Princess Mononoke Revealed: The Real Mythology & History Explained

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The Studio Ghibli classic, Princess Mononoke changed the way I saw the world and inspired my interest in Japanese Mythology. In this video, I will break down and explain the real mythology, folklore & history referenced by this Anime masterpiece.
Please let me know what references you noticed and what the film means to you in the comments below.
Instrumentals in this video in order of appearance:
Prod. Kyzar "Princess Mononoke" / @kyzar.beats2
Prod. Chuki "Broken" / chukimusic
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#studioghibli #miyazaki #princessmononoke #anime #mythology

[@StoryDive]

Check out my breakdown of Pom Poko kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4iuhGBupp2mppY Ponyo! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWTHknaIZ69laZI Disney's new animated feature, Encanto: ​Check out my breakdown of Disney's new animated movie, Encanto: ​@ & the real history behind One Piece: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3LSdHZopb2Ko7c & Mythology behind Naruto! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooe4qayqgdF9rpY

[@MrJust2times]

Hey. Great Video but i am at Minute 3 and want to look up all the cool things you talk about. Do you still have the sources to this ? This would make your Videos even better. More valid. Maybe you do this at the end of the Video and i can go in shame ^^ BUT if so say it at the beginning or something. I know .... the viewer always finds something to complain about :D

[@StoryDive]

@@MrJust2times Yes, I have sources for all the information and I've thought about providing a list of sources below the video. The only issue is it takes more work and time and oddly hardly anyone ever asks me about my sources, they just point out when I got something wrong. Someone always notices when I make a mistake, lol. Like I said it would take a while to compile it all, but if you have something specific you want a source for I can give you that.

[@caitlynhill5769]

I'd love to see videos of Howl's Moving Castle and Nausicaa (my other favorites aside from Mononoke) :) looking forward to more videos!

[@shrarneomar8080]

@@StoryDive 11:33 in germany we have an old fairytale figure: the roebuck with the fourty-horned antlers. apparently this saga was spread between the knight of europe

[@aralisca4668]

@@StoryDive Agreed. Your video topics is really interesting. Expexcially this one. I guess u should included the source in your video. Because if you use the clearly source everyone can use ur video for research data.

[@yuelina9221]

"The trees cry out as they die, but humans cannot hear them" - Moro Sad quote, but thought-provoking. We shouldn't disrespect and destroy nature like we could live without it.

[@ionzion7598]

everything is alive in nature

[@danieleliyahu3014]

Wow I did not pay attention to this quote, so deep and relevant for today.

[@En_Gho]

We can't live without it, and the real tragedy is that in the end we will lose. Here where I live, in TX, we've had more intense hurricanes and storms in the summer, with less predictability, and we just made it out of a hard freeze unliie anything we've seen in over a hundred years. Nature always gets the last laugh. It seems people in the eastern part of the world are more aware of this than us in the west. That's why this is my favorite Miyazaki film, and Spirited Away is a close second.

[@bwa8829]

I think it also says that just because it doesn’t directly affect us right now, it doesn’t mean something terrible isn’t happening that is affecting the whole world and, eventually, us.

[@copyrice4766]

I want humans and nature to reunite it is my one goal in this life I’m on this planet to either help or save it I exist to stop the cruel nature of humans and make them realize the damage they cause I may just be one person but my goal is far beyond any other I want to discover why were here on this planet I want to find out where the gods went what happened to them

[@hindsightpov4218]

When we see plants springing to life wherever the Forest Spirit walked on earth, it reminded me of the mythology of Aphrodite that said flowers bloomed wherever she walked.

[@drdispekful747]

Yeah but Aphrodite was a war mongering Thot who started conflict over her OTPs

[@grahamschatz5474]

Sailor Sh!tpost horrible take since the Iliad literally says she doesn’t belong in war but if you’re talking about Aphrodite Areia or Ishtar then sure

[@ztellarvibrationz8753]

It could also relate to the Buddhist myth when Siddhartha was born, he could walk and talk, and wherever he went, lotus flowers bloomed where he walked.

[@hippieflowerstudios3456]

The colors and drawing of the plants reminded me of el dorado the cartoon.

[@kirzadamar9900]

it also reminds me of God of Forest from Hellboy : The Golden Army where it dies, plants and flowers start to grow

[@Leafy_901]

The point you made at 6:20 about the wolves guiding you through the mountains but ripping you to shreds when you lose your footing was also shown during the scene when Ashitaka is walking with the wolves and one of them immediately attacks him when he passes out.

[@marlonexequiel4129]

lmao i kind of laughed out loud when he started biting his head

[@kennethsatria6607]

That's a clever reference, though I would like to add they were always planning on killing him, but they wanted San to be safe so only attacked when their sister was clear out of his reach.

[@somvongvanaksetha3862]

@@marlonexequiel4129 me toooo it was too funny

[@harukaf.n.1994]

@@marlonexequiel4129 It shows how the movie doesn't hold back on displaying the nature of the animals, but the way it's animated, his head looks super chewy like the wolf's playing with a squishy toy lmao

[@BenJover]

@@harukaf.n.1994 Good thing he was super human at that point

[@TheMaryWriter]

The worm curses referenced at the beginning are also similar to the slug curse used by Yubaba to control Haku and the worm thing that Madame Suliman uses to infect Calcifer (via the Witch of the Waste) in Howl's Moving Castle. It seems to be a bit of a staple for Miyazaki.

[@StoryDive]

Yes, that's true. He usually represents curses as black worms. I was going to include a clip of the worm from Spirited Away but ended up cutting it.

[@tylerfanell8212]

StoryDive Ponyo next? Or Howl’s Moving Castle?

[@StoryDive]

@@tylerfanell8212 I would love to cover more Ghibli films but they hit me with copyright stikes for the last two. I will probably hold off on Ghibli for a while.

[@cinderling5472]

StoryDive What a pity! You only bring more publicity. I sure dislike our copystrike age!! By the way, your explanations are terrific. I thought i knew my mythology, but you've taught me so much! Thanks so much 💕

[@StoryDive]

​@@cinderling5472 That's what I'm saying! I've gotten so many comments from people saying they are going to go rewatch these movies but I understand it's also a bit of a cultural difference. Japan hasn't really accepted KZbin in the same way American film studios have.

[@chronofactor2037]

Everyone needs to see this wonderful movie. It's a long one but it's quality never decreases at any time.

[@picasso5539]

True with anything by Miyazaki

[@SnailHatan]

It’s not even long tho.

[@Jjuriii]

Yes buddy

[@porteroffinland]

A masterpiece

[@jiro7379]

I didn't even notice the time running while watching the movie!! It was that good ✨ I expected no less from Miyazaki 😌

[@bignasty4874]

I think what makes it equally sad is when viewed as a tribute to the passing of an Age. Namely Japan's transformation into a land of industry, the loss of something magical, and the shock of sudden and permanent loneliness.

[@SunshineInMyTears]

In Japan if you lost your way in the woods, the wolf leads you to the right track. In Germany, it will eat your grandma, takes her clothes, tricks you to eat you, will be cut off in sleep by a huntsman saving you and your grandma before filling the wolf's stomach with stones... Japanese wolf wins I would say 😅✊🏼

[@RyoMassaki]

The brother Grimm really messed up this fairy tale. The original had no huntsman and no happy ending. The wolf tricks you and eats you and your grandma. That's it. Which is a much more realistic lesson to teach children then some magic bullshit about wolfs helping you find your way or huntsmen coming to the rescue in the last moment. Ancient uncensored central European fairy tale wins, i would say.

[@ardenttiefling3262]

@@RyoMassaki well the worst thing about wolves in european folklore is that most people simply can not read into a message. Instead of just not sending children into the woods on their own, people just started fearing and irrationally hating wolves because of so many stories of the big bad wolf. Also the whole WW2 and a certain German dictator being depicted as a wolf thing. I believe that plays a big part in how people see wolves now and how they were hunted to extinction in many parts of europe. On that note I think almost all tales about wolves throw a false picture on them in some way.

[@AntediluvianRomance]

@@ardenttiefling3262 well, the fear is quite understandable historically as wolves don't only lurk somewhere deep in the woods. If abundant enough, they are quite capable of getting close to settlements and threatening people and livestock. They are adept pack hunters, so a small group of travellers would be vulnerable against hungry wolves. The fear was rational for many centuries before people got the weapons that gave them a certain upper hand, and by then the fear was too deeply ingrained in many cultures.

[@TacDyne]

The wolf in red riding hood won though. The bros Grimm changed the story.

[@DickDiamond74]

@@TacDyne the story was altered for the masses. Remember , if books didn't have a moral it would basically be difficult to market. Instead of scary tales, it became more something to scare kids into being wary of strangers and other "gobbledygook" I agree the changes suck, however most of those tales were orally shared and of course there were changes from area to area .

[@angelkingsley5299]

Princess Mononoke is a pro-female masterpiece that tells a story and that doesn’t try to appeal to audiences. Lady Eboshi hires sex workers and lepers. She also is very well rounded character. She cares for her people, and she treats her people like her equals. The wise women is a venerated member of the community. She has clairvoyance and powers of divination and gives the community leaders advice. The ladies of Iron Town treat themselves as equals and doesn’t let men treat them like trash. They are independent and actively defend themselves and their way of life. Moro is a mother who defends her land and treats all of her children the same(she shows no favoritism only love). She protects her children even when she is dying. San is a warrior princess who doesn’t let her feelings of love cloud her judgment of Askitaka and the other humans. She fights for her home and she doesn’t force herself to forgive Askitaka at the end of the movie. Honestly Princess Mononoke has some of the most well rounded characters both male and female In any story ever.

[@erinbathie-moore8478]

Angel Kingsley I love what you’ve said here, and I agree, but you’ve spelled San’s name wrong

[@kirabouwerviraltyd]

Agreed. This is beautifully stated

[@courtz6722]

Well said and I agree. The female characters r as strong as the male characters. Ashitaka isn't a typical male character either, as he chooses rather to calm to parties fighting or avoid them if possible. Yakul doesn't act like just a steed to be rode. He displays loyal and personality. It's amazing how much detail there is in Princess Mononoke

[@shoshanaisarose]

is that all you care about? whether or not it is pro-female? .... .-.

[@iateyursandwiches]

@@shoshanaisarose no, clearly not, but is there something wrong what pointing something out when it is? Why do you only ask these questions when someone points out this aspect?

[@tommynobaka]

When I saw this as a kid, it blew me away. It didn't have the friendliness of Disney movies. It had grit, adventure, and a sense of mysterious realism that captured my captivation. Another family film that did this was Coraline and Monster House

[@jalenikezeue4114]

Same here man I didn't even know what I was watching 👀 there was thing about it that Captured My Heart you know what I mean

[@peeko_luxx2873]

I remember reading coraline in like 3rd grade before the movie was ever in production. I remember the book was creepier than the movie. Just felt much darker.

[@superfuriousroy1295]

"So you say you're cursed? So what? So is the whole damned world!"

[@happyhoney855]

Fitting quote for the times

[@averymartin1327]

Is it just me or does it always feels like the Forest Spirit's face has this constant smirk like he's laughing at a joke he won't share.

[@kembaI.]

@scarlett H 💯

[@themaincharacter420]

Lol

[@margicates553]

He has a benevolent wisdom

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Somehow, Japanese animé movies are more entertaining to me than anything Hollywood had made...yes, even reading subtitles unconsciously taught me to speed read.

[@above.average.gaming.natio3026]

Whenever the tails of the white wolf was mentioned I immediately knew he was going to reference foxes, cause obviously Naruto. That's how you know you've watched too much anime.

[@afafreen]

YES YES YES. Japanese anime is absolutely beautiful. The stories are deep!

[@xerilaun]

Same

[@zero_harry]

Totally agree!

[@escanorking5885]

Strange Boy İsnt that why we watch films in general? To escape reality?!?

[@westb8501]

In Shinto thought, kami (deities) have four aspects or parts of their being called mitama. Usually when worshipping, it's believed that you are calling out to their nigimitama, the calm, harmonious side which is usually accepting and helpful. The other main side we see is aramitama, the rough, dangerous, and more passionate or vengeful side. When Shishigami is shot, he doesn't die, but you can see his normal form, nigimitama, fall away. From that point on his aramitama rules and wreaks havoc and destruction until appeased by the return of his head. In Shinto, kami may die or travel from realm to realm, but death is never a permanent thing for them. I think this is one of the big reasons why Shishigami never really died. Source: am a Shinto practitioner

[@CerealExperimentsMizuki]

Mitama?? I always thought that was a name. Oh well I learn something new every few weeks or so.

[@linkthepig4219]

I'm also trying out shintoism as I just love nature so much and I like that the religion takes nothing for truly granted. Also boars are so awesome.

[@boniboni4912]

I’ve been curious about Shintoism and Buddhism since my trip to Japan, I visited so many temples and prayed in them but I’m not sure how foreigners can be introduced to Shintoism, I saw some sections in Fushimi inari taisha that were restricted to not practitioners of Shintoism

[@linkthepig4219]

@@boniboni4912 I think it could go down a lot to personal experience and fascination for nature, as it's hard to explain a lot of things without showing them.

[@MeredithHagan]

I love that the “villain” Lady Eboshi really isn’t a villain at all. Yes she’s causing harm to nature but she just wants to create a world that is safe for her people who have been rejected by larger society. She’s ruthless but she also has a very honorable motivation. The TRUE villain is the monk who just wants a payout from the Emperor for the Forest Spirit’s head.

[@badbunnyky]

even he was a well fleshed out and characterized person. definitely money driven but he had wisdom. early in the movie he sort of saves the unassuming ashitaka from unwanted attention. as they eat together later, Jiko-Bo says “These days, there are angry ghosts all around us. Dead from wars, sickness, starvation, and nobody cares. So you say you're under a curse. So what, so's the whole damn world.” He is very aware of the suffering he and humans like him are causing, but has resigned himself to it as a part of life.

[@lolwhatidk]

she also wants a payday lol

[@MidlifeCrisisJoe]

@@badbunnyky I was about to say, Jiko isn't even really a "bad guy," he's just cynical. I assume probably from once being a naive optimistic monk hearing and seeing a lot of people's problems for years, eventually souring into a cynical old man who sees a youth like Ashitaka and wants to watch out for him a bit, but also knows that it's likely a pointless endeavor. In a great many ways, the heroism of Ashitaka and San at the end of the film isn't just to repair the damage done by Jiko and Eboshi in a literal sense, but their nobility and willingness to sacrifice themselves to do the right thing very obviously has a profound impact on the two older antagonists. Both seem to have softened a bit and perhaps have gained some hope from the whole event. It's debatable as to whether or not they deserve such generally positive fate, but I think it's an incredibly romantic notion to think that one can soften a hardened heart.

[@chicosuavae6764]

​@@badbunnyky He's like the Comedian then. He's just another pathetic human being who lost his conviction. He's a fake monk. Real Monks wouldn't have that mindset.

[@jalenikezeue4114]

😡😒😡 I find that Hard to believe Considering she's responsible Ashitaka's Curse And Eboshi Killed Shishigami

[@RobertoBlake]

This is one of the best video essays on Mononoke

[@fkdynamite]

how many have you seen? ;-D

[@natebell4764]

@@fkdynamite

[@StoryDive]

Thanks. that means a lot.

[@ValkyrieTiara]

I clicked because it's my favourite movie of all time, fully expecting some kinda low-effort click baity video by someone who has never had any significant interaction with Japanese history, culture, or folklore. But this was really good! As good as can probably be done by anyone who isn't native Japanese or specifically a scholar of Japanese legends. Far, far better than I expected. Well done!

[@lewismills7277]

theworldsoutside.com/2020/02/01/my-desert-island-japanese-films/ Hey! I wrote an article about my favourite Japanese films. Needless to say, Princess Mononoke turns up in it. Check it out if you're interested.

[@badkarmalotion]

Same. Really great analysis

[@swilson5320]

This story was culturally significant in humanizing, affirming, and celebrating the indigenous people of Japan to the Japanese and modern world at large. There is a long history of these groups being mistreated like many indigenous people groups in the world unfortunately.

[@meadowsweet5507]

Yes. I was so excited when I first heard theories that Ashitaka's "tribe" (for lack of a better term) might be based off of Ainu people.

[@sly-fi6502]

Yup, and just like some other colonizers, they brought their obsession with fair skin with them from China.

[@datchicray]

@@sly-fi6502 what do you mean? The Ainu would typically have more European/causasian genes than Japanese people.

[@user-xh5vz4ty8g]

@@datchicray I'm surprised that there are still people who believe in the assumptions made by Westerners 100 years ago. Even though it was already known half a century ago that they have the genes of Jomon people and North Okhotsk people and have nothing to do with Europe.

[@senmafugu]

​@@datchicraythe ainu do not have any caucasian genes. They convergently developed similar features to european. Language and genetics proved they come from a different group. 9:39

[@MattO109]

The forest spirit was based off a real spirit, a giant that hid in mountains

[@StoryDive]

Yes, the Daidarabotchi. I mention it in the video.

[@greenjosh75]

Why would he hide if he so big?

[@brettcoster4781]

To me, when I first saw Princess Mononoke, the forest spirit looked very much like Australian aboriginal paintings, especially with its form and the swirling lines and spots. Miyazaki seems to use wide influences, other than just Japanese mythology, which is probably why his films are so widely appreciated.

[@attilathehun1674]

Cernnunos

[@PerfectlyFreedom]

@bopp9 Spirits are real, we just need to broaden our vision accross borders.

[@cathleenmoyle1476]

"Even if the tress do return, they'll no longer be his. The forest spirit is dead."-San "The forest spirit is never dead. He is the spirit of life and death itself. He's here..."-Ashitaka

[@JDazell]

In the opening expositioning scenes on the way to iron town that give us a feeling for the world we are in, Ashitaka goes from the Emishi or hunter gatherers, then to the agricultural land, then the village, then to iron town, is itself a journey of human history's relationship with nature in itself

[@--Paws--]

7:55 My country also has a superstition in tree/forest gods/spirits. It is still common to say: "passing through" or "pardon the intrusion" when entering an unknown place, usually a forest or even a garden to not walk in somewhere you shouldn't be.

[@JMdJ2001]

Let me guess, Filipino?

[@LATINASTYLEx3]

Where are you from?

[@Todsor]

East Asian myths have some wild imagination. Meanwhile our Mongolian myths usually have alien references.

[@laujie6470]

Attila the Hun is an alien intent on wiping out civilizations on Earth from the Typemoon universe.

[@marcopolo6944]

Aliens making contact in Mongolia... I'm intrigued

[@Todsor]

Myths have something similar to impregnation via light, DNA hi-jacking, death from radiation etc, common things in modern world. So not so alien...unless we were them.

[@dravenocklost4253]

Nani? Please elaborate, 'mongloid' does sound alien, lol.

[@attilathehun1674]

@@laujie6470 I am trust me...

[@fishrsa9046]

I was born in 1997 and I only discovered and watched this movie last night. It sounds a bit cliché, but I think it changed my life - or at the very least it made a HUGE impact. It was one of the most influential(on me at least) movies I've ever watched. The fact that a fantasy story felt so realistic is astounding to me. I think this is my all time favourite movie. Nothing else has left me in the state I was when I finished watching. I was sad, because I knew I would probably never see anything that good again. It left me desperately wanting more, like a cliffhanger ending of an episode in a series, only this ending wouldn't get a followup. Seriously, this is one hell of a good story. I wish I could erase my memory so that I could watch it for the first time over and over again

[@TheBoboSamurai]

You can still watch it over and over again 😋 each time will add a little more detail!

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

I am still *TRAUMATIZED* over the fate of the forest spirit.... it was never restored!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aliminiaentli]

Same! I like to think they all regenerated over time at the end.

[@BloodFromSpain]

I would like to believe the Forest Spirit chose to not to restore its bodily form because humans were not deserving of its presence. The only way for the forest to truly thrive was for the spirit to sacrifice itself back unto the world and the penalty of humans ways was to disconnect our ties to the gods that once belonged to it. Very similar to how people in our world portray their God & how we do not have the luxury of connecting with animals on a social level & are forced to learn how to interact with them on an emotional level for the remainder of eternity because the majority will never fully understand & appreciate divine nature due to corruption very similar to Adam & Eve being banned from The Garden of Eden having been seduced by a Serpent. Even without the Gods, nature is still a masterpiece in the World of Princess Mononoke as the Earth is still beautiful even with the corruption & pollution of man today.

[@Esuper1]

Such is the genious of Miyasaki's talent. To tell you a story and make you care deeply. To move your soul to something that doesn't even exist. But just the idea of so well told, it affects you.

[@rayray6490]

One of the little spirit thingies did survive in the end though. So maybe there is hope that some of the forest spirit world survived

[@skysetblue9578]

I thought maybe it was a sign that the times of man had begun or something. But yeah I felt sad too.

[@stevemartin4249]

I live in Japan, an academic for 38 years, but have to say I felt like I'd just stepped off the boat with the flood of new information I got from this excellent breakdown. It also helps that this, along with Nausicca are my favorite Studio Ghibli movies. By the way, I live only about a 30 minute drive from Ghibli studios museum, but it is so popular, you have to make reservations weeks in advance.

[@rosefamilia3169]

Then you must live in Mitaka, right? I visited the museum 3 years ago and still mesmerized not only by the museum but also the neighborhood around it, it was very nice! The parks surrounded it also beautiful, I visited the area in autumn so all the trees there are yellow and red. I wish could visit Kichijoji again someday ❤️

[@Owl325]

Lol when white people think they have things of value to add 😂

[@stevemartin4249]

@@Owl325 😘

[@--Paws--]

6:46 In the Chinese/East Asian mythology, any animal can gain another tail over time, not just foxes whether they are mystical, demonic or otherwise. Fish, reptiles, etc..

[@theBeastcub]

I have one to add: The Forest Spirit's steps causing plant life to grow comes from the Qilin/Kirin, a mythological creature that basically looks like an Asian dragon crossed with a deer or a horse.

[@DavidBaganz]

and didnt the forest spirit kinda look like a semi-dragon/deer when it was midway into the transformation into the nightwalker?

[@wildpianokorean679]

Qilin also means giraffe, so imagine what it looks like. When the asians first saw the giraffe they realized it looked so similar to their imaginary deity

[@rashakor]

The kirin is also consider the eastern analog of the western unicorns.

[@MidlifeCrisisJoe]

@@rashakor Yeah most versions I've seen of Kirin, they tend to resemble unicorns. Though they're usually blue or teal and white.

[@kheabeth1]

A little sad? This movie broke my heart when I first saw it. And the second time...

[@ForLornOnMyBalls]

even to this day since my childhood

[@mov-e6612]

Yes, it's a pretty tragic story

[@maahibanerje9013]

This film is sad ... That's why I couldn't understand why I felt so many emotions after watching the film..

[@yoshiko1036]

The monkey-like creatures are actually called shôjô 猩々 in Japanese and originally derive from a alcohol-loving, monkey-like beast with the same name. In Japan however, they changed their appearance to a red-masked figure being part of many folklore performances where they take the role of as a mysterious background dancer, same as in the 'kirinshishi-mai' dance 麒麟獅子舞 of Tottori.

[@GetsomeIcy]

When I was a child. That movie scared me a lot but when I grew up ,now I understand more and it is a beautiful and sad story :) but still my favorite is spirit away

[@monicavelazquezrodriguez3035]

I am still scared sometimes with this movie. Some of the Ghibli movies makes me feel fascinated and scared.

[@loonloon6860]

Who dislike this good effort research and reference .

[@StoryDive]

I think there are people that subscribe to my channel just to dislike every video without watching it, lol. That's what the internet is like.

[@JungleMeta]

Yakul is named after Yakut tribe, reindeer herders

[@blacktigerpaw1]

Pretty far up. They're Siberian people.

[@IAmMonrose]

Can you please make a video about the Ghibli movie 'The Tale of Princess Kaguya'? It's heavily inspired by buddhist ideas and can be understood as a critique of the religion (if you want to call it that) as well :) It is also very underrated and I would love to see it getting recognized more! ♡

[@StoryDive]

Definitely on my list of movies I'd like to cover but I'm not sure when I can get to it. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@bubbleboy1320]

ya know that's also a bedtime story yeah? my grandma used to read to me at night when i couldn't sleep

[@moccaccino9084]

The tale of princess Kaguya is based on the tale of Kaguya-Hime. Is a real life tale.

[@TCWRebelsResistanceWords]

So amazing how many cultures can inspire so many elements in films. And it can go around in circles, cause Miyazaki’s films inspire numerous elements in other films and TV series too. For example, San’s face paint inspired the facial pattern for the Star Wars character Ahsoka Tano who can be seen in the series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels,” and “The Mandalorian.” Also, the wolves as a whole inspired the mythical Loth-wolves from the final season of “Star Wars Rebels”

[@BaconPancakes042]

San's face mask also resembles a Dogu Doll, a type of clay doll made by Japanese people of the Jomon period (-13 000 to -400 BCE approximatively). I don't know if anyone said it already, but I thought it was worth sharing.

[@corvusalbus7276]

About the forest spirit's head. I remember a Middle Eastern folk tale called the Queen of Serpents: in it a young man and woodsman comes across said queen after seeking shelter from a storm, but is years later forced to lead the local ruler's men to her. She's captured, cut up into pieces, which are then boiled until they are liquified and one is used to heal the monarch. Might not be a direct inspiration, but I was reminded of that story.

[@kokijavier]

"Oh dear god!" you made me laugh my breakfast out here :D

[@RancidGravy]

The wolf instantly turning to chomp on Ashitaka's head is one of my favorite parts. XD

[@bignasty4874]

Right? I would always wonder "am I the only one who thinks that was a serious dikk move? (Over the WAN, Wolfy Area Network; Hey Frekki! Yeah, Jerri? I really don't like this guy. He reeks of Red Stag piss. I tell ya' what, ill drop him and then you get him in a death shake. Ok! Its a plan! I think the effer just shat on your back. Why did they even bother putting that in there? Was someone on the production crew a little angsty against Miayzaki and took it out on his intellectual property? "I'll show him. I'll figuratively attack him through his art and inadvertently make it impossibly more phenomenal than it would have been." I will say this: That scene has stayed with me the longest. I haven't watched it in at least two decades. Yet that scene is still fresh in my mind even when I have to actively summon forth fuzzy images of anything else of the film.

[@destinymcintire2188]

I have a headcannon that the fur San almost always wears on her back is actually from Moros mate, aka her wolf father.

[@darkflame1254]

My mom bought this for me when I was like 13.I watched it again now 28 and am still blown away.Even if someone isn't into anime I can't imagine not enjoying it

[@tobi3948]

One thing I noticed when watching this film was when Prince Ashitaka cut his hair. This can be traced back to cutting hair as a ceremony that mirrors that of an Edo period Samurai: an end to an era of someone's life, and the beginning of another. We can see this portrayed in other anime such as Sakura from Naruto, and Wendy from Fairy Tail.

[@fulvio2485]

Could you make a video about "Pan's Labyrinth", please? It's one of my favourite films! :D

[@nicolefornuto7177]

yes thats a good one !

[@happyhoney855]

Yes its a beautiful film too. Another one of my favorites

[@nyancat2221]

There’s actually a series called “mononoke” which is a spin-off from the anime “ayakashi: classic japanese horror” and follows a character called Kusuriuri ( medicine seller ) who hunts and exorcizes mononoke under the guise of a medicine peddler. It’s a good source of helping identify mononoke a little, though the lines between ayakashi, mononoke, and yokai seem to be intentionally blurred when trying to discern the differences between the three in folklore, mythology, and stories.

[@exsistentialis]

I think that Mononoke is kinda like a friend of mine said: a manifesto. I am a Heathen, I try to revive an Animist worldview in my daily life and I don't even like animes too much, but this work is something unique in its dimensions because it can explain for everyone, like a modern mythology, how the nature works and what should be our place in nature and the way of acting towards it. Princess Mononoke's meaning is powerful, even if you don't know Miyazaki's references, because it speaks for today, it's not only an action movie based on mythology, like the Hollywoodian ones, it is a tale created and deeply rooted in its core message to a care about nature, life, balance and so on. A perfect movie like no one other I know.

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

You should try Mushi-Shi. Kirikou and the Sorceress has an interesting West African taste of old ways beliefs. Irish Fae vs Christianity do a good job at this too.

[@armandowillem3694]

Kikis Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Flying Castle the films that helped me explain what Anime was to my parents without having to make overly involved Dragon Ball Z explanations and not having to admit that some Anime are super adult oriented. To them they were just Cartoons from Japan that my little brother could watch. Then when Tim turned into a teen I showed him Vampire Hunter D and Akira. Blew his mind.

[@wolftal1178]

There is also an awful lot of Celtic references as well as other mythology, which again shows how much so many old cultures have in common rather than differences, the idea of spirits living in trees are very good references to naiads and dryads, as well as the forest spirit which seem to closely resemble the Celtic God Cernunnos of nature/the green man.

[@attilathehun1674]

Best summary so far..

[@wolftal1178]

@@attilathehun1674 hay thanks

[@parttimehero8640]

Awesome analysis. After my and my brother's watched this movie, it became our Christmas tradition to watch. Even now 20 years later. We sit down after dinner and watch it. Can't wait for my children to grow old enough to watch it with my.

[@panic123kitkat4]

Show wise Full metal Alchimest. I've always been curious what's based off of real stuff in that.

[@superdani152003]

each one of his animations are pure art. thank you for sharing with us .

[@miud2201]

i love this movie and i know it’s story is pretty serious but that scene where the wolf bites ashitaka’s head always makes me laugh

[@TristanMattox]

How sad the mirroring of the movie's theme to reality and how the Japanese wolf, which influenced Mononoke's wolves, actually went extinct around the time of the modern industrial boom. ):

[@nicolefornuto7177]

Can you do mythology behind Secret of Kells please ? Lots of interesting Celtic mythology woven into it

[@StoryDive]

I love that one and Song of the Sea.

[@sea_triscuit7980]

I really need to watch this masterpiece of a movie again.. it's been too long

[@Lo_.]

This is my most favourite film EVER. I love animals and nature more than anything else and I love the idea of this whole film. I especially like wolves and deers so this is just perfect. (This is also probably where I learned to love all those things in the first place)

[@davegl9305]

I still remember when my mother buyed this movie when I was like 9 and watched it with me and my sister(5yrs at the time) thinking it would be a nice kids cartoon. When all of a sudden someone got his arm chopped off she jumped and ran to the TV to turn it off xD

[@heathermarie7105]

I saw this movie when I was 7. ( I'm in my 30s now ) And I never knew the name of it. Never got into Anime but this movie stuck.. I went on the hunt today & finally found it. Going to rewatch it & enjoy it.☺

[@Jusangen]

Great job man! First video I’ve seen from you and I really learned a lot. I knew a couple of the legends as I’ve studied Japanese music but learned a lot more. Keep em up!

[@sofiarosado1225]

Again great content, really appreciate all the work and digging to come up with these explanations

[@mszkamio]

I love this video analysis. The dedication is unreal.🥰

[@tao7795]

Great video! Princess Mononoke will always be my favorite. Thank you for the unbelievable amount of research and work you have done!

[@amshg21]

not a big fan of Japanese anime movies , but this is one of the very few Japanese animation movies that i consider a timeless classic , the beautiful animation work , the soundtrack , the story. no matte how much i watch it , i never get enough.

[@mooselove]

I was looking for an in-depth look at the mythology behind this movie literally 2 weeks ago, thank you!!

[@nobody12314]

I enjoyed this video a lot, there is a lot of effort put into this and you went over the aspects very thoroughly, def got a new sub from me!

[@Jujuoak]

I’ve watched princess mononoke over a dozen times in my life, and I never noticed that the wolf had 2 tails

[@walterwhiteyo1]

This is really incredible, seeing people enjoying the beauty in this incredible anime. Thank you! 🙏

[@veganjotaro]

This video is literally so wholesome and funny and informative, thanks a lot!

[@gothicrice8705]

This was really interesting to watch! Thanks for uploading

[@shizusawatanabe6412]

I love this animated film and thank you for wonderful analysis. In japan, making iron was believed to be protected by goddess named Kanayagogami(金屋子神). And because of this faith, women are prohibited from entering ironworks not to make the goddess get angry. So it is revolutionary to describe such iron town(鑪場/tatara-ba) which is run by women. Such old rule is called 女人禁制（nyoninn-kinnsei）in Japanese. Today, of course women can enter ironworks, but not allowed to a mountain named 大峰山（omine-san）nor the field of sumo even today. excuse me for some mistakes in my English and thank you for reading this.

[@lonael6699]

If SPIRITED AWAY didn't exist, PRINCESS MINONOKE would have been the greatest animated movie of all time, without a doubt. The animation is outstanding, the way Hayao Miyazaki showed the realm of imagination and reality is unbelievable, the characters are so well portrayed and unique, the powerful message and hidden symbols, the use of native civilizations in a respectful manner... A true masterpiece.

[@supme7558]

Didnt like ether

[@heehoopeanut420]

I personally think Princess Mononoke has always been better than Spirited Away, in pretty much everyway.

[@astro-phoenix4461]

I honestly prefer Princess Mononoke

[@jakerudolph7937]

This really is one of the best videos ever made about mononoke 🙌

[@vampiretrunks]

Awesome, thanks for posting!

[@skysetblue9578]

First Studio Ghibli movie I’ve seen on a library vhs in 1998. Fell in love with it and my personal favorite. The environment and the people are so surreal. It’s so cool to hear what inspired this movie.

[@jorkofgoose6528]

Watched it again yesterday with some friends who had never seen it, then this video popped up in my feed, glad it did.

[@missmoonandlife]

I really love this video! I’m actually writing a rhetorical analysis on Princess Mononoke for my Composition class and I believe this will be very helpful!

[@michael32A]

Another excellent video. Was surprised when the few seconds from 6:44 onwards suddenly made the inspiration for the Pokémon world's ‘Ninetails’ clear too.

[@aaronwilder2775]

I've only seen this movie once and I absolutely fell in love with it. I loved the art, the mythos created within it, and the story itself and the characters :)

[@sea_triscuit7980]

I watch this movie once a year at least and it's always held a special place in my heart being one of my first and favorite anime I've ever seen.

[@CelticBotansDigitalArt]

came across your Spirited Away vid and this one yesterday, and I'm so fascinated by the mythology and inspiration for the movies! I've already been intrigued by Miyazaki's use of Japanese folklore in his movies, and hearing about the myths themselves is always so interesting. You've mentioned that Lady Eboshi's iron furnace is called a "tatara" - In Genshin Impact's Japanese inspired region Inazuma there's a place called "Tatarasuna", a furnace that was closed years before and surrounded by a kind of radiation. Thank you so much for putting these videos up for us!

[@mononoke721]

I don't usually watch these Ghibli breakdown videos anymore as they don't really tell me anything I don't already know, but even for someone that's into Japanese myth and folklore and has heard of some of these already, some of them were new even to me. Great work - you clearly did your research.

[@nute775]

I love this movie it reminds me old native stories.

[@Ruskad]

Speaking of anime and fantasy worlds/elements, I think Seirei no Moribito would be a good one to look at. I believe the English version was called Guardian of the Spirit, or maybe Sacred Spirit. Nice video, really enjoyed it.

[@lerunya17]

Yes!! This one is such a masterpiece with the characters development and the world building. Am true adventure of spirit.

[@clover4719]

This is an amazing video :) I have loved this movie so much ever since I was a kid, thank you for giving me even more reason to love it

[@SercanSalkir]

the whole video was phenomenal! thank you for all the effort. i've enjoyed your video as much as i've enyojed the movie. gonna watch it again with all the new info

[@camodude2659]

I'd love to see a video on the inspiration Breath Of The Wild took from Princess mononoke, like a trailer using a very similar chase scene as the movies intro, and the koroks in the game being very similar to the small forest spirits.

[@MrSaverio97]

The lord of the mountain (satori) being the spirit of the forest and dark beast Ganon the malice boar spirits

[@aasimmons3]

My family took a vacation to Yakushima several years back. It was the trip of a lifetime. The lush greenery of "Mononoke Forest" was amazing and I know have large prints on my walls from the Island.

[@sunnystreet4950]

I just watched this movie for the first time today! Wow! Thanks for making this video explaining the mythology stuff. So well done! Bravo!

[@johnsteiner4165]

Lots of work went into your video, it’s really well done! Thanks for sharing

[@shavannya]

never gonna look at the nature same again...,

[@Wolfen443]

Very interesting, lovely cultural background to the story.

[@vazak11]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@spookman2697]

Thank you so much for this beautiful explanation my man! I love it

[@daria-ioanaalexe2203]

"San" also means "three" which is a frequent number used in fairytales worldwide to express the entering in a magical world or the presence of something that is out of the ordinary, mononoke :)

[@--Paws--]

6:40 Any aimal in general can have forked-tails over time. 10:29 - 11:03 - 14:12 The Night-Walker/Forest Spirit also could be also based on the yokai "kotobuki" which is a chimera of the 12 Chinese Zodiac which takes the form of a quadruped and has a long neck. It is believed that even the image of the kotobuki could extend the life of a person, heal the sick, or give good fortune.

[@andrewsergeef5648]

Amazing, thank you for making such a detailed and informative video!!

[@Onibocho11]

I’m really enjoying your videos! Great work!

[@curryrice7510]

The real beauty is the language they use during the movie. I’m glad Japanese is my mother tongue and I understand as it is.

[@thelurkerbel0w]

The night walker looks like kokopelli, a fertility god in hopi mythology

[@coyoteclockworkstudios3140]

I remember watching this at 13 and being depressed for WEEKS. The passing of childhood is similar to the passing of legends. You're in the real world now and have no time for old stories. It's depressing as fuck.