Week Six - Fantasy

What are the underlying thematic’s of Princess Mononoke?

Wright (2005, p. 3) states that there are a few underlying thematics within ‘Princess Mononoke’. She highlights the fact that Miyazaki “has infused his richly detailed worlds with an animistic ontology that references ancient Japanese beliefs, practices and myths.”

By watching Princess Mononoke it is evident to see that this underlying idea of traditional Japanese practices are highlighted throughout the film. Chapters within the film exhibit traditional Japanese arts, architechture and practices such as humanity, courage and respect for the environment. Although, in my opinion, this idea that we have of the Japanese being respectable to their environment has been rejected in Princess Mononoke. Princess Mononoke commands her men in this instance to try and destroy the Forest Spirit. This is actually a contrast to the percieved actual ‘Japanese values’ which are like I said before, meant to be ones that show respect to their landscapes and surrondong environments. Yet Wright (2005, p. 3) suggests that there is “a possibility of a mysitcal connection between humans and the natural world...at the same time [Miyazaki] refuses to deny the current reality of modernity and industrialisation,” which was represented in the Princess’ desire to kill the forest spirit.

However on another note, the architecture and landscapes seen throughout the film are similar to that of the ‘real world’ Japanese landscapes. I’ve attached a photo of both landscapes (from the film and from real life). The shape of the hills and landscape in the film are similar to that of real life Japan. “The production team were also deeply connected with achieving the maximum fidelity to the type of environment...” Cavallaro (2006, p. 120).






Another point I noticed in Princess Mononoke was how Jigo and and Ashitaka were quite empathetic and could identify with one another. i.e. when Jigo helps Ashitaka buy some rice. Jigo was not really a main character throughout the film but his ideals and values (shown in helpping Ashitaka), were briefly brought to light in the film, representing the traditional values of the Japanese people and families. Wikipedia briefly mentions this, stating that the Japanese race is “full of empathy” and “identifying oneself with another is highly valued.” Wiki (2010)

Finally, with reference to Cavallaro (2006), what distinguishes Mononoke technically as being – it is generally agreed – a great work of anime?

Cavallaro suggests that Mononoke is a great work of Anime throughout his writing.
He speaks quite highly of Princess Mononoke.

There are a number of reasons Mononoke is seen as a great piece of Anime. One being that is was the “first Studio Ghibli production to receive substantial theatrical distribution in the U.S.”. Cavallaro (2006, p. 121). It also “rapidly outdisttanced the previous record holder ET” and it had “grossed more than $150 million in a country with one-half the U.S population”.
Surely there was a reason behind its amazing success?

An obious reason was because of the Japanese’s “fascianation with legend, mythology...etc.” Cavallaro (2006, p. 120). Also its “confrontation of troubling existential issues” was something that also made it a great piece of anime. It higlights issues within Japanese culture and can be seen as a “metaphor” for the bizarre things of life. It is therefore not only a piece of entertainemnt, but like I said last week it holds meaning and depth to it. The characters themselves are also very typical and relate to the ‘normal’ ideas surronding traditional villian and hero storylines, yet they have been shown in a Japanese ‘light’, hence the reason for it’s poularity amongst the Japanese. In saying this it was also a great hit in the U.S as mentioned earlier. I think because it was relatively close to home for most people as well, we could all understand and relate to it, as it has a story line which is easy to follow and like I said, typical to that of a fantasy plot. (Intro, events, conclusion, resolution). And whether you are a child or an adult, you can still enjoy it as much as the other. What they “found was that the children actually understood the movie and that we were trying to say more than adults...I wanted to be honest with the young audience, to tell them that human society is not fundamentally blessed.” Cavallaro (2006, p.121). So it just highlights this idea that anyone can watch it and that whether you are a child or an adult, both will take a different meaning from it. Yet, children can still understand the fundamental ideas and values being portrayed.

Therefore it is such a great piece of Anime as it holds much more meaning than just a story for entertainment value.




Reference List

Cavallaro, D. (2006). The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki. London: McFarland & Company.

Wright, L. (2005). Nature Spirits, Giant Insects and World Trees: the nature vision of Hayao Miyazaki. In the Journal of Religion of Popular Culture. Volume X: Summer 2005.