Princess Mononoke / Studio Ghibli

[Elyssandrel]

''Set during the Muromachi Period (1333-1568) of Japan, Mononoke Hime is a story about a mystic fight between the Animal Gods of the forest and humans.

On the side of the Animal Gods is San (Mononoke Hime), a human girl raised by the wolf god Moro. On the side of the humans is Lady Eboshi, building a kingdom for oppressed people by cutting down the forest for her iron-making operation.

In the middle of this fierce fighting for survival, Ashitaka, an Emishi boy, struggles to find a way for both sides to co-exist. But the fighting just becomes more and more bloody and all hope seems to be lost... ''

http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/mh/



This film is about (IMO) nature vs human development.
The theme hits the right spot and makes it's point.

There is a certain magical quality about this film, although I would say it was for an older audience than say Spirited Away.
I loved this film and would urge others to see it too.

(Feel free to talk about other Studio Ghibli films here too.)

 

[GrownUp]

Yes, Mononoke is grand. An allegory about finding the balance between mind and spirit, methinks.
I saw Howl's moving castle recently. Before seeing the film I was over the moon at the idea of Dianne Wynn Jones and Studio Ghibli coming together. It would be a happy dream!
Except it got really rubbish towards the end.
The beginning 3/4, though, it was that happy dream. Even wizard Howl's slime session was reproduced.

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

I recently found (& remembered!) about a Studio Ghibli movie called "Castle in the Sky" which I'd watched & loved as a kid.
It's great

 

[Esioul]

I saw Howl's Moving Castle about a month ago- the first anime I'd ever seen. I enjoyed the beginning, but at the end it didn't really follow the book at all.

I also saw 'Spirited Away' a few weeks ago... it was weird, but entertaining.

 

[ras'matroi]

I saw Spirited Away and the Moving Castle and mostly liked them.

One thing I disliked was the ending of the Moving Castle. It all seemed so easy. Everything fell into place and everyone was happy...
and it is true spirited away is a bit weird. But I guess it's supposed to be and it makes it a great movie.

It was quite a while ago since I watched Princess Mononoke the last time.
I remember that i thought the mount of of Ashitaka was pretty cool.
It was some kind of a ibex, right?

 

[Leto]

Just an advice for the first-time viewers, don't go see it with a Mononoke aficionados, you'll end up in the theatre room full of fanatics watching the movie in Japanese without any possibility to look at the subtitles, as they'll keep on commenting the action to your ear. That's the mistake I did.
Rent it or go and see it ALONE. Enjoy. It's a very good movie.

 

[GrownUp]

Definitely to see in the theatre the first time, so as to be absorbed in the world Studio Ghibli creates. I saw it the first time at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh. I'm sure I wouldn't think it as wonderful as I do if I hadn't had that experience.

Much like 2001. I'd seen that on the television (bit by bit) many a time, and could never see what the fuss was about. But on the big screen, watching right from the back, with the speakers making the wall behind me move, it was like art, or music, a spectacle, and quite marvellous.

 

[Mouse]

I've seen Spirited Away and 'Howl' and loved those. I was thinking of getting Princess Mononoke 'cos it's sort of about environmental issues isn't it?
Is it worth buying or shall I just rent it instead?!

 

[Thadlerian]

Definitely worth a buy. You'll probably see it over and over.

 

[kyektulu]

I really enjoyed this film, nice and innocent, great for a light afternoon in front of the tv.

 

[scalem X]

I saw "Mononoke Hime" and "Nausicaä from the valley of wind"
I have always been a fan and it's a cool way to see how my Japanese develops. I think I prefered Nausicaä.

 

[Blue Mythril]

I've always been a big fan of Studio Ghibli, I think Mononoke-hime is my favourite... It's so grand and beautiful, and I am always sad and frustrated when I see the end.
I recently saw Howl's Moving Castle, though I had a feeling it was based on a book, I had no idea which one it was baseded on. I think I enjoyed it more than others who had read the book, but that's just an impression. It was this movie that finally hooked my little sister on anime She'd always avoided it before.

But Ghibli has so many great films out there, though I think I do tend to prefer Hayao Miyazaki's films.

 

[tomiro]

where do u watch yhe anime episodes

 

[tomiro]

where do u watch the anime

 

[Foxbat]

Well, I finally got around to watching this. What can I say? A thoroughly beautiful film.

 

[Crymic]

All of Miyazaki's work is great but, I really like is Nausicaa and the valley of the wind. Though the manga is alot better in detail the film itself is very good. Momonoke Hime, Laputa: Castle in the Sky is great also. I'd say Howl's is at the bottom compared to other films he has done.

 

[Thadlerian]

I'd say Howl's is at the bottom compared to other films he has done.

Agreed. Howl's Moving Castle was executed with too much fluff. Most of the movie was great, but the ending was far too happy and unambiguous for a Ghibli. Part of the ending (Sulima stopping the war, just like *that*) didn't even make sense, and felt forced.

 

[GrownUp]

But at least he's keeping up the variety.

Film4 had a studio Ghibli season a while ago, and it was my first chance to see Kiki's delivery service.

 

[Nesacat]

Miyazaki does some consistently good work. I have a soft spot for Nausicaa because it's the first movie of this kind that I ever saw, many, many moons ago at a convention in Liverpool. Also like Laputa, Porco Rosso and Kiki's Delivery Service.

I think that of the more recent ones, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away are the two I like best. Howl's Moving Castle is the weakest of them all though it does have it's moments and the books are a lot of fun indeed.

 

[Talysia]

I loved Princess Mononoke. A thought provoking tale with strong environmental themes and absolutely beautiful artwork. I've also seen Laputa: Castle in the Sky (albeit not recently) and Spirited Away and...What can I say? I love Miyazaki/Ghibli's work.