Princess Mononoke

Even by the standards of animation legends Studio Ghibli, Princess Mononoke is something special. Set against a backdrop of distinctly Japanese fantasy but drawing inspiration from everything from Medieval history to cinema’s great Westerns, it tells the story of Ashitaka, a melancholic prince who must search for a way to stop the curse that is threatening his village. As he travels further from home, Ashitaka is confronted with untrustworthy allies and strange monsters. His quest eventually brings him to the heart of a conflict between the industrial Irontown and the forces of nature itself. Princess Mononoke uses these fantasy tropes to construct something truly unique. It’s thrilling but not throwaway, provocative but not dour, and its inspiring soundtrack and gorgeous visuals will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Now almost two decades old, Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus has lost none of its magic.