Seeing With Eyes Unclouded By Hate | Princess Mononoke Analysis | State of the Arc Podcast

In today's episode, we're covering Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, Princess Mononoke. Set during Japan's late Muromachi period and incorporating fantastical elements, the tale centers on Ashitaka, a young prince of the Emishi people, as he becomes entangled in a conflict between the forest's spirits and the humans exploiting its resources. The film explores a recurring theme in Studio Ghibli's works: environmentalism, presented as a response to the effects of industrialization, framed within the traditions of Shintoism, animism, and folklore.
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[@scress2]

I would argue that Akira, which came out during Japan’s late 80s economic bubble, is this most technically impressive anime ever made - all pre-CGI, filled with perspective rich, ultra-detailed city rendering etc. That being said, as a film, Princess Mononoke has it beat by a comfortable margin!

[@mourossonero]

I was about to write the same comment, fellow man of culture 😁

[@DeffoZappo]

I wouldn't even argue with you. It's a straight up fact

[@narlzac85]

Definitely. Nobody would make Akira today because it costs too much. There's a lot of later anime that are impressive in their own ways, but they have modern tools. Only anime movies have the budget to push sheer frames, so I'll add Ghost in the Shell, Paprika, Spirited Away and Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. I think Princess Mononoke has amazing backgrounds too and that elevates it above just being well animated.

[@vicdaman]

God I can’t wait for the inevitable Resonant Arc Akira analysis

[@razmeanie4519]

I would agree with that! I don't think Akira is a good of a story, or at least not told as well, but it's not been topped in terms of animation.

[@riuphane]

This was so incredibly good. Not just because I'm getting even more out of my favorite movie, probably ever, but because of the dialog, introspection, and uncovering of simple truths that are so hard to recognize and accept. I love that you guys can have such different answers and perspectives and still find the core predicament that drives the conflict. Would love to hear more of this and dive deeper.

[@ryanfitzgerald9833]

I remember being 11, 12 and being head over heels at the sight of San with her face covered in blood of a wolf god and scowling. That probably awakened something in alot of young men.

[@gabopr]

You guys are on fire with all these episodes... this is my favorite podcast right now

[@richardfranklin5383]

Wow, how serendipitous that you posted this when you did. Everything you discuss about seeing with eyes unclouded by hate and recognizing others' pain really resonates with me at this momment in my life. I recently had a situation where I ran into someone I used to be in the same friend group with, until we had a very ugly falling out that left both of us hurt. When I encountered them the other day, we both took a moment to acknowledge how our actions affected each other and admitted that what happened wasn’t our best selves. I don’t think we completely patched things up, but ultimately, like Ashitaka, we both choose took the dagar to the chest and expressed our desire for peace, wanting to move past what had happened. Listening to this podcast today has been very therapeutic and has helped me process what occurred between me and this person. Keep up the great work, as always!

[@TheRadDabber]

A legitimately important conversation.

[@EphionWasTaken]

- Mike: May I appeal to "Beyond Good And Evil"? - Casen: May I appeal to "Twilight"? In all seriousness, excellent episode, guys! Thank you for sharing your perspective and knowledge.

[@phillosmaster393]

this importance of delivering a message through stories to get the full effect reminds me a bit of C.S.Lewis' Meditation In A Tool Shed. His explaination of the observing the beam of light versus viewing from inside the beam of light is one of my favorite things ever. It really broke me out of alot of stale thinking when I first heard it.

[@DonutSwordsman]

just wanna say, holy crap your production is insane for only 144k subs. Like actually blown away great commentary. I would love just hearing a commentary track over the movie with yall

[@skaznguyna968]

I wish I could have conversations with people like they do. It's so refreshing to listen to people who express their thoughts while listening to the other and being open minded to receive the others point of view.

[@fleetingreveriee]

I love both of you, appreciate the time you put into these, a lot of stuff goes over my head I've gotta admit but these podcasts are something truly unique and special, and they wouldn't be without BOTH of you. What a wonderful thing to be born in a time where you upload these.

[@SurinaSlackArt]

Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender is also a great example of a positive masculine role model 💜

[@LyricSnowe]

I agree. It's very interesting that the best examples of masculinity are characters that break the typical masculinity archetype. If you ask me, I don't see anything typically "masculine" about ashitaka other than him being a prince who is a good warrior.

[@rdrouynriv]

One of the best Miyazaki films and best Japanese animations I've ever seen.

[@FirstLast_Nba]

Very true, Once you learn martial arts and how to fight and really hurt people you spend the rest of your life trying NOT to hurt people.

[@RokkouA1]

This is my favourite conversation you guys have had on RA. So many topics you talk about here are things I'm still thinking about since I've listened to this episode a couple of months back, really glad it's being released publically. I especially love Casen's point about how stories are intrinsically tied to the 'core', and how the two can not be seperated. It's basically why I play these games and listen to this podcast rather than just simply reading information about these topics.

[@ryandude3]

I think your discussion here is the clearest and most incisive treatment of masculinity that I've come across. It's really a message that needs to be broadcast far and wide, especially given the polarized and asymmetric nature of the "discourse" around it today.

[@TheSotired90]

Mononoke is my favourite Ghibli movie, not for the story, not for the animation, not for the beautiful visuals; it's because of the soundtrack, my God it gets me every single time, even now while I write this comment listening to both the podcast and the intro track.

[@Kyle-gn7dj]

Oh absolutely yes! This soundtrack is a standout.

[@Marty-V]

Yeah I also decide my favorite cd by its cover art..

[@joshuahelmeke]

Some of Joe Hisaishi’s best work.

[@DeffoZappo]

The Tatara women's work song 😢😢😢 absolutely incredible

[@narlzac85]

Just thinking about the music takes me back. It's main theme is majestic and sad at the same time.

[@EvilCronos13]

I remember reading that ashitaka's "sister" was originally his wife, but they changed it to sister so that it didn't leave any issues with the western audience regarding ashitaka's relationship with san.

[@EmrysGaming3]

As far as I know, in the sub of the movie she was supposed to marry Ashitaka and the crystal dagger is a symbol of what would have been their marriage before he was cursed, thus why he gives it to San, to show his love for her.

[@nanoglitch6693]

Really liked how you started off with a recap of the film vs the typical random clip from somewhere in the middle. Best intro and something that actually helped and provided context for the following discussion. 🙂👍 Love to see it.

[@quinoah_]

Brilliant, amazing analysis. I would love to see you two cover more Miyazaki films. P.S. - have you guys ever considered taking a look at the Nausicäa of the Valley of the Wind manga? I know in the past you have covered the film version, but in the manga the story goes in completely different places and covers deep, philosophical topics I know would be right up your alley.

[@DungeonBricks]

That ending of two chads talking about AND showing healthy masculinity and complimenting each other is the most wholesome thing I've seen in the internet in a long while.

[@JarlBarbossa]

Healthy masculinity does not mean being a leftist hippie who radiates toxic positivity, as the men who meet the "healthy masculinity" you reddit communists espouse, consistently fail to raise strong and competent children, as well as allowing the ghettofication of every leftist city and state on earth without any exception anywhere. Your idea of toxic masculinity meanwhile, is a straw man that almost never exists among whites.

[@K_Dog253]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Thank you guys, as always, in expanding the themes and points and articulating them in ways that i inherently know, but cant fully express. Its cathartic, but also sooting, to see people like you praise stories like this, and xenogears, that have always held such special places in my heart, and influence how i live my life. God bless.

[@jamesb.6014]

This is such a slept on podcast!

[@MC.Mikey117]

The most important movie and podcast episode of all time! Long time watcher here and it was awesome to see so many ideas and understandings from previous work tie in together here. This channel is really something special. Thanks again.

[@ArcadianGenesis]

Good shit, gentlemen. Always love a good philosophical discussion.

[@ruffymushigo883]

I rarely comment on videos but I just need to comment to say this is the best podcast ever, you put clarity to ideas I have been navigating in my head for years and legit your conversations make me reflect on life in a way that make me feel like I can be a better person. Seriously thank you.

[@remimezelle5402]

Yessssssssss I absolutely need to rewatch the movie with my wife before watching your podcast. This is it. This the time.

[@MorroWolf]

This discussion was so poignant for me at this time, thank you for this so much. I've got to go back and listen to more of your content I'm blown away

[@HooDFoX2021]

I’m heartbroken that I can’t find a friend anywhere in life that I can talk to this way. The way you both do. This is all I’ve wanted for the last 15 years. Someone to dissect movies, games, philosophy, etc. with. I can’t find anyone on earth and I’ve lived in 9 states. You guys are so lucky to have the friendship you do, with the open mindedness to experience all of these things then discuss them. I might actually give up on life soon because I’m so tired of trying to find this kind of kinship and connection anywhere.

[@ganas3]

Finally! My favorite movie!

[@OrionHunterOfTheStars]

Thanks for doing this one, it’s one of my all time favorites and I love the analysis you guys do. That early history of Japan is super interesting and I had no idea. Keep it up!

[@Minnan1]

You NEED to read the Nausicaa manga. THAT is Miyazaki's magnum opus. There are elements drawn from that manga all over his later works.

[@SirJohnGoodman]

I don't usually leave a like before watching a video but I already know this is going to be a good one.

[@AninOnin]

This was incredible. It's the first video I've watched from your channel, and I'm blown away by how insightful and engaging your thoughts are on one of my absolute favorite movies. I would have loved to hear you delve a little deeper into anima and animus from San's perspective, the way you did Ashitaka. I found myself really invested in the increasing levels (I've been styling it to myself as "gender enlightenment" haha) and would have found a discussion about that really valuable. I know you have a limited amount of time on here and perhaps didn't feel quite as equipped to talk about it from her perspective, but I found the entire discussion really interesting and I'll be looking into it more for my own curiosity. Well done!

[@squartallovertheplace]

I do indeed love this one, my #2. My favorite is Spirited Away. Best set of instructions for practical awakening and dealing with inner child that i've ever experienced in movie format.

[@lreadytaken]

The person the drama’s Shogun was based on isn't Oda Nobunaga. It's Tokugawa Ieyasu The Ainu are not indigenous people, and the oldest Jomon burial mounds are found in northern Japan

[@chtreib]

This was one for the ages. What a great episode.

[@Paul-to1nb]

Loved this as a patreon exclusive. Love it now! Glad everyone gets to hear this cause it's probably even more relevant now than it was 6 months ago. Also, love that at the end you add so many quick, last minute insights, lol. I feel like you coulda kept going on for another 2 hours.

[@greenprimalranger]

I'm excited to hear your discussion on Grave of the Fireflies.

[@riuphane]

For those not familiar, read a synopsis before watching. If you're not prepared it will crush your soul. That said, it is an incredibly good and beautiful movie with a very important story that will impact you no matter what.

[@Elykar]

Can't wait to be depressed all over again!

[@omensoffate]

@@riuphanewould you do that? No need to warn about history.

[@j-plarouche9959]

probably my favorite movie ever, an absolute masterpiece in my eyes. Really liked the analysis you made as always. Thank you for covering this great story I think more people should watch it

[@mishafry9068]

awesome... would love to see you guys talk about perfect blue, or really any satoshi kon stuff

[@Dylan-t6y1t]

New listener here! What a great discussion and exploration of one of my favorite movies of all time. I hadn't thought about Ashitaka and how he portrays what an ideal masculine figure should act like. Very interesting listen!! I'm excited to check out more of your guys' stuff.

[@SurinaSlackArt]

Dang near every episode is this good or better. Welcome, and enjoy the library of ideas!

[@PureBlackDragon]

Great, just really well thought out and debated and even lead me to look at what is possibly my favorite film(in any medium) of all time in a new light. A somehow even more positive one. The research and respect shown for the media and for each other is always astounding.

[@gabrielhammond523]

I m not awning victim hood here but as a child a boy child I was always being limited in what I could and could do all the time. What’s sports to play, what social events to go to, how to behave in a proper way, most of this is personal trauma but I think that society focuses on controlling and directing boys young boys, to the detriment of the imagination of our physical capacity, of our conscious sense of self. I’m am happy that young girls are empowered within the zeitgeist they will truely find solutions and solve problems to many of our collective enigmas. I worry for the boys who didn’t chose to be boys who maybe discouraged in there live. How then to empower “boys” while understanding and maintaining gender parity or equilibrium?

[@RayOfTruth]

I'd love hearing your opinions on the Professor Layton games, and Layton himself as a masculine role model.

[@IronCodyAlan]

that citation made me tear up thank you for educating me for another week guys

[@Lonewolfz24]

Having watched basically everything he has made throughout my life, picking a favorite is as hard as picking the best pixar film as I think it depends on how you feel in the moment. Nausicaä, Mononoke, Laputa, Kiki, Spirited Away, Howls, Whisper of the Heart, Grave of the fireflies .... All are wonderful. If I HAD to pick, it would STILL be between Nausicaä, Mononoke, Laputa, Kiki ... and how much you want to cry.

[@directcole]

The direction these conversations take thrills me to no end. In regards to “faith” stories I think what you hit on together is that there are some key takeaways that differ between being an observer of a story and being a participant (believer) in one. This is why in my opinion we must always observe ourselves from the outside perspective as best we can even while being a believer. Skepticism maybe being, in the end, the greatest ally of faith. (Though I say this from the perspective of a nonbeliever)

[@Aeolianlitany]

Love these guys. Been a fan for ages. Can't wait for a dark souls analysis. Very calm, intelligent analysis of my favourite movie of all time.

[@burretploof]

Only just started watching this episode, but... Mononoke is one of my favorite movies ever. Everything about it is so incredible, and it's the soundtrack that puts it to an 11/10 for me.

[@Metro4466]

Love you guys, great epidode! ^^

[@matthewbrookeart]

Really great vid tho brilliant breakdown of ashitaka and made me appreciate him even more as a character

[@KalleVilenius]

On that point about the story itself being important, John Barth put it very well in his novel Chimera: the key to the treasure is the treasure.

[@saeedalshamsi2116]

Your channel is one of the few on the platform that consistently provides fascinating topics and in-depth analysis. As a huge Ghibli fan, I completely agree that Princess Mononoke represents Miyazaki at his peak. Ashitaka and Porco, in particular, are among the most complex and unique characters he has ever created, unmatched by any other Ghibli characters. Also, I’ve been reading and researching Japanese history for years, and I love that you highlighted the Emishi people-a detail that often goes unnoticed due to the lack of historical context most viewers have. While understanding this background isn’t necessary to enjoy the film, it adds a richer, more realistic dimension to the story. As Final Fantasy XV perfectly puts it: “A fantasy based on reality.” Princess Mononoke achieves this balance beautifully, making it both a historical reflection and a fantasy epic. I absolutely love this movie, and honestly, I don’t think even Miyazaki himself could surpass it. Sorry for the long comment, but I just wanted to thank you guys for the amazing content! Keep up the fantastic work!

[@silentnight4025]

Great talk on the muscline

[@ocean_jams]

this was great, one of my earliest anime / movie renting experiences in general was my mom renting princess mononoke as a child along with some dragon ball when i was sick, and the first 15 minutes of the movie scared me and fascinated me more than anything i’d ever seen before. i remember having nightmares about the demon boars for months after that

[@AlaskanPanda314]

1:37:18 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

[@JasperJunior94]

Oh how I've waited 🥲

[@apriloneil8393]

50:43 That take about this being a society of outcasts is so on point. I’d like to add a bit more to it. As Japanese viewers, we quickly notice that the men pulling the oxen and those using firearms were also people who faced discrimination in the outside world. On top of that, even within the town, there were still traces of a rigid hierarchy of discrimination. (For example, they would never share a meal together.) Studio Ghibli has also officially pointed out that “the pervasive nature of discrimination” is one of the key themes of this film. Looking at it this way, the only characters who truly seemed free of any sense of discrimination were probably Ashitaka, San, and Lady Eboshi.

[@jonathanhearn9359]

Aragon from LotR is also in my opinion one of the best masculine characters in all cinema/ literature. I need to watch this movie again its been like 15ish years for me. You guys seem like the kinda of people i love having around

[@bernardblack7870]

Finally someone standing up for Nausicaä, which is also my all time fave.

[@leonardogsperin]

Conheci este canal curiosamente logo após zerar FF6, depois fiquei 3 dias assistindo os seus 10 episódios, adorei o canal, saudades de não filosofar sozinho.

[@user-cw4zj6kc8u]

Prince Ashitaka and Aragorn are some of my favorite modern mythic heroes.

[@colasrtney]

I don’t really get into the games you guys are into but this makes me want to watch some more of your videos and try the games.

[@Garland41]

You mentioned the relationship between ashitaka beheading the samurai with arrows and the connection to the deer god getting beheaded, but there is a third leg to the beheading structure in this film and that is Morrow's (the wolf god) desire but ultimate failure to behead Lady Eboshi. And only managing to get her arm. If you want to make a connection between the beheading of Ashitaka and the beheading of the deer God, you may need to include that triangulation as well as the other aspects of the emperor and the different factions.

[@YouTubdotCub]

Porco Rosso is my favourite Ghibli movie, but this is easily the #2 slot and for a long time before I saw Porco Rosso was my #1, and they're such different films doing such different things they're practically sharing a #1 slot rather than one being "better" than the other. Truly Mononoke Hime becomes more and more relevant every single year. Incredible stuff.

[@kendric_BUF]

This film is very dear to me. First saw it on vhs when i was like 9-10 years old. Finally got to see it on the big screen at a regal with my brother this past summer. We were crying on and off through the whole film. 😂

[@SaintJimmy36]

my favorite podcast covered my favorite movie! lets go!

[@schrodingersbabyseal]

The way I just stopped what I was doing to binge this

[@noirnoironey]

2 dudes talking about Ghibli...I'm in!

[@zano25]

Keep up the good work, guys.

[@SatiZakito]

Prince Ashitaka is like Denam from Tactics Ogre he wants peace and it's willing to "Become a stone along the path to our salvation" being the mediator during the conflict.

[@benedict6962]

That's giving Denam a LOT of credit. Ashitaka didn't need time travel to avoid killing the people he didn't want to kill, and he never got lost in the race sauce.

[@BlarGames]

What..can't believe you just picked my favorite animation ever. And one of my favorite movies full stop, for that matter..wrote a thesis on it myself in Film Studies many years back.

[@YH-vj2xr]

The way war affected him in creating his films reminded me with what is happening in Gaza right now

[@RevolverRossalot]

Not sure if this has been commented on yet but the little tree spirits are Kodama. They are associated with how noise echoes when you're in the forest or mountains. I think this is why Miyazaki gave them the rattle noise, because it has a sort of echo to it.

[@David-wq3dq]

I recorded a copy of this in middle school and watched it at least 2 or 3 times a week for a year or so

[@Locaneo]

Princess Mononoke is like top 5 best looking anime to me before things went full digital, but #1 will always be Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust. Seeing Amano's work animated, better than Angel's Egg too, is a thrill I can't describe. Just watch the scene of the vampire safehouse reveal and remember that's not all digital, or the reflection lake scene later in the rain. Insane. Otherwise, fantastic video. This movie is my personal favorite Miyazaki film. I can feel his cynicism, but also a dare to hope in humanity. I'd like to make one point about the Anima/Animus discussion in that you are absolutely right that there is a deep problem with masculinity being exploited by the fake/hyper-masculine, but (and I talk from personal experience) it is also being heavily exploited by and even supplanted by the hyper feminine/Anima. That is to say, when some people reach out looking for help, they can get into both problematic masculinity as an answer to their issues and manipulative . You fixated for a while on the problems of the Animus, but in my social groups I find among my guy friends a far deeper issue is manipulation and complete alienation from the Anima. Most of my guy friends are not straight (like 70%) to get the demographic into perspective and, they are bombarded with the guilt you mentioned, shame, "why don't you make more money/have kids/like women/etc." They hear this a lot mostly from their single moms or aunts and their social groups and have few to no masculine contacts. Even among my straight guy friends they are asked to be more feminine to "understand" people better and be of value and worth, and it's done in such a toxic, unhelpful way that leads to more reprimanding. So they give up or try to be something they are not close to good at and spread and spiral and infect others. In short, men and women feel lost because of the problems of both sides of the psyche. I don't want to go any deeper because then I feel I'd have to talk on personal matters and I don't want to talk about more private affairs, but I think there's a large missing link in the cold, manipulative, vile cruelty of the Yin/Anima along with the idiocy, overcompensation and fake-strength of the Yang/Animus.

[@RickPPR]

If you like Hisaishi's score here, I'm curious - have you checked out Ni No Kuni 1? It isn't a perfect game, but visually and aurally it is an absolute feast. Same folks who worked on Ghibli films too, so it's practically like playing one!

[@gotd4m]

You are right. Late 90s did have the BEST anime. Was a great time to be an anime teenager. Golden age of RPGs too.

[@Deniki666]

"Akitasha" 😂 Jokes aside, this is a lovely analysis of one of my very favorite films.

[@opensesame8888]

You guys misunderstand about indigenous people in Japan. First indigenous people in Japan are called Jomon. (Ainu are mix of Jomon people and Okhotsk people, and were living in Hokkaido. Emishi were a mix of Jomon people and the continental people, and were living in northern mainland of Japan). Those new comers came little by little from the continent (not just Korean peninsula) over like a thousand year. The early settlers from the east coast of current China brought the rice culture (the Japanese rice DNA matched the one from there). And the "Yayoi" era (the rice farming era) had begun. Academically the people in the Yayoi era are called Yayoi people. The recent DNA test tells that Yayoi people were already a mix of Jomon people and the continental people (but high Jomon DNA). Yamato are also a mix of Jomon people and continental people and the Jomon DNA ratio varies depending on the region. Continental DNA is highest in the Kinki area where the capitals were at since the Yamato government welcomed many skilled foreign migrants from the continent. Kumaso is like Emishi but they were in southern Kyushu the southern par of Japan. Basically the higher Jomon DNA in the mountainous region as Jomon people were originally hunter-gatherers. But over thousands of years, Japanese indigenous Jomon people mixed with the continental people. The continental rice-farming migrants were much higher in population than the hunter-gatherer Jomon people, so it looks like that the indigenous people were driven away by the continental migrants. Anyway, Yamato is a mix of indigenous people and the continental migrants. And the Japanese language (including Ryukyuan language as a sister language) doesn't share the same linguistic group with any Asian language like Korean let alone Chinese. Ainu language doesn't share linguistic group with any Asian language as well. Ryukyuans (Okinawa people) have high Jomon DNA and genetically close to Ainu people but their languages are not related. In the future, the same thing may happen in Europe. The migrant population grew much more than the indigenous European population. Over time, they intermix to have mix descendants. Thousands of years later, the Europeans would look much more like the current migrants because of the population growth rate.

[@MichaelDude12345]

😂😂😂 I died laughing at "aaaand that might be the case.... Every time we watch a new Miyazaki movie." YES please cover all of them! You guys should totally do Spirited Away at some point too!

[@GuardianArk15]

1:13:03 as someone who didn't have a role model im happy I had ashitaka and Tommy Oliver as examples of positive masculinity.

[@vexhardt211]

Personal taste notwithstanding, there are definitely techniques better looking anime these days. But there is a timeless quality to Ghibli films and it is a testament to the work of the studio that they still hold up as well as they do.

[@andresrosel821]

In that line of characters, and talking about Nausicaä, I read the comic and found so many similarities with FFX, I think they took so much inspiration from Nausicaä with characters like Yuna, and a lot of the world building like the priests, the magic and so on, highly suggest you read Nausicaä manga.

[@jeromebrousseau4391]

I would have loved a bit more exposition about the sacrifice of Ashitaka's sister. Her choice to break the laws of her tribe to honor her brother reminds me of Antigone!

[@Shanmania]

Would love to hear a Spirited Away discussion!

[@fabriziomatillana4437]

The opening track is called "The Legend of Ashitaka". Joe Hisaishi was Team Hayao in terms of the title choice.

[@kpatterson14206]

I don't smoke any more, but one day I got really high and watched this movie and it's probably the best movie experience I've ever had.

[@HaitaniMasayuki]

The name "Princess Mononoke" lead to sooo many people up to this day still thinking San's name is "Mononoke"...

[@reenchanted]

Love Casen quoting Chesterton. :-)

[@TheBeird]

The last time I watched this film was during the pandemic. And I love, still do don't get me wrong, but I had a profound sense of loss at the end of it. I kept thinking, "damn, we really had everything didn't we? And had a tonne of time to do something about the ending of the world. Fools!" But yeah it's such a beautiful film. Is Hayao Miyazaki the most consistent filmmaker ever? I've not seen Boy and the Heron yet but, he hasn't made one bad movie. Some are better than others, but there's no stinkers at all. I mean, AT ALL! That's incredible!

[@EstelMalaya]

True, It's saddening that today's social media landscape is also supporting such mentality. Like so many power fantasies media with so much angst, like the MC is always like wronged by the world and like they have to have more power where to the point its so repeatative. we like awesome fight scenes from time to time, but where it is the only premise, it dulls everything. Thank you guys for always scholarly discussing things not just in media but in life in general, always looking forward to your episode and more to come.

[@benedict6962]

It goes way, way deeper than that. Being granted power through luck and privilege. Buying into and supporting the system to achieve status. With the theme that it is the other people who do not respect the system. Dehumanizing everyone around you to gain security. Have fate and circumstance determine your choices for you Dehumanizing the enemy as amorphous blobs who are cruel for cruelty's sake

[@jessepbigjdp]

Loved this analysis! Princess Mononoke is my favorite movie ever, and Ashitaka one of my favorite protagonists ever, so it was great to see you delve into what makes him an amazing main character and role model for the masculine. Really appreciate your nuanced discussion on masculinity, and this terrible idea that we as a society should do away with the Tarzan rather than learning to control it in a healthy way. Boys in this day and age are legitimately being restricted from being boys, especially in public schools. If I do ever have a son, I'd do my damnest to put him in a boys only school. Your children are lucky to have you as fathers.

[@El-Duderino-His-Dudeness]

Glad you guys talked about this movie. My favorite Ghibli movie. And I've always been a dub watcher. But I'm surprised you guys are going off the dub script. Usually Casen delves into the Japanese version of things. I'm only an hour in, but I see Mike drawing from the English script so far.

[@jimanyon8143]

A wild Gom Jabar appears! "There is no villian." Meanwhile the Emperor. The true mark cannot be hit, so we shot and miss, till only the true mark remains.

[@patrickweller5254]

The Wind Rises is my favourite Ghibli movie but in terms of the fantasy themed films they have done, Princess Mononoke is my favourite of those. As for anime movies in general, EoE, Patlabor 2 and Millenium Actress are in my top 5.

[@xvct2661]

I used to watch this movie on a by monthly basis it mean alot to me

[@Thiago_Alves_Souza]

Welcome back, long haired Mike!

[@Wicked061]

I still have my vhs of princess mononoke 😊