/anime/164/princess-mononoke
Getting the chance to watch Princess Mononoke in theaters was an experience I will not forget. Going to see any movie in the theater is such joy for me, so when i saw that they were screening a Ghibli film that i had been meaning to watch for a while, i had to jump at the chance to see it! There was something powerful about seeing it on the big screen, surrounded by sound and witnessing the art form in 4k., even if we arrived late and missed the first few minutes. I found myself thinking about how different the experience might have been if I had first watched it at home, the way I had watched My Neighbor Totoro. Ghibli movies often carry a warmth that feels meant to be experienced among family and friends, in the comfort of home. Still, there is something undeniable about hearing the roar of the forest gods and the clash of iron and nature fill a theater. The sound, though aged, carried a weight that will definitely be remembered.

The animation was quite amazing. It had that timeless feeling that only those older hand-drawn animations had. Every frame was alive. Every tree, every gust of wind, every creature was crafted with such care. It was clear that so much heart was poured into it.

What struck me most, though, was the weight of the story and its themes. Princess Mononoke is not just a story about humans and gods fighting for survival. It is a reflection on the nature of suffering, change, and loyalty. Even such a minor character as Osa says, > “Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living.”
Dialogue like this is what lingered with me long after the credits rolled. In a world where pain and loss seem inevitable, the film asks whether we can still choose to hope, to act, to protect what we love.

Another quote that stuck out to me was about fate.

“You cannot change fate. However, you can rise to meet it, if you so choose.”

Ashitaka, San, Eboshi, even the cursed boars and wolves, all struggle with forces larger than themselves. Some fight to preserve the old ways. Others push toward an uncertain future. Loyalty pulls them in different directions, but I also find that this also defines their "humanity" in a way or at least gives them those similarities too.

At its heart, I feel like Princess Mononoke takes this kind of meditation on respect for nature, the fragility of life, and the inevitability of change. And i definitely don't think it offers any easy answers to these topics. Like Jiko says,

“These days, there are angry ghosts all around us. Dead from wars, sickness, starvation, and nobody cares. So you say you are under a curse? So what? So is the whole damn world.”

Yet even in this cursed world, the film seems to say, there is beauty worth fighting for.

The one issue I have with the film, which I've realized in many Ghibli films, is that the pacing falters a little toward the end. Some parts drag, others rush past too quickly. But I wouldn't say these small flaws take away from the soul of the film. The heart, the feelings, and emotions all still come across. The film is beautiful in many ways, but i do feel like the end couldn't have been executed better.

If you have never seen Princess Mononoke before, I would personally recommend first watching it at home, where you can sit with its ideas in your own quiet space. Then, if you ever have the chance to see it in theaters, go. Again, a great movie and still a great experience. Definitely will be buying the steelbook and watching again at some point.