I thoroughly enjoyed Princess Mononoke. Although a long film, it was visual pleasing as well as a complex and actually very interesting story. A lot of the potential keywords to analyze I could explain from the film itself, but the two I will be focusing on are gods and environmentalism.
Gods
Gods were an incredible symbol in the story. The three Gods we are aware of were Shishigami, Moro and Okkoto. These Gods were deemed their title by their power and what seemed as wisdom compared to those around them and in their specific species (if applicable). For example Okkoto was the only one in the hog clan that was able to speak, as his appearance also struck differently than others. These are seemed as the rulers and the most powerful creatures of the universe that the film takes place in. These Gods also could hold special powers, hence why Ashitaka thought he would be saved from his curse by Shishigami and seeked the help. These powers could range from controlling life or death (Shishigami) or even holding strong wisdom and power (as it seemed through smell) of the blind Okkoto.
But, just because these creatures were deemed as Gods, it does not mean that they were indestructible (compared to how the term “God” is viewed in possibly other films or in real life as in religion or mythology). Typically, Gods would fight one another and their people would suffer, but in this case, the humans and creatures could fight one another and the Gods. Okkoto, for example, being slain in battle and becoming a demon. Moro, also weakened, to then have their soul taken by Shishisgami (yet the head of a wolf still worked to take the arm of Lady Eboshi). And Shishigami, who was shot by Eboshi and therefore started the rampage that almost destroyed all life. Not a direct quote from the film, but as Eboshi stated several times in several ways, Gods can be killed, it just takes a extra to finish the job.
Environmentalism
Environmentalism was also a grand idea (and also theme) in the film. We already begin the film being introduced to the demon (that originally was Nago-no-Mori) in which also caused the curse on Ashitaka. As the demon ran through the land (also at the end when Okkoto became a demon) it destroyed the land symbolizing evil destroying the land. Lady Eboshi was the “ruler/savior” of Irontown (which off the bat is a symbol for capitalism and destroying the environment in my own opinion). Yet, her own selfishness was to kill Shishigami and that is a huge symbol for her blindness leading to her own consequences. Therefore, once Shishigami lost his head, his spirit began to take over the entirety of the land, the foerst spirits died and so did all the life around it. We know Shishigami was (not only by the idea of life and death / nature) but by how flowers and grass grew around his footsteps when he was not in his nightcrawling form.
The reason this is a symbol is not only because of Eboshi’s blindness, but becasue the humans as a whole caused the own destruction of the environment, including their town. When Ashitaka warned Eboshi that the Samurais were attacking the town, her own home, she did not care and continued her mission. Rather than working with Okkoto and Moro and the other creatures, a foolish war began instead. This can tie into the keyword of coexistence as well. Eboshi has a desire: money. Her heroism capitvated her people as she wanted to take the forest and mountains for herself, representing very closely to humans today and our own world/issues, and therefore the anime captures that perfectly.
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