Thing to keep in mind: in the Japanese dub, Ashitaka's "sister" is actually his fiancee. It was a translation error which made her his sister in the English dub. The crystal dagger was essentially a proposal ring, which is why Ashitaka gives it to San.

*Me every time he says Atakashi* : A-shi-ta-ka! Also, Princess Mononoke's name is San. A mononoke is a word for a vengeful spirit in Japanese folklore. Fun fact, the art style of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was inspired by this movie.

For the scene where San reacts to Ashitaka calling her beautiful, was meant to coincide with how she saw herself. Since she considers herself an "animal", whenever she saw her face, she only ever saw the face of the enemy, and with her hatred of humans, she was probably disgusted by what she saw. Likewise, the other animals and gods probably didn't find her humanity to be appealing either (the mother wolf even comments that she's ugly at one point), so she likely always saw herself as repulsive and ugly. Not just by the animals, but by the other humans as well. So to suddenly be called beautiful by Ashitaka was most likely the first time anyone had called her beautiful. It shocked her and she didn't know how to feel or react about the fact that someone, human or animal, could see her as anything other than ugly.

Steve: "Maybe I'm just bitter that nobody ever called me beautiful." *You are beautiful, Steve.*

Steve: "maybe im just bitter no one called me beautiful" Me: don't worry, i think you're beautiful 🥺

Nausica and the valley of the wind is a ghibli movie i feel like no one ever talks about. Its personally my favorite!

I Love How anime characters can just Lose limbs and not give a crap

okay i heavily disagree with the “unnecessary love interest” part. ashitaka called her beautiful because she is human and her soul is pure. he didn’t mean that she’s physically attractive, and san knows this. san saw what he saw in her and was revolted but also charmed. this isn’t a physical attraction...this is a soul attraction.

I will always remember that scene where the dude's arms and head get ripped off by the arrows. That was a watershed moment in my childhood.

You should do Princess Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind it's an extremely emotional movie with a great message And it was also the 1st Studio Ghibli movie I ever saw so I might be a bit bias

"If left unchecked, the wound will eventually fill him with rage and hate, and even end up killing him". I see. So the dude's got rabies.

Ashitaka didn't leave bc he didn't want to die, he left bc he was forced too by the elder lady of the town.

I believe you'd enjoy Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle. Both fantastic films with beautiful music and breathtaking scenes 😁

If you plan on reviewing more ghibli films I recommend "Howl's Moving Castle" and "When Marnie Was There". They're my personal favorites.

I believe the Boar Demon at the start of the movie is actually CGI, which is insane

Oh... My... God... This is the movie I watched when I was a child, that not only creeped me out but made me cry a waterfall towards the end! I am really happy to have found this review, as it reunited me with a movie that I wasn't able to appreciate fully when I was little. Well... Time to give it another watch!

The thing is with these sort of movies Somethings in films aren’t meant to make sense or aren’t supposed to play a roll For example that dagger that was given to him by his sister It doesn’t play a big roll it’s just there Not everything is going to play a roll in the bigger picture in life It’s like me saying I have this knife given to me by my grandad And I go off in to the world to find my place Maybe the knife will help me in small moments in my life But it’s not going to be used in a huge fight where you kill the bad guy with it

Fun historical fact: this movie "war" is actually based on real life conflict. The conflict is called "Thirty-Eight Years' War" and it was waged between Japanese and people called Emishi which lived in the northern part of Japan. In the movie humans represent "Japanese" while animals represent "Emishi" people.

As far as I know, the crystal dagger part fell very short because of a mistranslation. In japan and other east asian countries it is common to call older ppl that are not so much older than you with an expression that can be translated as big brother or big sister. So the girl giving ashitaka the crystal dagger is not necessarily his younger sister, rather just a young girl in his village. The crystal dagger is said to be smth found in many cultures. A form of family heirloom given to the daughter for her to give it away for her engagement. It's smth dear to her and although she knows she will propably never see him again, she still gives it to him. The imishi are a bunch that has become small. He is the last prince. They are basically all a tight knit family and for them to loose him must be absolutely devestating. For him to give this special gift to san has great meaning that is in line with the films ever reacurring theme of death and rebirth. The film shows death and rebirth of family, live, nature, values, communities, relationships. Ashitaka functions as a person who has connections to both the feelings and the live of both humans and animals. And therefore it makes sense for him to be the main character. The characters ashitaka and san only know each other shortly and have very different upbringing so for them to only connect through this experience and not have any deeper fleshed chemistry is very realistic. I don't think there would have been time and how would it has served the plot? It is not a fleshed out relationship at all. They only got to know each other, got to care for each other and only tentatively try to make arrangements to meet just at the end. They're not together or anything. They just have a connection that they can build on. No more chemistry required rn. I found it actually quite wonderful to have san, as she is a symbol of how a humqn CAN live with the nature and animals. That makes her quite a key character in the plot and makes the audience think much more difderenciated about the issues presented. I think she adds exactly a part of what you liked in the film: that many perspectives and possibilities are shown.

Is anybody gonna talk about how a guy was wearing hay over his cloths when a serious fire was in front of him

Noticed at 5:48 you slip a bit on the name, it's Ashitaka not Atikashi. Also Princess Mononoke's name is San

Her name is san as it as "third" child. Mononoke just the "urban" legend.

Steve: all your favourite celebrities like- Me: oh is he gonna mention someone coo- Steve: Cardi B

My teacher showed this to my class when I was in kindergarten, safe to say all of us didn’t know what the hell was going on

My Opinion to the Plot: There´s actually no real Antagonistic in this movie on neither sides. (Sry for my bad Eng. from Germany >.

I keep on cringing everytime he says "Atikashi" when its actually "Ashitaka"

Please do “perfect blue” it’s more psychological horror than a gory one but a nice film all around

Steve: Shout out to our sponsor Ra- Me: Please dont be Raid: Shadow Legends Steve: Raycon Me: We are saved

this makes me wish that 2d hand drawn animation was still used more then CGI

While not as good as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Nausicää and the valley of the wind and Howl's Moving Castle are good Edit: Also his "sister" isn't his actual sister. That was his fiancee, he called her that because in their village is basically family. And in comes Sweet Home Alabama

Steve be like: *j e e b l e e*

In my kindergarden, children were allowed to bring movie CD's for the whole group to watch. One kid brought Princess Mononoke. Needless to say, I got scarred for life by some of the imagery haha. Years later I don't find it as disturbing as I did before, but keeping in mind I was about 6 at the time it makes sense it messed me up. Definitely don't show this movie to children, THEY ARE NOT THE TARGET AUDIENCE.

"No one's ever called me beautiful." So...guess he didn't read the comments with his face reveal. :V You get dehydration from all of the thirst in the comments.

This movie freaked me out when i was a kid. Especially that deer god.

9:33 To address this 100% valid complaint that I relate to, it turns out that in Japanese the film’s title, “Princess Mononoke” roughly translates to “Daughter of the Spirit of Vengeance” or “Daughter/Princess of Vengeance”. In that sense, the title is not just the Princess’ name on the cover, the title was intended to reflect how the plot’s theme of Vengeance kinda distorts each of the characters. I still do agree with you that the Princess probably should have had a bigger role/impact on the story; maybe an extra small subplot if Lady Eboshi healing/taking in Princess Mononoke as a sister while the other animals in the forest are blindly hostile. 🤔 Because as it currently stands, naming the movie after Princess Mononoke is kind of a misnomer…. In the original concept of Princess Mononoke, San was the third princess of a kingdom that was sent off to marry a monster, hence her current name, San, meaning "three". However, it was later changed to the movie's current plot, San being the third "child" of Moro.

There's just so much to love about this movie, from it's animation, story, and characters.

Second best Ghibli movie, fight me

Oh, man if you're doing Ghibli movies then Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind and Howl's Moving Castle are a must watch. Nausicaa is a lot like Princess Mononoke in the humans have to learn to take care of nature department but I really love that both movies don't have a true villain, it's just leaders taking care of their people as best they know how.

Ashitaka did nothing wrong. No really. Dude is a Paragon of righeousness and morality. The only decent person in the movie. So decent he's boring and devoid of personality.

My mother wanted to take me to see it when I was 4, but I was sick and we didn't go. She later purchased it for herself and told me she was quite happy I hadn't seen it that young. Incredible movie, though, I love it.

PLEASE REVIEW Leafie: A Hen Into the Wild

I also agree with the suggestion watch “ violence jack: evil town”

The beautiful piano piece near the end of the film is called 'Ashitaka and San' and is my absolute favourite. Wonderful film and was my first glance at 'Not just for children' animation

Just fyi, his name is Ashitaka not Ashikashi as you keep saying in this video. The female lead character's name is San, not Princess Mononoke.

Princess Mononoke had been my all time favorite movie ever since I was little. I'm really glad that it's getting the recognition that it deserves ❤️

The infected arm thing reminded me of Inuyusha: Swords of an Honorable Ruler.

Almost everyone credits spirited away as Ghiblis best work but this one will always be my favorite

How Ashitaka changes his name halfway through the review. I love it xD

Review 'In this corner of the World' Like I've said before its worth 2 hours of your time, I promise

"Thank you so much guys now back to the video" Ad: now's my time

my mother saw that face when she was younger, it was in one of her dreams. tbh I love this movie, but i agree that face is terrifying.

Anybody else caught when he calls Ashitaka, "Atakashi" at: 5:49? Edit: He also calls him that for the rest of the video

Please review Silver Fang (Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin) or call of the wild howl buck tv movie animation 1981

My dad discovered Studio Ghibli when I was young, and he assumed that Princess Mononoke was gonna be another kids' film. I was six. Needless to say, the opening part with the cursed boar traumatized me for years to come.

I disagree, if you have mononoke as the sole character it feels unbelievable that she would listen to the people of iron town, or that they'd bother to speak to her, if it's only the guy (I'm terrible with names) then why would the animals try communicating with him.

*sees title n stops everything I'm doing* Oh this is gonna be goooood

you should review Legend of the guardians: Owls of Ga’Hoole

Suggestion watch “violence jack: evil town”

Suggestions: 🎞 Fantastic Planet Gandahar Light Years Starchaser: Legend of Orin Silverwing 🦇 Fire and Ice Atlantis the Lost Empire 💎 Rock N Rule The Snow Queen (1957) The Treasure Planet (Both the Disney version and the acid trip Bulgarian cartoon 😵) The Water Babies 1978 Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron Fox and the Hound The Black Cauldron Transformers the Movie 1986 GI Joe the Movie 1987 Waltz with Bashir Wizards (Ralph Backshi) Time Masters Best Real Ghostbusters Episodes Creepiest Scooby Doo episodes Animated Phantom of the Opera 1988 The Thief and the Cobbler The Breadwinner Zarafa Halloween is Grinch Night Les Enfants de la Pluie

Me: So happy he's reviewing my favourite Studio Ghibli movie! 😄 Also me: 😤 every time he says Ashitaka's name wrong and refers to San as Princess Mononoke I personally loved their little romance in the film and to say San could have not been in the film and it wouldn't have made any difference is heartbreaking. To me it showed that the forest God's had heart and that their hatred for humans is through their actions and not that God's were unwilling to live alongside humans, it's also a subtle message that animals can only do so much to save their environments and that it's up to humans to realise their mistakes and help before time runs out

This is just one of my favourite films. There’s incredible nuance to the film that really presents the conflict in a way that isn’t really judging any of the parties. There’s also a wonderful depiction of the cycle of life and death and the ending sequence is stunningly gorgeous that ends on a cautiously optimistic note. I’ll be watching this to the end of my days.

the message about fighting off hatred, that really hits home, i grew up with a bit of a temper, but honestly, in my teen years i tried to control it, i may be a screw up but im sick of being angry

I think Ashitaka and SAN’s relationship as what movie quotes “seeing eyes un clouded” like has been said because of being raised by wolves people saw her as an animal and animals fighting human saw her as a beast. Ashitaka was only one who saw her “humanity and beauty” and though she had hatred was the only human voice for the forest’s defense. Ashitaka saw who she was and even she still can’t live with human she still sees beauty and humanity through Ashitaka. And I feel like Ashitaka’s curse was able to let him see each side. While hatred would not kill them automatically it would for him. Because he could hold it back and see things “with eye unclouded and the able to turning the head understanding pain everyone would go through.

Me: Happily watching 1:45 Me: Chokes on air "PONYO?!" Has a whole lot of flashbacks as how I loved that film as a kid.

If you're interested in more Ghibli, I'd like to recommend Castle in the Sky. It's an underrated gem in my opinion, and one I would've missed if not for my fiancee. Like several others, it features a pro-peace message, and combines it with a look reminiscent of Nausicca and a bit of Miazaki's love for aviation.

I love this movie a lot Even went and saw it in theaters last November

I always thought that the film wasn't really about Ashitaka. He's the lens through which we see the story- the story of Eboshi and San, two women on either side of this conflict, willing to die for their people. Ashitaka's goal is to see with "eyes unclouded", which is how we, the audience, come into the story. I also like that the movie ends in an uncertain place- Ashitaka and San don't really get together, but there's the potential for someone. Ashitaka can't go home and has to build a new life in Iron Town, which needs to be remade. IDK, I have a few little teeny nit-picks but this is by far my favorite Ghibli film.

This move is literally my favorite!

Please review either The Wind Rises ( Another Ghibli movie) or In this Corner Of the World! They are both extremely heartwarming, sad, and beautiful movies

The Great Forest Spirit has a uncanny human face because humanity are also children of nature, though we like to fancy ourselves fundamentally superior to other species. We are a species that asks questions and looks for answers. The Great Forest Spirit also has a question for all of life, and looks to see what kind of answers we come up with. In the Jungle Book it is mentioned that not even Bagheera could look Mowgli in the eyes for very long without becoming uncomfortable. I believe this is because humans have eyes and minds that are so inquisitive and calculating that they violate other being's privacy and create a sense of uncertainty. Also we can alter our emotions manually, or create deception in our expressions. Other creatures can also do this, but humanity seems to be somewhat dependent on the practice.

I actually liked how not every detail was necessary to the plot, sometimes that’s the case in real life too. Not everything that seems the end all and be all actually has much of an impact down the road

Just watched the movie recently and I don't regret wasting 2 hours of my life watching it. Though I thought it was gonna be more sadder and f***ed up, its still pretty amazing. 10/10

Ashitaka (A-she-ta-ka) is the male main character's name - not "A-ta-ka-shi"

i’ve been ill for 3 weeks and then you drop a review of my favourite movie ever? maybe my day isn’t so bad after all!

I'm pretty sure you got the beginning of the movie wrong. The village elder doesn't tell him the curse is fatal "if left untreated". She tells him the curse is fatal, period. He doesn't go west because he's "not content with that"; he journeys west because his life is forfeit anyway and the best use he can put it to is to try and find where the monster came from and protect his people. He knows and accepts there is no cure and he will shortly die.

Steve: *prepares finishing blow* Bombshell: You're beautiful... Steve: *pauses* Oh my God thank you...thank you so much Also Steve: *stabs her anyway*

I'm still Piss at you for making me search up Felidae 37:17

I remember watching Princess Mononoke when i was around 4 or 5, and I wasn't scared for some weird reason. I was more like: "Yeah, demon boars. Aight, cool." No wonder I got desensitised to everything so quickly lol

Thank you for the review. I think that the relationship of Ashitaka and San serves as the emotional and thematic crux that drives the narrative toward its ultimate message of balance and compromise.

You got his name wrong at the 5:50 mark, calling him "Akitashi" instead of Ashitaka. You had it right the first time you said it earlier in the vid. edit - Ok so the 2 times he said Ashitaka at the start were a fluke. The start is the only time he got it right. He kept calling him Akitashi for the rest of the damn vid.

Man, I wish more PG films were like this...

The demon worms really freaked me out as a kid when I first saw this on the good old toonami. It still remains one of my favorite ghibli films, and the moral themes and relationships explored have been inspirational to me all my life.

i have been waiting for this vid all my life

I truly blame the characters in this movie for my sexuality.

I recommend watching Howl's Moving Castle or Pom Poko, my two favourite Ghibli films!

I love your videos, it's like Sitting around and listening to a great Camp Fire

I’m so glad you watched this film! It’s so underrated as far as Ghibli films, and it was the very first one I watched as a child.

Finally, we get to the one terrifying cartoon that I’ve actually seen as a child, hell yeah let’s relive the trauma and confusion. I agree with your points, even as a kid I didn’t think the princess had a role other than in marketing so boys would watch, she was nowhere near as influential into the union between humans and animals as Ashitaka was, and was a pointless asshole to him, while he was a pointless sImP to her, like in the cringy scene you showed, but man the worm things coming out of the pig’s skin still haunt me, thanks for including it

At least they didn’t kiss and live happily ever after at the end I feel like it was almost a plot device used for children since it’s supposed to still be for younger audiences

'Fuglekongens Rige' - Beyond beyond. Danish/swedish animation about loss of a mother, and the childs attempt to understand why his mom is gone

Er... Fun fact. The boar scene at the beginning was actually a mix of 2 and 3D. All the writhing creatures or worms on the Boar spirit is 3D effects rendered over 2 D sketches. That's why they look so different in terms of texture and appearance except when those worms directly interact with Ashitaka.

Truly Ghibli’s biggest masterpiece in my opinion. It’s a good movie for adults that want an animated movie. It’s actually the inspiration for the book I’m writing at the moment (I’m on Chapter 8).

Don’t worry Steve, we all have trouble with the character names sometimes. Great video. “Princess Mononoke” is my favorite anime movie.

2:37 Ashitaka was banished from the tribe, so he didnt have a choice than to just go.

Man... This channel is so underrated, it really needs more attention, because ive never seen this movie or even heard of it , but because of this guy i found out about it , Keep up the good work (:

This sounds like a Legend of Zelda plot

“The wind rises” is also a amazing ghibli movie you could review. Love your videos btw❤️

I watched this with my grandfather when I was younger, I’ve been looking for the disk and I’m glad to have found the name. It brings back memories.

One thing I did pick up from the film is that Ashitaka is not of the people that the ironworkers and the other 'civilized' peoples. IIRC his people are largely considered extinct by the Ironworks, and are even considered legends and myths. In that way both Ashitaka and Mononoke are outsiders by blood in the cultures they spend most of the movie interacting with.

I remember my dad put this movie for me as a kid. I was scared of the violent so he turned it off XD