Princess Mononoke (1997)

Japanese anime has always been conscious of societal issues, from oppression to environmentalism. Representation of these topics can make for interestingly satisfying debate, while also grounding stories in present-day reality. Ghibli’s greatest charade against industrialism, “Princess Mononoke” is a stunningly vivid portrait of the environment and the role organisms play in it, presenting a morally conscious theme with perspective and tenderness.

Anti-society at its heart, “Princess Mononoke” manages to be one of the most impressive Ghibli projects I’ve seen so far due to how serious it can get at times, with harsh warfare and graphic depictions more than earning its PG-13 rating. Thematically, it’s a hero’s journey involving a prince who gets caught up in this environmental crisis happening outside his lands, but it’s so much more than that in regards to scope and messaging, telling a larger-than-life message about environmentalism and humans’ greed about cultivating the land through civilization. Miyazaki only made 2 films in the 90s, with “Porco Rosso” in 1992, and then this film in 1997, making the scale and effort that went into this immensely respectable.

Coated with precision and gorgeous to look at, the art design in “Princess Mononoke” is nothing short of breathtaking, with visuals of forests and open terrains looking natural and picturesque. As with any Ghibli film, the animation looks refined and smooth. One thing to point out in particular is that the animal textures, specifically the fur on the giant white wolves, look soft and fluffy despite their roughness, something that CGI can’t easily compare to.

Finally, Joe Hisaishi’s score is nothing short of immersive when it comes to the supernatural elements of “Princess Mononoke,” such as the Deer God and various creatures. It also delivers the tension of the San and Eboshi duel well, giving the impression of a town in disarray by conflict between 2 strong-willed leaders. 

Overall, “Princess Mononoke” is one of Studio Ghibli’s strongest films, and rightfully deserves its place as an animation hallmark. Full of socially conscious themes and human-centric energy, it resonates in today’s world. 

My Rating: 7.5/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

Where to Watch: Max, VoD (Video on Demand), Physical Media (DVD, Blu-ray)