Princess Mononoke is Hayao Miyazaki’s epic about war between humans and the gods of the forest — dark, beautiful and still amazing today.
Quick Info
- Japanese title: Mononoke-hime
- Release: 1997
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Runtime: 134 minutes
- Our rating: 9.6 / 10
Princess Mononoke — Official Trailer
Story (Spoiler-Free)
Prince Ashitaka is cursed while protecting his village from a raging boar god. He travels west to find the cause and arrives in the middle of a war: Lady Eboshi’s Iron Town is cutting down the forest, while San — a girl raised by wolves — fights to protect it. Ashitaka tries to find a way for both sides to live.
Main Characters
- Ashitaka — a cursed prince seeking peace
- San — the wolf girl, “Princess Mononoke”
- Lady Eboshi — leader of Iron Town
- Moro — the giant wolf goddess
- The Forest Spirit — god of life and death
Why You Should Watch It
- Huge, epic battles and stunning nature scenes
- No simple heroes or villains
- A strong environmental message
- One of Joe Hisaishi’s greatest scores
Fun Facts
- Was the highest-grossing film in Japan when it was released
- Its forest designs were inspired by Yakushima island
- The English dub script was adapted by Neil Gaiman
Miyazaki at his most ambitious. An epic every anime fan should see.
Where to Watch Princess Mononoke Legally
Princess Mononoke is on Netflix in many countries and on Max in the US. Streaming catalogs change by country, so check your local services. Watching legally supports the artists behind these films.
If You Liked This, Watch Next
Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and our Ghibli ranking.
