Story: 8/10
Formed around four separate stories with two acts, Mononoke sets up an epic, twisted tale in each of them. Each them very different in their own way, but very much the same, holding a similar type of theme: secrets. We all have them. Some secrets are small. Some are massive and can hold us hostage in our minds, whether the case this anime makes us bring out those dark secrets and makes a nightmare a reality. Illusions. It's all in the head. This is true horror and it absolutely terrified me. I loved the cinematography and the way the camera captured the mood of the anime. It gave the every single scene strong emotion. Everyone things that horror is a scary serial killer coming after them with a mask or a dead girl dressed in white with blood all over her face haunting a house, but no. This is true horror. It's more historic too with using Mononoke (monsters) as the antagonist. There are so many legends, myths, and stories about these monsters. Many going back hundreds and hundreds of years! Goes to show that Japan can be one scary place.
Art: 10/10
Look at all the pretty colours! Terrifying, but pretty! I loved how they did a rendition of Japanese historic artwork. The style was just breathtakingly beautiful! And man did it ever tie in well with the horrific and suspenseful mood of the stories. The art...it was what gave the anime the genre we call Horro. I'm going to let you all know this is probably the most beautiful Japanese animation I've ever seen. The camera angles they used were unique and mind messing. And not only that, the style of these characters designs are just so unique and fancy! It's creepy yet inspiring. This animation almost made me feel like I was high. lol
Sound: 9/10
As someone who doesn't do subbed, I really loved the VA that were used. The one who voiced Kururiuri held a strong tone who brought the character to life. The beginning and opening songs held a great beat that made the episodes even more exciting! And the music in the episodes really made the scene more eye catching, more eerie.
Character: 9/10
Kururiuri, the medicine vendor, plays with people's mind on making them confess to their deepest darkest secrets while hunting and slaying monsters around the country side. He's like a drug dealer. He puts thoughts into peoples heads, messes with them to hunt down the Mononoke hidden either inside of them or around him. He's a perfect character who can show he is not to be messed with.
Through the many other characters throughout the four mini stories, each one brought on a creepy aspect of the story. They might've not been the ones who gave the anime a horror theme, but they did give out dark and anticipating parts of their stories that were absolutely addicting to witness.
Enjoyment/Overall: 8/10
I could not stop watching this. I actually ended up jumping a few time! Blood is the colour of orange. Up is down. Right is left. It's a huge mind fuck that will leave you wanting more. I think the only reason why it isn't one of my favourites was because the lack of plot. This could've gone so much farther with just ONE mini story they used. At least twenty episodes per mini story. But never the less, this anime is totally worth the watch. Just don't watch it high. Or if you do...let me know what it's like. I'm curious.
I give this anime 90% on the Monster level.
