Princess Mononoke

When I saw Princess Mononoke was getting a week long release in 4K IMAX, I knew I had to go see it for like the 50th time in my life. Princess Mononoke IS my favorite movie of all time! I could never write the emotions or feelings and just how much I adore this movie but this will be my best attempt at writing a love letter about it! First, the score by Joe Hisaishi in this film is not only my favorite of his scores, but one of my favorite scores in general. It brings me feelings of peace, love, adventure, loneliness, human spirit, spiritualism, and so much more. It's very hard for tears to not come to my eyes watching this movie and it ONLY happened three times this watch. There's just this transcendent feeling when I listen to the music. The visuals also complement the music and gives this very unique vibe that, in my opinion, other Ghibli films have only ever came close to. But of course, as much as the music and visuals transport me into this world, it’s the characters and themes that further cement Princess Mononoke as my favorite film of all time. Ashitaka is one of the best protagonists in cinema. He’s kind, compassionate, and endlessly determined, yet never naive. He doesn’t pick a side in this conflict because he sees beyond the surface—beyond the black-and-white morality that so many other stories fall into. He fights when he must, but his true strength lies in his ability to listen, to understand, and to seek a future where people and nature don’t have to destroy each other. His curse isn’t just a burden; it’s a symbol of how hatred, violence, and revenge consume people. And yet, despite everything, he remains unwavering in his resolve to find peace. Then there’s San. San is feral, proud, and full of righteous fury, and I love her for it. Raised by wolves, she sees herself as one of them and despises humanity for the suffering they’ve caused. And yet, there’s still something deeply human about her—her struggle, her anger, her pain. She’s been hurt so badly by the world, and yet Ashitaka sees the good in her. Their relationship isn’t some forced romance, but something raw and real—two people from opposing worlds who care for each other, even knowing they can never fully belong in each other’s lives. Lady Eboshi is one of the most complex antagonists ever written. She’s ruthless and ambitious, but she’s not evil. She genuinely cares for the women and lepers under her protection, giving them opportunities no one else would. She’s building something new, something she believes is worth any sacrifice. She sees herself as humanity’s future, and in a way, she’s right. But her vision comes at a cost, and the movie doesn’t shy away from that. Every single character, from Jigo to Moro to the Great Forest Spirit itself, feels fully realized. No one is just a villain or just a hero. Every perspective has weight, and the movie never tells you what to think. It just presents this brutal, beautiful, tragic world and lets you sit with the weight of it all. And the themes—God, the themes. The way this film explores industrialization vs. nature, revenge vs. forgiveness, destruction vs. coexistence… It’s timeless. It’s real. It doesn’t give easy answers, because there are no easy answers. Even in the end, there’s no grand victory, no perfect resolution. Just survival, change, and a hope that maybe, just maybe, things can be different. I’ve seen this movie so many times, and every single time, it still leaves me breathless. I still get chills. I still cry. I still sit in silence as the credits roll, overwhelmed by everything I just experienced. I ADORE IT!!! I could talk about Princess Mononoke forever, but no words will ever truly capture how much this movie means to me. No essay could delve into the depths of every little detail about this movie that I love. It’s not just a masterpiece. It’s not just my favorite Ghibli film. It’s my favorite film, period. A perfect 11/10. Always and forever! 4/2/2025