Roses Have Thoughts

Few animated films are as breathtakingly beautiful, narratively rich, and thematically complex as Princess Mononoke (1997), Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus of environmentalist storytelling. While My Neighbour Totoro may be his most charming, Spirited Away his most lauded, and Howl’s Moving Castle his most eccentric, Princess Mononoke is undoubtedly his most operatic—a sweeping historical fantasy drenched in blood, sorrow, and wonder.

Set in Japan’s Muromachi period, this is no simple fairy tale. The story follows Ashitaka, a noble warrior infected with a deadly curse after slaying a rampaging demon. Seeking a cure, he travels west and finds himself caught between the expansionist Iron Town, led by the pragmatic Lady Eboshi, and the wrathful spirits of the forest, personified by the wolf-raised warrior San, the eponymous Princess Mononoke. It’s a battle between progress and nature, but Miyazaki refuses to paint either side as wholly right or wrong, lending the film a moral complexity rare in mainstream animation.

Visually, Princess Mononoke is a feast for the eyes. The hand-drawn animation is breath-taking, from the dense, verdant forests teeming with Kodama (tree spirits) to the terrifying, writhing masses of demonic corruption. Joe Hisaishi’s haunting score adds further depth, swelling at key moments to evoke awe, despair, and exhilaration in equal measure.

The English dub, overseen by Neil Gaiman, is among the best localisations of a Ghibli film. Standout performances include Claire Danes as the fierce yet vulnerable San and Minnie Driver’s nuanced take on Lady Eboshi. Yet, as with most Ghibli releases, the original Japanese version remains the definitive experience.

For all its grandeur, the film is not without its challenges. At over two hours, its slower, more meditative moments may test the patience of younger viewers accustomed to the breakneck pacing of modern animation. Additionally, while Miyazaki’s refusal to offer easy answers is commendable, it may leave some longing for a more cathartic resolution.

Nonetheless, Princess Mononoke remains an undisputed triumph—arguably one of the greatest animated films ever made. It is both a warning and a lament. This story acknowledges humanity’s capacity for destruction while daring to hope for a world where nature and civilisation might find harmony.

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