I know you guys said no more TV shows. And I 100 percent get it. But I would love your take on Netflix's daredevil. The talk alone with him and the punisher. I feel ike is perfect for you to talk about.
I may be to late for you to see this but it would be great if you did the 3rd Pokemon movie, Spell of the Unown. 2 things to keep in mind you don't need to watch the other Pokemon movies first, and secondly, the mom in the movie isn't deceased she just left her husband because he works too much. It makes sense when you watch the movie. Thank you for this series
It's a little thing, but I love when San meets Yakul (Ashitaka's pet elk). Her immediate reaction is to pull off his bridle and tell him that he's free and can leave. But then she sees that he doesn't want to. He loves Ashitaka and chooses to stay with him. San had probably never even thought it possible that an animal would want to stay with a human, and I think that's a very important moment for her to start opening up her world view.
Honestly the moments like this are why Princess Mononoke is my favorite ghibli film. Every moment is worth looking at and considering for a character or story moment, usually both.
She literally lives amongst animals. Why would she not think it possible? She was probably just surprised that Ashitaka had such a bond with Yakul. She had misjudged him.
@@totezmcgotez44 All the animals she lives with hate humans. And she has only ever been badly treated by humans. Why would she think it would be possible for anyone to be happy with a human?
“Three Japanese animators died to make this movie for us” I know this was said us a joke, but it’s worth mentioning that at least one *did.* Yoshifumi Kondō, the man who was supposed to succeed Studio Ghibli from Miyazaki died from an aneurysm due to the stress of working on this movie right after his directorial debut Whisper of the Heart. So we do, in fact, honor his sacrifice
He passed away due to stress he had while he was working on Whisper of the Heart. His condition was extremely bad already when he joined Princess Mononoke production team. Hayao Miyazaki admitted this. I wanted see Yoshino Kondo, aka Kondo Kibun, leading Studio Ghibli as a head director. RIP.
No way Princess Mononoke and Whisper of the Heart are my two favorite ghibli films and I had no idea.. that's so sad. I'm so grateful for the work he put into the world and absolutely we should honor his sacrifice and make this information more well known he deserves his accolades
It's absolutely atrocious, the level of stress these people are put under. I'm honestly so heartbroken and shocked the guys on this channel of all channels would make that a joke
In the subtitled version, Ashitaka is instructed to "See the world with eyes unclouded." The "by hate" only exists in the dub (probably for animation matching), and I that subtle difference of meaning really makes an impact for me. Ashitaka isn't just there to fight hate, but he's there to realize that love can cloud his mind too. His love for San seems to run deeper than for Eboshi or Irontown, but he doesn't let that stop him from seeing the harm San is doing Love can blind people to hatred, and that's one of the truths that "seeing with eyes unclouded" reveals. I think his acceptance of that apparent contradiction is how he and San are cured from their affliction of hatred.
The dubing for this movie actuel was a large task, the writer(Neil Gaimen) had a hard time with executives wants to change what was the translation to change the messages in the movie, he was cut from moive posters and was Unrecognized untill recently, and struggled hard to get the messages that was in the original they same. Miyazaki sent a Kanata to the studio executives with a single note "not cuts".
It's so over the top and yet so genuine. It really gives the impression that she couldn't have stopped herself from laughing if she had tried. Love it.
My favorite line from this movie is from the guy who got his arm broken near the end: “I didnt know the forest spirit made the flowers grow.” It really shows the perspective shift of “the forst is my enemy “ to the one they come to at the end, that they can live in peace. What a brilliant movie.
It reminds me of these urban people I meet who just don't know anything about nature and the wildlife in it. A part of me wants to judge them; "how do you not know the difference between a coyote and a fox?" Then I remember this clip. If you are raised in ignorance about nature, you don't even know how flowers grow.
@@cathygrandstaff1957 LOL if it was .... then ... let's be honest, it'd be appropriate, no? X'D Cause Japanese ppl even in Tokyo are mostly very connected to the concept of honouring nature. They make a super huge deal out of fruit and food in general, too. Their whole culture is built on appreciation for nature and they all know how flowers bloom, cause cherry blossoms are such a huge deal, that the poor man who announced an incorrect expected blooming period (so ppl could plan their free days off work, for sakura viewing), came on national TV and bowed in deep apology :'3 Meanwhile if we think of America in particular (where those dubs came from) ..... I think I've said enough LOL.
@@KxNOxUTAYeah except they just killed the forest spirit so he’s dead dead. If I remember right the line in the original is something about how the forest spirit’s anger has been appeased, which fits the overall theme of the story a bit better.
The scene where San bird-feeds Ashitaka is just beautiful. No words needed there. I also like how Miyazaki didn't make them end up together at the end. Their love for each other is clear as day, but San still hates humans. Ashitaka is just an exception. And he respects her decision.
If I remember correctly at the end of the movie Ashitaka says that he'll help out the people of Irontown but still visit San in the forest, so in my mind they do kind of end up together. I guess you could say it's like a long distance relationship lol
“Many of my movies have strong female leads-brave, self-sufficient girls that don't think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They'll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior.” - Hayao Miyazaki Horny fans will do what they do, and much fanfic ink has no doubt been spilled shipping San and Ashitaka. As a young person struggling to understand what it meant to be Ace, I can’t adequately communicate how much I appreciated that Miyazaki kept the relationship between San and Ashitaka ambiguous. It is actually possible for opposite gendered main characters to emotionally connected but still be just friends.
@@ThetalambdaI personally don’t think it’s fair to call everyone who ship the two together ‘horny’. That’s kind of rude. However I can really only speak for myself and say that I’m just a hopeless romantic. But, I do also respect the ambiguous nature of their relationship. It’s not a choice many filmmakers would make!
@@Thetalambda as an Ace adult, I completely understand your feelings and it is really important to me as well when stories write full and loving relationships that aren't romantic, and I love movies like Princess Mononoke that don't focus on the romance to the point of derailing the story or distracting from it. But I do agree with the other replier that calling people who like San and Ashitaka as lovers "horny" and boiling it down to smut fanfics is a little aggressive. There are plenty of media out there that sexualize their cast to crazy degrees and that kind of perspective on it is valid but Princess Mononoke is not one of them. And while Ace can be an umbrella term for asexual and aromantic technically asexual is different and San and Ashitaka honestly have zero sexually coded moments, their chemistry is wholly romantic and you could argue their relationship may be romantic but not sexual. So you're valid for not liking them as a romantic pair but as an ace person I love them as a couple and have always seen them that way. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretation, at the end of the day their story was one of love and connection and the viewers can see that love in anyway they please
Gillian Anderson deserves props for her voice acting as Moro. her deliver of the line, “now my poor, ugly, beautiful daughter is neither wolf, nor human.” makes me cry every time i hear it! it’s sooooo good!!!
That's Scully?! I never put that together and had never looked it up That line is so brutal. "I see the best in my daughter no matter where she came from. I know she can never be everything, but she is everything to me. I did not birth her, but I created her, and I love her"
Princess Mononoke is one of the few Japanese media’s if not the only media that actually shows an indigenous community in Japan. Ashitaka is Emishi and him being an indigenous character I personally feel adds so much significance to the story. Like he has every right to be angry and hateful because his people are disappearing but he isn’t hateful at all even though he would be totally justified in being so.
Golden Kamuy is an anime that revolves around the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido, the Ainu. I didn't really care for the storyline, however, I really enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, one of whom is a teenage Ainu girl.
I honestly think its such a good immigrant story in general. Coming to the western world filled with cynicism and predation as a prerequisite. I think esp in light of gaza and colonization being so pertinent, I think immigrants everywhere feel a kinship with indigenous from everywhere. Im starting to think of supremacy as a virus
@@kristianprigl7895 I just looked it up and it doesn't appear to be true. The quote is of unclear origin but frequently believed to have been said in a similar phrasing by Gandhi
Lady Eboshi herself is an incredibly interesting character. For the historical/cultural context: this movie is set in the 1200s-1300s in the Muromachi period, characterized by an incredible uptick of violence directed against the peasantry by the samurai, bandits, nobles warring for power etc. The ideal noblewomen's behaviour for the time would be to sit around and look pretty (the time of famous women-warriors like Tomoe Gozen hadn't come yet). Someone like Lady Eboshi would be only educated in literature, calligraphy, possibly art, composing poems, *a bit of* written Chinese and perhaps music. Instead, she is wearing men's hakama (fancy, but not the style that a woman would wear), she knows how to shoot (and presumably has negotiated a trade route with China to get samples of those powder tubes in order to reverse engineer them), is on a much equal standing with the townspeople than a proper lady of the time ever would be, and literally founded a town from scratch. We're forever left wondering what her story was. What a woman
I think I saw somewhere that her background was that she was a pirate’s wife, and she had to develop her leadership skills during that time. When he died, she founded that town and used her leadership to make it prosperous.
I also love that she is not the evil enemy, just a human who wants to do things right, but is on the wrong path. She cares for the weaker people (prostitutes and ill) and uses their skills. In the end she learns from her mistakes and tries to do better
Not only that, but she is also maintaining a safe haven for women and disabled people, using firearm technology to give them a fighting chance against the much stronger Shogun's forces. As said in the video, they are mining the forest to protect themselves.
the complete opposite of modern Japanese politicians who are greedy men who are also sabotaging the environment by dumping radioactive waste into the sea and not caring about the average folks.
Shintoism is the main religion represented in the film, yet I can see how traditional Buddhist beliefs can be interpreted from the film too! Still a lovely introduction to both religions and traditions. ❤️🌳
Princess Mononoke is my favorite Ghibli film of all time. It changed my life when I first saw it and it never gets old. I watch it every year and it still feels like watching it for the first time. I grew up with Ghibli films and they have shaped how I live my life, the things I notice, and the art I create. ❤
What I came here to say. That may be Japanese nobility and heroism, but this Scots Irish cur dog found a Great Captain or two (I admired the antihero/villain of the piece, Lady Eboshi, nearly as much as the young prince)
Mine too. Nintendo has taken inspiration from this movie to make The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom. You should try out these games when you get the chance.
The bristling hair thing (that characters seem to be affected by a breeze that rustles their hair and clothes) is a Ghibli hallmark that you can find in almost all of their movies. It's their kind of "fingerprint" method of enhancing or representing the emotional states of characters, so you often see it when people are angry or facing a very Big(tm) emotion relevant to the story's plot or that character's developmental journey. Pay attention to when it happens and what's going on plot-wise! It's a fun little exercise once you start noticing it!
Yup - I always called it "the ghibli hair poof". One of my favorite unique pieces of animation from the studio. Such a creative and cool touch and a signature of theirs
My favorite are the Ghibli tears, as silly as they first seem when you see it. Cause when you’re crying with heavy emotions on any degree it’s how they -feel- like. Well, to me anyways
Ashitaka is a strong character mentally and physically. He never complained about all the misfortunes that befell him. When he was hit by a curse from a boar god who turned into a demon and was forced to accept the fate of leaving the village forever while looking for a way to cure the curse, Ashitaka accepted it sincerely and was not confused about it. His mental strength was probably formed because he was born as the leader of his village and was used to accepting responsibility and all problems. Ashitaka was born to be a leader but fate gave him another path.
I love how she's not just a straight up villain. Her motivations to why she's doing what she's doing are pretty understandable, but she's indeed flawed. Most movies would make her into a total mad tyrant, in order to recreate that lecture about "Humans=capitalism=bad, nature=good", but the message in the movie feels much more complex than that. And Lady Eboshi feels like a great way to show that you can make a character without making them straight up evil.
@@GabeSweetManI'd say the only one that isn't empathizable is the little man who worked for the emperor. He seemed like a good guy when he aided Ashitaka at the beginning, but throughout the rest of the movie he just acted like a straight up bad person
What I love is that by the end his hand is still scared. He still went through the trauma and pain, it does not magically go away at the end of the film. He wants to rebuild, heal, do what's right and he will always carry that with him, because he knows what is out there, the anger and hate that is part of all of us. But we don't have to fall to it. It is ok to be hurt, to have lived through things and have regrets, but it never justifies hurting others. This movie shows people that you are not just a product of the things that have happened to you or your worst actions, but someone who is capable of growth, healing, and peace. That you can live on even with your scars.
Yet another Studio Ghibli film which is a treat for both adults and children. Ashitaka had so much empathy for the forest's plight, since he has first hand experience on watching his people become extinct.
My first instinct was going to say "You think this film is suitable for KIDS?" but then I remember I watched it when I was 8 because my 13 y/o sister always got the say on what we're watching from Blockbuster 😂 (And honestly, I think the message still came across to both of us that time!)
This isn't suitable for little kids. I watched it when I was 13 and loved it. I was gonna watch it with my 5 year old. And the first few scenes I was like nah let's wait for another 8 years.
Princess Mononoke is one of the greatest films of all time, let alone animated films. The fact that there isn't any true villain in the film yet the conflict is so raw and believable. Also, Joe Hisashi absolutely blew it away with the score. Such an incredible film!
I wouldn’t say there’s is not a villain. The greed of the emperor and his retainers is a big theme in the movie. Man’s greed and desire to control nature is the villain.
@@matthewmammothswine4395 and nature's side is equally bad. Emperor has a reason he does what he does . Same with everyone else. If anything this movie is trying to portrai that there really isn't one evil side that you can put all blame on.
In a more abstract sense, the Forest God also only applied force as far as necessary. To a human the cataclysmic scale may look disproportionate at first - but you have to consider that Lady Eboshi just stole the literal head of a major regional deity basically unprovoked (her conflict was with the lesser animal gods) and disrupted the balance of nature. And while it was very disruptive, his only goal was to regain his head. Once he had accomplished that, he stopped - even explicitly sparing the person who had injured him, instead of taking revenge. I always loved this enigmatic display of divinity. We're unable to really understand the Forest God, because his way of living is so far removed from any human thought patterns - and even the lesser animal gods, who, through their interactions with humanity, have become somewhat human-like in their actions as well. But he is more of a presence than an actual character, the embodiment of the forces of nature. (The finale always reminded me of a volcanic eruption, with lava spreading across all land, leaving only the water as a semi-safe place, as long as you're not hit by debris from the ash cloud overhead.)
What I like most about Miyazaki is that he never resorts to simple dichotomy: good x evil. Our world is increasingly polarized and Mononoke's message, in this sense, is more important than ever. Another thing that delights me in Ghibli's movies are the partnerships between male and female. They always complement each other. There is friendship, equality and a commitment to mutual aid. Both characters evolve. The concept of love is beautiful. Love is a process. Not a prize. And that soundtrack is magnificent. My favorite from Ghibli. Joe Hisaishi is another great genius.
I love how Ashitaka is the inbetween of the forest and iron town. He doesnt comand the elk instead he works with him at the same time he can connect with other people and empathize with them.
One of my favorite scenes in this masterpiece is before Ashitaka separates Eboshi and San. He curls the sword of Eboshi’s guard, and walks past. In Celtic mythology, blades would be “killed” when buried with their owners, often by curling them similar to as is shown in the movie. To me, this is a beautiful example of killing the weapon without killing the man wielding it. There are so many fascinating things in common between Gaelic and Japanese culture.
This movie is like Arcane. I love how complex and multi-layered the characters are. No one is all good or all bad. San ruthlessly attacks humans but at the same time shows compassion when healing Ashitaka. Lady Eboshi wants to destroy the forrest but genuinely cares for her people and gives them a home when society wouldn't. Moro hates humans with a passion but still took pity of a human baby that she raised as her own daughter when she could've left it to die. And Ashitaka is honestly my favorite example of healthy masculinity. This movie's a gem.
I first watched this movie when I was about 6 and it's still my all-time favorite. I used to think of Ashitaka as a bit of a Mary Sue--his choices were always perfect and straight-laced, and he never really seemed to slip up. But watching it as an adult has really changed my perspective of him. His duty is to create peace in this really messy situation, but the curse only is a visual representation of all the hate, fear, and anger he also feels. He has a ton of reason to lash out just like the other characters in the movie, but he's forced to keep it under control because it'll literally kill him sooner if he doesn't. He tells the townspeople that fear and anger only make his curse spread more, and despite being such a peacemaker for the whole movie, the mark had spread all over him by the end of it. It seems like the whole time, all this anger was bubbling under the surface, but he knew what the right choices were, so he showed restraint and did what was best for everyone.
It also helps when you realize that Ashitaka is your avatar in the world. You are both learning just how complicated the situation is, while trying to figure out a solution.
One rarely sees paragon leader characters in stories this complex and grey-shaded. And, yes, Ashitaka isn't just a Paragon Hero, he also sees everythign through the lens of his responsibilities as a leader, responsibilities most IRL leaders don't even acknowledge. He takes his duty as a feudal prince seriously, even when he is cut off from his people.
What I love about this movie is that Ashitaka totally has the power to anhilate everyone on both sides, but actively chooses the most peaceful path he possibly can even when every part of him is itching for revenge or to kill in rage. He is actively surpressing a primal need for revenge and instead chooses peace. I also love that they sort of don't really end up together. There IS peace and love, but in his terms and unclouded by hate.
I’m so glad you are making progress on Ghibli Cinema Therapy. I truly cannot recommend “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” enough, especially considering how well she would fit into the Psychology of a Hero series. Thank you everyone ❤
Did anyone else notice that at the end, those that had leprosy have been healed? There's just one brief shot of the townsfolk that survived by escaping into the lake. You can see one person whose bandages have fallen off, and they're staring in amazement at their skin, which is now healthy. Because the blood of the forest spirit can heal anything, just as Lady Eboshi said.
Fun fact: Neil Gaiman of Sandman and Good Omens fame did the translated screenplay (Though not the translations) for this movie, and it shows. It's a tight screenplay, and it does what a good screenplay should do in that it conveys the entire message of what the characters are saying in as little as possible.
Oh, my word, that explains so much, I'm so glad he got to do that, the film is worth it... and that explains why nearly everything is left to subtext. I routinely use Eboshi-Sama's exchange with Jigou, about the imperial pardon, to explain the concept of indirect communication, and how some people either can't or won't get the hint.
Jumping onto this, apparently the screenplay was originally offered to Quentin Tarantino but he turned it down because he didn't think that he could do it justice. Also I believe that Gaiman actually spoke with either Miyazaki himself or something because he made a point to keep the context as close as possible. Like for example, when Jigou makes a joke about how nasty the rice is when we first meet him, Gaiman made a point of changing the line to make it come off as snarky and crass like intended.
As someone who grew up watching Studio Ghibli, it took me becoming an adult to truly appreciate the masterpieces that they are. The way I've watched them has changed over the years, but every time I have enjoyed watching them. Thank you for including animated works in your cinema therapy!
"To see with eyes unclouded by hatred" is a sentence I really try to live my whole life by. This very much is my favorite Ghibli movie, because of the complexity and because of how incredibly human this story is, despite being about huge animal forest gods
To not let hate and anger control me or others was always important to me. I do like Princess Mononoke - my first Ghibli film I think I watched it as a teenager - and deeply rooted for the forest gods 🏞️🐺 It's crazy if you watch again later you'll see much more details, understand their motives further. And the perspective from all sides. I got more into other Ghibli films later - Nausicäa is still my favorite. Love the happy ending after so much destruction 😇
More Studio Ghibli films to cover: • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind • Castle in the Sky • Only Yesterday • Porco Rosso • Ocean Waves • Pom Poko • Whisper of the Heart • My Neighbors the Yamadas • The Cat Returns • Tales from Earthsea • Ponyo • The Secret World of Arrietty • From Up on Poppy Hill • The Wind Rises • The Tale of the Princess Kaguya • When Marnie Was There • The Boy and the Heron
i like that the film denounces hate without "both sides"-ing it too much. there's still nuance, as in, it isn't just good vs evil even though the conflict is absolutely asymmetrical.
I remember my dad watched this film in theaters to see if it was ok for my sister and me to watch it. We were under thirteen and it was way too gorey. But we’ve watched it so many times now and love it so much. The animation, storytelling, characters. I love that Lady Eboshi isn’t a true villain. Yes, she’s cross cutting the forest to dig for iron ore, but she has her reasons. Also, she takes in lepers and former prostitutes, treats them like family. This film is so amazing, I love Miyazaki and his messages of protecting the environment as well as protecting mental health
Yeah, this is something that I feel like other movies like Avatar fail at. As I never could get a grasp at the villain's motivations and the movie just simply breaks it down to "humans = BAD, nature = GOOD". But with a movie like Princess Mononoke, the film's conflict isn't something that's black-and-white, good vs evil, but much more of a morally grey area. Heck, the climax doesn't even have that traditional nature wins in the end trope, but just comes down to, "We'll figure it out. I don't know how, because there is no exact answer.". Which I kind of like, since in hindsight, there really isn't an exact answer, as if someone does have and answer, but it turns out to not work, it'll possibly lead to people to feel like there no faith in trying to fix the problem at hand.
Oh my god, HUGE same! I was 8 and my sister was 13 at the time we first watched it without knowing what it was about; we probably just saw that it was the same director for Totoro and because my sister was older and always gets the first say on what to watch, she picked it out from Blockbuster. (Neither my parents really cared about age ratings either) The viscera was utterly shocking and disturbing for my little eyes, and yet I was deeply entranced and gripped all the way through. It really left such a huge impact on me even now.
@@osmanyousif7849 Exactly! In Avatar, the soldiers are just like the colonists invading Pocahontas’ forest (the Disney adaptation). They just care about money and power. It’s Jake who gets invested in the Navi and their culture. Lady Eboshi is willing to kill forest gods but she’s trying to protect her people. She makes mistakes and at the end of the movie wants to rebuild her town but is willing to make it better. There’s no clarification what she means by this but it’s a start
I watched this in German Cinema with my parents when it first released to the broad public in 2001, I was 6 then. It remained my most beloved movie of all time. It tainted every following cinema experience, you rarely get such balanced perspective of a story, this raw sense of living life, conflict and peace. I'm lucky I got to experience this masterpiece as a young child on the big screen
As an autistic person, autistic-coded Ashitaka is such an incredible take that absolutely blew my mind. So much of him makes sense, if you look at him with that interpretation - I can't believe I never considered it before. No wonder he's always been one of my most favourite characters of all time.
Dude I literally gasped when they said that and thought the same thing. Growing up (undiagnosed) I had a very strong sense of justice and logic, and it was endlessly frustrating how everyone wasn’t just like Ashitaka. My dad put it gently, “people always assume everyone thinks how they do, but most people don’t think like you”. Princess Mononoke was always one of my favorite movies, and especially because of Ashitaka and his stubbornness to just live peacefully and resolve conflict.
@@ThePhilocrates he’s a fictional character, doesn’t really matter if he is or isn’t anything. It’s how he brings a wonderful thing to identify with for certain people 🤷🏻♀️
I'd never as considered it, but it's kind of neat! Most headcanons like this, especially of anime characters, feel like a creative fandom exercise rather than something rooted in authorial intent - but regardless, they provide an interesting lens to examine and explore media I cherish. (I am still tickled by how the fandom seems to agree that Laios from Dungeon Meshi is on the autism spectrum, and find new appreciate for the manga with this information). I think it's important to remember that creator intent ins't the only part of intrepreting art, and that art is something that each person creates for themselves when they encounter it by bringing in their own knowledge and experience to it. Whether Miyazaki intended it or not is less important to how the understanding of what autism is factors into how we understand the character of Ashitaka, and how he handles the challenges of overcoming hatred in himself and the world.
Funny story: my brother accidentally rented this is a child without realizing what it was. We couldn't have been more 6 or 7 at the time. It scared the bejeesus out of me, traumatized me. I didn't realize what film it was until I watched it as an adult and can now safely say that it is undoubtedly my favorite Ghibli film. It's beautiful, complex and you guys hit the nail on the head with every point.
Relatable! I was 8 watching for the first time and actually got physically ill about the curse worms, didn’t watch again until well into adulthood and it’s now one of my favorites.
“We’re not really friends but we’re no longer enemies” is kind of where my parents sit. And I think it happened on my 30th birthday. My entire family was there and it was the first time my mom and dad were in the same place in a long time and my dad pulled my mom aside and straight up told her “you did a good job with her”. It changed her perspective.
Ashitaka essentially vows never to fight of hate, he fights for his beliefs, for the safety of others, and his goals. Truly one of the greatest animated men to be written. A truly good person will fight yet never for the sake of hate alone, only for the betterment of their world and the world all live in.
My ex was not a big movie lover (but I am), but early on into our relationship, he showed me 3 of the studio Ghibli movies, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke. He asked me which one I wanted to watch first and I went with PM bc it’s a girl riding a wolf and I love wolves and if I could I would absolutely ride a wolf into a fight. Now preface, my ex always spoke very badly about himself, he always said he was a cold, unfeeling person. Obviously I knew that not to be true, but when he showed me these movies, I really saw a different side to him. I fell even more in love with him than I already was. So those three Ghibli movies (particularly PM) will always be special to me, even though our relationship didn’t work out. It was great to see you guys cover this one finally. Also, Alan, your hair man. Idk what you’re doing but it’s looking fabulous.
When Marnie Was There would be great for this show. Whisper of the Heart would probably resonate with Alan, and that's maybe my favorite ghibli movie next to Princess Kaguya.
Oh man, whisper of the heart has got to be my favorite, howls moving castle and Marnie are probably tied for second (please don't make me try and choose) Princess kaguya.. broke me. I think it's beautiful in every way but I don't think it's one I can revisit really. I've only watched it once even though I own the film..
If they do “when Marnie was there” PLEASE get someone sapphic / queer / versed in queer cinema to also do a read, because holy whiplash when you know who was her grandma and not her girlfriend.
As an autistic lady, I am very glad to see you mention it and as you do, I can see Ashitaka being on the spectrum. Something that is less known about autism is that one can have a deep sense of fairness and strong moral compass. In my case, empathy is a highly develloped 'skill' even if I dont look or sound emotional. To me, mercy and harmony are the logical choices.
I'm a neurodivergent woman type ADHD (though - disclaimer - there way or may not be some autism in that mix, I didn't have any of that checked yet). And "strong" moral compass almost doesn't doing it justice. It's an "excruciatingly painful, ignorance-is-no-option type moral compass". Like ... no matter how much it sucks to get to a place of moral alignment, it doesn't suck even remotely as much as my moral compass screaming at me 24/7, literally making my body sick and wreaking havoc on my ability to attend to anything else but that. I'm not investing a lot of resources into checking in with the moral alignment of situations, cause I'm "such a good person". I cannot bear to be any other way. I cannot face myself any other way. I might as well not be alive, if I cannot get "living in an acceptable degree of moral alignment" to work at least for myself within my space. And better: in my close surroundings. And possibly further than that, if I really must (-> happens when bigger things wreak heavy damage on myself or any other living beings around me. Or when I find myself to be the only one with the ability, skills, resources and chance to sort it out) It's actually rough to be this way within societies that aren't quite there yet, with equality and equity.
@@KxNOxUTA Thank you for sharing :) A very close friend of mine lives throught a very similar situation and while not knowing exactly how it feels, I can empathize. Regarding our world who is often unfair or profit oriented, I take comfort in the fact that human beings who do good arent often broadcasted in the news or on social media. We do not know the true impact of kindness.
Thank you so much for sharing that!! I'm almost positive my significant other is somewhere on the spectrum (though never diagnosed, but thinking of him in these terms has helped me understand him SO much better) and I've always wondered if or how his extremely high moral standards fit in with that. It makes sense the way you described it, it also seems like it's just logical to him to be and act this way
@@konstantinriumin2657exactly... Every time something is different it's automatically "autistic coded". It's like we forgot, through all the self diagnosis, that it is a disorder and not a quirky personality.
This is the movie that taught me how there's rarely an actual "villain". Most of the time it's just people trying to do their best/what's best, but aren't doing good things to achieve it.
I know its not fully on topic but thank you. You two have really helped show that animation isn't "just for kids" i know alot of people think that and its always upset me but your channel when you watch animation proves that wrong. It makes me feel good knowing that im not just stuck in a void or that i shouldn't be looked down on cause i really like animated content.
Thank you for saying this. I am a mother of 6, now fully grown children, and they have had me watching Studio Gibli films for a few years now. I love the artwork and cinematic design. As well as the music, stories and characters. Most recently, my youngest and I watched all 62 episodes of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Omgosh! It is incredible!!! Hands down, my favorite Anime. My previous favorite Anime series was Avatar: The Last Airbender. I would love Cinema Therapy to check it out. There are so many interesting and complex characters and things you could discuss. Thanks for all you do! 😊
I loved princess Mononoke especially because it had complex morality -- no major player is the laughing villain doing things for pathologically selfish reasons. Everybody has their own internally consistent goals and they're all deeply incompatible, and that's the conflict. When I tried to explain this to other people, they weren't into it. I think a lot of people still like clear villains and simple stories, but I loved this story for its complexity and nuance. I really appreciated how real and sincere the characters in this film are; it's a masterpiece of storytelling.
revenge is very multifaceted too, because people aren't always necessarily thinking about overt revenge, sometimes they're just thinking about taking back their space and their control, agency, or even rights, but hurting someone else so that they stop hurting you is the gut reaction for that
Writing Ashitaka, this beautiful character, with one of the most mature appproahes to conflict, takes so much personal work. To reach the point of being able to express this character, you have to understand his values within the yourself. I am amazed.
I'm so glad you guys briefly discussed the complicated morality in this movie. It isn't about the "good" forest and the "bad" humans (something I'm disappointed so many youtube reactors didn't seem to understand). Iron Town is full of people who are doing what they can to survive and defend themselves from tyranny. Them trying to make a life in the forest and defending themselves against territorial gods is not the problem, the problem is their rampant destruction of nature and Eboshi's eventual greed for power and leverage. Miyazaki has always understood that there's a delicate balance between environmentalism and humanity. We humans deserve a place to live just as much as animals do. The point is to understand and be mindful of the natural resources you're using and to respect nature.
My two TH-cam Dads talking about my all time favorite Studio Ghibli movie! I love you guys! The past couple of days have been rough and draining, so I needed this. Thank you.
Mononoke no Hime was my very first Ghibli film. It had practically just come to the US at the time, and we bought it on VHS! It's been my favorite Ghibli movie ever since, and no other Ghibli character has ever been able to top my love for Ashitaka
I wish they spoke about Jigo (Billy Bob Thornton) he’s probably the most commonly flawed human in ghibli. He’s not inherently evil but doing what he thinks is needed to survive in a cruel world. You want to hate him but we all know him
The hair thing in a lot of Miyazaki movies, it’s all,over Kiki’s and Spirited away. His character hair gives away as much as their expressions. It make me think of birds feathers ruffling.
I’m so happy that they mentioned the “anatomy of peace” it’s a fantastic book that everyone should read! It really helps with understanding and interacting with people and being more conscious of making a more peaceful path.
Something I realized the second time I watched Princess Mononoke is that there are no real villains in it. Everyone is doing what they think is best for themselves and their people.
This movie is very close to my heart. Ashitaka is such a morally and willfully strong character. And this movie had 2 of the most badass women in film ive ever seen! Both had a very strong goal and had substance and motive. Every character had something worth fighting for and honestly thought they were doing whats best for their people. Even lady Oboshi, some might say she was lead by greed, when honestly she didnt want her and the women she led to be held down and used for men's gain and power. She wanted to be able give her women a place to be strong, free and independent. So happy you both got to watch this movie and appreciate it the same when I did when I was young. Love your channel and your views on all the films to watch.
This is simultaneously my favorite environmentalist movie, the first violent film I ever watched alone, and in my opinion one of the most beautiful films ever made. I'm SO happy you guys featured it!!!!!!! Also I had to get up at 5:45am and this helped 😂
This video came with perfect timing. My husband is currently taking a college class with Anatomy of Peace, and it has slowly been changing our lives and our marriage.
First of all; This is one of my favourite films ever, animated or otherwise so I am super happy you've done this. Ashitaka is such a good protagonist, he is honestly truly neutral to both sides and only want what is the genuinely good solution. Second of all; I can't wait for you guys to talk about his latest film The Boy and The Heron, there's a lot to unpack in that film and I loved it.
I love Princess Mononoke movie out of all Ghibli movies, it gives me a nostalgic vibe! Thank you Cinema Therapy for making me love this movie a lot more! ^^
20:40 saying that Ashitaka is coded Autistic makes me very happy. The way he talks, hell, even the way he is dealing with his curse. He doesn't show really that he is in pain dispite being so, he just, thats how he processes it. As someone that is for sure Autisic, it makes me happy to know that people see cool badass characters having a trait that I have and LIKING THEM. It really gives me hope that people genuinly like me too, not dispite how I am, but BECAUSE of how I am. Thank you Cinema Dads.
Whenever I watch this movie and see Ashitaka talk or do anything, i would point to the screen and be like, "he's literally me, fr". I know it's unintentional but the feeling is real to me and I think that's what matters.
As soon as he ran off after shouting at Eboshi, I was like damn that’s an autistic move he just pulled. Then they both mentioned it and that makes me happy. We love an empathic, awkward king.
I never really thought about this being a possibility until they mentioned it and I can kinda see it actually; he knows what he stands for and doesn't waver in his resolution for any reason, he's very straight forward and blunt at times when he speaks, he doesn't show a lot of outward emotion (I've always chocked it up to him just being melancholic, which is certainly true regardless), is hyper-focused...I mean yeah! I'm a little on the spectrum myself so the fact that one of my all time favorite characters may be the same way makes me happy, and highlights the fact that being "on the spectrum" isn't a negative, but a gift. We are main character material, in fact 😊
yeah! I'm autistic too and seeing that scene made me go "...wait. I can do that? I can just say what I needed to say and then leave?". Ashitaka is a true inspiration /lh
15:58 To be fair, the wolves in Twilight communicate telepathically, hence why their mouth movements don’t match their speech patterns whereas the wolves in Princess Mononoke do talk out loud.
I grew up watching Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service, and when I discovered that Ghibli had made MORE MOVIES I got so exited. There is so much range in the Ghibli universe. Across time and space there will always be a character that you can relate to. No two movies are the same and no two will leave you with the same feeling when its done. They are truly unique & magical❤ To further Jono's Ghiblification: Porco Rosso The Wind Rises Only Yesterday Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind When Marnie was There From up on Poppy Hill
I really loved what you guys had to say about the movie. My favorite Studio Ghibli film has always been Spirited Away, but Princess Mononoke has always been my second. It's such a beautiful movie! Can't wait for you guys to cover more of them!
Ghiblification, I love this word. And thank you, thank you and thank you for Ghibli turn again. I watched this in a movie theater with my best friend when I was in high school. Sooooo, Ashitaka affected me a lot. My best friend said right after the show, "how difficult this movie was telling in its meaning," then I said, "But it made sense in heart, right?" With a few pause, "Yeah," he said. And, now I see Princess of Mononoke through your insightful brains and warm hearts, to me, it's reassuring. So, the movie gave me a room with one or two boundary lines around my mind. No more bullshit. I love this movie.
I screamed out loud unintentionally when I saw this thumbnail. Princess Mononoke is my favorite Miyazaki film and that's hard to narrow down. It was the first anime film I watched and the first Miyazaki film I watched. It scared me when I was a kid, but the music still gives me chills every time I watch it. I adore this film!
Ashitaka has been something of a role model for me since I saw this film as a child. I hadn't really decoded the messaging of the film but I always saw his behavior as something to try to emulate wether I was aware of it or not.
I literally screamed SO LOUD when I saw this on my feed!!!!!! This is my favorite Studio Ghibli if not my favorite movie ever. Thank you so much for covering this!
20:34 yeah, as an autistic myself I think people have pointed that out about me. I say what’s need to be said then I just “go away”. My parents find it funny as well, so they laugh.
I love the idea of Ashitaka being coded as autistic. I have two young autistic sons, and I often look out for autistic role models (real or fictional) so they can see people who think or act more like them. I'll definitely add this to the family viewing list when they get a little older! (I probably would have anyway since I love this movie too!)
I saw this film as a sensitive (probably autistic) 7th grader and was terrified by the violence at first but came to love it for the message of it. I realize now it was my first R-Rated film. Watched it at a friend's house. Forever grateful I saw it when I did as it influenced my life so much and for the better. I hope your kids love it!
To add to that autistic list, there's Ryan Gosling's character in the 2011 film, Drive. But they'll have to wait a long while to watch that one as it's extremely graphic in the last few parts.
@Wicker_ "On the far end." Then you know it's a spectrum. Yes, I work with them, and I am on the spectrum myself. The way we process information may be different from neurotypical folk, but the only "issue" we have is when dealing with impatient, ignorant people. As you so sarcastically put it, anyone who thinks differently from the majority must have some sort of mental issue.
I saw it in theaters in 2017 for its 20th anniversary and it’s still one of the most beautiful films ever made. Princess Mononoke is without a doubt my favorite Ghibli movie. The brilliance of the script is there are no good or bad characters, there’s just people with different agendas. In a world full of Kardashians and Jenners, be more like Ashitaka. Also the score by Joe Hisaishi is breathtaking.
This is my favorite Ghibli movie, and has been very influential as a kid and through multiple rewatches as an adult in helping manage my temper and keep a clear mind on the importance of empathy and nature. Absolutely love this movie so much. Thanks for covering it ❤
I have a slightly more nuanced take on hate in the movie. I think hate is an emotion like any other, and it exists for a reason. Ashitaka does feel hate, every time his arm hurts and he becomes super strong it's because he's feeling hatred. He's not free of it, he just does his best not to let it take over. And especially toward the beginning of the movie he's struggling to control it: in the first fight after he gets the curse he's so strong that he rips people's limbs off even when he doesn't mean to, his first shot was aimed at the soldier's sword but he's so strong that he rips off the guy's arms in the process! And then the scene you showed, where his hatred is so strong that it takes control of his arm to try to draw his blade to kill Lady Eboshi and he has to physically restrain himself. Hatred is a source of power and strength, Lady Eboshi did a lot from being motivated by it, the problem is that it blinds her to alternative solutions which leads to resentment and more hate growing on all sides of the conflict. Ashitaka's hate literally makes him stronger, he could be a one-man army if he let it control him. But he doesn't let it, he strives to see things without letting it cloud his vision, and eventually to take control of it. When Lady Eboshi and San are fighting, Ashitaka feels hate powerfully and *that's what gives him the strength to stop them*. The key is that he isn't letting hate control him, he takes control of it and redirects its power toward peaceful ends: bending the sword, pushing the mob away, knocking out the fighters, keeping going after he's shot while leaving, and opening the gate so that he can leave with San. None of those things would have been possible if he hadn't been empowered by the curse of hate. But of course, such a powerful hatred is also killing him over time, it can't go on forever, he has to find a way to heal. But for the time that hate was there, it could be channeled to good ends.
Played this ASAP! Why is this my all time favorite Miyazaki film? 1: After the butchery of Nausicaa’s localization & unneeded editing, Miyazaki swore he’d never let the West touch any of his works again. Disney somehow convinced him, & was ~contract bound~ to bring this to the West very early in production. Miyazaki of course did not hesitate adding blood/gore to accentuate his anti-war & pro-environmentalist messaging. The most subtle & nuanced middle finger in all Ghibli’s filmography - hidden in plain sight.😂 2: Epstein (Yes, you read right; he was on Disney’s staff) asked Miyazaki if Disney could edit said blood/gore out… Considering the above in 1, it should not be surprising that Miyazaki sent him a very real table flipping KATANA, with a note: NO CUTS. It’s said Miyazaki is proud of 1 upping Epstein.🤣 3: Niel (FLIPPIN) Gaiman translated it… Asides penning many lauded literary works across different forms of media, including 1 of my most favorite Doctor Who episodes, he’s unexpectedly in my オタク/Otaku fandom as well.👀✨ Jono, Alan… I’ve no idea if you guys’ll read this, but… Thank you so very much for covering Princess Mononoke. It was my 1st Ghibli/Miyazaki film. And still to this day, it’s my top all time favorite. I still remember renting this then latest Anime title from the local Blockbuster… If I could honorably (dogeza) bow (on all 4s) thru the screen, I would. ✨💖🥹💖✨
Wow i was literally going back through your Studio Ghibli playlist right before you guys uploaded this! Because I was just thinking when you guys will get to cover more from the studio, so I'm ecstatic to say the least 🤩 Princess Mononoke had slowly climbed up my list of Ghibli faves as I grew older, because of all the themes it encompassed. It goes saying for every Ghibli movie I think, but there's just so much messages that can be interpreted with each rewatch of this film. Simply amazing.
This is the beautiful thing about force; if you're using it out of anger, you shouldn't be using it. - that quote from Jono may just become my next cross-stitch sampler. Beautiful words with a beautiful message. What makes it so beautiful is that it's 100% truth. Perhaps on a t-shirt. All sorts of merch opportunities with that one. Thanks guys, for yet one more episode that does more for me than an hour with my therapist.
Ashitaka and San’s relationship is one of my favorite parts of Princess Mononoke. While it’s unknown if they’ll reunite but they are my favorite Studio Ghibli couple.
13:39 That really hit home for me because that’s how my mom and dad tried to solve the issue when my sister SA me repeatedly. They’d just say nicely to stop and “don’t eat the baby” when I was screaming at her to get off of me. Once I learned that my parents would never stick up for me, I turned to violence since it was the only way to get her to stop pinning me to the floor. The only reason that it stopped was when my step mom came into my life and actively pulled my sister off of me and told her forcefully to stop kissing me because I clearly hated it. I’m forever grateful for what my step mom did for me, it now kissing is forever tainted in my life and is no longer a symbol of love and it’s just a reminder of how I was abused. Kissing has to be consensual even if it’s just “family.” Her being my sister never and will never make it okay for what she did to me. I wish that my biological parents knew that instead of ignoring my distress and tried harder to stop it instead of just trying to be ‘nice’ about getting my sister to stop.
This is genuinely my favourite Ghibli film the cinematography, animation, themes and music are absolutely on point. Ashitaka and San is one of my favourite pieces of music
As someone one the spectrum (I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome before it got rolled into autism) I have struggled with self-hate, and I feel like a lot of that was that I was struggling with what seemed like a world that was constantly encouraging to me hate, while all I thought was “this would be so much easier if I could hate them all.” But the problem I had was that anger and so don’t go away, and you can only internalize so much, before it spills out of you and lashes out at the world around you. I am struggled to accept that this was a part of me, and that there is a way to express it, and let it out without hurting others. At least not more than needed.
This is one of my favourite movies by far, recently re-watched it with my boyfriend. I was really looking forward to you guys talking about it, can't wait to watch it now! 🥰 When I first watched it, I was 13 and basically just used to children's movies with clearly "good" and "bad" people, while this one for the first time in my life really challenged that line, and did it so well.
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Thank you guys for highlighting the amazing medium of animation and how it's for EVERYONE! Not just children.
I know you guys said no more TV shows. And I 100 percent get it. But I would love your take on Netflix's daredevil. The talk alone with him and the punisher. I feel ike is perfect for you to talk about.
If you was in the uk i would make you all soup
I may be to late for you to see this but it would be great if you did the 3rd Pokemon movie, Spell of the Unown. 2 things to keep in mind you don't need to watch the other Pokemon movies first, and secondly, the mom in the movie isn't deceased she just left her husband because he works too much. It makes sense when you watch the movie. Thank you for this series
This ='s i love you guys. Thank you so much . Both of you (was trying to be funny- in my understated British way)...
It's a little thing, but I love when San meets Yakul (Ashitaka's pet elk). Her immediate reaction is to pull off his bridle and tell him that he's free and can leave. But then she sees that he doesn't want to. He loves Ashitaka and chooses to stay with him. San had probably never even thought it possible that an animal would want to stay with a human, and I think that's a very important moment for her to start opening up her world view.
Honestly the moments like this are why Princess Mononoke is my favorite ghibli film. Every moment is worth looking at and considering for a character or story moment, usually both.
She literally lives amongst animals. Why would she not think it possible? She was probably just surprised that Ashitaka had such a bond with Yakul. She had misjudged him.
@@totezmcgotez44she doesn’t identify as a human though. That’s what makes his point valid.
@@targetdemographic1257 True
@@totezmcgotez44 All the animals she lives with hate humans. And she has only ever been badly treated by humans. Why would she think it would be possible for anyone to be happy with a human?
“Three Japanese animators died to make this movie for us”
I know this was said us a joke, but it’s worth mentioning that at least one *did.* Yoshifumi Kondō, the man who was supposed to succeed Studio Ghibli from Miyazaki died from an aneurysm due to the stress of working on this movie right after his directorial debut Whisper of the Heart.
So we do, in fact, honor his sacrifice
Yes!
RIP Yoshifumi Kondo! ❤
He passed away due to stress he had while he was working on Whisper of the Heart. His condition was extremely bad already when he joined Princess Mononoke production team. Hayao Miyazaki admitted this.
I wanted see Yoshino Kondo, aka Kondo Kibun, leading Studio Ghibli as a head director. RIP.
Yep Karoshi is a thing, sadly enough
No way Princess Mononoke and Whisper of the Heart are my two favorite ghibli films and I had no idea.. that's so sad. I'm so grateful for the work he put into the world and absolutely we should honor his sacrifice and make this information more well known he deserves his accolades
It's absolutely atrocious, the level of stress these people are put under. I'm honestly so heartbroken and shocked the guys on this channel of all channels would make that a joke
I gasped out loud when I saw the thumbnail. Ashitaka is a perfect example of positive masculinity.
glad I wasn't the only one!
Exacly !!
Same here!
He's an ASTOUNDING listener, and empathetic to the nines. He's not a green flag, he's the whole damn forest!
ME TOO YASSSSSSS! This is one of the best movies ever and its so emotional
In the subtitled version, Ashitaka is instructed to "See the world with eyes unclouded." The "by hate" only exists in the dub (probably for animation matching), and I that subtle difference of meaning really makes an impact for me. Ashitaka isn't just there to fight hate, but he's there to realize that love can cloud his mind too. His love for San seems to run deeper than for Eboshi or Irontown, but he doesn't let that stop him from seeing the harm San is doing Love can blind people to hatred, and that's one of the truths that "seeing with eyes unclouded" reveals.
I think his acceptance of that apparent contradiction is how he and San are cured from their affliction of hatred.
Ashitaka, his eyes unclouded.
@@StorymasterQ San, her rage deferred
The dubing for this movie actuel was a large task, the writer(Neil Gaimen) had a hard time with executives wants to change what was the translation to change the messages in the movie, he was cut from moive posters and was Unrecognized untill recently, and struggled hard to get the messages that was in the original they same. Miyazaki sent a Kanata to the studio executives with a single note "not cuts".
Very well said. I had not thought of it like that
@SoundFlunky005 it wasnt miyazaki who sent the katana but one of the Japanese producers
That laugh the English voice actress gives is stunning. Not exactly evil but it’s the sound of an eternal cynic encountering a pure optimist.
It's so over the top and yet so genuine. It really gives the impression that she couldn't have stopped herself from laughing if she had tried. Love it.
That's just Minnie Driver being standard British.
Eboshi!
Honestly one of the few moments where I did not think the spanish dub superior
My favorite line from this movie is from the guy who got his arm broken near the end: “I didnt know the forest spirit made the flowers grow.” It really shows the perspective shift of “the forst is my enemy “ to the one they come to at the end, that they can live in peace. What a brilliant movie.
It also shows how easily hatred can be bred by ignorance
It reminds me of these urban people I meet who just don't know anything about nature and the wildlife in it. A part of me wants to judge them; "how do you not know the difference between a coyote and a fox?" Then I remember this clip. If you are raised in ignorance about nature, you don't even know how flowers grow.
Although I think that might be a dub only line.
@@cathygrandstaff1957 LOL if it was .... then ... let's be honest, it'd be appropriate, no? X'D Cause Japanese ppl even in Tokyo are mostly very connected to the concept of honouring nature. They make a super huge deal out of fruit and food in general, too. Their whole culture is built on appreciation for nature and they all know how flowers bloom, cause cherry blossoms are such a huge deal, that the poor man who announced an incorrect expected blooming period (so ppl could plan their free days off work, for sakura viewing), came on national TV and bowed in deep apology :'3
Meanwhile if we think of America in particular (where those dubs came from) ..... I think I've said enough LOL.
@@KxNOxUTAYeah except they just killed the forest spirit so he’s dead dead. If I remember right the line in the original is something about how the forest spirit’s anger has been appeased, which fits the overall theme of the story a bit better.
The scene where San bird-feeds Ashitaka is just beautiful. No words needed there.
I also like how Miyazaki didn't make them end up together at the end. Their love for each other is clear as day, but San still hates humans. Ashitaka is just an exception. And he respects her decision.
If I remember correctly at the end of the movie Ashitaka says that he'll help out the people of Irontown but still visit San in the forest, so in my mind they do kind of end up together. I guess you could say it's like a long distance relationship lol
"Our families don't get along but we love them and each other so we'll just meet in the woods to get down."
“Many of my movies have strong female leads-brave, self-sufficient girls that don't think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They'll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior.” - Hayao Miyazaki
Horny fans will do what they do, and much fanfic ink has no doubt been spilled shipping San and Ashitaka. As a young person struggling to understand what it meant to be Ace, I can’t adequately communicate how much I appreciated that Miyazaki kept the relationship between San and Ashitaka ambiguous. It is actually possible for opposite gendered main characters to emotionally connected but still be just friends.
@@ThetalambdaI personally don’t think it’s fair to call everyone who ship the two together ‘horny’. That’s kind of rude. However I can really only speak for myself and say that I’m just a hopeless romantic. But, I do also respect the ambiguous nature of their relationship. It’s not a choice many filmmakers would make!
@@Thetalambda as an Ace adult, I completely understand your feelings and it is really important to me as well when stories write full and loving relationships that aren't romantic, and I love movies like Princess Mononoke that don't focus on the romance to the point of derailing the story or distracting from it. But I do agree with the other replier that calling people who like San and Ashitaka as lovers "horny" and boiling it down to smut fanfics is a little aggressive. There are plenty of media out there that sexualize their cast to crazy degrees and that kind of perspective on it is valid but Princess Mononoke is not one of them. And while Ace can be an umbrella term for asexual and aromantic technically asexual is different and San and Ashitaka honestly have zero sexually coded moments, their chemistry is wholly romantic and you could argue their relationship may be romantic but not sexual. So you're valid for not liking them as a romantic pair but as an ace person I love them as a couple and have always seen them that way. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretation, at the end of the day their story was one of love and connection and the viewers can see that love in anyway they please
Gillian Anderson deserves props for her voice acting as Moro. her deliver of the line, “now my poor, ugly, beautiful daughter is neither wolf, nor human.” makes me cry every time i hear it! it’s sooooo good!!!
The only reason I saw this movie was because of GA so yes, she absolutely deserved her flowers!
That's Scully?! I never put that together and had never looked it up
That line is so brutal. "I see the best in my daughter no matter where she came from. I know she can never be everything, but she is everything to me. I did not birth her, but I created her, and I love her"
I love the complexity in that line alone
I cannot get over the japanese Moro voice of Miwa Akihiro. You have to listen to it if you haven't.
Wow! So obvious now , can't believe I didn't hear it
Princess Mononoke is one of the few Japanese media’s if not the only media that actually shows an indigenous community in Japan. Ashitaka is Emishi and him being an indigenous character I personally feel adds so much significance to the story. Like he has every right to be angry and hateful because his people are disappearing but he isn’t hateful at all even though he would be totally justified in being so.
Golden Kamuy is an anime that revolves around the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido, the Ainu. I didn't really care for the storyline, however, I really enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, one of whom is a teenage Ainu girl.
Others I can think of off the top of my head: Mugen in Samurai Champloo is Ryukyuan, and Jiro in The Dagger of Kamui is Ainu
I honestly think its such a good immigrant story in general. Coming to the western world filled with cynicism and predation as a prerequisite. I think esp in light of gaza and colonization being so pertinent, I think immigrants everywhere feel a kinship with indigenous from everywhere. Im starting to think of supremacy as a virus
All japanese people are indigenous lol being indigenous doesn't just mean you live in a small tribe
少し違う。蝦夷も薩摩隼人も遺伝子的には完全な日本人であり、縄文文化を通じて共に発展してきた。大きな違いはヤマト王権(今の天皇一族)による支配の影響を受けた時期の違いでしかない。遺伝子的にはほぼ同一であり、文化的にも言語的にも大きな違いがあるわけではない。
"An eye for an eye leaves the world blind." That is such a powerful quote.
Yeah, Jesus said it in the Sermon in the Mountain
@@blanqui2040 If that is a true , then that is a first quote that i like from Jesus
@@kristianprigl7895 I just looked it up and it doesn't appear to be true. The quote is of unclear origin but frequently believed to have been said in a similar phrasing by Gandhi
@@lau4545 thanks, i found the same result
@@kristianprigl7895you probably don’t know many, then. However, I could be wrong and am open to understanding why that is.
Lady Eboshi herself is an incredibly interesting character. For the historical/cultural context: this movie is set in the 1200s-1300s in the Muromachi period, characterized by an incredible uptick of violence directed against the peasantry by the samurai, bandits, nobles warring for power etc. The ideal noblewomen's behaviour for the time would be to sit around and look pretty (the time of famous women-warriors like Tomoe Gozen hadn't come yet). Someone like Lady Eboshi would be only educated in literature, calligraphy, possibly art, composing poems, *a bit of* written Chinese and perhaps music.
Instead, she is wearing men's hakama (fancy, but not the style that a woman would wear), she knows how to shoot (and presumably has negotiated a trade route with China to get samples of those powder tubes in order to reverse engineer them), is on a much equal standing with the townspeople than a proper lady of the time ever would be, and literally founded a town from scratch. We're forever left wondering what her story was. What a woman
I think I saw somewhere that her background was that she was a pirate’s wife, and she had to develop her leadership skills during that time. When he died, she founded that town and used her leadership to make it prosperous.
@@AlexBobalexRavenclaw That's a pretty interesting theory, I'll look into it because of man, I've been curious for years :)
Not to mention, many of the villagers are suffering from leprosy, thus the mask wearing, and the ramshackle straw ‘armor’
I also love that she is not the evil enemy, just a human who wants to do things right, but is on the wrong path. She cares for the weaker people (prostitutes and ill) and uses their skills. In the end she learns from her mistakes and tries to do better
Not only that, but she is also maintaining a safe haven for women and disabled people, using firearm technology to give them a fighting chance against the much stronger Shogun's forces. As said in the video, they are mining the forest to protect themselves.
Ashitaka really embodies the way many Buddhists in Medieval Japan reconciled violence with their--without hate or attachment. It is so interesting.
the complete opposite of modern Japanese politicians who are greedy men who are also sabotaging the environment by dumping radioactive waste into the sea and not caring about the average folks.
The movie is far more about Shinto themes. In fact that’s the main story. Buddhism is really not apart of the movie
Shintoism is the main religion represented in the film, yet I can see how traditional Buddhist beliefs can be interpreted from the film too! Still a lovely introduction to both religions and traditions. ❤️🌳
Princess Mononoke is my favorite Ghibli film of all time. It changed my life when I first saw it and it never gets old. I watch it every year and it still feels like watching it for the first time. I grew up with Ghibli films and they have shaped how I live my life, the things I notice, and the art I create. ❤
Absolutely agreed. It's that one movie i can watxh over and over again and not get bored. Truly a wonderous film
What I came here to say. That may be Japanese nobility and heroism, but this Scots Irish cur dog found a Great Captain or two (I admired the antihero/villain of the piece, Lady Eboshi, nearly as much as the young prince)
Mine too. I love it soooo much
Mine too. Nintendo has taken inspiration from this movie to make The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom. You should try out these games when you get the chance.
Same. I always notice something new.
The bristling hair thing (that characters seem to be affected by a breeze that rustles their hair and clothes) is a Ghibli hallmark that you can find in almost all of their movies. It's their kind of "fingerprint" method of enhancing or representing the emotional states of characters, so you often see it when people are angry or facing a very Big(tm) emotion relevant to the story's plot or that character's developmental journey. Pay attention to when it happens and what's going on plot-wise! It's a fun little exercise once you start noticing it!
Yup - I always called it "the ghibli hair poof". One of my favorite unique pieces of animation from the studio. Such a creative and cool touch and a signature of theirs
My favorite are the Ghibli tears, as silly as they first seem when you see it. Cause when you’re crying with heavy emotions on any degree it’s how they -feel- like. Well, to me anyways
@@kw.9021 Oh, absolutely 100%.
Its even in some pre-ghibi films like castle of cagliostro
It always reminded me of when a cat's fur stands up! I think it definitely conveys that effect
Ashitaka is a strong character mentally and physically. He never complained about all the misfortunes that befell him. When he was hit by a curse from a boar god who turned into a demon and was forced to accept the fate of leaving the village forever while looking for a way to cure the curse, Ashitaka accepted it sincerely and was not confused about it.
His mental strength was probably formed because he was born as the leader of his village and was used to accepting responsibility and all problems. Ashitaka was born to be a leader but fate gave him another path.
The best Princess movie.
But seriously, the plot is so rich and wonderfully complex. Lady Eboshi is one of my favourite antagonists in media.
Best cast of antagonists ever written. You empathize with all of them and hate seeing them trying to kill each other.
It makes Ashitaka so relatable.
I love how she's not just a straight up villain. Her motivations to why she's doing what she's doing are pretty understandable, but she's indeed flawed. Most movies would make her into a total mad tyrant, in order to recreate that lecture about "Humans=capitalism=bad, nature=good", but the message in the movie feels much more complex than that. And Lady Eboshi feels like a great way to show that you can make a character without making them straight up evil.
I think its princess kaguya from ghibli and isao takahata is just as good
@@GabeSweetManI'd say the only one that isn't empathizable is the little man who worked for the emperor. He seemed like a good guy when he aided Ashitaka at the beginning, but throughout the rest of the movie he just acted like a straight up bad person
OMG- we have to count this in the princess movies, if it isn't already. It HAS to be official! :D
What I love is that by the end his hand is still scared. He still went through the trauma and pain, it does not magically go away at the end of the film. He wants to rebuild, heal, do what's right and he will always carry that with him, because he knows what is out there, the anger and hate that is part of all of us. But we don't have to fall to it. It is ok to be hurt, to have lived through things and have regrets, but it never justifies hurting others. This movie shows people that you are not just a product of the things that have happened to you or your worst actions, but someone who is capable of growth, healing, and peace. That you can live on even with your scars.
Beautifully said!!
Yet another Studio Ghibli film which is a treat for both adults and children. Ashitaka had so much empathy for the forest's plight, since he has first hand experience on watching his people become extinct.
That's something I never really considered on my own before. Thanks for the food for thought!
My first instinct was going to say "You think this film is suitable for KIDS?" but then I remember I watched it when I was 8 because my 13 y/o sister always got the say on what we're watching from Blockbuster 😂 (And honestly, I think the message still came across to both of us that time!)
@@ScrofarI got this film for my 13th bday, it was amazing! And so long ago 😂
This isn't suitable for little kids. I watched it when I was 13 and loved it. I was gonna watch it with my 5 year old. And the first few scenes I was like nah let's wait for another 8 years.
@@lininrabbit Our German organisation that gives age ratings says 12+ years and the Austrian one says 10+ years.
Princess Mononoke is one of the greatest films of all time, let alone animated films. The fact that there isn't any true villain in the film yet the conflict is so raw and believable. Also, Joe Hisashi absolutely blew it away with the score. Such an incredible film!
I wouldn’t say there’s is not a villain. The greed of the emperor and his retainers is a big theme in the movie. Man’s greed and desire to control nature is the villain.
@@matthewmammothswine4395 and nature's side is equally bad. Emperor has a reason he does what he does . Same with everyone else. If anything this movie is trying to portrai that there really isn't one evil side that you can put all blame on.
In a more abstract sense, the Forest God also only applied force as far as necessary. To a human the cataclysmic scale may look disproportionate at first - but you have to consider that Lady Eboshi just stole the literal head of a major regional deity basically unprovoked (her conflict was with the lesser animal gods) and disrupted the balance of nature. And while it was very disruptive, his only goal was to regain his head. Once he had accomplished that, he stopped - even explicitly sparing the person who had injured him, instead of taking revenge.
I always loved this enigmatic display of divinity. We're unable to really understand the Forest God, because his way of living is so far removed from any human thought patterns - and even the lesser animal gods, who, through their interactions with humanity, have become somewhat human-like in their actions as well. But he is more of a presence than an actual character, the embodiment of the forces of nature. (The finale always reminded me of a volcanic eruption, with lava spreading across all land, leaving only the water as a semi-safe place, as long as you're not hit by debris from the ash cloud overhead.)
What I like most about Miyazaki is that he never resorts to simple dichotomy: good x evil. Our world is increasingly polarized and Mononoke's message, in this sense, is more important than ever.
Another thing that delights me in Ghibli's movies are the partnerships between male and female. They always complement each other. There is friendship, equality and a commitment to mutual aid. Both characters evolve. The concept of love is beautiful. Love is a process. Not a prize.
And that soundtrack is magnificent. My favorite from Ghibli. Joe Hisaishi is another great genius.
Sadly some people are too simple to understand such Complexity. Literally the best Solutions is if they separate because they can't go together.
"Love is a process not a prize " I'm stealing that
the depiction of female characters in ghibli movies compared to a lot of mainstream anime is so refreshing honestly
The sad truth is that evil does exist.
Sometimes, people really are just that awful.
this.💓
ty.
You made me spit out my coffee with the Jono's Ghiblification Era! I was not expecting that, but it's hilarious
It's a thing in our other Ghibli videos too! th-cam.com/play/PLRO9q005b62UWUFi0Urq3XpA0J2Q3uRsZ.html
Aaaaaw yes 😂😍
I loved it and now want a Ghibli movie about Cinema Therapy lmao
IT TOOK ME ROUGHT OUT! 🤣🤣
lmao! 🤣 as soon as the words came out of his mouth, i was expecting it
I love how Ashitaka is the inbetween of the forest and iron town. He doesnt comand the elk instead he works with him at the same time he can connect with other people and empathize with them.
"A lot of our Worst behaviors come from not feeling Safe, Respected, and Loved."
Amazing quote.
One of my favorite scenes in this masterpiece is before Ashitaka separates Eboshi and San. He curls the sword of Eboshi’s guard, and walks past. In Celtic mythology, blades would be “killed” when buried with their owners, often by curling them similar to as is shown in the movie. To me, this is a beautiful example of killing the weapon without killing the man wielding it. There are so many fascinating things in common between Gaelic and Japanese culture.
This movie is like Arcane. I love how complex and multi-layered the characters are. No one is all good or all bad. San ruthlessly attacks humans but at the same time shows compassion when healing Ashitaka. Lady Eboshi wants to destroy the forrest but genuinely cares for her people and gives them a home when society wouldn't. Moro hates humans with a passion but still took pity of a human baby that she raised as her own daughter when she could've left it to die. And Ashitaka is honestly my favorite example of healthy masculinity. This movie's a gem.
Agreed, it has long been my favorite among the treasure trove that is Studio Ghibli.
I first watched this movie when I was about 6 and it's still my all-time favorite. I used to think of Ashitaka as a bit of a Mary Sue--his choices were always perfect and straight-laced, and he never really seemed to slip up. But watching it as an adult has really changed my perspective of him. His duty is to create peace in this really messy situation, but the curse only is a visual representation of all the hate, fear, and anger he also feels. He has a ton of reason to lash out just like the other characters in the movie, but he's forced to keep it under control because it'll literally kill him sooner if he doesn't. He tells the townspeople that fear and anger only make his curse spread more, and despite being such a peacemaker for the whole movie, the mark had spread all over him by the end of it. It seems like the whole time, all this anger was bubbling under the surface, but he knew what the right choices were, so he showed restraint and did what was best for everyone.
It also helps when you realize that Ashitaka is your avatar in the world. You are both learning just how complicated the situation is, while trying to figure out a solution.
One rarely sees paragon leader characters in stories this complex and grey-shaded. And, yes, Ashitaka isn't just a Paragon Hero, he also sees everythign through the lens of his responsibilities as a leader, responsibilities most IRL leaders don't even acknowledge. He takes his duty as a feudal prince seriously, even when he is cut off from his people.
What I love about this movie is that Ashitaka totally has the power to anhilate everyone on both sides, but actively chooses the most peaceful path he possibly can even when every part of him is itching for revenge or to kill in rage. He is actively surpressing a primal need for revenge and instead chooses peace.
I also love that they sort of don't really end up together. There IS peace and love, but in his terms and unclouded by hate.
I’m so glad you are making progress on Ghibli Cinema Therapy. I truly cannot recommend “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” enough, especially considering how well she would fit into the Psychology of a Hero series. Thank you everyone ❤
yes
YES. Everyone always sleeps on Nausicaa, but it's my favourite Ghibli movie.
... the manga is better.
And I'm somebody who almost never says stuff like that but goddamn, what a fun read.
@@terminalblue are you talking about Shuna’s Journey? I have it & i’ve been waiting so patiently to read it 😭
Did anyone else notice that at the end, those that had leprosy have been healed? There's just one brief shot of the townsfolk that survived by escaping into the lake. You can see one person whose bandages have fallen off, and they're staring in amazement at their skin, which is now healthy. Because the blood of the forest spirit can heal anything, just as Lady Eboshi said.
This is actually my favorite film of all films and I had never noticed that! Thanks
@@hikaihikonoken9052 It's such a great little detail, but so well hidden!
Fun fact: Neil Gaiman of Sandman and Good Omens fame did the translated screenplay (Though not the translations) for this movie, and it shows. It's a tight screenplay, and it does what a good screenplay should do in that it conveys the entire message of what the characters are saying in as little as possible.
Oh, my word, that explains so much, I'm so glad he got to do that, the film is worth it... and that explains why nearly everything is left to subtext. I routinely use Eboshi-Sama's exchange with Jigou, about the imperial pardon, to explain the concept of indirect communication, and how some people either can't or won't get the hint.
Jumping onto this, apparently the screenplay was originally offered to Quentin Tarantino but he turned it down because he didn't think that he could do it justice. Also I believe that Gaiman actually spoke with either Miyazaki himself or something because he made a point to keep the context as close as possible. Like for example, when Jigou makes a joke about how nasty the rice is when we first meet him, Gaiman made a point of changing the line to make it come off as snarky and crass like intended.
As someone who grew up watching Studio Ghibli, it took me becoming an adult to truly appreciate the masterpieces that they are. The way I've watched them has changed over the years, but every time I have enjoyed watching them. Thank you for including animated works in your cinema therapy!
"To see with eyes unclouded by hatred" is a sentence I really try to live my whole life by. This very much is my favorite Ghibli movie, because of the complexity and because of how incredibly human this story is, despite being about huge animal forest gods
I try very hard not to say or act out in anger, because you never know how it might affect others.
To not let hate and anger control me or others was always important to me.
I do like Princess Mononoke - my first Ghibli film I think I watched it as a teenager - and deeply rooted for the forest gods 🏞️🐺
It's crazy if you watch again later you'll see much more details, understand their motives further. And the perspective from all sides.
I got more into other Ghibli films later - Nausicäa is still my favorite. Love the happy ending after so much destruction 😇
More Studio Ghibli films to cover:
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
• Castle in the Sky
• Only Yesterday
• Porco Rosso
• Ocean Waves
• Pom Poko
• Whisper of the Heart
• My Neighbors the Yamadas
• The Cat Returns
• Tales from Earthsea
• Ponyo
• The Secret World of Arrietty
• From Up on Poppy Hill
• The Wind Rises
• The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
• When Marnie Was There
• The Boy and the Heron
Nausicaä and The cat returns are my absolute favorites!!
Kaguya is my favorite, I hope to be the next one
I really need to watch more of them. ❤
Did they already do Spirited Away?
@@violetnorwen8491 yes!
i like that the film denounces hate without "both sides"-ing it too much. there's still nuance, as in, it isn't just good vs evil even though the conflict is absolutely asymmetrical.
I remember my dad watched this film in theaters to see if it was ok for my sister and me to watch it. We were under thirteen and it was way too gorey. But we’ve watched it so many times now and love it so much. The animation, storytelling, characters. I love that Lady Eboshi isn’t a true villain. Yes, she’s cross cutting the forest to dig for iron ore, but she has her reasons. Also, she takes in lepers and former prostitutes, treats them like family. This film is so amazing, I love Miyazaki and his messages of protecting the environment as well as protecting mental health
Yeah, this is something that I feel like other movies like Avatar fail at. As I never could get a grasp at the villain's motivations and the movie just simply breaks it down to "humans = BAD, nature = GOOD". But with a movie like Princess Mononoke, the film's conflict isn't something that's black-and-white, good vs evil, but much more of a morally grey area. Heck, the climax doesn't even have that traditional nature wins in the end trope, but just comes down to, "We'll figure it out. I don't know how, because there is no exact answer.". Which I kind of like, since in hindsight, there really isn't an exact answer, as if someone does have and answer, but it turns out to not work, it'll possibly lead to people to feel like there no faith in trying to fix the problem at hand.
Oh my god, HUGE same! I was 8 and my sister was 13 at the time we first watched it without knowing what it was about; we probably just saw that it was the same director for Totoro and because my sister was older and always gets the first say on what to watch, she picked it out from Blockbuster. (Neither my parents really cared about age ratings either) The viscera was utterly shocking and disturbing for my little eyes, and yet I was deeply entranced and gripped all the way through. It really left such a huge impact on me even now.
@@osmanyousif7849 Exactly! In Avatar, the soldiers are just like the colonists invading Pocahontas’ forest (the Disney adaptation). They just care about money and power. It’s Jake who gets invested in the Navi and their culture. Lady Eboshi is willing to kill forest gods but she’s trying to protect her people. She makes mistakes and at the end of the movie wants to rebuild her town but is willing to make it better. There’s no clarification what she means by this but it’s a start
Eboshi-Sama is basically a Neutral Good antagonist. Yet another incredibly difficult thing this movie pulls off effortlessly.
I watched this in German Cinema with my parents when it first released to the broad public in 2001, I was 6 then.
It remained my most beloved movie of all time.
It tainted every following cinema experience, you rarely get such balanced perspective of a story, this raw sense of living life, conflict and peace. I'm lucky I got to experience this masterpiece as a young child on the big screen
As an autistic person, autistic-coded Ashitaka is such an incredible take that absolutely blew my mind. So much of him makes sense, if you look at him with that interpretation - I can't believe I never considered it before. No wonder he's always been one of my most favourite characters of all time.
Same
Dude I literally gasped when they said that and thought the same thing. Growing up (undiagnosed) I had a very strong sense of justice and logic, and it was endlessly frustrating how everyone wasn’t just like Ashitaka. My dad put it gently, “people always assume everyone thinks how they do, but most people don’t think like you”. Princess Mononoke was always one of my favorite movies, and especially because of Ashitaka and his stubbornness to just live peacefully and resolve conflict.
@@ThePhilocrates he’s a fictional character, doesn’t really matter if he is or isn’t anything. It’s how he brings a wonderful thing to identify with for certain people 🤷🏻♀️
Right? I haven't watched this movie in a long time, and I had never thought of this! Now I need to watch it with this in mind. :D
I'd never as considered it, but it's kind of neat! Most headcanons like this, especially of anime characters, feel like a creative fandom exercise rather than something rooted in authorial intent - but regardless, they provide an interesting lens to examine and explore media I cherish. (I am still tickled by how the fandom seems to agree that Laios from Dungeon Meshi is on the autism spectrum, and find new appreciate for the manga with this information). I think it's important to remember that creator intent ins't the only part of intrepreting art, and that art is something that each person creates for themselves when they encounter it by bringing in their own knowledge and experience to it. Whether Miyazaki intended it or not is less important to how the understanding of what autism is factors into how we understand the character of Ashitaka, and how he handles the challenges of overcoming hatred in himself and the world.
Funny story: my brother accidentally rented this is a child without realizing what it was. We couldn't have been more 6 or 7 at the time. It scared the bejeesus out of me, traumatized me. I didn't realize what film it was until I watched it as an adult and can now safely say that it is undoubtedly my favorite Ghibli film. It's beautiful, complex and you guys hit the nail on the head with every point.
Relatable! I was 8 watching for the first time and actually got physically ill about the curse worms, didn’t watch again until well into adulthood and it’s now one of my favorites.
I was 8 when it watched it first and scared of it too!😂
“We’re not really friends but we’re no longer enemies” is kind of where my parents sit. And I think it happened on my 30th birthday. My entire family was there and it was the first time my mom and dad were in the same place in a long time and my dad pulled my mom aside and straight up told her “you did a good job with her”. It changed her perspective.
A mononoke is a vengeful spirit... the movie isn't named after San's nickname, but for the vengence tons of characters desire or attempt to get.
Ashitaka essentially vows never to fight of hate, he fights for his beliefs, for the safety of others, and his goals. Truly one of the greatest animated men to be written. A truly good person will fight yet never for the sake of hate alone, only for the betterment of their world and the world all live in.
My ex was not a big movie lover (but I am), but early on into our relationship, he showed me 3 of the studio Ghibli movies, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke. He asked me which one I wanted to watch first and I went with PM bc it’s a girl riding a wolf and I love wolves and if I could I would absolutely ride a wolf into a fight. Now preface, my ex always spoke very badly about himself, he always said he was a cold, unfeeling person. Obviously I knew that not to be true, but when he showed me these movies, I really saw a different side to him. I fell even more in love with him than I already was. So those three Ghibli movies (particularly PM) will always be special to me, even though our relationship didn’t work out. It was great to see you guys cover this one finally.
Also, Alan, your hair man. Idk what you’re doing but it’s looking fabulous.
Three of the best Ghibli ❤ I glad you at least got something good out of the relationship ❤️🩹
When Marnie Was There would be great for this show. Whisper of the Heart would probably resonate with Alan, and that's maybe my favorite ghibli movie next to Princess Kaguya.
Oh man, whisper of the heart has got to be my favorite, howls moving castle and Marnie are probably tied for second (please don't make me try and choose)
Princess kaguya.. broke me. I think it's beautiful in every way but I don't think it's one I can revisit really. I've only watched it once even though I own the film..
If they do “when Marnie was there” PLEASE get someone sapphic / queer / versed in queer cinema to also do a read, because holy whiplash when you know who was her grandma and not her girlfriend.
@@flux.aeterna YES!!! It was pretty jarring for a second before all the pieces slotted into place.
As an autistic lady, I am very glad to see you mention it and as you do, I can see Ashitaka being on the spectrum. Something that is less known about autism is that one can have a deep sense of fairness and strong moral compass. In my case, empathy is a highly develloped 'skill' even if I dont look or sound emotional. To me, mercy and harmony are the logical choices.
I'm a neurodivergent woman type ADHD (though - disclaimer - there way or may not be some autism in that mix, I didn't have any of that checked yet). And "strong" moral compass almost doesn't doing it justice. It's an "excruciatingly painful, ignorance-is-no-option type moral compass". Like ... no matter how much it sucks to get to a place of moral alignment, it doesn't suck even remotely as much as my moral compass screaming at me 24/7, literally making my body sick and wreaking havoc on my ability to attend to anything else but that.
I'm not investing a lot of resources into checking in with the moral alignment of situations, cause I'm "such a good person". I cannot bear to be any other way. I cannot face myself any other way. I might as well not be alive, if I cannot get "living in an acceptable degree of moral alignment" to work at least for myself within my space. And better: in my close surroundings. And possibly further than that, if I really must (-> happens when bigger things wreak heavy damage on myself or any other living beings around me. Or when I find myself to be the only one with the ability, skills, resources and chance to sort it out)
It's actually rough to be this way within societies that aren't quite there yet, with equality and equity.
@@KxNOxUTA Thank you for sharing :)
A very close friend of mine lives throught a very similar situation and while not knowing exactly how it feels, I can empathize.
Regarding our world who is often unfair or profit oriented, I take comfort in the fact that human beings who do good arent often broadcasted in the news or on social media. We do not know the true impact of kindness.
He's the opposite of being on the spectrum. Very attentive and understanding listener and empath, knows very well how others feel.
Thank you so much for sharing that!! I'm almost positive my significant other is somewhere on the spectrum (though never diagnosed, but thinking of him in these terms has helped me understand him SO much better) and I've always wondered if or how his extremely high moral standards fit in with that. It makes sense the way you described it, it also seems like it's just logical to him to be and act this way
@@konstantinriumin2657exactly... Every time something is different it's automatically "autistic coded". It's like we forgot, through all the self diagnosis, that it is a disorder and not a quirky personality.
This is the movie that taught me how there's rarely an actual "villain". Most of the time it's just people trying to do their best/what's best, but aren't doing good things to achieve it.
I know its not fully on topic but thank you. You two have really helped show that animation isn't "just for kids" i know alot of people think that and its always upset me but your channel when you watch animation proves that wrong. It makes me feel good knowing that im not just stuck in a void or that i shouldn't be looked down on cause i really like animated content.
Animation is for everyone!!
Thank you for saying this. I am a mother of 6, now fully grown children, and they have had me watching Studio Gibli films for a few years now. I love the artwork and cinematic design. As well as the music, stories and characters. Most recently, my youngest and I watched all 62 episodes of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Omgosh! It is incredible!!! Hands down, my favorite Anime. My previous favorite Anime series was Avatar: The Last Airbender. I would love Cinema Therapy to check it out. There are so many interesting and complex characters and things you could discuss. Thanks for all you do! 😊
I loved princess Mononoke especially because it had complex morality -- no major player is the laughing villain doing things for pathologically selfish reasons. Everybody has their own internally consistent goals and they're all deeply incompatible, and that's the conflict. When I tried to explain this to other people, they weren't into it. I think a lot of people still like clear villains and simple stories, but I loved this story for its complexity and nuance. I really appreciated how real and sincere the characters in this film are; it's a masterpiece of storytelling.
revenge is very multifaceted too, because people aren't always necessarily thinking about overt revenge, sometimes they're just thinking about taking back their space and their control, agency, or even rights, but hurting someone else so that they stop hurting you is the gut reaction for that
Writing Ashitaka, this beautiful character, with one of the most mature appproahes to conflict, takes so much personal work. To reach the point of being able to express this character, you have to understand his values within the yourself. I am amazed.
I'm so glad you guys briefly discussed the complicated morality in this movie. It isn't about the "good" forest and the "bad" humans (something I'm disappointed so many youtube reactors didn't seem to understand). Iron Town is full of people who are doing what they can to survive and defend themselves from tyranny. Them trying to make a life in the forest and defending themselves against territorial gods is not the problem, the problem is their rampant destruction of nature and Eboshi's eventual greed for power and leverage. Miyazaki has always understood that there's a delicate balance between environmentalism and humanity. We humans deserve a place to live just as much as animals do. The point is to understand and be mindful of the natural resources you're using and to respect nature.
I would love if you guys did Nausicaa at some point! Both Nausicaa and Mononoke are 2 of my favorite studio Ghibli movies of all time ❤️
And Nausicaa is such a great heroine and a female origin point for Ashitaka. :)
Mine too!
❤ In my case Nausicaa and Mononoke are my favourite films of all time, period!
Princess Mononoke is one of my favorite Studio Ghibli movies of all time, and was like the third or fourth Ghibli movie i saw out of the Ghibli movies
It’s my favorite Studio Ghibli movie as well. And the scores in this movie carry so many emotions.
@@a.jthomas6132 that they do
My two TH-cam Dads talking about my all time favorite Studio Ghibli movie! I love you guys! The past couple of days have been rough and draining, so I needed this. Thank you.
You're so welcome!
Mononoke no Hime was my very first Ghibli film. It had practically just come to the US at the time, and we bought it on VHS! It's been my favorite Ghibli movie ever since, and no other Ghibli character has ever been able to top my love for Ashitaka
I wish they spoke about Jigo (Billy Bob Thornton) he’s probably the most commonly flawed human in ghibli. He’s not inherently evil but doing what he thinks is needed to survive in a cruel world. You want to hate him but we all know him
The hair thing in a lot of Miyazaki movies, it’s all,over Kiki’s and Spirited away. His character hair gives away as much as their expressions. It make me think of birds feathers ruffling.
This movie as a child presented me with the first moral dilemma and nuanced antagonist. The music is simply amazing.
I have never clicked on a video faster in all my years on YT!!!!Thanks for doing this movie. One of miyazakis masterpieces!!!!
I’m so happy that they mentioned the “anatomy of peace” it’s a fantastic book that everyone should read! It really helps with understanding and interacting with people and being more conscious of making a more peaceful path.
Something I realized the second time I watched Princess Mononoke is that there are no real villains in it. Everyone is doing what they think is best for themselves and their people.
This movie is very close to my heart. Ashitaka is such a morally and willfully strong character. And this movie had 2 of the most badass women in film ive ever seen! Both had a very strong goal and had substance and motive. Every character had something worth fighting for and honestly thought they were doing whats best for their people.
Even lady Oboshi, some might say she was lead by greed, when honestly she didnt want her and the women she led to be held down and used for men's gain and power. She wanted to be able give her women a place to be strong, free and independent.
So happy you both got to watch this movie and appreciate it the same when I did when I was young. Love your channel and your views on all the films to watch.
This is simultaneously my favorite environmentalist movie, the first violent film I ever watched alone, and in my opinion one of the most beautiful films ever made. I'm SO happy you guys featured it!!!!!!! Also I had to get up at 5:45am and this helped 😂
Oof, we're glad to help in any way but waking up that early is just criminal.
@@CinemaTherapyShow I assume you will be by to arrest my children soon then. The boogers keep waking up in the 4 o'clock hour.
Aaaahhhh!!! Princess Mononoke! It finally happened!!!💚💚💚 Sending you both and the Cinema Therapy crew so much love from Melbourne, Australia!
This video came with perfect timing. My husband is currently taking a college class with Anatomy of Peace, and it has slowly been changing our lives and our marriage.
I love love LOVE the reading of ashitaka as autistic. that makes my autistic heart so happy and delighted 💖
First of all; This is one of my favourite films ever, animated or otherwise so I am super happy you've done this. Ashitaka is such a good protagonist, he is honestly truly neutral to both sides and only want what is the genuinely good solution.
Second of all; I can't wait for you guys to talk about his latest film The Boy and The Heron, there's a lot to unpack in that film and I loved it.
We will! We wanted to do a video on it sooner, but we had to wait for digital/at home release.
I love Princess Mononoke movie out of all Ghibli movies, it gives me a nostalgic vibe! Thank you Cinema Therapy for making me love this movie a lot more! ^^
20:40 saying that Ashitaka is coded Autistic makes me very happy. The way he talks, hell, even the way he is dealing with his curse. He doesn't show really that he is in pain dispite being so, he just, thats how he processes it. As someone that is for sure Autisic, it makes me happy to know that people see cool badass characters having a trait that I have and LIKING THEM. It really gives me hope that people genuinly like me too, not dispite how I am, but BECAUSE of how I am. Thank you Cinema Dads.
Whenever I watch this movie and see Ashitaka talk or do anything, i would point to the screen and be like, "he's literally me, fr". I know it's unintentional but the feeling is real to me and I think that's what matters.
we love unintentional good autistic representation. @@joganesha4151
As soon as he ran off after shouting at Eboshi, I was like damn that’s an autistic move he just pulled. Then they both mentioned it and that makes me happy. We love an empathic, awkward king.
I never really thought about this being a possibility until they mentioned it and I can kinda see it actually; he knows what he stands for and doesn't waver in his resolution for any reason, he's very straight forward and blunt at times when he speaks, he doesn't show a lot of outward emotion (I've always chocked it up to him just being melancholic, which is certainly true regardless), is hyper-focused...I mean yeah! I'm a little on the spectrum myself so the fact that one of my all time favorite characters may be the same way makes me happy, and highlights the fact that being "on the spectrum" isn't a negative, but a gift. We are main character material, in fact 😊
yeah! I'm autistic too and seeing that scene made me go "...wait. I can do that? I can just say what I needed to say and then leave?". Ashitaka is a true inspiration /lh
THE GHIBLIFICATION had me ROLLING. Best use of that ai feature I've seen in a while!
15:58 To be fair, the wolves in Twilight communicate telepathically, hence why their mouth movements don’t match their speech patterns whereas the wolves in Princess Mononoke do talk out loud.
Definitely my fav ghibli movie because how perfect the prince is
A balance of guardian and warrior.
I grew up watching Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service, and when I discovered that Ghibli had made MORE MOVIES I got so exited. There is so much range in the Ghibli universe. Across time and space there will always be a character that you can relate to. No two movies are the same and no two will leave you with the same feeling when its done. They are truly unique & magical❤
To further Jono's Ghiblification:
Porco Rosso
The Wind Rises
Only Yesterday
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
When Marnie was There
From up on Poppy Hill
The wind rises made me cry with my brother for 40 minutes after it ended. We were both 20+ yrs old haha great memories.
I really loved what you guys had to say about the movie. My favorite Studio Ghibli film has always been Spirited Away, but Princess Mononoke has always been my second. It's such a beautiful movie! Can't wait for you guys to cover more of them!
We're glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Ghiblification, I love this word. And thank you, thank you and thank you for Ghibli turn again. I watched this in a movie theater with my best friend when I was in high school. Sooooo, Ashitaka affected me a lot. My best friend said right after the show, "how difficult this movie was telling in its meaning," then I said, "But it made sense in heart, right?" With a few pause, "Yeah," he said.
And, now I see Princess of Mononoke through your insightful brains and warm hearts, to me, it's reassuring. So, the movie gave me a room with one or two boundary lines around my mind. No more bullshit. I love this movie.
to see with eyes unclouded by hate is my favorite quote!! i love this movie
ASHIKTAKAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
I screamed out loud unintentionally when I saw this thumbnail. Princess Mononoke is my favorite Miyazaki film and that's hard to narrow down. It was the first anime film I watched and the first Miyazaki film I watched. It scared me when I was a kid, but the music still gives me chills every time I watch it. I adore this film!
Ashitaka has been something of a role model for me since I saw this film as a child. I hadn't really decoded the messaging of the film but I always saw his behavior as something to try to emulate wether I was aware of it or not.
Same here, friend!
I literally screamed SO LOUD when I saw this on my feed!!!!!! This is my favorite Studio Ghibli if not my favorite movie ever. Thank you so much for covering this!
You're so welcome!
20:34 yeah, as an autistic myself I think people have pointed that out about me. I say what’s need to be said then I just “go away”. My parents find it funny as well, so they laugh.
I love the idea of Ashitaka being coded as autistic. I have two young autistic sons, and I often look out for autistic role models (real or fictional) so they can see people who think or act more like them. I'll definitely add this to the family viewing list when they get a little older! (I probably would have anyway since I love this movie too!)
I love that 💙
I saw this film as a sensitive (probably autistic) 7th grader and was terrified by the violence at first but came to love it for the message of it. I realize now it was my first R-Rated film. Watched it at a friend's house. Forever grateful I saw it when I did as it influenced my life so much and for the better. I hope your kids love it!
To add to that autistic list, there's Ryan Gosling's character in the 2011 film, Drive. But they'll have to wait a long while to watch that one as it's extremely graphic in the last few parts.
@Wicker_ Autism isn't a "mental issue."
@Wicker_ "On the far end." Then you know it's a spectrum.
Yes, I work with them, and I am on the spectrum myself. The way we process information may be different from neurotypical folk, but the only "issue" we have is when dealing with impatient, ignorant people.
As you so sarcastically put it, anyone who thinks differently from the majority must have some sort of mental issue.
Princess Mononoke is hands down my favorite Studio Ghibli movie.
I saw it in theaters in 2017 for its 20th anniversary and it’s still one of the most beautiful films ever made. Princess Mononoke is without a doubt my favorite Ghibli movie. The brilliance of the script is there are no good or bad characters, there’s just people with different agendas. In a world full of Kardashians and Jenners, be more like Ashitaka. Also the score by Joe Hisaishi is breathtaking.
This is my favorite Ghibli movie, and has been very influential as a kid and through multiple rewatches as an adult in helping manage my temper and keep a clear mind on the importance of empathy and nature. Absolutely love this movie so much. Thanks for covering it ❤
You're so welcome!
I have a slightly more nuanced take on hate in the movie. I think hate is an emotion like any other, and it exists for a reason. Ashitaka does feel hate, every time his arm hurts and he becomes super strong it's because he's feeling hatred. He's not free of it, he just does his best not to let it take over. And especially toward the beginning of the movie he's struggling to control it: in the first fight after he gets the curse he's so strong that he rips people's limbs off even when he doesn't mean to, his first shot was aimed at the soldier's sword but he's so strong that he rips off the guy's arms in the process! And then the scene you showed, where his hatred is so strong that it takes control of his arm to try to draw his blade to kill Lady Eboshi and he has to physically restrain himself.
Hatred is a source of power and strength, Lady Eboshi did a lot from being motivated by it, the problem is that it blinds her to alternative solutions which leads to resentment and more hate growing on all sides of the conflict. Ashitaka's hate literally makes him stronger, he could be a one-man army if he let it control him. But he doesn't let it, he strives to see things without letting it cloud his vision, and eventually to take control of it. When Lady Eboshi and San are fighting, Ashitaka feels hate powerfully and *that's what gives him the strength to stop them*. The key is that he isn't letting hate control him, he takes control of it and redirects its power toward peaceful ends: bending the sword, pushing the mob away, knocking out the fighters, keeping going after he's shot while leaving, and opening the gate so that he can leave with San. None of those things would have been possible if he hadn't been empowered by the curse of hate.
But of course, such a powerful hatred is also killing him over time, it can't go on forever, he has to find a way to heal. But for the time that hate was there, it could be channeled to good ends.
I like your more nuanced view. Calling a basic human emotion just 'bad' feels too simplistic. All emotions exist for a reason.
Damn, I love this movie. Lady Eboshi is such a fascinating character.
Oh my god I’ve wanted so long for you two to react to this film! It’s an absolute masterpiece
Played this ASAP! Why is this my all time favorite Miyazaki film?
1: After the butchery of Nausicaa’s localization & unneeded editing, Miyazaki swore he’d never let the West touch any of his works again. Disney somehow convinced him, & was ~contract bound~ to bring this to the West very early in production. Miyazaki of course did not hesitate adding blood/gore to accentuate his anti-war & pro-environmentalist messaging. The most subtle & nuanced middle finger in all Ghibli’s filmography - hidden in plain sight.😂
2: Epstein (Yes, you read right; he was on Disney’s staff) asked Miyazaki if Disney could edit said blood/gore out… Considering the above in 1, it should not be surprising that Miyazaki sent him a very real table flipping KATANA, with a note: NO CUTS. It’s said Miyazaki is proud of 1 upping Epstein.🤣
3: Niel (FLIPPIN) Gaiman translated it… Asides penning many lauded literary works across different forms of media, including 1 of my most favorite Doctor Who episodes, he’s unexpectedly in my オタク/Otaku fandom as well.👀✨
Jono, Alan… I’ve no idea if you guys’ll read this, but… Thank you so very much for covering Princess Mononoke. It was my 1st Ghibli/Miyazaki film. And still to this day, it’s my top all time favorite. I still remember renting this then latest Anime title from the local Blockbuster… If I could honorably (dogeza) bow (on all 4s) thru the screen, I would.
✨💖🥹💖✨
Wtf! I didn't know that was something Neil Gaiman did. That messaging and nuance is right up his alley though so It makes a ton of sense
It wasn't Epstein. It was Weinstein. Harvey Weinstein.
Weinstein not Epstein.
Wow i was literally going back through your Studio Ghibli playlist right before you guys uploaded this! Because I was just thinking when you guys will get to cover more from the studio, so I'm ecstatic to say the least 🤩 Princess Mononoke had slowly climbed up my list of Ghibli faves as I grew older, because of all the themes it encompassed. It goes saying for every Ghibli movie I think, but there's just so much messages that can be interpreted with each rewatch of this film. Simply amazing.
Thanks for watching! We're looking forward to watching more Studio Ghibli in the future.
This is the beautiful thing about force; if you're using it out of anger, you shouldn't be using it. - that quote from Jono may just become my next cross-stitch sampler. Beautiful words with a beautiful message. What makes it so beautiful is that it's 100% truth. Perhaps on a t-shirt. All sorts of merch opportunities with that one. Thanks guys, for yet one more episode that does more for me than an hour with my therapist.
This is hands down my favorite Studio Ghibli movie. I’m glad you guys covered it and with such an important message
Ashitaka and San’s relationship is one of my favorite parts of Princess Mononoke.
While it’s unknown if they’ll reunite but they are my favorite Studio Ghibli couple.
Ashitaka said that he’ll always be near, so I’d like to think he visits when he can. 😊
13:39 That really hit home for me because that’s how my mom and dad tried to solve the issue when my sister SA me repeatedly. They’d just say nicely to stop and “don’t eat the baby” when I was screaming at her to get off of me. Once I learned that my parents would never stick up for me, I turned to violence since it was the only way to get her to stop pinning me to the floor. The only reason that it stopped was when my step mom came into my life and actively pulled my sister off of me and told her forcefully to stop kissing me because I clearly hated it. I’m forever grateful for what my step mom did for me, it now kissing is forever tainted in my life and is no longer a symbol of love and it’s just a reminder of how I was abused. Kissing has to be consensual even if it’s just “family.” Her being my sister never and will never make it okay for what she did to me. I wish that my biological parents knew that instead of ignoring my distress and tried harder to stop it instead of just trying to be ‘nice’ about getting my sister to stop.
I'm so sorry you had to through that, I hope you find a way to heal, I'm wishing you luck
I'm sorry that happen. I wish you the best
This is genuinely my favourite Ghibli film the cinematography, animation, themes and music are absolutely on point. Ashitaka and San is one of my favourite pieces of music
I cosplayed as San 3 years ago ❤ Got first place for the mask and cape i made 😎
I've seen that film a dozen times and I still teared up several times during this video 🥲
As someone one the spectrum (I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome before it got rolled into autism) I have struggled with self-hate, and I feel like a lot of that was that I was struggling with what seemed like a world that was constantly encouraging to me hate, while all I thought was “this would be so much easier if I could hate them all.” But the problem I had was that anger and so don’t go away, and you can only internalize so much, before it spills out of you and lashes out at the world around you. I am struggled to accept that this was a part of me, and that there is a way to express it, and let it out without hurting others. At least not more than needed.
I am glad that we have ghiblified you!!! :D
This is one of my favourite movies by far, recently re-watched it with my boyfriend. I was really looking forward to you guys talking about it, can't wait to watch it now! 🥰 When I first watched it, I was 13 and basically just used to children's movies with clearly "good" and "bad" people, while this one for the first time in my life really challenged that line, and did it so well.
I love how much I learn from this channel through the lens of my favorite movies. I came for the fun movies- but I’ve stayed for the knowledge.
Thank you for covering not just my favorite Ghibli movie but probably my all-time favorite movie period ❤
Our pleasure!
THIS IS MY FAVORITE TOO!!!!