Review - Princess Mononoke

Having watched Spirited Away earlier this year, I was awed by the interesting way Japanese animation spread their stories. The story for Princess Mononoke has the equal charm, being the predecessor smash hit to Spirited Away … and having watched this predecessor, I can understand why.

The fantastical story has the under streams of humankind’s evils, greed, lust pride & wrath sweeping away all that’s left. And it’s all up to Price Ashitaka & Princess Mononoke to bring an end to this war beset by humans against the spirits & gods of the forest.

Young Prince Ashitaka starts off as the tragic hero who valiantly saves his village from a demon god, but upon slaying the monster, it left him with a curse that slowly shall devour him and a curse that also grants him superhuman strength. To free himself from this, he has to journey to the west & seek the forest spirits from where the demon descended.

He arrives as the voice of reason for the warring humans & spirits, where in the game of war, suffering & perish is prevalent, but what will emerge from the scars of this? An intriguing end awaits, & the tale will give you a different feel from the usual Americanized animations we feed. Be delighted with some Asian touch to the fantasy.

4 stars out of 5