Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Jxbinha
Princess Mononoke is one of those movies that makes me understand why Studio Ghibli is so loved. It has everything: beautiful animation, an incredible soundtrack, memorable characters, giant wolves, cursed arms and a story that refuses to tell you who is completely right or wrong.
What I love most is how morally complicated everything feels. You understand San's anger, but you can also understand why Iron Town exists and why the people there fight to protect it. There isn't a simple villain you can point at and say, "yes, that's the bad guy." Everyone is fighting for something they believe in, and that makes the conflict so much more interesting.
And San? Absolutely iconic. Growing up with wolves and still somehow having more personality than half of the characters in other movies.
The rel…
Read at the sourcespectre699
The animation was superb, as expected of Studio Ghibli. The artstyle is what is expected of a Ghibli film, though leans more on realistic rather than traditional Anime style. The characters are very good and the characters' behavior match their designs. The story kept me engaged but this is also the part where I have something I don't like about this. A lot of uncertainty coming from the MC itself. He can't choose a side. Stories like this shouldn't lean on the neutral, rather make a stance on what's the really the message they want to convey about. It's like they are afraid to take risk in the story, like for example: It would be good if they killed that annoying old man who steal the **** of a very important element of the story, like come on, his death should be warranted. For that alon…
Read at the sourceSpider-Mate_MSA
May The Spirits Live On
This is a first for me, since I believe this is Ghibli's most violent movie I've seen so far and is probably the most violent movie the studio has ever made, which itself is a stretch to say because it's also very tranquil and fun at times.
The titular Princess Mononoke aka San doesn't get as much screen time or even character moments as I thought she'd get, which was disappointing to say the least because I was looking forward to seeing her do a lot more than what we got to see of her. It feels as though she was forced into the plot rather than being a central part of it, and she doesn't really do much other than add tension when she's in need of saving, which takes away some agency from her character overall. Her entire character is the only reason I'm cutting o…
Read at the source_Bubassotto_
A film that speaks about war, nature, humanity… and especially about understanding those who think differently from you.
Princess Mononoke is a work that goes far beyond being just a fantasy film. It's the kind of story that ends and leaves you with many reflections. Throughout the narrative, there is a central conflict between progress and preservation, humanity and nature, ambition and balance. But the interesting thing is that the film avoids turning this into something as simple as "one side is good and the other is evil."
The story follows Ashitaka, a cursed prince who sets out in search of a cure for his condition and ends up in the middle of the conflict between the forest, its spirits, and the humans responsible for industrial expansion. It is in this context that San, the so-cal…
Read at the sourceAtsushiPilchzuki
An incredibly moving movie.
The visual effects are phenomenal, everything is so vivid that it creates a sense of immersion, even contact with nature.
The plot is very single-threaded, but super coherent, beautiful in its simplicity and brilliant.
The character of San and Eboshi are very complex and even thought-provoking, In general, the film is very reflective on the meaning of struggle for characters, ecocentrism, by which I mean the progressive deforestation.
Ashitaka is simply heroic, maybe it doesn't have a bigger message but he is a very well-suited main character, ready to sacrifice.
The music is out of this world, and the sound effects are probably the best in anime history (maybe it's because of the cinema room).
To sum up, an incredibly good movie to recommend.
Read at the sourceStarsoulMac
A tale of life and death may have more to it than meets the eye. This is the story of the world renowned iconic miyakazi masterpiece
The story begins with a young man named Ashitaka, who is a young Prince of a long forgotten tribe that will do whatever it takes to protect their village. One fateful day, the young Prince and trusted companion, yakul, encounter a demon heading away from the forest towards their village. What happens that day will forever change history and begin the fated tale that will save the world.
Ashitaka defends his village with all of his might and to his surprise, the endeavour becomes successful at the cost of another's life. After Prince Ashitaka, is cursed by the demon, by rule of law, he becomes exiled from his tribe never to step foot on that land again and…
Read at the sourceTheGOF
Having watched nearly all of Miyazaki's movies, there's a lot that frustrates me about his work. They range from the sublime to the ridiculous, sometimes in the very same film. Here though, it's all sublime, without the ridiculous. Princess Mononoke is just breathtaking. This is a pro-environment, anti-war film, very inkeeping with Miyazaki's usual themes. He manages to keep his artistic vices in check (there aren't any damn planes!), and the inconsistent tone that plagues his lesser work is absent. It's well-paced, thrilling and memorable throughout, with a slam-dunk ending. I've seen this film three times and am always impressed by the sheer invention on display- Ghibli really feel like they're showing off with the animation. A fantasy epic that has only grown more relevant over time. Al…
Read at the sourcebergars
“Ponyo” has lost the spot as the best Ghibli function.
I simply loved this movie to bits. Every single element worked with each other to create a perfect conflict that didn't have a right answer to resolve. Movies where there's no perfect answer are my favourite, all the time. Loved the protagonist's story, as an idealistic kid who technically just wants to get freed from a curse, and is wrapped up in a conflict he shouldn't be a part of.
I've seen this kind of story before, sure, but never executed this beautifully. No corniness or forced message, the dialogue which carries the whole thing was just so awesome. The violence, dude.
I did not expect so much violence in this one, and it looked like a gigantic juxtaposition that I enjoyed a lot for the Ghibli style. I guess, even in “Grav…
Read at the sourcemaya_kotori
Princess Mononoke is an absolute masterpiece, and giving it 10/10 feels completely deserved. It’s one of those films that hits you with its power from the very first scene. The atmosphere, the music, the world, everything feels so alive and intense. The story is deep and beautifully complex, touching on nature, humanity, conflict, and compassion in a way that stays with you long after the movie ends. The characters are unforgettable, each of them carrying their own struggles and beliefs, and the animation is breathtaking even today. Every frame looks like a painting. It’s emotional, dramatic, and incredibly meaningful without ever feeling forced. For me, it’s one of Studio Ghibli’s strongest films. Its bold, beautiful, and timeless. A perfect 10/10.
Read at the sourceSirBunting
This is an exciting and well-paced movie full of poignant creative designs. The themes build a network of contrasts, with nature contrasting industry, wild animals and spirits contrasting mankind, and peace contrasting war. However there is very little peace in the movie. It is almost entirely centered on conflict. Brief moments of respite and healing are included but they are overwhelmed by the continuous conflicts. That's why despite the movie's wonderful creativity, it's still overtly unhappy. I can still recommend it fully but this is why I can't go with a 9 or 10; the trend towards unhappiness is uncomfortable.
Positives include spirit designs, fluid animation (particularly the "frazzled / shaking" and "gooey tendrils" concepts), and striking memorable scenes and stills. The apes tha…
Read at the sourceelumizu
Princess Mononoke is not the kind of fantasy that easily celebrates heroes and villains. Instead it throws everyone into a world where every side believes it is right, every action carries consequences, and nature itself seems ready to fight back. What begins as a story about a cursed warrior quickly expands into a powerful and unsettling meditation on the fragile balance between humanity and the natural world. The story follows Ashitaka, a young prince from a remote village who becomes infected by a mysterious curse after killing a rampaging demon. The curse grants him immense strength, but it also slowly consumes his body. Seeking a cure, Ashitaka journeys west, hoping to understand the origin of the hatred that transformed the creature into a demon in the first place. That search leads…
Read at the sourceSpike_Spiegel06
This is one of, if not the best of Miyazaki’s works. This film proves that Miyazaki is a master at both animation and storytelling.
Princess Mononoke is nothing short of a masterpiece. I was completely gripped by its world, its characters, and the sheer scale of the story it sets out to tell. Unlike other Studio Ghibli films, which often lean into whimsy or personal introspection, Princess Mononoke delivers an epic, sweeping tale of gods, humans, and the ever-fragile balance of nature, and it does so with absolute confidence.
The characters are brilliantly crafted, each with their own motivations that blur the lines between good and evil. Ashitaka is a compelling protagonist, navigating a world in turmoil with a level-headedness that makes him easy to root for. San is fierce, yet deeply…
Read at the sourceBee-ku
I saw this movie 10 years ago with my mom, and we both really liked the story and the characters. Today we watched it again and agreed that it's a beautiful story and, I don't know if I'm correct but it seems to me that it deals with a deep theme such as “humans vs. nature.” While watching the movie, I couldn't be sure who the “villain” was, and of course I always supported everything Ashitaka did. I don't have much to say about the drawing style, not because it's bad, but because I love the quality that Studio Ghibli brings to each of its films. In the end, I can only say that my mom and I love Yakul and Kodamas very much.
Read at the sourcetheo1763
I have to say, Princess Mononoke was an incredible experience from start to finish. Out of the Studio Ghibli films I’ve seen so far, this one easily stands apart for its maturity. It’s not just the violence, though that definitely caught me off guard coming from Ghibli, but the depth of the story itself. Instead of a simple tale of good versus evil, the film presents a morally complex war where everyone has their own agendas, flaws, and motivations for waging war. Ashitaka's journey as a cursed prince who wishes to put an end to the war between humans and the forest was fascinating, and I liked how he played a sympathetic bridge between the two sides. Lady Eboshi, although her actions were far from ideal, loved her people and gave shelter to lepers and former prostitutes when others would…
Read at the sourceAloNatural
Possibly one of Miyazaki's best stories, although I personally consider it the best. It is a film that shows through action that no side is completely good or completely evil. This film is on par with Disney productions, which were at their peak at the time and mostly offered happy and unrealistic endings. On the contrary, Princess Mononoke conveys an honest message based on reality.
I like how nature is represented in this case, which can be interpreted as a “divine” role. For example, the deer is a being without emotions, will or human consciousness. It represents neutrality and is only governed by the laws (natural cycle of life and death or destiny) created by it. That rule is general for all living beings, whether they are animals, humans or plants. There is a message that Miyazaki…
Read at the sourceATP_Synthase
Gonna be honest - I don’t really click with most Ghibli movies, and Princess Mononoke was no exception. I know it’s a classic, and I can appreciate the stunning backgrounds, the amazing score, and the unique world-building. Visually, it’s beautiful. But character-wise? It kind of fell flat for me.
The main character didn’t do much for me. He felt really stiff and distant, like he’s just there to be the perfect, righteous guy in the middle of everyone else’s conflict. He never really felt like a person, and I had a hard time understanding what was driving him. The movie just kind of pushes forward without giving us much insight into who he is or what he’s feeling.
That said, I did like the way the side characters were handled. San (the princess) and Lady Eboshi were way more interesting a…
Read at the sourceKJandAPodcast
Princess Mononoke is a towering achievement in animation and storytelling. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1997, this Studio Ghibli classic remains a powerful meditation on nature, industrialization, and the murky gray space between good and evil.
The film follows Ashitaka, a cursed prince from an exiled tribe, as he journeys to find a cure for his affliction. His path leads him into the heart of a war between the guardians of the forest—gods in the form of animals—and the encroaching force of human industry, led by the fierce and complex Lady Eboshi. In the middle of this struggle is San, the titular “Princess Mononoke,” a human girl raised by wolves who sees herself as part of the forest rather than mankind.
The animation is breathtaking—every frame hand-drawn with care and…
Read at the sourceRonin-xd
Held off on watching this for quite some time. Had the pleasure of seeing this in IMAX theatres a few days ago and was absolutely blown away.
The visuals as always are absolutely stunning as it is in most Ghibli movies.
I always enjoy the story in Ghibli films. Very well thought and always has a message that's relatively easy to convey, making it easy to digest for family and friends who want the movies as well.
The music really blew me away. I always listened to Joe Hisaishi mixes on YouTube so I was already familiar with the music, however it hit a lot harder hearing it in theatres and getting scene context as well.
Overall, really no complaints for Mononoke Hime. Will definitely watch it again. Will recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it already.
Read at the sourcek-0da
Despite being an anime fan for basically my whole life, I haven't really tackled Miyzaki's films yet, besides seeing Ponyo and My Neighbor Totoro via VHS at my grandmother's house when i was 5. Got a chance to see it in theaters this week thanks to GKids. Figured I give it a shot, since I greatly enjoyed my last GKIDS movie experience (Gundam GQUX.) Needless to say, but I really, really, really liked this movie.
It's Ghibli, so obviously, the animation and music are spectacular. The backdrop paintings are jaw-dropping, and the way liquids and liquid worms (if you know you know.) Particular highlights for me are the way animals move.
You've read the synopsis, so I won't recite the story, but it gets the job done. Not to say that it's just medicore, or just good, its still great. The messa…
Read at the sourceflamme_
For the first thirty minutes i was enchanted by the animation, focused almost exclusively on that, trying to absorb the beautiful scenery of forest life. The weird and eerie surprised me, in a good way. It was deffinetely not what i was expecting after watching arcadian Howl's moving castle and Whisperer of the Heart. So, yes, Miyazaki certainly gets recognition for a reason.
I can't say i adore this movie, simply because this is not the kind of fantasy that takes you to an incredible ride through some distant harmonious universe where everything seems better arranged and more connected with nature, cosmos, atoms. Here, we witness the primal murder of that magical connection.
This movie is the reality of things, it's our world, it even reminded me of Attack on titan – a feeling of grande…
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