- Name two aspects of Princess Mononoke which you feel are particularly successful (or not), and explain how and why they work (or don’t). Use one full paragraph for each. Try to focus on aspects that might be particular to anime if you can.
The artwork in the movie was really appealing. It was soft and smooth and the pallet was not as harsh as most animes. I really think the artists and animators did a really good job of fluidly making the scenes and transitioning from one aspect to the next. I think the way the scenes were drawn out reflect the storyline. The art itself wasn’t too bold and really showed the plot without having to say it. I guess what I’m trying to say is the artwork reflected how the storyline and plot were telling us between the peace and war between the different people and animal tribes.
The other aspect I found successful was the fact the women in Iron Town were held in high regard. For me it was like the time in Sparta. The fact that Lady Eboshi brought them into her town and taught them how to defend themselves really resonates with me. Lady Eboshi wasn’t the best character in the movie but the way she treated her people showed she did have some kindness in her and that she was capable of love. I don’t approve of her actions when it came to destroying the forest and killing the animals but she cared for her women and people.
- Reflect on the Princess Mononoke analysis. List two techniques or choices that you would consider using in your own anime story. Explain how they work and why they interest you. Two short paragraphs.
One technique I’d consider using in my own story is revealing a character in the smallest moments. Like with Ashitaka, he reveals what kind of person he is in certain moments during the film. I think doing something like that in a story really helps show how someone, not even a main character, can really be. I might try using this technique on an antagonist. An antagonist can have several levels to them, maybe even more than a protagonist. Peeling back those layers at pivotal moments in a story can really help the audience see why they do what they do and who they really are.
A second technique I could use is plot points are meant to be fluid. I think it’s really important for the plot to move along fluidly and not be choppy. If a plot isn’t clear to the audience, the whole storyline can be lost and confusing. In my own story I’ll make sure the plot moves along smoothly and the audience can follow it. The plot in Princess Mononoke was very smooth and easy to follow. The point was Prince Ashitaka was meant to travel west for a cure to his curse. A secondary plot told us the people in the land and Iron Town were destroying the forest and the animals were plotting to stop them.
- What parallels do you see if any between the “war” in Princess Mononoke and in our own country at the moment. Does the film offer any advice that might be helpful to us?
One parallel I saw between Princess Mononoke and our own country was the fact other people were trying to take the iron from Iron Town and in our world, the U.S is trying to take oil from other countries. For years the U.S has been trying to take oil from the Middle East by any means necessary. I can see the resemblance with Lord Asano as the U.S and Iron Town as the Middle East.
You must be logged in to post a comment.