*PRINCESS MONONOKE* Movie Reaction | Normie Watches Studio Ghibli Classic For The First Time!

[@BingeBuffoon]

This was recorded A LONG time ago, and I just never attached a proper review... This film is beautiful, its story timeless, and unbelievably relevant today. At the end of this reaction, I just sit in silence and think about the central message. Being a film about perspective and the never-ending pursuit of harmony/ peace, the cynic in me (initially) didn’t necessarily interpret its ending as hopeful. Opposing forces will almost always clash/seek to destroy one another before some human-faced deer hits the reset button. Hatred and its resulting violence will always exist - there’s a demon inside all of us. But we don’t have to listen to that fucker. Every dawn is a new beginning. An opportunity to turn it all around.

[@rosso757510]

I am Japanese and have studied folklore, so I will explain. There are some expressions and actions that are difficult to understand if you are unfamiliar with Japanese folklore. For example, there is a scene where Ashitaka cuts his hair. This is because a person who had a negative impact on the entire village by breaking a taboo at the time would be forced to leave (in real life, this would mean contracting an infectious disease). Hair represents life, and the act of cutting hair means "dying while still alive." In other words, it expresses "I am dead. Please forget about me." No one sees Ashitaka off when he leaves the village. This is because Ashitaka is already considered a "dead man" and will never be able to return to the village. Seeing him off presupposes that he will "return." Incidentally, in Japan, if you are cursed, it is considered good etiquette to return the curse to the person who cursed you. In other words, Ashitaka left the village because he had to find the cause of the curse and return it.

[@LeMn680]

WTH

[@hyeonason7720]

16:05 To explain this, it's not that she speaks human language, it is Ashitaka understands her language. In the movie, San is never shown communicating with other humans, she only talks to Ashitaka, because Ashitaka is from a tribe with shamanic powers, so he can understand her using the language of animals. We follow his point of view, so it feels like she's speaking human language, but no, she speaks the language of wolves. One of my favorite details.

[@arahard25017]

It is often misunderstood, but Ashitaka's people are the indigenous people of northeastern Japan. In the 800s, they lost a war against the current Emperor's forces, who are from the southwest, and went into hiding in northern Japan. It is believed that they then either migrated to Hokkaido or assimilated into the Japanese population. Eboshi was a former shrine maiden and dancer who was kidnapped by human traffickers and sold to pirates. She later became the wife of the pirate leader, but killed the pirates, including her husband, and with their wealth and guns made in China, she is trying to create an autonomous territory for discriminated people (serfs, sold women, prostitutes, lepers, foreigners). And the Shishigami, Inugami, and Inogami. They are the lowest-ranking gods in the hierarchy of Japanese mythological gods. In the Stone Age, there were people who worshiped and revered them as gods. However, as time passed and civilization progressed, faith and reverence for nature and gods was forgotten. Moro also heard from his parents about a time when humans and gods were friendly with each other. However, times have changed, and he has accepted his fate of his former friends becoming enemies. As an aside, the reason Moro and Eboshi have such a personal feud is because of the hidden background that Eboshi was the one who gave birth to San. The main characters of this anime are people who were rejected by the times and society. (The story is set in the 1540s, in the midst of the Great Civil War that lasted for 150 years, with the remaining 70 years or so of war continuing.)

[@redmoonbloodmoon3161]

always knew San had to be Eboshi's daughter... too blatantly obvious, lol was baby San thrown to the wolves by Eboshi and her ("current" back at this time) "husband" (who-ever he may be*) (back at this moment in time), while they ran away... *(is San's father the pirate leader, or is she just the daughter of whatever guy Eboshi would hook up with after she killed all of the pirates) or, was San "given away" (or however it happened) by Eboshi, and so, these "foster parents" would throw baby San to the wolves, as they fled? as, Eboshi, does seem to say she wants San back: by killing the nature/forest gods, especially Moro, she can then get back San, returning San to humanity and herself, as San's actual mother, and so, it seems like Eboshi had to "part" with baby San, and not that she was just heartless and cold and uncaring, she likely did and does love San, her daughter... but she had to part with baby San, even though she never wanted to do so... it would seem... anyways...

[@Makkaru112]

Remember to not skip credits as there are tons of extra scenes hidden away in Ghibli movies. Even end credit scenes too. Especially the lyrics of the songs as well. If you do Princess Kaguya you’ll need to do the English subtitle version because many of the original traditional songs are changed and the vibe is lost

[@BingeBuffoon]

Unfortunately, Ghibli is notorious for copyright striking videos, and this video was taken down by them months ago. This version has the credits, and that song edited out because I think music is what put me on their radar...or, I'm probably just telling myself that. In all honesty, this video will probably get striked at some point as well, and I should probably avoid Ghibli content moving forward.

[@Makkaru112]

@@BingeBuffoon there are ways to get around it. Use it'sMrVideo's channel model. He's never gotten strikes ever since returning to his original style.

[@BingeBuffoon]

​@Makkaru112 Most reaction videos are protected by American fair use copyright law - something that does apply to foreign movies and television shows. It's common knowledge among KZbin creators (I guess) that Ghibli is one of the stricter Japanese studios. I've heard of creators getting striked by them for using a single image.

[@lucianaromulus1408]

A lot of times, i dont like dubbed versions of foreign films, but THIS is the rare exception. Beautiful movie, about the gray of morality and ethics. I love the old school Nationalistic Pagan vibes of this movie, id love a European version, African, Amerindian, etc. I love ancient cultures and their religions, etc. This movie is one of my all time favorites, absolute classic. PS: I like 80s and 90s animation better than the modern stuff

[@Makkaru112]

Regarding the comment I made about the blood thing from Ponyo - I’ve heard plenty of stories of food & magic, (food is medicine) Never eat food offered to you by a fairy! While I can’t find a name for the Irish version (much of the lore is oral), an English version exists under the name of “Childe Rowland”. Basically they were stuck in the fairy kingdom after eating their food. This one weird salmon has a trick to improve your brain! (Okay, that’s a bad clickbait title to a medieval story): In the story, an ordinary salmon ate nine hazelnuts that fell into the Well of Wisdom (an Tobar Segais) from nine hazel trees that surrounded the well. By this act, the salmon gained all the world's knowledge. The first person to eat of its flesh would in turn gain this knowledge. The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn Another Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke, features an Ape Tribe wanting to eat a human to gain strength: "This is our forest. The human, give it to us. We will not go. We will eat the human. Yes, let us eat the human creature.." (the apes) "Are you crazy? Just what happened to make the ape tribe change this way? Since when do apes eat the flesh of a man?" (San) "If we eat the human, we will steal his strength, and we will drive the other humans away. Give us the man creature." (the apes) "Stop this. You know you can't possess the humans' strength by eating them. All that'll do is make you into something else, something even worse than human." (San)

[@robling1937]

I think a lot of people used to Western films and terminology have a hard time with the terms gods and demons in this film. They jump to judeo-christian interpretations of those terms, when I think the term "Powerful Spirit" and "Cursed Powerful Spirit" would be more accurate (but annoying to say). Great reaction to my second favorite ghibli film. Porco Rosso is my favorite and a must watch if you haven't yet. Have a subscribe!

[@Makkaru112]

Ponyo connects to this movie - As a Norwegian connected to my roots: I glean that Consuming flesh or specific organs & gaining their power or wisdom was a relatively common trope in many folklore and stories from long ago. In a detailed review of early versions of Red Riding Hood, this was mentioned: Yvonne Verdier likens this ritual meal to a sacrificial act, a physical incorporation of the grandmother by her granddaughter. Such a scene is reminiscent of a wide variety of myths in which a warrior, shaman, sorcerer, or witch (means wise) attains another's knowledge or power through the ritual ingestion of the other's heart, brain, liver, or spleen.

[@CrownlessKing88]

Yes, Kodama are “real” mythological spirits in Japanese Mythology

[@arahard25017]

09:34 In ancient Japan, a man of a similar age and seniority was referred to as "brother." It is often mistranslated, but Kaya is not a sister but a fiance. Director Miyazaki says that Kaya is already pregnant when she appears. Or this scene is a metaphor for sexual intercourse. So she declared to Ashitaka that she would remain single for the rest of her life.

[@memyselfandi7782]

The dub is wonderful

[@po5283]

Honestly, all of Hayao's films have stacked casts for the dubbed version! And I'll tell you now, just watch all his films, the man doesn't know how to make a bad, or even mediocre movie. Hayao's filmography is quite diverse too, Kiki's, Totoro and Ponyo are his most kid friendly, chicken soup for you soul, kind of movies you'll ever watch. I dare you, not to just be smiling watching them, and if you're not, seek help, IMMEDIATELY!!!, cause somethings very wrong! Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away and Porco Rosso, definitely more mature themes, but again all brilliant movies, with fantastic adventures and great characters, but still knows how to have fun. Now you get into his more adult and serious films, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke, what can be said other then, gorgeous, stunning, breathtaking, phenomenal and masterful works of art. The Wind Rises, is by far his most adult and mature film, with the master displaying his craft yet again. The Boy and the Heron, I have yet to see, to my everlasting shame, and I'm not sure where it lands in his filmography.

[@BingeBuffoon]

I'd seen Howl's Moving Castle prior to this video. Since this was recorded (it was originally uploaded 6 months ago but was taken down), I've seen Spirited Away , Kiki's, Ponyo, and The Boy and the Heron. I've loved them all. There's something about these films - even the darker ones - that make me feel at peace.

[@TheVivianable]

This movie has deep roots in East and SE Asian folklores and beliefs. We believe that there are trees, and animals of all kinds, that live for thousands of years beyond our comprehension. These spirits or gods collect in themselves energy of the universe. They are widely loved and respected.

[@Dhrazor]

If you'd like a story about humanity, human nature and cycles with a lot of introspective and soul searching then try Attack on Titan if you haven't already...

[@bsstyle123]

best dub of any anime

[@kugelblitzen]

This is the first time I've seen the dub version and it's not bad as dubs go, but I still prefer subs, especially on stuff that deals with Shintoism and Japanese mythology, like Spirited Away. I don't think the dub conveys it very well and goes too far in trying to make it intelligible to Western audiences. Love your reactions btw. Came here from The Wire and then Shogun!

[@ChimkenRiceNuggy]

As an Asian, I prefer watching Hayao Miyazaki films in English dub only.

[@Victor-nn1wy]

Il s'agit là d'un animé qui m'a dégouté d'être humain ☠️

[@Makkaru112]

Why?

[@Victor-nn1wy]

@Makkaru112 Cet animé montre le combat entre la nature et l'Homme. Les êtres humains détruisent la nature pour leur survie, ainsi, les animaux géants d'autrefois, considérés comme des Dieux ont fini par disparaître. Okkoto, bien que gravement blessé continue de croire qu'il pourra être victorieux, bien qu'il sache qu'il ne peut rien faire face aux humains, je trouve cela triste