I hadn’t remembered much about the Mononoke series–it aired a year after I graduated after high-school, *laughs in aging Millennial* but I do remember most the incredible animation sequences that were uniquely their own. At times challenging to watch and follow and other times entertaining, the story seemed to explode on the screen. After so long, I was giddy to see that the series still held up in terms of weirdness and style–even if I cringed finding clips on the Retro Anime YouTube channel. The hotly anticipated Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain will be available on Netflix. Ahead of the launch, its official exhibition and US premiere was set for the Animation Is Film Festival (October 18-20) this coming October.
Thankfully, the series is up on Netflix now for those who want to re watch and rediscover the wild and colorful adventures of the Medicine Seller and all the chaotic messes he gets into. Netflix reminds us that The Mononoke series originated from the Goblin Cat segment in the animated horror anthology Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, which aired on Fuji TV’s noitaminA block in 2006. It was later adapted into a TV anime series in 2007 and has attracted ardent fans since its release.
Youtuber Obvious Puppet released a great video a few years ago (I miss video essays, can you tell?) revisiting the series and reminding us that Mononoke is a “criminally under-watched series, due in part to its intimidating art house label.” This YouTuber goes further elaborates on anime and that it perhaps is not known for its high culture works, but it should be, “because shows like Mononoke represent more than just experimentation.”
Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain Synopsis: The Ōoku — a harem swirling with intense emotions.
The Ōoku is where beautiful and talented women are gathered from all across the land to bear the heir of His Majesty, the ruler. At the same time, it is an important place that plays a crucial bureaucratic function. Stepping into this unusual society with its own rules are young newcomers Asa and Kame. Blessed with both intelligence and beauty, Asa aims to improve her standing, while Kame searches for a sense of belonging in this place she has always dreamed of. On the day of their induction, these two girls of opposite personalities are forced to participate in a ceremony to become part of the group by sacrificing their most cherished belongings to the Water Goddess, a deity worshiped within the Ōoku. As a result of this event, a bond forms between the two girls.
The elder Utayama oversees the women while prioritizing the prosperity and continuation of the Ōoku, but she conceals something behind her stony facade. Slowly, over time, something uncanny begins to envelop the women. As their powerful emotions accumulate each night, the strange sound of a spinning paper umbrella echoes from the shadows and the maidservants begin to lose their minds, as though they are possessed.
Eventually, a pivotal tragedy occurs. The Medicine Seller proceeds to the heart of the Ōoku, but he cannot draw the Sacred Sword to exorcise the mononoke unless he learns the being’s “Form,” “Truth” and “Reason.” When the Medicine Seller uncovers the frightening and heartbreaking truth hidden in the Ōoku, the ceremony of exorcism and redemption begins.
Who is Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, for?
Fans and anime watchers who remember the original series and are looking for dip back into the fandom
Anime fans who are looking for something new to get lost in via Netflix in the digital app streaming age of anime
Fans of Historically set anime like Ōoku: The Inner Chambers and anything supernatural
And for jokes, anyone who may still be simping over The Medicine Seller or newer fans who have a spot for him on the “hear me out cake”
Netflix elaborates on the film and mentions that “the empathetic story delves into universal themes that resonate even today, such as the struggle of being forced to suppress one’s individuality to conform, while also exploring the desires and burdens that swirl within the mind.
In this chaotic age where the seeds of a mononoke may take root in anyone’s heart, this bittersweet story of salvation has arrived to stir the soul.
Crafted by an all-star cast and staff under the direction of series creator Kenji Nakamura, this original feature-length film will carve out a new legend.”
We’ve been gifted an incredible trailer that sparks interest in a series that I haven’t thought about in such a long time. Sparkly nostalgia aside, I’m ready to travel back to this weird and dangerous wonderland with all the pride, heartbreak, passion, and supernaturally bound horrors and joys that comes with the territory.
STAFF Director: Kenji Nakamura Character Design: Kitsuneko Nagata Animation Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi Art Setting: Yoichi Katoono Art Directors: Akira Kuramoto, Yoko Saito Art Supervisor: Takashi Kurahashi Color Design: Kunio Tsujita Visual Director: Yoichi Senzui 3D Director: Kenichi Shirai Editor: Shigeru Nishiyama Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki Music: Taku Iwasaki Producers: Kimiaki Sato, Yuki Sudo Content Producer: Koji Yamamoto Production: Twin Engine, EOTA Distribution: Twin Engine, Giggly Box
CAST Hiroshi Kamiya (Medicine Seller) Tomoyo Kurosawa (Asa) Aoi Yuki (Kame) Mami Koyama (Utayama) Kana Hanazawa (Kitagawa) Haruka Tomatsu (Botan Otomo) Yuki Kaji (Saburomaru) Jun Fukuyama (Hiramoto) Yukana (Mugitani) Yuhko Kaida (Awashima)
Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain streams soon on Netflix.
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