Mononoke Movie: Karakasa

Asa and Kame strike up an immediate friendship when they arrive at the same time for their first day of duty at the Ooku, the splendid pleasure palace housing the harem of Lord Tenshi. The two young women are there to join the many hundreds of other maidservants—men are barred from entering, with immediate beheading the price of trespassing. It soon becomes clear that behind the luxurious lifestyle and ritualized routines of the Ooku lie sinister schemes and cynical rivalries. Meanwhile, a mysterious wandering potion-peddler known only as the Medicine Seller subtly insinuates himself into the Ooku, just as an uncanny, otherworldly menace begins to reveal itself.

(Source: Fantasia Festival)

Kusuriuri Main

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Asa Supporting

Kurosawa, Tomoyo Japanese

Kame Supporting

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Tenshi Supporting

Irino, Miyu Japanese

Tokita, Fuki Supporting

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Mizorogi, Hokuto Supporting

Tsuda, Kenjirou Japanese

Futsukazuki Supporting

Watada, Misaki Japanese

Ootomo, Botan Supporting

Tomatsu, Haruka Japanese

Mikazuki Supporting

Hiratsuka, Sae Japanese

Saga, Heiki Supporting

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Satou, Kimiaki Producer

Sudoku, Yuuki Producer

Nakamura, Kenji Director, Script

Nagasaki, Yukio Sound Director

Reviews

Dec 9, 2024

archetype18

Recommended

I remember watching *Mononoke* a few years ago and being completely captivated by its striking visuals and incredible storytelling. Even 17 years later, the series hasn’t lost its charm. The fact that it even got a movie still amazes me, but I’m glad people continue to appreciate thought-provoking, philosophical, and avant-garde anime.

I might need to rewatch it sometime—or dive into an analysis—to fully grasp all the ideas conveyed in the movie. It’s always a treat to see our beloved Medicine Seller perform his peculiar, otherworldly rituals. I like how we are able to recognize him, even though we know nothing of his past. ... Such a mysterious being.

Recommended for fans of the series and newcomers as well. Plus, there’s a sequel coming next year! Looking forward to it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Dec 9, 2024

CartunLober7

Mixed Feelings

In the original anime, Form, Truth, and Reasoning was needed to unsheathe Kusuriuri's sword as both a plot element and as a narrative function to unravel the mystery to the viewer. One of the things Mononoke did so well was creating sympathy for the monster; we learn what they are, who they are (or were), and how they came to be. Like all the best ghost stories, behind every mononoke's manifestation was a human tragedy.

It's in this that Karakasa disappoints, despite the same form being employed. Lots of plot threads and characters, but nothing that gives substance to the monster itself. "I'm the mononoke, by ... the way," wasn't its quote upon appearing in force against Kusuriuri, but it might as well have been. The intention might have been to tell its story in parallel to other certain characters, but the execution was such that it instead felt unrelated; almost like a footnote to a less interesting story.

When the heart and substance of the story is lacking, what it has is the beautiful and whimsical art style, backed by movie production values; but not much else.

7, but a biased 7 in favour anything Mononoke.

Note - this movie is part of a trilogy set in the same location, from my understanding, so hopefully some of the flaws (if not all) are just those of an incomplete story.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Dec 2, 2024

rhoney1313

Not Recommended

Funny

I loved the original series and had been looking forward to this movie for ages. Sadly, I can only assume that whoever was in charge of it decided that since everyone loved all of the beautiful and artistic scenery, let’s quadruple them and then rapidly flash at least three for every sentence shown in the subtitles. So fast that you can barely keep up with the reading. I had to constantly pause just to read and still ended up with a massive headache and felt dizzy. What an appalling movie, I literally cried with disappointment.

It seems I cann’t publish ... this without more words, but I really have nothing else to say about this movie.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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