrellashotgunman 2 months ago
landmine217 1 year ago
i agree with your statments! this movie was like the first anime movie i watched EVER ...got me hooked on anime ever since.... although i got in trouble for watching it wen i was like 2 years old
TheCeekon 1 year ago
FINALLY some one agrees with me
dethofvidio 1 year ago
he says "are you selling soup or donkey piss"
IPwnAtLife666 1 year ago
What do you think about my neighbor totoro?
Superhumanattack 1 year ago
jigo ( i think the monk) actually said "you selling soup or donkey piss" not "your selling super donkey piss"
00savar00 1 year ago
probably the best movie ive ever seen and is definitely the most moving films ive seen my only negative comment (and i think its because i watched it online) is the voices did not match the movement of the mouths but its a minor flaw lastly i thought that lady egoshi was not a antagonist because people just take the side of nature as the good side but neither nature or the humans were right and she was just trying to help her people like taking in bandaged people and saving women from a brothel.
00savar00 1 year ago
I think this may be part of what helped me get into anime, first I saw spirited away, then my nabour totoro which I found boring, then I saw this which I really liked better than the other two, I then found a website that showed this and spirited away called just dubs, I then looked through there list of anime and saw one I had heard of (naruto), and I watched it, then I watched bleach and fma and now I am a pretty big anime fan
lang0800001066 1 year ago
This is my favourite Studio Gibli film. The only thing I hate about this film is that it gave me swinophobia O.o...I'm being serious LOL
deathlyartist 1 year ago
I believe a modern-day sequel to this movie would be amazing!
TheNintendoGalaxy 1 year ago
Ninja scroll isn't similar to princess mononoke -.-
A lot of people are saying nausicaa is sumiliar to this ???
michaeljacksonyall 2 years ago
Do you think this anime is up there with Akira and Ghost in The Shell or Ninja Scroll in one of the anime greats?
Johnlindsey289 2 years ago
Absolutely, I think in my opinion it surpasses majority of Miyazaki's work in terms of quality. I have always felt this anime film was worthy of being called one of the greatest anime films of all time. But that's my opinion.
BionicSlime 2 years ago 7
If you liked this one, check out "Ninja Scroll" for a similar anime.
Johnlindsey289 2 years ago
I remember seeing this movie a few years back and it was excellent as an anime movie especially the dubbed version!
ad133n234 2 years ago
I agree it is the best anime.
shadoweon 2 years ago
One of the best movies of all time if you havent seen it you really should 5/5 on both the movie and this video
systofadown1 2 years ago
It is the perfect example of a great anime film. I can't choose my favourite, I'm torn between sevaral. Anyay, great review and I hope you do some more :].
MistyAnimalMad 2 years ago
Nice job on the Review! But I got one question for you! Do you think that Princess Mononoke is getting close to a Rating R movie!
Barclay1987 2 years ago
Its close but I don't think it belongs in an R rating, aside from the violence, there's no swearing, nudity or drugs or anything that would push it any farther.
BionicSlime 2 years ago
Okay thanks!
Barclay1987 2 years ago
I certainly know that question wasn't addressed to me, but I don't think Princess Mononoke could have gotten an R rating, because:
1) The MPAA doesn't take animation as seriously as live action movies (To hell with them!), and
2) The movie is not the kind to dwell on violence. In other words, it's not gratuitously violent, but rather artfully violent, which is not nearly as bad.
gilmenachem 2 years ago
Okay thanks!
Barclay1987 2 years ago
I love this movie (as well as spirited away). My favorite character is Ashitaka.
neonspec 2 years ago
Best movie evar
soulstelar 2 years ago
Was that Wes Craven in the beginning. Good review as well, you have a natural voice for reviewing.
RennyHarlins 2 years ago
I agree!This is the most perfect anime....no perfect movie there has ever been! Anime fan or not,everyone should see this movie! Thank you for reviewing one of my favorites,and keep up the awesome reviews!
ProKillerNinja 2 years ago 3