Princess Mononoke plot: what the story is about (no spoilers)
A forest wild with ancient spirits, a growing settlement hungry for its resources, and one young man caught between them. That is the setup for Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime), Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated fantasy adventure.
The hero is Ashitaka, a prince whose people, the Emishi, are slowly fading away. After a boar god turned into a raging demon attacks his village, Ashitaka is left with a deadly curse. Hoping to find a way to lift it, he leaves home and heads west into unfamiliar lands.
There he finds a conflict already underway. On one side is San, a fierce young woman who defends the forest and its creatures. On the other is Lady Eboshi, a determined leader whose community is cutting into that same wilderness. Ashitaka refuses to simply pick a side. Instead, he searches for some kind of balance between humans and the natural world, even as both camps grow more hostile.
As the tagline puts it: “The fate of the world rests on the courage of one warrior.”
Princess Mononoke review guide: what makes it notable
If you are searching for a Princess Mononoke review, here is what the film offers on paper.
- Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is one of the signature works of the co-founder of Studio Ghibli. It was produced with dentsu, Tokuma Shoten and Nippon Television Network Corporation.
- A Japanese historical fantasy. The story mixes historical fiction with spirits, demons and gods of the forest. Its central themes are human vs. nature, deforestation, industrialization and environmentalism.
- Animation aimed at older viewers, too. Unlike some gentler Ghibli titles, this is a thoughtful, philosophical film with intense fight scenes and some graphic violence. Parents of younger kids may want to preview it first.
- Runtime: 134 minutes, with Japanese as the original spoken language.
Princess Mononoke cast (Japanese voice cast)
| Character | Voice actor |
|---|---|
| Ashitaka | Yoji Matsuda |
| San / Kaya | Yuriko Ishida |
| Eboshi Gozen (Lady Eboshi) | Yuko Tanaka |
| Jikobo | Kaoru Kobayashi |
| Kouroku | Masahiko Nishimura |
| Gonza | Tsunehiko Kamijô |
| Moro | Akihiro Miwa |
| Hii | Mitsuko Mori |
| Chief of Affairs | Hisaya Morishige |
| Toki | Sumi Shimamoto |
Who will enjoy Princess Mononoke
- Anime fans and Studio Ghibli followers who want Miyazaki at his most epic and serious
- Viewers drawn to stories about nature, the environment and the cost of progress
- Fans of fantasy adventures full of spirits, gods and mythical creatures
- Teens and adults who like films with moral gray areas instead of clear-cut villains
- Anyone looking for a classic Japanese animated film to watch on a long weekend
Release date in the Philippines & where to watch
Princess Mononoke first premiered on July 12, 1997 in Japan. A Philippine theatrical release date is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026.
Where to watch in the Philippines: The film is available to stream on Netflix Philippines. An official trailer is also available if you want a preview before pressing play.
Trailer
Cast
Yoji Matsudaas Ashitaka (voice)
Yuriko Ishidaas San / Kaya (voice)See credits →
Yuko Tanakaas Eboshi Gozen (voice)
Kaoru Kobayashias Jikobo (voice)See credits →
Masahiko Nishimuraas Kouroku (voice)
Tsunehiko Kamijôas Gonza (voice)
Akihiro Miwaas Mrs. Moro (voice)See credits →
Mitsuko Morias Mrs. Hii (voice)
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- Where can I watch Princess Mononoke in the Philippines?
- Princess Mononoke is available to stream on Netflix in the Philippines.
- What is the release date of Princess Mononoke in the Philippines?
- The film first premiered in Japan on July 12, 1997. A Philippine release date is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of October 24, 2026. You can watch it now on Netflix Philippines.
- Who is in the cast of Princess Mononoke?
- The Japanese voice cast includes Yoji Matsuda as Ashitaka, Yuriko Ishida as San, Yuko Tanaka as Lady Eboshi, and Kaoru Kobayashi as Jikobo. Akihiro Miwa voices Moro.
- What is the plot of Princess Mononoke?
- Cursed after a demon boar god attacks his village, the young prince Ashitaka travels west to find a cure. There he gets caught in a struggle between San, who defends the forest, and Lady Eboshi, whose people are destroying it.
- How long is Princess Mononoke, and is it suitable for kids?
- The film runs 134 minutes. It is an animated fantasy, but it has intense battle scenes and graphic violence, so it is better suited to older kids, teens and adults.
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