Princess Mononoke: Difference between revisions

Princess Mononoke
File:Princess Mononoke DVD.JPG Princess Mononoke Region 1 DVD case cover
Directed by	Hayao Miyazaki
Written by	Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay) Neil Gaiman English adaptation: US version
Produced by	Toshio Suzuki
Music by	Joe Hisaishi
Release dates	July 12 1997 (Japan) October 19 1999 (U.S.)
Running time	134 min
Language	Japanese
Budget	¥2,400,000,000 (estimated)

Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫 — Mononoke Hime) is a Japanese animated film by Hayao Miyazaki and was first released in Japan on July 12, 1997 and in the U.S. on October 29, 1999 in select cities and on November 26, 1999.

It is a jidaigeki set in late Muromachi period of Japan, and centers on the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans who need its resources, as seen by the outsider Ashitaka. "Mononoke" is not a name but a description that might be rendered in this context as "spirit[s]", making the title of the film "Princess of the Spirits/Spirit Princess".

Plot

Ashitaka's Background

Ashitaka is an Emishi prince [1], who saves his village from a demon. After killing the demon, Ashitaka found out that it was a boar god suffering under a curse, and having biten Ashitaka's arm, Ashitaka is cursed in the process himself, though just on his arm. However, after consulting the chief of the village, it was found that a ball of iron is in Nago's corpse and is the source of the curse. Though only limited to his arm, the curse will eventually spread throughout Ashitaka's body, and then Ashitaka will die. Because of this curse, should Ashitaka come under any rage or hatred, black tendrils will come out of his arm, and may curse other people.

Ashitaka sets out from his home to find a cure, though only as a low priority. The chief tells him that only a very powerful god who can go against the power of fate can save him now. This god is the great forest spirit, which can give and take life. Ashitaka's true mission as is given him by the head medium is to "see with eyes unclouded by hate" what is the matter in the lands to the West, since Nago came from there. In doing so, he leaves his village forever, never to return, because his people have been living in exile for generations and shun any contact with the outside world. Ashitaka sets out with only Yakul, his loyal elk, with him. Since it was considered taboo to see off one who is banished, only one girl, his little sister, dared to see Ashitaka off, giving him an obsidian knife in the process.

Journey to Irontown

As Ashitaka goes toward the West, he sees a group of samurais that seem to be attacking some people. Angered, Ashitaka takes out his bow and arrow, but then he noticed that Nago's curse came into effect. This curse gave him supernatural strength on his infected arm, so that his arrow was able to cut off a samurai's arm. Ashitaka also noticed that the curse has spread to a greater region in the arm. After decapitating another samurai, they all believe Ashitaka was a demon, and leave. At the town, he meets a strange monk, Jigo, who was saved by Ashitaka during the attack. Ashitaka shows Jigo the iron bullet that was in Nago. Jigo tells Ashitaka that he may be able to find where it came from at a town called Irontown.

At Irontown, there is a pack of wolves fighting a battle with some humans. One particularly large wolf, the wolf goddess Moro, was shot and fell over down a hill. One of the wolves is ridden by San, the mononoke princess, who has been raised by Moro.

Before Ashitaka reaches Irontown, he had to pass the forest, where the battle between wolves and humans just occurred. He found a wounded soldier and a cattle herder, and offers to help them back to their village. Ashitaka also noticed San sucking blood from Moro in order to heal Moro. Ashitaka seems to be taken in by the sight of San.

At Irontown

Ashitaka reaches a smelting settlement named Irontown, ruled by Lady Eboshi. This town's purpose was to extract the iron from the mountains in order to make high quality weapons. Eboshi shows Ashitaka their newest weapon, the ishibiya gun, a sort of a cross between a musket and a grenade launcher, which shoots a ball of iron and causes a little explosion upon impact. Seeing the bullet, Ashitaka realizes that this was the bullet that was in Nago, and tells Eboshi about what has befallen him. Eboshi replies that she has no doubt that Nago was shot by the bullet; in fact, she herself had shot Nago. Eboshi expresses sorrow over Ashitaka's curse, and lets him stay in Irontown as a guest, and gives him some work to do at the bellows.

Eboshi explains that she is fighting a war against the spirits of the forest so she may more easily extract the mountain's resources. Tribes of intelligent boars, apes, and wolves have struck back against Eboshi's efforts, with the boars and wolves attacking and the apes planting trees to reforest the mountain. The boars have just recently be eliminated, with the death of Nago. San, who has rejected her humanity and considers herself a wolf, has taken the forest spirits' side in the struggle as well. Only the tiny, humanoid kodama—tree spirits too childlike to understand what is at stake—remain uninvolved. However, Ashitaka soon realizes that he cannot completely condemn Eboshi for trying to destroy nature. Her efforts are to secure the welfare of her followers - a group of lepers, freed slaves, and former prostitutes - and of Irontown itself, which is besieged by neighbouring samurai who want to control the smelter.

Ashitaka also learns that only the Shishigami, the Great Forest Spirit can cure his curse. However, Ashitaka's quest is complicated by a final participant in the local conflict. The monk Jigo is actually the leader of a group of the emperor's agents, who intend to hunt down the Shishigami and bring his head to the emperor in the belief that it will confer immortality. These agents have struck a bargain with Eboshi: in return for the emperor's protection from the greedy samurai lords, Eboshi and her people assist in the hunt.

San, the Princess Mononoke, wants to kill Eboshi to save the forest. Many times has San tried to kill Eboshi, and many times has San failed. Ashitaka witnesses such a conflict one night, as San suddenly comes to Irontown, and the townsfolk prepare for battle very quickly. After a little chase of San, Eboshi challenges San to a duel. Ashitaka tries to warn San not to fall into a trap, but San pays little heed. The able men form a circle around them. Ashitaka concentrates his anger to activate Nago's curse, and displaying superhuman strengh, Ashitaka flings people aside to reach where San and Eboshi are fighting. He then separates San and Eboshi and stunns the two of them unconscious. Ashitaka gives Eboshi back to the townsfolk, while he carries San away. As he leaves, one woman accidentally shoots Ashitaka with her ishibiya gun, but Ashitaka keeps going, despite the liquid blood dripping rapidly from his body. He pushes open the gate (a feat for ten people) and leaves Irontown with his elk Yakul. Outside, Ashitaka meets two wolves, but tells them that San is safe with him.

In the forest

As Ashitaka is riding with San on Yakul, he could no longer sustain the injury, and falls to the ground. The two wolves immediately want to eat Ashitaka, but San stops them. She senses that Ashitaka is dying, and is confused as to why a human would fight on her side. San demands that Ashitaka tell her why he interfered. Ashitaka tells her that he did not want her to die, but that only enrages San even more. Holding Ashitaka's sword to his throat, she says that if she could make the human scum go away she would gladly give her life. Ashitaka then tells San that he wants her to live because she's beautiful.

After telling San that she is beautiful, Ashitaka falls unconscious. Touched by his care, San takes Ashitaka into the forest into the sacred island in the middle of a lake. There, she lays him on the island, plants a little plant in front of him, and leaves for Shishigami, the forest spirit, to arrive. When Shishigami arrives in his nightcrawler form and sees Ashitaka, Shishigami decides to let Ashitaka live, perhaps sensing that Ashitaka will bring peace between the forest and the humans.

The very next day, Okkotonushi and his herd arrived at Shishigami's forest. Their mission is to kill all the humans and thus protect the forest, or die trying. After hearing what has happened to Nago, Okkotonushi expressed sorrow that one of his kind has turned into a demon. Okkotonushi tells Ashitaka that should they ever meet again, Okkotonushi will have to kill Ashitaka.

After healing fully, Ashitaka was permitted to leave the forest.

The War

Ashitaka tries to mediate the conflict between man and beast. Ashitaka cares for San, and shares her concern for the forest's welfare, but he has also come to sympathize with the people of Irontown. He sees Eboshi and San as two people who are blinded by their hatred for one another, and wants to find a solution that will please both sides. However, he fails and a war occurs.

The samurais around Irontown have led an offensive against Irontown, demanding that they get half of all the iron that is smelted from the bellows. Eboshi disagrees, and leads the town to be able to resist the attack. At the same time, a joint force of boars and wolves attacked the town. Eboshi led the men, including Jigo, to fight the animals, while the women were to guard Irontown with their life.

Laying a trp full of mines, the humans were able to destroy the attack force of wolves and boars. They then skinned the boars, using them as hides to be unable to be detected by Okkotonushi, who is blind. Even though San, who acted as the eyes for Okkotonushi, could easily see through the disguise, Okkotonushi could not. Being half mad, Okkotonushi thought his warriors returned from the dead, and wanted Shishigami to bring them back to life. Meanwhile, Eboshi was leading the rest of the men to be able to kill Shishigami.

Though San could do little to stop the humongous boar, she still managed to keep the humans away. However, before Okkotonushi could reach the island, the humans disguised in the boar skins irritated Okkotonushi's wounds, which caused the darkness within him to engulf him, and he turned into a full demon, with many red tendrils coming off of him. San tried to stop it, but a man aimed a stone at her and made her unconscious. She was engulfed by the red tendrils. Moro arrived soon after to fight Okkotonushi.

Ashitaka sensed that San was in trouble. With a wolf that he rescued, he went to where San was. By the time he got there, Okkotonushi had already reached the sacred island. Ashitaka tried to reach into the red tendrils, but could not get San out, and fell unconscious into the lake. Then, Moro, who was unconscious from her fight with Okkotonushi, awoke, and demanded to him that she get her daughter back, pulling San out from Okkotonushi with her mouth. She then tells Ashitaka to save San, and he takes her into the lake to get the demon tendrils off of her.

Shishigami's Attack

Just then, Shishigami arrived. Eboshi, having arrived at the nearby woods, shot a bullet into Shishigami's head, but Shishigami was able to continue on. Okkotonushi, despite being blind, half-mad, and without much of a sense of smell, still was able to sense Shishigami. Shishigami came toward Okkotonushi and Moro, and the two humongous beasts fell to the ground, dead.

Just then, Eboshi came out and aimed a bullet at Shishigami's neck. Despite Ashitaka and Shishigami's attempts to stop her, she shot off Shishigami's head as it was transforming into its etheral form. The headless body grew into a monstrous version of itself - a towering figure of dark, gelatinous material whose touch brings death and decay. The dying wolf goddess grievously wounds Eboshi with her last ounce of strength, namely, biting off her right arm and shoulder; Jigo and his men grab the Shishigami's head and attempt to carry it off. Bringing the wounded Eboshi to the center island, San demands that Ashitaka give Eboshi to her so she can kill her once and for all. Ashitaka refuses, saying that Eboshi's wound is enough punishment. Angered, San demands that Ashitaka take Eboshi away, while saying that Ashitaka is actually on the human side. Ashitaka then walks slowly toward San, with his arms extended, saying that he is human...but she is also human. San obviously insists that she's a wolf and, out of rage, stabs Ashitaka in the chest with the oblivion knife he gave her. Taken aback at what she had just done, Ashitaka steps toward San and takes her into his arms, and gives her a hug. Explaining that he tried to stop them, San breaks down and says that it's all over. Ashitaka says to her that it isn't, because they are still here.

The Forest Spirit's corpse begins an ever-widening search for its head, wiping out a huge tract of the forest as well as Irontown itself in the process, and ultimately San and Ashitaka force Jigo to return it to him. Thus restored, the corpse's killing touch is abated, and the Shishigami fades away as the sun rises. Its disappearance is followed by a great wind, which blows out the flames consuming what is left of Irontown and sweeps away the last of the samurai who had besieged it. When the wind stops blowing, the surviving humans are astonished to witness the Shishigami's final gifts. The deadened forest is magically covered with a blanket of green grasses, flowers, even the shoots of new trees sprouting from the dead trunks of the old. The lepers among the Irontown survivors are healed of their disease, as Ashitaka is of his curse, though he has a tiny scar left

File:Kodamamononoke.jpg

A lone Kodama in the Deer God's forest.

The Irontown survivors vow to build a new and better village. San mourns the death of the Great Forest Spirit, but Ashitaka insists that the Shishigami cannot truly die, as it is the spirit of all life. Still, it is nowhere to be seen. San returns to the wilderness, saying that though she loves Ashitaka, she cannot forgive the humans for what they have done. Ashitaka understands; he says that he will be staying with the humans, but that he will come and visit her when he can.

Finally, somewhere in the ruins of the forest, a single kodama emerges from the new growth, studying a group of tiny seedlings.

Setting

This story takes place in Japan during the Muromachi Period, which is considered to be the transition period between the medieval period and the modern period. It is notable that the power of the shoguns greatly declined in this period, and the Emishis, the ethnic group where Ashitaka is from, have also been decreasing in power.

This is a time when Japan started to grow rapidly in population, and Japan also began to cut down many forests, not just to acquire more living space for the people, but also to dig out the Earth's natural resources, especially iron. Primitive guns were manufactured as well in China, and Japan seems to have acquired the technology as well. It is this time period that the story takes place.

On the animal side, this time is a time when the power of beasts has become much diminished. It was implied that ancient creatures were wise, and they were all humongous, about the size of a one-story flat. These creatures were capable of using and communicating in human speech, as well as having the ability to live hundreds of years. However, as each generation passes, the animals get smaller and smaller, as well as becoming more stupid.

Characters

Ashitaka

Ashitaka is an Emishi prince. The Emishi are a group of people living in Northeast Japan, who were defeated by the Yamato clan, which has become the imperial government. One day, after rescuring his village from a demon (which happened to be a boar god), Ashitaka received a fatal curse from the demon, and he will eventually be killed by the curse. The village chief tells him that the demon became a demon from much hatred, and the source of the curse was an iron bullet within it. Ashitaka should go to the lands of the West to search for a possible cure, as well as what is happening there, which means leaving his village forever.

Ashitaka arrives at Irontown, where he is caught between a raging war between humans and the mountain gods. Ashitaka cannot take sides, as both sides fight for good and just reasons: humans for the ability to survive, the mountain gods for the ability to survive as well.

Amidst this great battle, Ashitaka finds San, the princess Mononoke. He falls in love with her at first sight, and he must gradually get San to love him as well. Ultimately, he must try with all his might to give peace between the forest and the man.

San (Princess Mononoke)

File:Princesssan.JPG

San, the Princess Mononoke

She is known as Princess Mononoke - the princess of spirits and beasts. When San was a little baby, her parents, along with some other travelers, were attacked by the wolf goddess Moro. Without any other possible means of escape, her parents threw San to Moro, thus escaping while Moro was preoccupied with San. Obviously, the parents would have wept oceans of tears for the baby they lost to a "wolf demon".

However, San was spared from such a fate. Moro did not kill San, probably because San was a mere baby and was not "contaminated" with the ways of the humans. Moro raised San as her own daughter, and San treated Moro as her own mother. Despite being human, San rejects her humanity, instead thinking of herself as a wolf.

San cares very much for the forest she lives in and the animals she lives with. While Moro may be known as the Queen of Beasts, San is known as the Princess of Beasts. San has very good agility, being able to dodge arrows, darts, and even ishibiya shots. She, like the mountain spirits, want to destroy the humans so that they will stop taking away all their land, so she desperately wants to kill Eboshi, who is the leader of Irontown.

San is very courageous and hard, but she showed her soft side to Ashitaka. San did not expect to live through her final attack against the humans, but Ashitaka rescued her and took her out of Irontown. San was enraged that she has failed, again, to kill Eboshi, and seeing Ashitaka helpless on the ground, wanted to kill him for interfering, as well as his continuing babbling about protecting her. San was surprised when Ashitaka told her she was beautiful, and did calm down a bit, not letting Ashitaka die. San took Ashitaka to Shishigami, who healed Ashitaka.

Despite loving Ashitaka, San had to fight against the humans to protect her forest. After the war, she told Ashitaka that even though she loved him, she could not forgive humans for what they have done to the forests

Eboshi

Eboshi is a very strong and caring woman, who wants to help the people of Irontown. Being a former harlot, and having killed her master and freed herself, she used her money to buy and free other harlots. Eboshi also took in lepers, treated them as humans instead of parasites, and helped them with their wounds.

Eboshi went to the town of Irontown, a town where the people take the iron from the mountains to make steel, and then as high-quality weapons. The people had used up all the iron along the beaches, and they needed to go to the mountains. However, there is a ferocious Boar God in the mountains, the undefeated champion of the mountain. Many strong and brave men went into the mountains to challenge the boar, none have succeeded. However, Eboshi was able to defeat the boar, shooting it with an ishibiya gun and mortally wounding the Boar God. This Boar God is the same demon that cursed Ashitaka.

Eboshi proceeded to lead Irontown, cutting down trees and using the iron for Irontown. Eboshi wanted to destroy the forest so that all the spirits would not be able to live, and thus the land would become a rich land for humans. The harlots and lepers would have work, be able to live as people rather than animals, and they could have a good life.

Eboshi has plenty of enemies, both man and beast. The samurai warlords want to take control of Irontown, knowing that iron and steel is the material of the future, and would lead to glorious conquests. Eboshi was able to get some ishibiya troops to defend Irontown, and being a very capable leader, she was able to stop the samurais from taking over Irontown. As for beasts, practically every mountain god hates Eboshi, and they all vie for the ability to bite her head off. They want to protect the forest and their habitat; Eboshi wants to destroy it. Despite the apparent ferocity of the beasts, Eboshi is wise enough to know that the true enemy is not beasts, but rather humans, for humans are deceitful, crafty, and intelligent to use nature to make the most horrifying of weapons; the animals could only use teeth and claws.

Shishigami

Shishigami is the ancient spirit of the forest. During the day, Shishigami is invisible to the world; it can be assumed that he becomes an ethereal entity, guarding the forests that are beholden to him. During the border between day and night, Shishigami takes on the form of a large, dark-blue, translucent, godzilla-like creature. However, this is only a transition between his physical form and his ethereal form. During night, Shishigami takes on his physical form, which is that of a nightcrawler. This creature looks like a giant deer with many antlers, and has the face of a baboon.

Shishigami has a number of powers, most notably, the ability to give and take life away. Those that Shishigami deems to live, will live, those that Shishigami believe lived enough, he takes life away. It can be assumed that this ability is so great, he always shows forth some power. Whenever Shishigami walks during his nightcrawler form, plants will instantly come to life at his feet, and just as quickly, they will wither and die. Shishigami gives a kiss to those that he takes life away from, but simply gently gives a nuzzle when giving life to something.

Shishigami intended for Ashitaka to live, but live with his curse, and to live in pain until the curse kills him. However, when Shishigami regained his head and "died", he told Ashitaka to live, and took away the curse, leaving only a tiny, ordinary scar.

Moro

Moro is the 300 year old Goddess of wolves. One day, years ago, she cornered a group of travellers, trespassing on her lands. As a desperate attempt, a traveller laid a baby at Moro's feet to escape from her fangs. That baby grew up to be San, whom Moro treated as her own daughter. Moro is the leader of the Wolf Clan, and is known as a ferocious warrior, very brave and strong.

Moro was injured shortly before Ashitaka came by an ishibiya bullet, and she knows that the poison will eventually destroy her. Unlike Nago, the Boar God who cursed Ashitaka, Moro knows that death is smiling down at her; she just smiles right back. Moro will wait until her death will come, and she knows that she has lived long enough, that should she ask Shishigami for help, he will only take her life away.

Moro is determined to use every last bit of strength within her to protect the forest she loves. She vowed to destroy Eboshi, and as a last ditch effort, she had bitten off Eboshi's right arm.

Okkotonushi

Okkotonushi is the God of Boars. He was rumored to have been killed 100 years ago, but he has actually lived, and is probably 500 years old as of now. Okkotonushi and his tribe live in a faraway land, where they kill humans to be able to protect their forests. However, hearing that the great Shishigami's forests are being plundered by humans, they came to Irontown, after possibly months of travelling, and will destroy the humans at Irontown, even though Moro told them to go back.

Okkotonushi is blind, possibly from his old age. He also is very observant, knowing that the boars grow more stupid and small as the generations pass. This is evident: Okkotonushi is larger than Moro herself; his children are merely the size of cows. Okkotonushi is thus determined to destroy as many humans as possible, before boars eventually become hunted for meat. He is very rash, possibly from an inherited trait of all boars. They will attack head on, despite any disadvantages, and will do not crafty strategizing.

Releases

Theatrical run

File:Princess Mononoke Japanese Poster (Movie).jpg

Japanese Movie Poster.

The film was massively successful in Japan and with both anime fans and "arthouse" moviegoers in English-speaking countries. In those countries, it was widely interpreted as a film about the environment told in the form of Japanese mythology. Disney's Miramax subsidiary purchased U.S. distribution rights, but wanted to cut the film for American audiences (and for a PG-rating). However, Miyazaki balked at this, and the film was instead released uncut with a rating of PG-13. Miramax also chose to put a lot of money into creating the English dub of the movie with famous actors and actresses, yet when they released it in theatres there was little or no advertising and it was given a very limited run, showing in only a few theatres and for a very short time. Disney later complained about the fact that the movie did not do well at the box office. In September of 2000, the film was supposed to be released on DVD in the U.S., but Miramax announced that only the English dub would be included on the disc. Outraged fans demanded the Japanese track be put on the disc as well, and the threat of poor sales prompted Miramax to hire translators for the subtitles, which held the DVD release back by almost three months. When the film was finally released on DVD it sold very well due to no limitation in availability.

Box office totals & admission numbers

Box office gross:

• Japan: ¥18,650,000,000
• USA: $2,298,191
• Spain: €598,040

Total admissions:

• Japan: 13,530,000
• France: 500,380
• USA: 467,344
• Spain: 156,816
• Italy: 26,989

English translations

The United States and United Kingdom DVD releases have both the English and Japanese soundtracks, and the US release additionally includes two different sets of English subtitles (the dialogue used in the dub and a "literal translation").

The English version of Princess Mononoke (with a script adaptation by Neil Gaiman, author of The Sandman) received mixed reviews from critics. Although most of the reaction was positive, others criticized the dub for most of its casting choices, notably Billy Bob Thornton as Jigo and Claire Danes as San, claiming that they detracted from the experience. Despite this love-hate atmosphere, the dub has been hailed as one of the best ever done alongside Spirited Away.

The English title Princess Mononoke is somewhat misleading, being a translation of only half the Japanese title. It leaves the impression that mononoke is a proper name, yet the original title Mononoke Hime actually means something like Princess of the Ghosts or Princess of the Avenging Spirits. The concept embodied by the word "mononoke" is a complex one with no exact equivalent in English: hence the decision to leave it untranslated.

Credits

Production

• Direction, original story, screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki
• Music: Joe Hisaishi
• Production: Studio Ghibli
• Executive producers: Seiichiro Ujiie & Yutaka Narita
• Producer: Toshio Suzuki
• English language script for the US version: Neil Gaiman
• Voice director: Jack Fletcher

Cast

The movie stars the following actors (listed in English version/Japanese version format):

• Billy Crudup/Yōji Matsuda - Ashitaka
• Claire Danes/Yuriko Ishida - San
• Gillian Anderson/Akihiro Miwa - Moro
• Minnie Driver/Yūko Tanaka - Lady Eboshi
• Billy Bob Thornton/Kaoru Kobayashi - Jigo/Jiko Bou
• Jada Pinkett Smith/Sumi Shimamoto - Toki
• Keith David/Hisaya Morishige - Okkoto/Okkotonushi
• John DiMaggio/Tsunehiko Kamijo - Gonza
• John DeMita/Masahiko Nishimura - Kohroku
• Tara Strong/Yuriko Ishida - Kaya

Awards

• Best Movie; The 21st Japanese Academy Awards
• Best Japanese Movie, Best Animation, and Japanese Movie Fans' Choice; The 52nd Mainichi Movie Competition
• Best Japanese Movie and Readers' Choice; Asahi Best Ten Film Festival
• Excellent Movie Award; The Agency for Cultural Affairs
• Grand Prize in Animation Division; The 1st Media Arts Festival (by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Education)
• Best Director; Takasaki Film Festival
• Best Japanese Movie; The Association of Movie Viewing Groups
• Movie Award; The 39th Mainichi Art Award
• Best Director; Tokyo Sports Movie Award
• Nihon Keizai Shinbun Award for Excellency; Nikkei Awards for Excellent Products/Service (details)
• Theater Division Award; Asahi Digital Entertainment Award
• MMCA Special Award; Multimedia Grand Prix 1997
• Best Director and Yujiro Ishihara Award; Nikkan Sports Movie Award
• Special Achievement Award; The Movie's Day
• Special Award; Houchi Movie Award
• Special Award; Blue Ribbon Award
• Special Award; Osaka Film Festival
• Special Award; Elandore Award
• Cultural Award; Fumiko Yamaji Award
• Grand Prize and Special Achievement Award; Golden Gross Award
• First Place, best films of the year; The 26th "Pia Ten"
• First Place; Japan Movie Pen Club, 1997 Best 5 Japanese Movies
• First Place; 1997 Kinema Junpo Japanese Movies Best 10 (Readers' Choice)
• Second Place; 1997 Kinema Junpo Japanese Movies Best 10 (Critics' Choice)
• Best Director; 1997 Kinema Junpo Japanese Movies (Readers' Choice)
• First Place; Best Comicker's Award
• First Place; CineFront Readers' Choice
• Nagaharu Yodogawa Award; RoadShow
• Best Composer and Best Album Production; 39th Japan Record Award
• Excellent Award; Yomiruri Award for Film/Theater Advertisement

See also

• Yakushima, the ancient forest which was the inspiration for the forests of Princess Mononoke.

External links

• Princess Mononoke official Miramax site (archived)
• Princess Mononoke at IMDb
• Princess Mononoke at RottenTomatoes
• Mononoke Hime page at Nausicaa.net