Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.Princess MononokeA movie brief.
1997 / Animated historical fantasy film / Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Live in harmony with nature's delicate balance.
What is Princess Mononoke about?
In Muromachi-era Japan, a young prince Ashitaka is exiled to the west seeking a cure for his cursed arm. He becomes embroiled in a conflict between the forest gods and a nearby town.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is set in the Muromachi period of Japanese history and follows Ashitaka, a young Emishi prince.
World
The film explores a fantasy world where humans and nature are interconnected.
Pressure
The conflict between the forest gods and the town's iron mining industry drives the plot.
Craft
The film features a mix of hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery.
Viewing note
The film's themes and tone may appeal to viewers interested in environmentalism and Japanese culture.
A thought to take with you.
Ashitaka travels between Iron Town and the forest without being able to treat either side as wholly innocent. San's defense of the forest and Lady Eboshi's plans for the town reveal competing needs, making coexistence more difficult than defeating one enemy.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a Japanese animated fantasy about industry, communities, and the natural world. It includes graphic creature violence and a serious, mythic tone.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 3, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach