I remember seeing Princess Mononoke, presented in the original Japanese language with English subtitles, when an older cousin, obsessed with anime brought over after returning from college. More like a big brother, was happy to indulge his interest because I wanted him to think I was as “cool” as he was. The only problem was, as a pubescent 15-year-old, I was anything but cool, and at the time, the breadth of this film was beyond me. 

So, when an English dub was released in 2004, even though it included some of my favorites like Claire Danes and Minnie Driver, I didn’t pay it much mind. Even when I heard the script was written by none other than master storyteller Neil Gaiman. I just couldn’t bring myself to care.

Well, I was an idiot. 

The last prince of the Emishi people, Ashitaka is cured when he kills a demon to keep it from attacking his village. Though the curse grants him superhuman strength and the ability for his arrows to never miss their target, it is excruciating and will eventually kill him. Learning he may find a cure in the western lands that the demon came from, he leaves his village – knowing he can never return. On his journey, he meets an opportunistic monk, San, princess of the forest gods, and Lady Eboshi, the leader of Iron Town, who wants to destroy all the forest Gods so she can continue to mine their home. 

Princess Mononoke was the highest-grossing Japanese film of 1997 and is one of the major factors that increased the popularity of Studio Ghibli outside Japan. It’s also one of the first, along with Kiki’s Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky, that were dubbed in English by the Walt Disney Company. 

The film is very much one about the necessities of environmental conservation, but it’s not just some kitschy little Earth Day film. It’s dark, it’s rough, and it’s incredibly well-made. It’s beautiful and one of the best English adaptations I have heard in any anime. 

The film has seen several releases to home media, including a collectible steel book release through Shout Factory / Gkids. With an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the film, clocking in at about 133 minutes is presented in glorious HD. The set includes audio presented in the original Japanese as well as English, and French each with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Extras include:

  • Feature-Length Storyboards
  • Original Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots
  • Princess Mononoke In USA
  • Behind the Microphone
  • Exclusive Booklet

Currently available through Shout Factory, GKids, and Amazon once the set is sold out, it’s gone… so act fast!

More Ghibli reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!