Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪唐傘

| Episodes: 1 | Score: 8.0 (6112)

Updated every at | Status: Finished Airing

Type: Movie

Producers:Twin Engine

Synopsis

Asa and Kame strike up an immediate friendship when they arrive at the same time for their first day of duty at the Ooku, the splendid pleasure palace housing the harem of Lord Tenshi. The two young women are there to join the many hundreds of other maidservants—men are barred from entering, with immediate beheading the price of trespassing. It soon becomes clear that behind the luxurious lifestyle and ritualized routines of the Ooku lie sinister schemes and cynical rivalries. Meanwhile, a mysterious wandering potion-peddler known only as the Medicine Seller subtly insinuates himself into the Ooku, just as an uncanny, otherworldly menace begins to reveal itself. (Source: Fantasia Festival)

Voice Actors

Kamiya, Hiroshi

News

Reviews

Northernazzlem
01/20/2025, 05:04 AM
The original TV show is my favorite anime show of all time, so coming into this movie my expectations were very high. Now would I rate this movie as highly as the original show? Simply put no. Do I think that this movie is better than 90% of the other anime released these last 10 years. Hell yes. I honestly think that while this movie was not perfect, at least it’s trying to do something new. I read some of the reviews before I saw this movie (yeah I know that was stupid of me but hey, we’ve all done it before) and honestly I wasa little worried for the movie. Were my expectations going to be to high? Would this be one of the biggest disappointments of the year? The short answer is no. While this was not as good as the original, it is no where near as bad as a lot of other popular anime’s I’ve seen before. Not to judge. People like what they like and I have no intention of criticizing others for their preferences. However, seeing this anime get a good amount 1’s while other generic rom coms or Shonen anime are pulling 8s and 9s is a little disheartening. More and more anime are being released that follow the same tropes and same story arcs and it’s becoming more rare to see studios take a risk on an anime like this. This movie has more creativity in 10 minutes than 90% of anime have in a whole season. This movie took artistic risks and while they didn’t all pay off, most of them did. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something new. Also good news for anyone else who liked this movie, there is another movie coming out this year. I’m excited to see the direction that this next movie will take and I’ll be sure to see it too.
Sengir
01/17/2025, 12:27 PM
I watched the previous Mononoke anime and it seemed like a wonderful series with an incredible aura. It was captivating, mysterious, serene, intriguing. The main character Kusuriuri was mesmerizing, and the rest of the supporting characters in each story all have their own original looks, personalities and background. This movie has none of that, it's a nonsense, a complete waste of time. The studio in charge of making it isn't the same as before and hasn't understood anything about the magic of the previous work. They thought that putting in lots of colors and constant flashy scenes was enough. All aspects seem much worse to mein comparison. I had to make an effort not to drop the movie before finishing it. To have made such a poor continuation I would have preferred that they did nothing, honestly. I feel that this movie tarnishes the general quality of the series. Also, as an extra detail, they changed the previous seiyuu of the main character Kusuriuri (Takahiro Sakurai) whose previous voice in that character hypnotized you in every sentence. And even without taking that into account, Kusuriuri here seems like a completely different character acting in a way that doesn't match the personality he had before. Now he seems like a quirky random character taken from Naruto filler chapters. Another very negative point from my point of view. The aura is totally lost, this movie is a colorful empty shell.
Daubeny117
01/09/2025, 07:34 PM
If it wasn't for Gankutsuou, Mononoke would be my all-time favourite show. Despite being critically acclaimed, it's still relativelly unknown nowadays (at least in the West, I don't know about Japan) and I don't think ever saw mainstream success purely because of how strange it is, so having a movie made for it a whole 17 years after it first aired is in itself kind of a miracle that I was going to appreciate whether or not it was actually delivered on what it promised. And boy did it deliver. I've seen some people say that it doesn't quite feel like Mononoke, that it istoo modern and lacks the soul of the original, but it may only be their nostalgia speaking, as a someone who first saw the show two years ago and the original Ayakashi episodes last year, I found that the movie very much stayed true to the spirit of Mononoke. Yes, there is a more modern, polished touch, but I think it is very well-balanced with the traditional elements of the show to create something that is fresh and doesn't just recycle the source material but maintains a same soul, a same overall feel. I find that the Mononoke show puts you in a very specific headspace, it's doesn't fit into any category of horror and doesn't quite make you feel like horror does, but it would feel wrong to say that it is not horror, it's something entirely of it's own and the movie captures this perfectly to me. The animation quality and level of detail, which I found was the only thing sometimes lacking in the original (although it was more than made up for by the visual style), is absolutely astonishing here. It feels like the visual aspect of the show, by far it's most striking and probably most masterful part, was amplified in every way. Despite the constant explosion of colours and details, the movie knows when to drawn you in them with overwhelming close shots and fast cuts and when to take it's time and have perfectly composed frames, which makes most of it surprsingly easy to read (if you give the movie your full attention that is, it's still not something you can just watch in the background). The Potion Seller's redesign is very good I think, making him more colourful and detailed is a good choice for a theatrically released movie as since he will be visible on a much bigger screen, his original makeup and overall style would have semmed less intricate and would have lost a bit of the effect that they had in the show. I just regret that his second form isn't golden anymore though. Story wise, it's up to the standards of the other Mononoke arcs. The movie is about the same length as 3 episodes put together, which makes it the same length as an arc of the show, and as a result it is not particularly better nor worse. At least from what I remember of the show. There are two follow-up movies set in the same location announced though, which (in addition to filling me with unfathomable joy) will most likely develop the story introduced here a lot more than what could ever be done in the show. Overall a very good movie, a good addition the the series that also justifies it's individual existence (although it will probably be hard to understand for people that haven't seen the show) by doing all kinds of new things. It delivered perfectly on everything it was supposed to, and even a little bit more.
itikitty
01/05/2025, 12:20 AM
Happy New year ✨ actually it has nothing to do with this review, but colors are very beautifully, scattered and artistic, 7/10 if you like something like this. overall satisfying mystery, plot twist, moral dilemma and a bit of horror, soundtrack that will make you shiver. well 7/10 (for mystery lovers maybe 6/10). a stand-alone movie that can promote a series that has become a legend (perhaps artistically weak in the eyes of a new generation spoiled by high quality at the expense of humanity). try watching this movie no need to be dedicated or think about being elite, just prepare to be surprised 🎉.
pitcher11
01/01/2025, 09:27 AM
The power of lesbianism and kindness, with a hint of magical artifacts. This movie was really cool, the animation never disappointed, and the story was okay for the most part. If you get really picky you will notice some plot holes or you might want to rewatch several times to get the full picture, but honestly? For this type of story, I thought most things were nicely done. It felt a lot like reading a myth, instead of a full developed story. I loved the characters, but I would have loved to see more of the concubines because their designs were so cool. The mononokewas really interesting, because the animation took another route of manifesting the water elements which I appreciate a lot. It was so mesmerizing but also dense, and the music made everything flow intensely.
bakeneko
12/15/2024, 04:21 AM
A Mononoke story that doesn't feel like Mononoke. Often times I find that series that get revived after a long time lose some of their original elements and just feel slightly 'off' because of it. Most often, the element that gets lost to time is atmosphere and in Mononoke's case, that is a key component. This movie definitely suffers from that. The key elements of a Mononoke story are definitely there. The gorgeous art, the subtle horror, the creeping tension, all wrapped in plentiful symbolism and an intriguing mystery. However, in trying to recreate the original's success, some aspects have been cranked up to eleven, andothers have been lost because of it. While the art is certainly as gorgeous as I remember it, it feels like this movie doesn't give the viewer the time to stop, breathe and appreciate it. The pacing is wild and and the same is true of the soundtrack, making me wish for a moment of pensive silence that would allow me to process what I'm watching and for the tension to build properly. In other words, the film suffers from a dire lack of 'empty space'. In Japanese culture, the concept of 'ma' refers to 'an artistic interpretation of an empty space, often holding as much importance as the rest of an artwork and focusing the viewer on the intention of negative space in an art piece'. In art, this empty space is literal; in music it's the pauses between sound; in martial arts, the distance between fighters and in a film, I would say, it would be the more slowly paced scenes between intense action. Some describe 'ma' as an intentional pause that invites contemplation. And this is what this movie lacks severely. I don't know if this is because of the desire to cram as much content as possible in a limited runtime, an attempt at holding the viewer's attention or simply an attempt at celebrating the original series' core elements gone overboard. (A change in scriptwriters might be the most likely cause behind it all.) Whatever it is though, it interferes with the buildup of tension and the film's overall pacing and, at least in my opinion, makes for a distinct difference in tone. Another one of my complaints, albeit a more minor one, is the change in the main character's design. His pre-transformation form didn't bother me as much but I found the decision to change his second form quite baffling. I find the white hair and golden markings to be more striking though this could just be my personal bias speaking (dramatic visual changes without any rhyme or reason have always been my pet peeve). All in all I would describe this film as over-saturated. And yet somehow the lesser in comparison to its predecessors because of it. I would recommend you watch it, if only for the art itself, but I would caution against expecting the same experience as watching the original.
needmorecampari
12/13/2024, 03:35 PM
Sumptuous and mysterious, though I wish the story was a little more taught. Two women enter a ladies-only section of Edo Castle with big plans, but a dark spirit in the walls threatens to upend everything (and dissolve a few folks along the way). As with the original Mononoke series, it's up to the enigmatic medicine seller to investigate the phenomena and defeat the monster. While the visuals were brilliant—perhaps even richer than those from the original series—and the music and voice acting decent, I did feel the tiniest bit let down by the story. The series's stories generally had layers and pathos, but thisone was pretty straightforward. Some threads seemed to be red herrings or were dropped, and the symbolism of the monster's realm seemed to imply some events that just didn't pan out. Will these be resolved in the next film? I don't know. Still, this film is a dazzling and exciting 90 minutes and I rate it highly despite its shortcomings.
archetype18
12/09/2024, 01:13 PM
I remember watching *Mononoke* a few years ago and being completely captivated by its striking visuals and incredible storytelling. Even 17 years later, the series hasn’t lost its charm. The fact that it even got a movie still amazes me, but I’m glad people continue to appreciate thought-provoking, philosophical, and avant-garde anime. I might need to rewatch it sometime—or dive into an analysis—to fully grasp all the ideas conveyed in the movie. It’s always a treat to see our beloved Medicine Seller perform his peculiar, otherworldly rituals. I like how we are able to recognize him, even though we know nothing of his past.Such a mysterious being. Recommended for fans of the series and newcomers as well. Plus, there’s a sequel coming next year! Looking forward to it.
LartuLobe
12/04/2024, 08:25 PM
In the original anime, Form, Truth, and Reasoning was needed to unsheathe Kusuriuri's sword as both a plot element and as a narrative function to unravel the mystery to the viewer. One of the things Mononoke did so well was creating sympathy for the monster; we learn what they are, who they are (or were), and how they came to be. Like all the best ghost stories, behind every mononoke's manifestation was a human tragedy. It's in this that Karakasa disappoints, despite the same form being employed. Lots of plot threads and characters, but nothing that gives substance to the monster itself. "I'm the mononoke, bythe way," wasn't its quote upon appearing in force against Kusuriuri, but it might as well have been. The intention might have been to tell its story in parallel to other certain characters, but the execution was such that it instead felt unrelated; almost like a footnote to a less interesting story. When the heart and substance of the story is lacking, what it has is the beautiful and whimsical art style, backed by movie production values; but not much else. 7, but a biased 7 in favour anything Mononoke. Note - this movie is part of a trilogy set in the same location, from my understanding, so hopefully some of the flaws (if not all) are just those of an incomplete story.
rhoney1313
12/02/2024, 06:44 PM
I loved the original series and had been looking forward to this movie for ages. Sadly, I can only assume that whoever was in charge of it decided that since everyone loved all of the beautiful and artistic scenery, let’s quadruple them and then rapidly flash at least three for every sentence shown in the subtitles. So fast that you can barely keep up with the reading. I had to constantly pause just to read and still ended up with a massive headache and felt dizzy. What an appalling movie, I literally cried with disappointment. It seems I cann’t publishthis without more words, but I really have nothing else to say about this movie.
DarkZebra
11/30/2024, 01:04 PM
So that was fun :) As a big fan of the original series, I went in knowing this would be more of an interpretation rather than a direct continuation, and that mindset really helped me appreciate it for what it was. From the very beginning, it was clear this was a more polished and cinematic take. At one poin at 9:04 I actually gasped. The 3D effects were stunning, and I only wish there had been more scenes like that. It felt fresh and exciting, which I truly appreciated. The level of detail in this film was absolutely insane. However, I did feel the color saturation couldhave been toned down a bit, and the pacing sometimes felt a little too abrupt. Scene transitions often happened so quickly that they created an interesting effect, but it lacked the thoughtful timing and flow that made the original series so memorable. The ending delivered in its own way. While it didn’t hit me quite as deeply as some of the original series finales, it was still very satisfying. As a fan of Kusuriuri’s original design, I found the redesign a bit jarring at first. That said, it wasn’t bad by any means just different. I think it helps with distinguishing the movie from the series. One thing I did miss was the calm and chilling atmosphere of the original. That unique vibe was such a hallmark of the series, and its absence here was a bit disappointing. But hey, you can’t have everything. Despite these critiques, I highly recommend watching this film. The artistry is absolutely on point, and it’s a beautiful, imaginative interpretation that’s worth experiencing.
TheRealRouges
11/29/2024, 07:39 AM
Best anime movie of the year and best anime movie of the decade so far, that's all I have to say, absolute cinema. Gotta thank Netflix for once, finally they publish some good fiction instead of the usual easy watches like the recent iper mega giga success Arcane that catches its audience thanks to quick drama, flashy lights and costly collaborations with famous rock bands (still a pretty decent watch though). The story is a standard story for the Mononoke series, it doesn't surpasses Nue becoming the best tale of the series but gets a close second place, you can feel the tension and the emotions conveyedare portrayed beautifully. Visually is a marvel, they kept the amazing drawing style of the of series enhancing it with incredibly animated action scenes and a more bright use of the colors, the scene in which the main character finally opens the sword and starts fighting gotta be one of the best choreographies in anime in the last few years, on par with the Sukuna vs Mahoraga fight (but with a good plot to pair the incredible set pieces). Musics are really good too, wouldn't call the soundtrack incredible or anything but it paires with the rest perfectly. That's absolutely a must watch for any Mononoke fan and for anyone who cares about actually good pieces of fiction instead of immediate meaningless gratification. We are eating good, in March the second movie comes out, can't wait! Final Score: 9.5/10
niflh
11/28/2024, 06:29 PM
Mononoke the TV series, along with the joining episodes of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, has been, since the late 2000s, my favorite show of all time. It's held a special place in my heart like none other. When I saw a movie was coming, I can't even begin to explain the joy and excitement that overtook me; the painstaking moments of waiting and checking to see if it'd been released yet. I thought, no I *KNEW*, I would love this... Unfortunately, I'd been quite wrong. My adoration for Kusuriuri-san and this series has kept my rating high, but the movie itself, although beautiful, falls short.It is hard to put my finger on, but the art, despite colorful and full of promise, is simply missing some key element of depth or "SOUL" the tv series had. In all its vibrancy, it is somehow still bland. The pacing of the animation is almost painful to watch at times - frequently flickering around from scene to scene at such a rate that you never really appreciate any one thing. The colors, which were once a great selling point, due to the aforementioned repetitive and fast movement, began to do nothing more than hurt my eyes. Kusuriuri-san himself seems to lack a certain elegance and refinement in the movie, and he feels as if a completely different character, from speech to mannerisms - not even considering the change in attire/appearance, which alone I'd consider an aesthetic downgrade. Was it silly for me to want for a movie that was a continuation of the show's original vibe, beauty, excellency, after so long? Maybe so. But as a die hard fan of what it has been all of these years, I simply cannot love what this movie is. I am sure there are many who will disagree, but this feels too much like it was heavy-handedly pushed in a weird and modern direction that completely disregards what made Mononoke so beautiful in the first place. It feels rushed. It doesn't feel like it was made with care. Sorry. Edit: Though I still feel the movie felt 'weak' compared to the tv series, it appears the Kusuriuri-san in the movies is not the same character as in the tv series - which explains quite a bit (I was not aware of this while writing my review).
rossocenere
08/12/2024, 04:30 PM
It’s been years since I’ve watched a movie so meticulously curated, one that left me amazed at every moment. Everything about it was perfect—from the voice acting to the psychological depth of the characters, from the camera work to the aesthetic choices, the direction, and the music (Taku Iwasaki was the composer—like, HELLO?). You name it. You can expect the same exceptional experience delivered in the original TV show, but now in movie format, with 2024 techniques and a solid story filled with intriguing developments and breathtaking visuals. I’m still blown away by the backgrounds. It felt like floating in a museum. Every moment of the moviewas like being immersed in a damn museum. And don’t even get me started on the hinted queerness—add +100 points for that! The Kusuriuri voice actor was Hiroshi Kamiya (Araragi from Monogatari Series, Levi from Attack on Titan...), and I’m pretty sure they also cast Yuki Kaji (Eren from Attack on Titan). For fans of the TV show, you’ll also catch a few references back to it! (At least that’s how I interpreted certain narrative and visual elements.) If you have any questions, shoot! But seriously, get ready for this movie—it’s going to be worth all the hype.
WinterFireworks
07/25/2024, 08:14 PM
A must for Mononoke and Japanese horror fans, this goes without saying. But even if you're new to Mononoke (not to be confused with Princess Mononoke), this movie will be a real trip. Beautiful visuals, amazing soundtrack and cast, interesting plot and characters. You'll find yourself sucked into a world of colour and emotion. Traditional Japanese elements mix with the supernatural and the occult, composing a feast for the eyes and senses. Mononoke Karakasa, just like the TV series Mononoke, travels back in time to the Edo period to follow the steps of the mysterious figure of the Medicine Seller, who is here to fightthe "mononoke", the malevolent spirit that appears and feeds off the feelings and actions of the characters in the story. Karakasa takes place in the Ōoku of Edo Castle, the women's quarters, where the mononoke starts getting stronger thanks to the women's grudges and resentment at having to sacrifice what was important to them in order to perform their duties. To be able to slay the mononoke, the Medicine Seller has to first figure out its Form, Truth and Reason. Strong female presence, friendship, character development and a stronger mononoke than we've seen before that leads to an epic fighting scene, set this movie apart from the original TV series. It is worth a watch or maybe even a rewatch to be able to take in all the elements and symbolism of the story.

Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪唐傘

| Episodes: 1 | Score: 8.0 (6112)

Updated every at | Status: Finished Airing

Type: Movie

Producers:Twin Engine

Synopsis

Voice Actors

Kamiya, Hiroshi

News

Reviews

Northernazzlem
01/20/2025, 05:04 AM
The original TV show is my favorite anime show of all time, so coming into this movie my expectations were very high. Now would I rate this movie as highly as the original show? Simply put no. Do I think that this movie is better than 90% of the other anime released these last 10 years. Hell yes. I honestly think that while this movie was not perfect, at least it’s trying to do something new. I read some of the reviews before I saw this movie (yeah I know that was stupid of me but hey, we’ve all done it before) and honestly I wasa little worried for the movie. Were my expectations going to be to high? Would this be one of the biggest disappointments of the year? The short answer is no. While this was not as good as the original, it is no where near as bad as a lot of other popular anime’s I’ve seen before. Not to judge. People like what they like and I have no intention of criticizing others for their preferences. However, seeing this anime get a good amount 1’s while other generic rom coms or Shonen anime are pulling 8s and 9s is a little disheartening. More and more anime are being released that follow the same tropes and same story arcs and it’s becoming more rare to see studios take a risk on an anime like this. This movie has more creativity in 10 minutes than 90% of anime have in a whole season. This movie took artistic risks and while they didn’t all pay off, most of them did. I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something new. Also good news for anyone else who liked this movie, there is another movie coming out this year. I’m excited to see the direction that this next movie will take and I’ll be sure to see it too.
Sengir
01/17/2025, 12:27 PM
I watched the previous Mononoke anime and it seemed like a wonderful series with an incredible aura. It was captivating, mysterious, serene, intriguing. The main character Kusuriuri was mesmerizing, and the rest of the supporting characters in each story all have their own original looks, personalities and background. This movie has none of that, it's a nonsense, a complete waste of time. The studio in charge of making it isn't the same as before and hasn't understood anything about the magic of the previous work. They thought that putting in lots of colors and constant flashy scenes was enough. All aspects seem much worse to mein comparison. I had to make an effort not to drop the movie before finishing it. To have made such a poor continuation I would have preferred that they did nothing, honestly. I feel that this movie tarnishes the general quality of the series. Also, as an extra detail, they changed the previous seiyuu of the main character Kusuriuri (Takahiro Sakurai) whose previous voice in that character hypnotized you in every sentence. And even without taking that into account, Kusuriuri here seems like a completely different character acting in a way that doesn't match the personality he had before. Now he seems like a quirky random character taken from Naruto filler chapters. Another very negative point from my point of view. The aura is totally lost, this movie is a colorful empty shell.
Daubeny117
01/09/2025, 07:34 PM
If it wasn't for Gankutsuou, Mononoke would be my all-time favourite show. Despite being critically acclaimed, it's still relativelly unknown nowadays (at least in the West, I don't know about Japan) and I don't think ever saw mainstream success purely because of how strange it is, so having a movie made for it a whole 17 years after it first aired is in itself kind of a miracle that I was going to appreciate whether or not it was actually delivered on what it promised. And boy did it deliver. I've seen some people say that it doesn't quite feel like Mononoke, that it istoo modern and lacks the soul of the original, but it may only be their nostalgia speaking, as a someone who first saw the show two years ago and the original Ayakashi episodes last year, I found that the movie very much stayed true to the spirit of Mononoke. Yes, there is a more modern, polished touch, but I think it is very well-balanced with the traditional elements of the show to create something that is fresh and doesn't just recycle the source material but maintains a same soul, a same overall feel. I find that the Mononoke show puts you in a very specific headspace, it's doesn't fit into any category of horror and doesn't quite make you feel like horror does, but it would feel wrong to say that it is not horror, it's something entirely of it's own and the movie captures this perfectly to me. The animation quality and level of detail, which I found was the only thing sometimes lacking in the original (although it was more than made up for by the visual style), is absolutely astonishing here. It feels like the visual aspect of the show, by far it's most striking and probably most masterful part, was amplified in every way. Despite the constant explosion of colours and details, the movie knows when to drawn you in them with overwhelming close shots and fast cuts and when to take it's time and have perfectly composed frames, which makes most of it surprsingly easy to read (if you give the movie your full attention that is, it's still not something you can just watch in the background). The Potion Seller's redesign is very good I think, making him more colourful and detailed is a good choice for a theatrically released movie as since he will be visible on a much bigger screen, his original makeup and overall style would have semmed less intricate and would have lost a bit of the effect that they had in the show. I just regret that his second form isn't golden anymore though. Story wise, it's up to the standards of the other Mononoke arcs. The movie is about the same length as 3 episodes put together, which makes it the same length as an arc of the show, and as a result it is not particularly better nor worse. At least from what I remember of the show. There are two follow-up movies set in the same location announced though, which (in addition to filling me with unfathomable joy) will most likely develop the story introduced here a lot more than what could ever be done in the show. Overall a very good movie, a good addition the the series that also justifies it's individual existence (although it will probably be hard to understand for people that haven't seen the show) by doing all kinds of new things. It delivered perfectly on everything it was supposed to, and even a little bit more.
itikitty
01/05/2025, 12:20 AM
Happy New year ✨ actually it has nothing to do with this review, but colors are very beautifully, scattered and artistic, 7/10 if you like something like this. overall satisfying mystery, plot twist, moral dilemma and a bit of horror, soundtrack that will make you shiver. well 7/10 (for mystery lovers maybe 6/10). a stand-alone movie that can promote a series that has become a legend (perhaps artistically weak in the eyes of a new generation spoiled by high quality at the expense of humanity). try watching this movie no need to be dedicated or think about being elite, just prepare to be surprised 🎉.
pitcher11
01/01/2025, 09:27 AM
The power of lesbianism and kindness, with a hint of magical artifacts. This movie was really cool, the animation never disappointed, and the story was okay for the most part. If you get really picky you will notice some plot holes or you might want to rewatch several times to get the full picture, but honestly? For this type of story, I thought most things were nicely done. It felt a lot like reading a myth, instead of a full developed story. I loved the characters, but I would have loved to see more of the concubines because their designs were so cool. The mononokewas really interesting, because the animation took another route of manifesting the water elements which I appreciate a lot. It was so mesmerizing but also dense, and the music made everything flow intensely.
bakeneko
12/15/2024, 04:21 AM
A Mononoke story that doesn't feel like Mononoke. Often times I find that series that get revived after a long time lose some of their original elements and just feel slightly 'off' because of it. Most often, the element that gets lost to time is atmosphere and in Mononoke's case, that is a key component. This movie definitely suffers from that. The key elements of a Mononoke story are definitely there. The gorgeous art, the subtle horror, the creeping tension, all wrapped in plentiful symbolism and an intriguing mystery. However, in trying to recreate the original's success, some aspects have been cranked up to eleven, andothers have been lost because of it. While the art is certainly as gorgeous as I remember it, it feels like this movie doesn't give the viewer the time to stop, breathe and appreciate it. The pacing is wild and and the same is true of the soundtrack, making me wish for a moment of pensive silence that would allow me to process what I'm watching and for the tension to build properly. In other words, the film suffers from a dire lack of 'empty space'. In Japanese culture, the concept of 'ma' refers to 'an artistic interpretation of an empty space, often holding as much importance as the rest of an artwork and focusing the viewer on the intention of negative space in an art piece'. In art, this empty space is literal; in music it's the pauses between sound; in martial arts, the distance between fighters and in a film, I would say, it would be the more slowly paced scenes between intense action. Some describe 'ma' as an intentional pause that invites contemplation. And this is what this movie lacks severely. I don't know if this is because of the desire to cram as much content as possible in a limited runtime, an attempt at holding the viewer's attention or simply an attempt at celebrating the original series' core elements gone overboard. (A change in scriptwriters might be the most likely cause behind it all.) Whatever it is though, it interferes with the buildup of tension and the film's overall pacing and, at least in my opinion, makes for a distinct difference in tone. Another one of my complaints, albeit a more minor one, is the change in the main character's design. His pre-transformation form didn't bother me as much but I found the decision to change his second form quite baffling. I find the white hair and golden markings to be more striking though this could just be my personal bias speaking (dramatic visual changes without any rhyme or reason have always been my pet peeve). All in all I would describe this film as over-saturated. And yet somehow the lesser in comparison to its predecessors because of it. I would recommend you watch it, if only for the art itself, but I would caution against expecting the same experience as watching the original.
needmorecampari
12/13/2024, 03:35 PM
Sumptuous and mysterious, though I wish the story was a little more taught. Two women enter a ladies-only section of Edo Castle with big plans, but a dark spirit in the walls threatens to upend everything (and dissolve a few folks along the way). As with the original Mononoke series, it's up to the enigmatic medicine seller to investigate the phenomena and defeat the monster. While the visuals were brilliant—perhaps even richer than those from the original series—and the music and voice acting decent, I did feel the tiniest bit let down by the story. The series's stories generally had layers and pathos, but thisone was pretty straightforward. Some threads seemed to be red herrings or were dropped, and the symbolism of the monster's realm seemed to imply some events that just didn't pan out. Will these be resolved in the next film? I don't know. Still, this film is a dazzling and exciting 90 minutes and I rate it highly despite its shortcomings.
archetype18
12/09/2024, 01:13 PM
I remember watching *Mononoke* a few years ago and being completely captivated by its striking visuals and incredible storytelling. Even 17 years later, the series hasn’t lost its charm. The fact that it even got a movie still amazes me, but I’m glad people continue to appreciate thought-provoking, philosophical, and avant-garde anime. I might need to rewatch it sometime—or dive into an analysis—to fully grasp all the ideas conveyed in the movie. It’s always a treat to see our beloved Medicine Seller perform his peculiar, otherworldly rituals. I like how we are able to recognize him, even though we know nothing of his past.Such a mysterious being. Recommended for fans of the series and newcomers as well. Plus, there’s a sequel coming next year! Looking forward to it.
LartuLobe
12/04/2024, 08:25 PM
In the original anime, Form, Truth, and Reasoning was needed to unsheathe Kusuriuri's sword as both a plot element and as a narrative function to unravel the mystery to the viewer. One of the things Mononoke did so well was creating sympathy for the monster; we learn what they are, who they are (or were), and how they came to be. Like all the best ghost stories, behind every mononoke's manifestation was a human tragedy. It's in this that Karakasa disappoints, despite the same form being employed. Lots of plot threads and characters, but nothing that gives substance to the monster itself. "I'm the mononoke, bythe way," wasn't its quote upon appearing in force against Kusuriuri, but it might as well have been. The intention might have been to tell its story in parallel to other certain characters, but the execution was such that it instead felt unrelated; almost like a footnote to a less interesting story. When the heart and substance of the story is lacking, what it has is the beautiful and whimsical art style, backed by movie production values; but not much else. 7, but a biased 7 in favour anything Mononoke. Note - this movie is part of a trilogy set in the same location, from my understanding, so hopefully some of the flaws (if not all) are just those of an incomplete story.
rhoney1313
12/02/2024, 06:44 PM
I loved the original series and had been looking forward to this movie for ages. Sadly, I can only assume that whoever was in charge of it decided that since everyone loved all of the beautiful and artistic scenery, let’s quadruple them and then rapidly flash at least three for every sentence shown in the subtitles. So fast that you can barely keep up with the reading. I had to constantly pause just to read and still ended up with a massive headache and felt dizzy. What an appalling movie, I literally cried with disappointment. It seems I cann’t publishthis without more words, but I really have nothing else to say about this movie.
DarkZebra
11/30/2024, 01:04 PM
So that was fun :) As a big fan of the original series, I went in knowing this would be more of an interpretation rather than a direct continuation, and that mindset really helped me appreciate it for what it was. From the very beginning, it was clear this was a more polished and cinematic take. At one poin at 9:04 I actually gasped. The 3D effects were stunning, and I only wish there had been more scenes like that. It felt fresh and exciting, which I truly appreciated. The level of detail in this film was absolutely insane. However, I did feel the color saturation couldhave been toned down a bit, and the pacing sometimes felt a little too abrupt. Scene transitions often happened so quickly that they created an interesting effect, but it lacked the thoughtful timing and flow that made the original series so memorable. The ending delivered in its own way. While it didn’t hit me quite as deeply as some of the original series finales, it was still very satisfying. As a fan of Kusuriuri’s original design, I found the redesign a bit jarring at first. That said, it wasn’t bad by any means just different. I think it helps with distinguishing the movie from the series. One thing I did miss was the calm and chilling atmosphere of the original. That unique vibe was such a hallmark of the series, and its absence here was a bit disappointing. But hey, you can’t have everything. Despite these critiques, I highly recommend watching this film. The artistry is absolutely on point, and it’s a beautiful, imaginative interpretation that’s worth experiencing.
TheRealRouges
11/29/2024, 07:39 AM
Best anime movie of the year and best anime movie of the decade so far, that's all I have to say, absolute cinema. Gotta thank Netflix for once, finally they publish some good fiction instead of the usual easy watches like the recent iper mega giga success Arcane that catches its audience thanks to quick drama, flashy lights and costly collaborations with famous rock bands (still a pretty decent watch though). The story is a standard story for the Mononoke series, it doesn't surpasses Nue becoming the best tale of the series but gets a close second place, you can feel the tension and the emotions conveyedare portrayed beautifully. Visually is a marvel, they kept the amazing drawing style of the of series enhancing it with incredibly animated action scenes and a more bright use of the colors, the scene in which the main character finally opens the sword and starts fighting gotta be one of the best choreographies in anime in the last few years, on par with the Sukuna vs Mahoraga fight (but with a good plot to pair the incredible set pieces). Musics are really good too, wouldn't call the soundtrack incredible or anything but it paires with the rest perfectly. That's absolutely a must watch for any Mononoke fan and for anyone who cares about actually good pieces of fiction instead of immediate meaningless gratification. We are eating good, in March the second movie comes out, can't wait! Final Score: 9.5/10
niflh
11/28/2024, 06:29 PM
Mononoke the TV series, along with the joining episodes of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, has been, since the late 2000s, my favorite show of all time. It's held a special place in my heart like none other. When I saw a movie was coming, I can't even begin to explain the joy and excitement that overtook me; the painstaking moments of waiting and checking to see if it'd been released yet. I thought, no I *KNEW*, I would love this... Unfortunately, I'd been quite wrong. My adoration for Kusuriuri-san and this series has kept my rating high, but the movie itself, although beautiful, falls short.It is hard to put my finger on, but the art, despite colorful and full of promise, is simply missing some key element of depth or "SOUL" the tv series had. In all its vibrancy, it is somehow still bland. The pacing of the animation is almost painful to watch at times - frequently flickering around from scene to scene at such a rate that you never really appreciate any one thing. The colors, which were once a great selling point, due to the aforementioned repetitive and fast movement, began to do nothing more than hurt my eyes. Kusuriuri-san himself seems to lack a certain elegance and refinement in the movie, and he feels as if a completely different character, from speech to mannerisms - not even considering the change in attire/appearance, which alone I'd consider an aesthetic downgrade. Was it silly for me to want for a movie that was a continuation of the show's original vibe, beauty, excellency, after so long? Maybe so. But as a die hard fan of what it has been all of these years, I simply cannot love what this movie is. I am sure there are many who will disagree, but this feels too much like it was heavy-handedly pushed in a weird and modern direction that completely disregards what made Mononoke so beautiful in the first place. It feels rushed. It doesn't feel like it was made with care. Sorry. Edit: Though I still feel the movie felt 'weak' compared to the tv series, it appears the Kusuriuri-san in the movies is not the same character as in the tv series - which explains quite a bit (I was not aware of this while writing my review).
rossocenere
08/12/2024, 04:30 PM
It’s been years since I’ve watched a movie so meticulously curated, one that left me amazed at every moment. Everything about it was perfect—from the voice acting to the psychological depth of the characters, from the camera work to the aesthetic choices, the direction, and the music (Taku Iwasaki was the composer—like, HELLO?). You name it. You can expect the same exceptional experience delivered in the original TV show, but now in movie format, with 2024 techniques and a solid story filled with intriguing developments and breathtaking visuals. I’m still blown away by the backgrounds. It felt like floating in a museum. Every moment of the moviewas like being immersed in a damn museum. And don’t even get me started on the hinted queerness—add +100 points for that! The Kusuriuri voice actor was Hiroshi Kamiya (Araragi from Monogatari Series, Levi from Attack on Titan...), and I’m pretty sure they also cast Yuki Kaji (Eren from Attack on Titan). For fans of the TV show, you’ll also catch a few references back to it! (At least that’s how I interpreted certain narrative and visual elements.) If you have any questions, shoot! But seriously, get ready for this movie—it’s going to be worth all the hype.
WinterFireworks
07/25/2024, 08:14 PM
A must for Mononoke and Japanese horror fans, this goes without saying. But even if you're new to Mononoke (not to be confused with Princess Mononoke), this movie will be a real trip. Beautiful visuals, amazing soundtrack and cast, interesting plot and characters. You'll find yourself sucked into a world of colour and emotion. Traditional Japanese elements mix with the supernatural and the occult, composing a feast for the eyes and senses. Mononoke Karakasa, just like the TV series Mononoke, travels back in time to the Edo period to follow the steps of the mysterious figure of the Medicine Seller, who is here to fightthe "mononoke", the malevolent spirit that appears and feeds off the feelings and actions of the characters in the story. Karakasa takes place in the Ōoku of Edo Castle, the women's quarters, where the mononoke starts getting stronger thanks to the women's grudges and resentment at having to sacrifice what was important to them in order to perform their duties. To be able to slay the mononoke, the Medicine Seller has to first figure out its Form, Truth and Reason. Strong female presence, friendship, character development and a stronger mononoke than we've seen before that leads to an epic fighting scene, set this movie apart from the original TV series. It is worth a watch or maybe even a rewatch to be able to take in all the elements and symbolism of the story.

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Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪唐傘

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Sequel in Production [Update 7/28]

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Reveals Supporting Cast, Theme Song, Trailer

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Unveils Additional Cast, Second Trailer, July 26 Premiere

'Mononoke' Movie Unveils Main Cast, Staff, Trailer, Summer 2024 Opening

'Mononoke' Anime Commemorates 15th Anniversary with Movie

Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪 唐傘

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Sequel in Production [Update 7/28]

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Reveals Supporting Cast, Theme Song, Trailer

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Unveils Additional Cast, Second Trailer, July 26 Premiere

'Mononoke' Movie Unveils Main Cast, Staff, Trailer, Summer 2024 Opening

'Mononoke' Anime Commemorates 15th Anniversary with Movie

Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪 唐傘

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Sequel in Production [Update 7/28]

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Reveals Supporting Cast, Theme Song, Trailer

'Mononoke: Karakasa' Movie Unveils Additional Cast, Second Trailer, July 26 Premiere

'Mononoke' Movie Unveils Main Cast, Staff, Trailer, Summer 2024 Opening

'Mononoke' Anime Commemorates 15th Anniversary with Movie

Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪唐傘

Mononoke Movie: Karakasa 劇場版モノノ怪唐傘