Apr 1, 2017
The zenith of Miyazaki's career, Mononoke Hime sets itself apart from most other Studio Ghibli films. Even for those who dislike Ghibli in general, this is one unmissable anime for all ages to enjoy.
The story and its characters can easily seem simplistic on the surface; a young man travels looking for a cure and gets caught up in something bigger than he'd expected. While this may be true in some respects, Mononoke Hime's presentation of it is truly exceptional. In comparison to other Ghibli films, Mononoke Hime has a darker, tone with more gravity to the situation at hand. The concept of the personification
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of nature is compelling, and it is particularly the presentation of the spirits of the forest that allows Mononoke Hime to rise above all other Ghibli films. While Ashitaka may not be the most developed character ever, as is often the case with the protagonists of Ghibli films, his relationship with San and Eboshi is more realistic and dynamic than other films, particularly considering the limited time frame of the film rather than a series.
Mononoke Hime's engraving into the history of anime and animation as a whole, both as an epic and a classic, is mainly due to the unparalleled, outstanding art. The use of colour is perfectly used, blended and animated, with animation well ahead of most other anime of the time (a perhaps niche example is Flame of Recca, the art of which was incredibly poor when compared to Mononoke Hime). If there was any negative to the art, it would be that it was too good-it could be seen as distracting from the focus on the story. As ever with Studio Ghibli, the sound was excellent throughout. There was never a moment in the film where I felt the music was out of place or too much.
In conclusion, Mononoke Hime is a true masterpiece even among the better Ghibli films. It is incredibly accessible for all kinds of people, young or old, fans of Ghibli or not, or even fans of anime or not. This epic has earnt itself a place in the Hall of Fame for anime all-time greats, and deservedly so. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on something amazing.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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