Mononoke

This show is similar to Mushi-shi in many ways. Like Mushi-shi, it is structured as a collection of short stories, each with its own characters, settings, and ideas. A medicine seller travels the land in search of mononoke to defeat, which are demons born from human hate, regret, and sorrow---the darkest recesses of the human heart. Each storyline, which consists of either two or three episodes per story, play out like a detective story. The demon slayer must figure out three things before he can draw his sword and defeat each mononoke. He must know the Form, the Truth, and the Reason; that is, he must know its appearance, the truth of why it came to exist, and the reason it has a grudge against certain people.

This show delves into the deepest and darkest recesses of the human heart. Each demon is born because of some horrific injustice or evil action committed by people against others. It does not shy away from delving deeply into dark topics; it does not shy away from confronting the evil which resides in every heart. The story's narrative never takes away responsibility from the sinners, who either meet horrible ends or are forced to live on with their guilt (which is so refreshing in this age of blaming others for our own mistakes). I particularly like how sinful actions have consequences not just for the sinner, but for those around them as well, creating a never-ending cycle of perpetrators and victims. There are so many deep and profound messages in this show.

Note on the Style: The style is supposed to resemble kabuki and noh theatre, which often feature gaudy colors, crazy masks, and wild make-up with specific symbolism attached to each. I love the beautiful detail in the show.

Mononoke, an anime series that delves into the world of spirits and supernatural occurrences, presents viewers with visually stunning artistry and intriguing stories. While the show boasts a unique visual style and captivating narratives, its lack of consistency and occasional pacing issues hinder its overall impact.

One of the standout aspects of Mononoke is its breathtaking visual presentation. The series features a distinctive art style that combines intricate and detailed traditional Japanese aesthetics with vibrant colors and bold designs. Each episode is a visual feast, with the artistry bringing the spirit-filled world to life in a visually striking manner. The attention to detail and the creative use of visual elements contribute to the series' overall allure.

Furthermore, Mononoke weaves together episodic stories that explore different supernatural phenomena and the interactions between humans and spirits. The narratives often delve into complex themes, including guilt, regret, and the consequences of human actions. The series excels in presenting thought-provoking scenarios and exploring the psychological aspects of the characters' experiences. These intriguing storylines add depth and substance to the series, providing moments of reflection and introspection.

However, Mononoke suffers from inconsistency, particularly in its pacing and storytelling. While some episodes are tightly paced, filled with suspense and tension, others tend to drag on, lacking the necessary momentum to fully engage the audience. The varying quality of the individual story arcs can lead to an uneven viewing experience, with moments of brilliance interspersed with more lackluster episodes. This inconsistency hampers the series' ability to maintain a consistent level of engagement throughout its run.

Additionally, Mononoke's storytelling style, while unique, may not resonate with all viewers. The deliberate pacing, fragmented narratives, and reliance on symbolic imagery can be challenging to follow at times. The series expects viewers to piece together the puzzle-like structure of each story, which can result in a sense of detachment and confusion. While this approach may appeal to those who enjoy deciphering symbolism and exploring non-linear storytelling, it may alienate viewers seeking a more straightforward narrative experience.

Character development in Mononoke is often minimal. The focus is primarily on the individual stories and the spirits encountered, leaving little room for significant character growth or depth. While the enigmatic protagonist known as the "Medicine Seller" is intriguing, his stoic nature and mysterious background can create a barrier to forming strong emotional connections with the audience.

In conclusion, Mononoke presents a visually stunning and intellectually engaging series that explores supernatural phenomena and psychological themes. Its unique art style and intriguing narratives provide moments of brilliance and thought-provoking storytelling. However, the lack of consistency in pacing and storytelling, along with the sometimes challenging narrative style, detract from the overall viewing experience. While it may appeal to fans of atmospheric and symbolic storytelling, Mononoke may not fully satisfy viewers seeking a more consistent and emotionally resonant anime series.

I found this show by pure chance. I took a chance with something that was completely unknown to me, having seen or heard nothing about it, just watching it on the recommendation of someone.

That's exactly how a show like this should be enjoyed, with no expectations for the purest kind of viewing. I recommend you do it too, though you might've already been influenced by the reviews here.

It's not for no reason that this show was voted the studio's most beloved show of all time. That vote has lead to the studio now making a new story for it, to be released in 2023. Hopefully there'll be a re-release so I can buy it!

Still, here is my review!

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I can understand if people don't find this one particularly interesting as it will require some patience to watch. You will not be blown away by non-stop action, but be required to actually pay attention to what's going on. The art style might be a turn-off for some, while evidently (and to me as well) one of the biggest draws of this particular show.

Through the viewing of this show you are given visual hints as through the strange art style, the actions of the characters and the dialogue, hints that during your first viewing you may not pick up on. Some of them are even red herrings to mislead you to the wrong conclussion. But eventually, more and more things are revealed in twists and turns until the climax of each story arc where the truth of each case is revealed.

My favorite one is the second story arc, Umibozu. It really takes you for a ride and has some stunning visuals.

So if you're not willing to sit down and enjoy the visuals, the excellent drama, the interesting characters and the twists of a who-dun-it mystery I suspect this might bore you. I'm sure there's some Shounen show out there that'll fit you better, one that doesn't require your brain to function.

I love Japanese anime, I'm a 74 year old grandma and a big Ghibli studio fan! What brought me here is the title "Mononoke" which I found out has nothing to do with " Princess Mononoke" by Ghibli studios lol! I was intrigued by the colours and detailed art at first and kept watching! Truly I don't know why I still keep watching but I started it and now I want to know what is happening! I love everything Japanese and this very colourful art nouveau style anime show just got me hooked!

The details in the anime are simply amazing, the colours beautiful and I get to learn a bit more about Japanese culture!

This is not your average anime, it has an art concept based and the ancient paints that Japan is famous for.

Mononoke follows a wandering, nameless character known only as the "Medicine Seller" (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai). The series is made up of individual chapters in which the medicine seller encounters, combats and subsequently destroys mononoke. The "mononoke" are a type of ayakashi, unnatural spirits that linger in the human world. The Medicine Seller always proceeds in the same manner, using his knowledge of the supernatural to fend off the mononoke until he can learn the spirit's shape (Katachi), truth (Makoto) and reasoning (Kotowari).

The opening track is "Kagen no Tsuki" by Komatsu Ryouta and Charlie Kousei and the ending is "Natsu no Hana" by JUJU.

In a personal note, the stories are more mysterious than scary, there was two stories that were actually kind of scary to me. It really deserves more recognition in the anime world.