On Princess Mononoke
During Spring Break I watched Studio Ghibli’s 1997 film “Princess Mononoke ”. The movie takes place in a fantasy setting of Japan in the 1300-1500s (during the Muromachi period); where the protagonist Ashitaka is the bridge and messenger between the gods of the forest trying to live in peace and the humans of Iron Town who wish to deplete the forest of its resources. The movie has a central conflict between mankind vs. nature and themes of harmony between technology and nature, development, and environmentalism.
Harmony between man and nature
Miyazaki argues that the relationship between mankind and the environment is not balanced. Throughout the movie, the all out war between forest deities and residents of Iron Town display the lack of coordination and balance between both parties—where Iron Town wants to exploit the land and see themselves greater than the gods and the forests want to eradicate the people out of the forest. Ashitaka serves as the balance, upset at how Iron Town exploits the land and upset that the forest does not live in harmony with the people. Thus Miyazaki highlights the concept of having to work with nature rather than against it, a common practice that non-Western countries practiced for centuries (especially in indigenous communities).
Development
Development plays an essential role in the conflict of the movie. Iron Town wishes to expand its rule and power, however at the expense of the forest. As a summarization of the entire world’s development, this theme serves as a reflection of our actions. We wish to advance and modernize constantly, but have a distorted view of development that views development to be the least connected with nature. We cannot live if we kill nature. Without spoiling, development corrupts nature.
Environment personified
The environment throughout the movie is personified to indicate the health of the forest. Kodamas, forest spirits that live on trees, are a sign that the forest is in good health. Furthermore, they help protect the forest. When the forest is in danger and dying, they are dying as well. The forest is also represented by the forest god. If they were to die, then so thus mankind. Thus this personification is Miyazaki’s way to emphasize the dangers of development and exploitation.
Princess Mononoke is a Ghibli classic which touches the struggle to balance the health of nature and mankind’s desire to develop. It provides a solution to build societies to work with nature when developing in order to keep the harmony intact. I highly recommend watching this movie, it’s on HBO alongside many Studio Ghibli classics!
Written By Lugardo Marroquin ’24