Mononoke

The "Medicine Seller" is a deadly and mysterious master of the occult who travels across feudal Japan in search of malevolent spirits called "mononoke" to slay. When he locates one of these spirits, he cannot simply kill it; he must first learn its Form, its Truth, and its Reason in order to wield the mighty Exorcism Sword and fight against it. He must begin his strange exorcisms with intense psychological analysis and careful investigative work—an extremely dangerous step, as he must first confront and learn about the mononoke before he even has the means to defeat it.

The Medicine Seller's journey leads him to an old-fashioned inn where Shino, a pregnant woman, has finally found a place to rest. The owner has reluctantly placed her in the last vacant room; however, as she settles in, it quickly becomes clear that the room is infested by a lethal band of mononoke, the Zashiki Warashi. With his hunter's intuition, the Medicine Seller begins his investigation to discover the Form, the Truth, and the Reason before the Zashiki Warashi can kill again.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kusuriuri Main

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Man in Fox Mask Supporting

Midorikawa, Hikaru Japanese

Kayo Supporting

Yukana Japanese

Umizatou Supporting

Wakamoto, Norio Japanese

Ochou Supporting

Kuwashima, Houko Japanese

Shino Supporting

Tanaka, Rie Japanese

Yanagi, Genyousai Supporting

Seki, Tomokazu Japanese

Genkei Supporting

Nakao, Ryusei Japanese

Ichikawa, Setsuko Supporting

Orikasa, Fumiko Japanese

Sougen Supporting

Namikawa, Daisuke Japanese

Shibata, Hiroaki Producer

Umezawa, Atsutoshi Producer, Storyboard

Takeeda, Yoshinori Assistant Producer

Nakamura, Kenji Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jan 26, 2025

Cynthesia

Recommended

If I could use only a single anime to convince someone that this is truly a respectable artistic medium, Mononoke would be my choice. Every scene is crafted with a remarkable level of detail and intention. There is no action, sound, or character without purpose. This all blends together into a completely unified experience. The world of Mononoke is truly alive and will pull you into its brutal tales of sin, whether you like it or not.

Nothing looks like Mononoke, likely because attempting to achieve its level of intricate detail would be an overwhelming task. At first glance, the show resembles a Japanese painting more ... than an animated series. Most of the movement, or animation, happens in the background rather than with the characters themselves. When characters do move, it is either a deliberate choice or a reaction to a state of panic. This is not due to a lack of ability but rather another intentional decision. For the most part, the characters remain still. In the secular world, nothing significant happens to them aside from the scrutiny of the Kusuriuri. However, when we are allowed a glimpse into their minds, we witness their self-imposed hell, tearing them apart with acts of cosmic horror, breaking them down until they are left as hollow shells.

The show’s perspective is deeply unsettling. Even before their interior worlds become distorted, the angles at which scenes are drawn make the characters feel trapped in their environment. In the first arc, a pregnant woman is taken to a room on the top floor, and the stairs are depicted as an endlessly repeating spiral. In the second arc, the ship is often shown from below, looking up. Despite the ship being designed to be highly vertical (as revealed in exterior shots), the stairs and walls enclose and obstruct your view, creating a sense of confinement. It all looks breathtakingly beautiful, yet it evokes a feeling that something is fundamentally wrong. As the characters deteriorate, the background becomes increasingly abstract and distorted, its movement intensifying. The more something moves, the less stable it appears.

Mononoke’s aesthetic does not stop at its visuals—it also boasts incredible sound design. Everything has a sound—everything. This adds more to the experience than one might expect. Everyday noises like footsteps or rain, which may seem like mere ambiance, build a subconscious relationship with the environment. Just as the sounds of normalcy are emphasized, so too are the sounds of distortion. The viewer is subjected to the noises of the characters’ internal torment just as much as the sounds of normalcy, enhancing the immersive potential. The voice acting is equally impressive. As the show progresses through time, ending many eras ahead of where it began, the characters’ speech adapts. Early on, they speak slower and with more formality, while later, their dialogue becomes faster and less intentional—a subtle but effective touch. The Kusuriuri, as an ancient and spiritually significant figure, never abandons his authoritative manner of speech. This makes him seem perpetually out of place, a quality even younger characters comment on as pretentious.

Events in this show often unfold through the manipulation of the environment rather than the actions of the characters. Scenes frequently employ quick cuts, and characters are moved in and out of the world in seconds at the whim of the editor. The viewer is taken in and out of reality on a dime, which could be frustrating if not executed with such precision. Mononoke thrives on subversion. It may delve into the vast internal experiences of three characters before suddenly shifting to the mundane external experience of a fourth. Sound is added and removed abruptly, disorienting the viewer and unsettling their perception. This serves as a reminder that what the characters experience is entirely self-imposed—a form of internal repentance for sins only they are aware of.

The Kusuriuri serves as our guide through this world—a man of deep mystery who speaks slowly and with authority. He is almost unsettling, especially as we are taken further into modern times with each arc. We know as little about him as the other characters do, yet his composure provides a sense of stability as the world crumbles around him. He seems divine, though even men of religious sects pale in comparison to his purity. In the rare moments we glimpse his internal world, we see that there is nothing within him except himself. Does this make him an empty being or one without sin? It is up to the viewer to decide. While he might be viewed as an omnipotent spiritual entity, it is important to note that he does not know all; he merely seeks to learn and rectify what is unjust. To me, he is more of a spiritual medium than a strictly divine figure—perhaps sent by the divine to dispel sin, but not possessing the nature of a god. At times, he behaves almost human, particularly in the third arc, where he appears confused and unsettled by the nature of its Mononoke. He is the one mystery left unsolved, perhaps because he has nothing to hide.

Mononoke is a slow, deliberate experience—a true arthouse production that demands respect. It undeniably transcends and redefines the expectations of the anime industry, showcasing the untapped potential for artistic expression. Expecting other shows to achieve this level of quality is unreasonable; it requires an extraordinary attention to detail and an experimental precision that is simply unfeasible in the weekly anime market. This is art.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Cynthesia (9)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Jan 15, 2025

ThalesSV

Recommended

PT-BR and ENG review

PT-BR
De forma literal, encaixamos Mononoke como uma história de suspense e mistério, porém, ele evoca muitas coisas mais por sua fantástica unidade estilistica. A forma que o faz é uma peça de teatro, que de maneira sublime, cresce até tornar-se uma fantástica resolução. Mesmo permeada por questões religiosas, onde não tenho conhecimento, é exímio, sempre sendo preciso na construção e expansão da narrativa.
Os contos separadamente mostram uma unidade muito forte, cada uma abordando temas de realidade comum, porém, muita das vezes, traiçoeira com quem a convive. Meu conto favorito ainda é o Zashikiwarashi, mas é impossível não citar Bakeneko como ... o melhor suspense. A resolução do mistério nunca é o objetivo do "boticário", por isso, a experimentalidade da série é desejado. Assim, o lado dramático que em uma narrativa prática seria impossível mostrar, são encontradas em Mononoke.
Completando... É uma das melhores obras que já consumi em toda minha vida, sua forma, verdade e razão são repetidas diversas vezes durante a série e mesmo assim, não me enjoa de forma alguma, assistiria mais 50 episódios e ficaria feliz. A nota 10 não é apenas pela sua história bem contada, concisa ou sua direção disciplinada, mas também pelas diversas camadas que uma assistida pode trazer.


ENG
Literally, we see Mononoke as a story of suspense and mystery, however, it evokes many more things due to its fantastic stylistic unity. The way he does it is a theatrical play, which sublimely grows until it becomes a fantastic resolution. Even permeated by religious issues, of which I have no knowledge, it is excellent, always being precise in the construction and expansion of the narrative.
The stories separately show a very strong unity, each one addressing themes of common reality, but often treacherous with those who live it. My favorite short story is still Zashikiwarashi, but it's impossible not to mention Bakeneko as the best thriller. Solving the mystery is never the objective of the "apothecary", so the experimentality of the series is desired. Thus, the dramatic side that in a practical narrative would be impossible to show, are found in Mononoke.
In conclusion... It's one of the best works I've ever consumed in my entire life, its form, truth and reason are repeated several times throughout the series and even so, it doesn't make me sick at all, I'd watch another 50 episodes and be happy. The score of 10 is not only for its well-told, concise story or its disciplined direction, but also for the different layers that a watch can bring.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by ThalesSV (2)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Mar 16, 2024

LemonadeSamurai

Mixed Feelings

Mononoke is a horror themed anime anthology consisting of 5 stories split into 2 or 3 episodes each

Our main character is the medicine seller who may or may not be based off Abe no Semei the famous Onmyoji as he has a fox like appearance

Is the medicine seller human? Its never revealed who he is.

Mononoke takes place between the end of the Edo period(1600s - 1860s) and Meiji era of Japan (1860s - 1900s) as such the culture and clothing is shown thoughout.

The premise revolves around the medicine seller entering a place and finding it plagued with a Mononoke, basically a ghost. He must first ... find the form of the mononoke (what it looks like) then the truth of it (what is actually is) and finally the regret of it (how it came to be) only then can he exorcise it.

The show is not for kids. It's very dark themed with themes of abortion or suicide.

You will be shocked at how actually creepy the show is. It's very eerie and unsettling at times such as children whispering or dark horrific visions.

It's art style is the most interesting aspect of it, it uses traditional Japanese art as its inspiration along with Ukiyo-e paintings.

It's sound design is fine. Theres no music in Mononoke, the only sounds you hear are people speaking, the sound of rain or the sea usually.

The dub is alright but I prefer the sub for authenticity.

This is a very heavy artsy anime and because of that I will give it a mixed rating

I PERSONALLY loved it but I can understand how it may not be for everyone.

If you like dark, creepy anime with heavy Japanese folklore/inspiration..I think you'll like Mononoke.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by LemonadeSamurai (42)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Not to be Confused with...

by Gillian_E_M

40 Entries · 2 Restacks

Chiaki Konaka Anime Watchlist

by TheCoolGuy82

23 Entries · 45 Restacks

Strikingly Singular Stories

by ManicPixieTerror

27 Entries · 83 Restacks

North American Anime & Manga Releases for March

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for March. Week 1: March 7 - 13 Anime Releases Koi to Uso (Love and Lies) Complete Collection Blu-...read more

Mar 10, 2023 12:40 PM by Aiimee | Discuss (1 comment)

Q4 2022 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 12/6]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of anime and manga licensed in the fourth quarter (Oct-Dec) of 2022. Fall 2022 anime which were licensed before...read more

Sep 26, 2022 12:13 PM by Snow | Discuss (21 comments)

	Poll: Favorite Mononoke Arc and Why? GhostMaster1 - Oct 7, 2013	9 replies	by Etherius_ZS »» Jan 15, 5:58 PM
	Poll: Mononoke Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) zanmato666 - Aug 4, 2007	104 replies	by Lilyonna-m »» Jan 11, 3:07 PM
	Poll: Mononoke Episode 9 Discussion ( 1 2 ) ashura - Oct 1, 2007	69 replies	by narlzac85 »» Dec 27, 2024 5:27 AM
	Poll: Mononoke Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) zanmato666 - Oct 11, 2007	138 replies	by QueenPrisme »» Dec 9, 2024 8:01 PM
	Poll: Mononoke Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) zanmato666 - Jul 30, 2007	107 replies	by wallus81 »» Jul 26, 2024 12:13 PM

Top 15 Best Fantasy Anime of All Time

Fantasy anime worlds are filled with aspects that far surpass our wildest dreams. We can fly the high skies alongside majestic dragons or even fight alongside heavenly creatures unknown to reality. Let us present to you the top 15 fantasy anime on MAL, based on their individual scores.

by NicWat10

213,128 views

RecommendationCollection

36 of the Best Anime Drawings Ever

Some of the best anime drawings ever can be found right in the middle of our favorite anime. We pulled out the most beautiful, detailed, and emotional moments from anime for a huge list of gorgeous anime art.

by Littoface

382,229 views

CollectionArt