Review
Studio Ghibli is one of the most recognizable names in animation, if not entertainment as a whole. For decades, the titan of the anime industry has delivered films enjoyed by audiences of all ages, quite a few of which are now commonly regarded as classics. Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary director behind titles like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and many more, is one of the most influential creators of the modern age, and though the studio’s work is commonly seen as targeted towards younger audiences, they’ve never shied away from darker themes.
The 1988 war film, Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Ghibli, is infamous for its devastating portrayal of World War II Japan, but 1997’s Princess Mononoke is arguably as dark as the studio and Hayao Miyazaki have gotten with a fantasy tale. The film doesn’t hold back in its depictions of violence and heavy environmental themes, and it would be somewhat difficult to label it as a movie for children. Still, the inspiration behind Princess Mononoke is darker than anyone might expect.
Hayao Miyazaki Felt He Couldn't Go Back and Make a "Film like Kiki's Delivery Service"
Real-Life War Inspired the Darker Princess Mononoke
In a 2011 interview with Empire, Hayao Miyazaki recounted his work with Ghibli, and gave little bits of insight into the creation of each of his films. During the production of Porco Rosso, a movie over which Miyazaki is somewhat torn about having made something for himself rather than children, the real-life Yugoslavia Wars influenced him to include conflict in his film. The now-famous line spoken by Marco, «I’d rather be a pig than a fascist», originated from Porco Rosso, and proves the director might have missed his intended audience.
However, his -up, Princess Mononoke, wasn’t exactly fully kid-friendly either, and that’s something Miyazaki recognized, saying, «When I finished, I didn’t understand it: ‘What did I make?!'» Like during the production of Porco Rosso, The Yugoslavia Wars left a significant impact on the director, and he felt that couldn’t go back to making such lighthearted work.
He said, «The war happened, and I learned that mankind doesn’t learn… It felt like children were being born to this world without being blessed. How could we pretend to them that we’re happy?» The dark and violent Princess Mononoke reflects this unhappiness, while telling a story about the relationship between humanity and nature, and the dangers of greed.
Miyazaki continued, adding, «At first I decided, ‘This is something children shouldn’t see,’ but in the end I realized, ‘No, this is something that children must see,’ because adults, they didn’t get it — children understood it.»
Princess Mononoke Remains One of Studio Ghibli's Most Successful Films
When Princess Mononoke was released in theaters in 1997, it became the highest-grossing Japanese film in history. It has since been surpassed by a number of other anime productions, including Miyazaki’s own Spirited Away, which remains the third-highest today. However, the film’s lasting success cannot be understated, and lends to the argument that some of life’s harsh realities shouldn’t be withheld from children’s entertainment. A recent IMAX release of Princess Mononoke in U.S. theaters shattered the film’s original American box office performance.
Studio Ghibli is one of the most famous and successful animation studios in the world, and though its movies are typically aimed at a younger audience, their willingness to dive into darker subjects has only added to their sparkling reputation. GKIDS’ Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 offers U.S. audiences the chance to watch their favorite Ghibli titles in theaters this summer, and longtime fans might find it worthwhile to check out a few of them with more mature, older eyes.
Source: Empire
In this epic animated fantasy by Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke explores the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans who consume its resources. The story s Ashitaka, a young warrior inflicted with a deadly curse, as he navigates a battle that pits the industrialized human society against the gods of the forest, alongside San, a fierce girl raised by wolves.
