Mononoke Hime
Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke, 1997)
I was thinking that Mononoke Hime is one of those overrated animated films here in North America just because it was made by Miyazaki Hayao. It took me three weeks (and the second time I borrowed the DVD from a friend) before I finally watched the film. By looking at the cover, I noticed that the American actors who dubbed the English version were given more exposure compared to the original VAs. While it is true that the video I borrowed is most probably the North American version, I believe that the Japanese VAs should be given equal exposure as well. The video cover gives me the impression that Mononoke Hime was made in North America and not in Japan.
To those who have no idea about this film, Mononoke Hime is about Ashitaka, a prince of a legendary tribe whose entire population was almost wiped out five centuries ago. A boar god from the east became a demon, and he attacked the village where Ashitaka rules. The prince became physically in contact with the boar-demon and after killing it, realized that he was cursed, and that he will die soon. Since he killed the boar god, he also has to cut off his hair and never to set foot on their village. Ashitaka has to travel to the east where the boar god used to live and to find cure there. Upon reaching his destination, he was caught up on a war between the people who lives on the Irontown, as well as the creatures of the forest, headed by San, a girl who was raised up by Moro, the wolf god.
I will not comment about the animation of Mononoke Hime because it’s the same as Spirited Away. However, despite the fact that I initially find it boring, it has, however, a good story. The ending doesn’t say much about what will happen to the people, but what I like about it is that the movie managed to say that everything dies. Everything has an end, and we cannot prevent things from fading away. However, while it is true that humans and any other creatures cannot prevent death, everyone can still do something about it, that is, to live.
I was also thinking why the movie was pertaining to the wolf-girl San, when the focus of the story was Ashitaka and how he managed to fix the problem between the warring humans and forest creatures. San’s character wasn’t even developed in the film.
Angela Solis grew up in the Philippines before moving in to Canada in 2003. She became a Canadian in 2006. Angela is 22 years old and an alumna of University of Manitoba with a degree in Psychology. She has been blogging since 2002. She maintains a 
July 6th, 2006 at 7:16 am
iisa lng ba un princess mononoke saka yan? I remember having a copy of it kasi
July 6th, 2006 at 10:48 am
You should try reading Miyazaki’s Nausicaa manga. Really good stuff and it fits his penchant for long works. (Feeling ko is that he has a tendency to cram stuff in his anime kasi e.) Of course nga lang, medyo preachy but I thought overall magaling talaga.
July 9th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
ang kagandahan ng princess mononoke, hindi one-dimensional ang mga characters. yung pinuno ng irontown, iisipin mo masama syang tao kasi sinisira nya ang kalikasan, pero isa syang mapagmahal na ina sa mga kinasasakupan nya.
mas gusto ko syang panoorin na niponggo ang audio language. nakakairita ang boses ni claire danes pag sa english audio!