Princess Mononoke: Film Review and Analysis
Created by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke is a historical fantasy epic set in a mythical interpretation of 14th century Japan. The story follows Ashitaka, prince of the Emishi tribe. After being forced to kill a demon boar Ashitaka is left with a cursed wound. The curse grants Ashitaka strength when angry; but using this strength exacerbates the curse. Ashitaka is informed that he is fated to die from the curse unless he travels west to investigate the wrongs that led to the demon’s creation. Out west, Ashitaka discovers a violent struggle between the gods of the forest and the humans of Irontown who are destroying the forest to mine iron. Fighting alongside the gods is San, a human girl raised by the wolf god Moro. She personifies the god’s hatred of humanity’s greed. Ashitaka hates this war and wishes to end it peacefully. He must resist his anger, or the curse will spread. Similarly, San must learn to overcome her hatred of humanity to work...