Princess Mononoke 1999

In the mystical realm of Princess Mononoke, a tale of ancient prophecy unfolds: a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature is disrupted by the whispers of an impending reckoning. The narrative’s intricate tapestry weaves together a diverse cast of characters - from cursed creatures to individuals driven by ambition, selfless heroes, and vengeful deities - each grappling with the dark forces that threaten to consume them.

As the story begins, the camera pans over a mystical landscape, shrouded in misty veils. A voiceover whispers ancient secrets, revealing the existence of giant beasts and ancient gods who once roamed the forests, bound to the whims of the Forest Spirit. However, as the years have passed, times have changed, and the balance between humans and nature has been disrupted.

Ashitaka (played by Billy Crudup in English and Yôji Matsuda in Japanese), a prince of the dwindling Emishi people, embarks on a perilous journey through the eastern forest. Accompanied by his loyal steed, Yakul, he rides up the hillside, passing three girls along the way, including Kaya (voiced by Tara Strong), his younger sister or promised bride in the Japanese version. As they approach, Ashitaka shares the concerns of their village oracle, Hii-sama (Japanese: Mitsuko Mori), who senses impending doom.

Ashitaka’s curiosity is piqued when Ji-san, an elderly villager, detects a disturbance from his watchtower. He hastens to investigate and finds a creature shrouded in writhing tendrils emerging from the forest. As the sun rises, the monstrous form takes on a grotesque shape: a massive boar, transformed into a demonic entity known as a tatari gami. The beast razes the tower, sending Ashitaka and Ji-san leaping for safety.

Ashitaka implores the demon to spare their village, but his words fall on deaf ears. When the creature attacks the three girls, Ashitaka is forced to intervene, striking down the beast with two swift arrows. As he battles the demon, its tendrils ensnare his right arm, dissolving and burning his skin with a deadly intensity.

The villagers rush up the hill, carrying the elderly oracle. She tends to Ashitaka’s wounded arm, bestowing water upon it before bowing before the deceased demon. In a haunting gesture, she asks the creature to bear them no ill will. The demon’s skeletal remains seem to whisper its bitter response: they will know its hate and grief.

As dusk settles over the village, Hii-sama convenes a gathering of elder wise ones within her humble abode, employing the ancient art of divination to unravel the enigmatic tapestry of the day’s events. With an air of mystique, she invites Ashitaka to unveil the scarred arm that has been a constant reminder of his mysterious affliction, asking if he is prepared to confront the truth about his destiny. When Ashitaka reaffirms his resolute determination, Hii-sama reveals that the mark will inevitably spread, ultimately claiming his life. However, instead of succumbing to fate, she imparts upon him the wisdom that one can rise above their circumstances and meet their demise with courage and defiance. She presents him with an ancient iron orb, recovered from the boar’s cadaver, which she believes holds the key to understanding his demonic metamorphosis. The oracle’s words are laced with a sense of urgency: Ashitaka must ride westward, embracing the uncertainty that lies ahead, but warned that he can never return to his former life.

As Ashitaka departs the village, leaving behind the only home he has ever known, Kaya defies the taboo by approaching him, her actions a testament to the unyielding bond between them. She presents him with a symbol of their shared fate: a crystal dagger necklace, imbued with the power to protect and guide him on his perilous journey. With tears in his eyes, Ashitaka acknowledges her selfless act, vowing that he will never forget the sacrifice she has made for him.

The Strength of the Curse

As Ashitaka and Yakul embark on their arduous westward trek, they traverse vast expanses of rolling plains and snow-capped mountains. One day, the horizon is shrouded in a haze of smoke, signaling the presence of samurai warriors engaged in brutal conflict with defenseless villagers. With a sense of righteous indignation, Ashitaka rushes to defend a helpless woman, only to be struck by the sudden, intense throbbing in his arm. The arrow he releases flies forth with unprecedented force, striking the samurai’s sword and lodging it in a nearby tree, along with the man’s lifeless arms.

Two samurai on horseback, fueled by malice and a thirst for battle, threaten to intercept Ashitaka. Undeterred, he issues a stern warning, urging them to stand down, but when they refuse, he unleashes another arrow, decapitating one of his assailants. The surviving warrior gazes upon Ashitaka with a mixture of awe and terror, convinced that he is indeed a demonic entity.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Ashitaka finds solace in the gentle flow of a nearby waterfall, allowing him to cool the fiery passion of his arm. However, his respite is short-lived, as he becomes acutely aware of the mark’s ominous growth. In a quaint town, Ashitaka attempts to barter for rice with a gold nugget, only to be rebuffed by the seller, who insists that the precious metal is not currency. It is then that a wise and compassionate monk named Jigo (Billy Bob Thornton) intervenes, recognizing the value of the nugget and urging Ashitaka to claim his rightful reward. With a sense of urgency and trepidation, Ashitaka flees the growing crowd, clutching his single bag of rice as a meager consolation against the trials that lie ahead.

As Ashitaka (character A) departs, Jigo follows, remarking on the warrior’s impressive combat skills displayed earlier against the samurai. Their journey is soon interrupted by a group of thugs, no doubt drawn to Ashitaka’s wealth, prompting Jigo to propose a hasty retreat. As night falls, they share a humble meal of cooked rice, and Jigo regales Ashitaka with tales of an ancient civilization, the Emishi, who crafted similar utensils and arrowheads to those wielded by the prince, as well as their mythical mounts, the revered red elk. Though hinting at Ashitaka’s secret, Jigo assures the warrior that his mystical affliction is of little consequence (“You’re under a curse? So what? So’s the whole damn world”). The next morning, Ashitaka slips away unnoticed, leaving Jigo to slumber, while continuing his perilous quest alone.

Meanwhile, on a rain-soaked mountainside, Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver) and her loyal first lieutenant, Gonza (John DiMaggio), lead a procession of oxen and men hauling precious rice across the treacherous terrain. As they navigate the narrow path, two gigantic white wolves suddenly materialize, charging down the muddy slope with reckless abandon. A masked maiden astride one of the beasts brandishes her spear in triumph, prompting Eboshi to order her guards to unleash a barrage of ishibiya hand cannons. The ferocious assault drives off the wolves, leaving Gonza to remark that they were merely pups. Eboshi’s response is ominous: “Wait till you see their mother.”

And indeed, Moro (Gillian Anderson) appears as if on cue, unleashing her fury upon the caravan. Her colossal size and dual tails send men and oxen tumbling down the mountain. The guards futilely employ a flame-thrower to set her ablaze, while Eboshi takes aim with her own rifle, striking Moro in the chest before sending her plummeting off the cliff. As the surviving men revel in their perceived triumph, Eboshi’s words serve as a stark reminder that mere mortals cannot vanquish the divine. She urges her companions onward, bidding them to forget those who fell and press on into the unknown.

As Ashitaka descends the mountain, he arrives at a riverbank ravaged by torrential rains, where the lifeless bodies of Lady Eboshi’s rice caravan workers float downstream. With a heavy heart, he plucks two injured men from the treacherous waters, their bodies bearing testament to the brutal consequences of Eboshi’s endeavors. As he surveys the devastation, his gaze falls upon the colossal form of Moro, her pups by her side, and the intrepid warrior girl San (Yuriko Ishida) tending to the wounded giantess. San’s ministrations are a poignant reminder of her unwavering dedication, as she attempts to extract the bullet from Moro’s ravaged flesh, spitting out blood with a fierce determination.

Moro’s growls serve as a warning that Ashitaka’s presence has been detected by San, and he is met with an icy stare before being bid farewell. However, his attention is soon redirected by a blood-curdling scream, which brings him racing back to where he left the injured men. One of them, Kouroku the ox-driver (Masahiko Nishimura), has stirred from his unconscious state, only to find himself beset on all sides by a flotilla of small white tree spirits, their bobbing heads a surreal spectacle.

Ashitaka’s calming presence and words of reassurance serve to soothe Kouroku’s frayed nerves, as he explains that these forest dwellers are harbingers of the woods’ health. Though Kouroku is wary of attracting the attention of the ancient forest spirits, Ashitaka politely requests the tree sprites’ safe passage through their domain. With Kouroku riding Yakul and Ashitaka bearing the unconscious gunner, they are guided by the kodama to a mystical clearing, where moss-covered trees rise from crystal-clear waters like sentinels.

As they make camp, Ashitaka’s gaze falls upon the tracks of San and her lupine companions, their presence a poignant reminder of the mysteries that lie beyond the forest’s borders. His attention is soon redirected by an enigmatic three-toed creature, whose footprint serves as a harbinger of the unknown. The sudden appearance of a majestic deer with multiple antlers sends Ashitaka’s arm into a spasmodic fit, a phenomenon he struggles to control until the apparition vanishes into thin air.

In the aftermath of this bizarre incident, Ashitaka notices that the gunner he is carrying seems inexplicably lighter, as if some unseen force has intervened on their behalf. The mystery deepens, casting a foreboding shadow over the already treacherous landscape, and beckoning Ashitaka further into the heart of darkness.

As they step out of the primordial forest, the travelers are greeted by the imposing silhouette of Tatara, an iron town situated across a serene lake, shielded by a sturdy wooden palisade. The air is alive with anticipation as a throng of villagers converges to welcome Ashitaka and his companions. Kouroku takes center stage, regaling the assembly with the tale of Ashitaka’s heroics, how he single-handedly rescued the townsfolk from the clutches of despair. Gonza, however, is not about to let the proceedings unfold without a hitch. He badgers Kouroku with a barrage of questions: Who is this Ashitaka, and what sorcery allows him to traverse the forbidden forest with two wounded companions in tow?

Just as tensions begin to simmer, Toki (Sumi Shimamoto), Kouroku’s wife, bursts onto the scene, her ire raised against her husband for risking his well-being and livelihood. Her ire is palpable as she chastises Gonza for his own failures in protecting his men. Lady Eboshi, the enigmatic leader of Tatara, appears above, offering a contrite apology to Kouroku and Toki before extending an invitation to Ashitaka: join her later, that she may express her gratitude in person.

As night falls, Ashitaka breaks bread with the men of Iron Town. Their camaraderie is interrupted by the arrival of the town’s women, former prostitutes now free from the shackles of their former profession, courtesy of Lady Eboshi’s benevolent intervention. The women’s visit is met with good-natured teasing from the men, who regale Ashitaka with tales of a bygone era. They speak of Nago, the once-mighty boar god who ruled over the forest surrounding Tatara. Nago’s ire was raised when the town’s inhabitants began to fell trees in pursuit of the ore beneath their roots, prompting him to unleash his herd of boars upon them. Lady Eboshi, ever the pragmatist, responded by setting fire to the forest and putting Nago out of commission.

As Ashitaka listens intently to these tales, a burning anger ignites within him. He realizes that it was none other than Nago who inflicted the cursed wound that now afflicts his arm – and Lady Eboshi who ultimately transformed the boar god into a demonic force. The weight of this revelation settles heavy on Ashitaka’s shoulders as he begins to piece together the intricate web of events that have brought him to this place.

As Ashitaka approaches Lady Eboshi, he finds her meticulously examining samples of iron, flanked by Gonza’s imposing figure. With a deliberate gesture, Ashitaka removes his sleeve, revealing the cursed arm that has been the source of his suffering. Eboshi’s expression remains inscrutable as Ashitaka confronts her about her role in his affliction. Without hesitation, she acknowledges her responsibility and probes Ashitaka’s intentions, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. When he responds with a resolute determination to see the world untainted by hatred, Eboshi’s demeanor softens, and she invites him into the private sanctuary of her garden. There, amidst a group of lepers who have been enlisted as gunsmiths, Ashitaka is privy to the secrets that drive Eboshi’s actions.

As they walk among the lush greenery, Eboshi reveals the ingenious contraptions created by her team of leper gunsmiths, inspired by the ingenuity within their own humble hut. She explains that these innovative firearms are designed for the protection of the women residing in Tatara Fort, a testament to her dedication to safeguarding those under her care. Yet, Ashitaka’s ire is piqued by Eboshi’s production of weapons, and he questions how much more suffering she intends to perpetuate. His arm, still bearing the curse, strains against the constraints of his will, threatening to unleash its fury upon Eboshi.

However, as Ashitaka struggles with his emotions, an elderly leper intervenes, pleading for mercy towards Lady Eboshi. This gentle soul recounts her kindness towards them, sheltering and caring for those who had been shunned by society. He reminds Ashitaka that life is fraught with hardship, yet people persevere, finding ways to thrive despite the trials they face.

Meanwhile, above the stockade walls, Eboshi puts her new gun to the test, unleashing a hail of bullets that scatter a tribe of apes attempting to cultivate the land. As the dust settles, she turns to Ashitaka, suggesting that he remain in Tatara once she has vanquished the Forest Spirit. According to her theory, this would bring about a catastrophic outcome, reducing the other gods to mere beasts and transforming Princess Mononoke (San) into a mortal being.

Eboshi reveals San’s relentless pursuit of her own demise, driven by a desire for vengeance. She hypothesizes that the blood of the Forest Spirit possesses the power to grant immortality, which would not only cure Eboshi’s lepers but also potentially lift Ashitaka’s curse. As their conversation concludes, Ashitaka departs, seeking solace in the forge where he is introduced to the art of bellows-crafting. The women, eager to share their passion with him, reassure Toki that their lives are vastly improved within the fort, a far cry from the hardships they faced in the brothels.

As Ashitaka delves deeper into the world of Tatara, San’s presence looms ominously on the horizon, preparing to strike.

As San and her two wolf brothers, Kuroba and Jiro, hasten towards Tatara, their approach is marked by urgency and desperation. With reckless abandon, San vaults over the stockade, her feet pounding against the rooftops as she makes a beeline for the forge. Her presence sensed by Ashitaka (Maile Francisco), he rushes to intercept her, while Lady Eboshi (Yōko Miyamori) orchestrates a sinister plot from the center square, accompanied by two women armed with the latest firearms. As Eboshi prepares her trap, Ashitaka implores San not to sacrifice herself needlessly, but the sound of a wolf’s haunting howl sends her hurtling forward. A fusillade of gunfire ensues, leaving San tumbling from the rooftop and her mask shattered by a subsequent blast, rendering her unconscious.

Ashitaka, driven by the unfathomable strength of his cursed arm, rips a beam from the roof to halt the encroaching crowd, buying time for San’s rescue. He awakens her with a gentle shake, only to be met with hostility as she attacks him and flees to Eboshi’s side. The two women engage in a fierce duel, their movements choreographed by the chanting mob.

As Ashitaka’s ire intensifies, his arm begins to manifest ethereal tendrils that writhe like living serpents. Gonza, now convinced of Ashitaka’s complicity with San, yields his sword in defeat. Undeterred, Ashitaka presses through the crowd, eventually seizing San’s arm and halting Eboshi’s assault with a display of superhuman strength. As his arm’s tendrils grow longer and more menacing, he addresses the onlookers, his voice laced with anguish: “This is what hate looks like – it’s devouring me from the inside out, and soon it will be my undoing. Fear and anger only fuel its growth.”

Eboshi, however, remains unfazed by Ashitaka’s curse, responding with a wicked grin that she’ll cure him by removing his arm. She lunges at him with a small dagger, prompting Ashitaka to knock both women unconscious, ending the conflict. He hands Lady Eboshi over to her people and declares his intention to take San away, but not before one of Eboshi’s guardsmen, fueled by indignation, aims her gun at Ashitaka and orders him to stand still. Calmly, Ashitaka walks forward, unfazed by the threat, as the bullet passes harmlessly through his body.

The curse, however, proves resilient, sustaining Ashitaka despite the mortal wound. Undeterred, he continues towards the gate, where Tatara’s guards, refusing to open it due to its immense weight, are met with a demonstration of Ashitaka’s supernatural strength. As he leaves the city with San and Yakul by his side, San’s wolf brothers await their arrival just beyond the gate. With a final nod of gratitude towards the townsfolk, Ashitaka departs Tatara, forever changed by the events that have transpired.

As Yakul bears the weight of carrying both Ashitaka and the unconscious San up the treacherous mountainside, a sense of urgency is palpable in the air. However, the relentless flow of blood from Ashitaka’s wound eventually takes its toll, causing him to tumble to the ground as San awakens just in time to witness his fall. The sudden turn of events prompts one of San’s brothers to launch a fierce attack on Ashitaka, only for San herself to intervene, calling off her kin and confronting Ashitaka about halting her relentless pursuit of Eboshi. As she holds the sword to his throat, Ashitaka’s words of wisdom resonate deeply, as he implores San to live and tells her that she is beautiful, a revelation that leaves her stunned but ultimately unmoved.

Just then, the ape clan appears on the scene, its members driven by an insatiable hunger to devour Ashitaka, believing that his flesh will imbue them with the strength necessary to regenerate the forest. San’s brothers bravely chase the apes away, their indignation fueled by the creatures’ derogatory remarks about San’s humanity. With her kin occupied elsewhere, San convinces them to leave Ashitaka in her care, eventually summoning Yakul to assist in carrying the wounded warrior into the heart of the forest.

Within the sacred domain of the Forest Spirit, San and Yakul navigate the treacherous terrain, their path leading them across a serene lake and onto an island consecrated by the spirit’s presence. As they approach the holy site, Yakul wisely elects to remain at the water’s edge, his hesitation prompted by San’s cautionary words. San gently places Ashitaka on the moss-covered shore, half-submerged in the water, before planting a sapling beside his head and freeing Yakul from his harness.

With her task complete, San departs, leaving behind only the gentle rustling of the leaves as the kodamas, small forest sprites, observe the humans with detached curiosity. Their attention is soon diverted by the approaching Night Walker, the Forest Spirit’s nocturnal manifestation, its arrival heralded by the cacophony of clattering heads emanating from the kodamas. As the Night Walker descends into the clearing where Ashitaka lies, San and Yakul’s earlier actions are revealed to be mere prelude to a far greater drama.

Meanwhile, Jigo, disguised in a bear skin, observes the unfolding scene from his secluded vantage point on a distant mountainside. Accompanied by his fellow hunters, he points out the Night Walker to them, offering a candid explanation of their mission, sanctioned by the Emperor himself, despite their trepidation born of superstition. As they watch, the Forest Spirit reverts to its deer-like form, a transformation that serves as poignant reminder of the power and mystery that lies at the heart of this mystical realm.

In the stillness of the island, the Forest Spirit approaches Ashitaka, accepting the sapling San had planted as an offering, before imbuing it with a gentle yet decisive breath, causing the sapling to wither and fade away.

As Jigo and his party make their way down the mountain, they’re met with an astonishing sight: a vast herd of boars, led by the majestic Lord Okkoto (English: Keith David, Japanese: Hisaya Morishige), a behemoth of a boar god, emerges from the adjacent peak. The hunters’ instincts scream warning as they recognize this is not a native species, and it’s only when they lay eyes on the giant leader that they realize the gravity of their situation. With Okkoto’s thunderous roar echoing through the mountainside, Jigo and his companions hastily retreat, realizing they’ve been discovered.

Meanwhile, Ashitaka awakens from a dreamlike trance, his wound seemingly healed by the mystical Forest Spirit as he touches the water’s surface. Upon inspecting his arm, he finds the bullet wound gone, but Nago’s curse still festers, spreading to his hand. San returns to his side, revealing she knows his story and that of his village, courtesy of Yakul, and offers her assistance, having been spared by the Forest Spirit. As Ashitaka struggles to consume the offered meat jerky, San takes pity on him, tenderly feeding him from her own mouth, an act that brings tears of gratitude to Ashitaka’s eyes.

The arrival of Moro, flanked by San’s brothers, is swiftly followed by the mighty Lord Okkoto and his entourage. They demand to know why humans are present in the sacred woods of the Forest Spirit, their ire fueled by a deep-seated animosity towards humanity. San, as Moro’s daughter, earns temporary reprieve from their scorn, explaining that the Forest Spirit has spared Ashitaka’s life. The boars, however, remain incensed: why would the Spirit heal a human but not Nago, their fallen leader? Moro offers no explanation, simply reiterating that the Spirit’s motives are inscrutable.

As the tension mounts, Moro reveals her own wounds, inflicted by humanity, and predicts her impending demise at the Forest Spirit’s behest. Ashitaka confesses to being the one responsible for Nago’s downfall, revealing his cursed hand to Okkoto, who, despite his blindness, seems to intuitively grasp the truth. The boar god’s expression turns somber as he laments the demon’s origins from their own tribe. With a heavy heart, Okkoto outlines his plan to attack humanity, acknowledging that victory is unlikely but vowing to fight on, leaving the humans in awe of their unyielding spirit.

In the aftermath of the boars’ departure, San and Ashitaka behold the enigmatic Forest Spirit, strolling serenely across the lake’s surface.

As the dust settles on the ravaged landscape near Tatara, Lady Eboshi and her stalwart fighters clash with Lord Asano’s samurai in a desperate bid for control over the rich ore deposits. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Eboshi’s forces prove formidable, their gunfire decimating Asano’s men and sending them fleeing in disarray. With victory within grasp, Eboshi returns to Tatara, only to find Jigo waiting patiently at the gates. Unfazed by the chaos that surrounds her, she invites Jigo into the fort, revealing her cunning plan to outmaneuver Lord Asano.

As they confer, a messenger arrives bearing an unexpected proposal from none other than the Mikado himself. The emperor is rumored to believe that the head of the mystical Forest Spirit holds the key to eternal life, and he’s willing to pay top dollar for it. Jigo, ever the opportunist, sees potential in this venture and persuades Eboshi to join forces with him, hinting that her refusal might just see his rifleman realigned with Asano’s forces.

Eboshi’s response is a masterclass in cunning, as she presents the Mikado’s letter to her women, revealing their utter ignorance of the emperor’s power. In this lawless land, she reminds Jigo, it’s not the Mikado who wields true authority – it’s the strength and resilience of the people themselves. Eboshi vows to help Jigo hunt down the Forest Spirit, but on her own terms: no loss of human life will be tolerated.

Before parting ways, Jigo poses a question about a young man riding an elk, only to receive a cryptic reply from Eboshi: “Came, and went.” As Jigo’s riflemen take up residence within the fort walls, they’re met with suspicion by Eboshi’s women, who view them as solemn and untrustworthy. Eboshi, ever the pragmatist, knows that her greatest threat lies not in Asano’s forces but in the machinations of men like Jigo.

In a move designed to keep her women safe, Eboshi assigns Gonza to protect her, only to be met with scorn from her followers, who fear being trapped in a web of masculine manipulation. As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Eboshi’s resolve remains unwavering: she will defend her people and her land against all comers, no matter the cost. And so, amidst the turmoil, Moro’s Cave awaits, its secrets and dangers waiting to be uncovered.

As Ashitaka regains consciousness in Moro’s secluded cave, nestled high above the treetops, he finds himself beside the enigmatic San, who slumbers peacefully. The weight of his throbbing arm prompts Ashitaka to venture out onto the rocky ledge, where he is met by Moro’s piercing gaze from her perch above. The elderly witch urges him to take the leap and end his suffering, but Ashitaka instead inquires about the mysterious events that have transpired since his fall into unconsciousness. Moro reveals that days have passed, and she laments the fact that he did not cry out in his sleep, for had he done so, she would have felt justified in silencing him with her sharp teeth.

As Ashitaka’s gaze falls upon the forest below, now dying beneath the relentless march of the boars, Moro explains that these creatures are on the move, and that she can feel the anguish of the land as it succumbs to their destructive power. The young warrior’s curiosity gets the better of him, and he asks why humans and the forest cannot coexist in harmony, only to be met with Moro’s dismissive laughter. According to her, such a union is impossible, and she longs for the day when she can vanquish Eboshi, her arch-nemesis.

Moro’s eyes gleam with an unspoken intensity as she prophesies that a battle will soon ensue, one in which San will fight alongside the gods and meet her demise. Ashitaka objects, pointing out that San is, after all, human, but Moro’s ire is piqued, and she reveals that she once attacked humans who had trespassed upon the forest. In their terror, these invaders hurled their infant at Moro, and she, in a rare moment of compassion, chose to raise the child as her own. This San, though loved by Moro, will forever be torn between two worlds - those of the wolves and humans - and there is little that either Moro or Ashitaka can do to alter this fate.

As the sun rises over the forest, Moro orders Ashitaka to depart her cave by dawn, warning him that if he returns, she will not hesitate to take his life. The young warrior awakens once more in the cave, only to find San and Moro gone, leaving behind a cache of supplies meticulously prepared for his departure. Ashitaka’s still-weak state prevents him from traversing the treacherous terrain alone, so he entrusts Yakul, one of the wolf brothers, with delivering Kaya’s crystal dagger necklace to San, should their paths cross again.

Here is a rephrased version of the section:

San perches atop her wolf brother, galloping towards Moro on a windswept mountainside overlooking a desolate expanse where Eboshi’s men have strategically felled trees and kindled fires heavy with sulfurous smoke to befuddle the animals’ olfactory senses in anticipation of an impending showdown with the forest deities. Moro quickly discerns the trap, noting that the boars will blindly charge towards their human adversaries, enraged by the fallen timber. Okkoto, however, remains obstinate and refuses to alter his tactics, opting instead to lead a headlong assault. San determines to aid Okkoto, believing that, deprived of sight and smell, Lord Okkoto requires her assistance more urgently than Moro does. Moro advises San that she is free to depart with Ashitaka if she so chooses, acknowledging that “that boy longs to share his life with you.” San responds bitterly, voicing her disdain for humans. Yet, upon receiving her second brother’s gift of Ashitaka’s necklace, she appears moved by the gesture. As she dons the pendant around her neck, bidding Moro farewell, he sets off to await the Forest Spirit’s arrival. San and the young wolves then depart together, bound for the boars, which are charging recklessly into battle.

Meanwhile, Ashitaka rides towards Tatara, his spirits low, until the distant rumble of explosions and gunfire draws him closer. As he approaches the town, he discovers that it is under siege. With Yakul leaping over the samurai attempting to block his path, Ashitaka deflects arrows with his sword before arriving at the besieged town. The duo finds that Asano’s men have breached Tatara’s outer wall, and the women are huddled in the central fort, valiantly defending their stronghold. They implore Ashitaka to carry news of their plight to Lady Eboshi and return with her. Kouroku returns Ashitaka’s bow and arrows, preparing him for his mission.

As Ashitaka departs Tatara, pursued by samurai on horseback, he comes across a mountain range scarred by the aftermath of the boar battle. A samurai shoots an arrow into Yakul’s haunch, further enraging Ashitaka as his curse spreads. As he battles to defend himself and his loyal companion, Ashitaka’s arrows claim the arm of one samurai and decapitate another before the remaining warrior flees. With a heavy heart, Ashitaka retrieves the arrow from Yakul’s wound, intending to return for him later, but the wounded wolf limps after him nonetheless.

As Ashitaka ventures onto the war-torn landscape, he stumbles upon a gruesome scene: rows of lifeless bodies wrapped in cloth, and an unsettling pileup of decaying boars, their rotting flesh a testament to the brutal tactics employed by Lady Eboshi’s men and Jigo’s mercenaries. The air is heavy with the scent of death, and Ashitaka’s eyes are met with the somber faces of the iron workers, who reveal that these boars were used as human shields, lured into detonating hidden mines while grenades rained down from above. Amidst this chaos, Ashitaka learns that San was indeed present during the battle, but her fate remains a mystery - she is not among the fallen.

Undeterred, Ashitaka shares his urgent message with Eboshi’s men: Tatara is under attack, and he must deliver news to Lady Eboshi. However, his words fall on deaf ears as two mercenaries demand that the iron workers return to their duties, only for the latter to stand firm, insisting that they must rush back to Tatara and dispatch a tracker to fetch Eboshi. Ashitaka’s attention is then drawn to a wolf brother of San’s, pinned beneath the carcass of a boar. With compassion guiding his actions, he attempts to free the struggling creature, only to be perceived as treason by Jigo’s mercenaries. Fearing for their lives, they unleash poisoned darts at Ashitaka, but the iron workers, now incensed, rise up in revolt and aid him in liberating the wolf. As a gesture of gratitude, Ashitaka entrusts Yakul to the care of the iron workers before fleeing into the forest with his new lupine companion.

Deep within the forest’s heart, a hunter approaches Jigo and Lady Eboshi with grave news: Lord Okkoto lies gravely wounded and en route to the domain of the Forest Spirit, accompanied by none other than San. As the pair navigates the treacherous terrain, Okkoto’s condition worsens, his life force ebbing away as he succumbs to his mortal injuries. Amidst this despair, a troupe of apelike deities materializes in the treetops above, pelting the travelers with sticks while warning that San’s actions have unleashed unholy forces upon the forest: “Evil things coming - neither human nor animal.” As Okkoto’s strength wanes, he mistakes the approaching horde for his long-lost warriors returned from the dead. Fueled by renewed fervor and delirium, he presses onward toward the sacred realm of the Forest Spirit, San and her wolf brother walking in lockstep beside him.

As Okkoto’s mortal wounds fester, a profound darkness begins to consume him, mirroring the tragic fate that befell Nago. San, desperate to prevent her friend from succumbing to the abyss of despair, dispatches her wolf brother to alert Moro to the dire situation unfolding before her very eyes. With an unyielding sense of hope, she chooses to remain by Okkoto’s side, vainly attempting to stem the tide of his transformation into a malevolent demon. Her pleas fall on deaf ears as Okkoto’s anger and fear coalesce into grotesque, blood-soaked tendrils that writhe from his body like living serpents.

As San valiantly repels the ghostly boars with her own unyielding ferocity, a distant howl pierces the air: Ashitaka is hastening towards her, unaware of the perils that await. The wolf brother’s answering cry serves as a clarion call to San, whose world is about to shatter into a thousand shards. With an unsuspecting Okkoto looming in the background, San is suddenly felled by a hunter’s slingshot and dragged screaming into the vortex of demon-tendrils that now encase him.

Meanwhile, Ashitaka, mounted on the wolf, converges upon Lady Eboshi, only to be rebuffed when he urges her to halt her relentless march towards destruction. Her response is as unyielding as the forest itself: she will not be deterred from her quest to vanquish the Forest Spirit. Jigo, ever the pragmatist, wonders aloud whose side Ashitaka truly favors, while some of Lady Eboshi’s loyal cohorts whisper furtively about the perils of killing gods.

As Ashitaka arrives at the sacred pool, he finds Moro succumbing to her mortal wounds on the very brink of death. Demon-Okkoto looms large behind her, his snout now a battleground for the struggling San, whose own transformation into a demon is all but inevitable. With the wolf brothers valiantly fighting off the ghostly boar-skinners, Ashitaka leaps onto Okkoto’s snout in a desperate bid to rescue San, only to be unceremoniously hurled aside by the demon’s wrathful strength.

In the aftermath of his fall, he stumbles into the pool, dazed and disoriented. Moro, her final reserves of strength ebbing away, summons the will to confront the demon and, with a Herculean effort, drags San from the clutches of Okkoto’s monstrous tendrils.

As Moro releases San, the mystical Forest Spirit materializes before them, its majestic deer form gliding effortlessly across the water’s surface. From their concealed vantage point, Lady Eboshi and Jigo bear witness to this ethereal spectacle, while Okkoto’s countenance betrays a mixture of awe and trepidation. The tendrils that had ensnared San begin to dissolve in response to the Forest Spirit’s presence, and Ashitaka awakens to Moro’s urgent plea, beseeching him to rescue San from her precarious predicament. As he rises to the surface, Lady Eboshi’s unwavering resolve prompts her to take aim at the Forest Spirit, prompting a desperate cry for mercy that falls on deaf ears.

The Forest Spirit, unfazed by Lady Eboshi’s attack, continues its relentless march across the water, while Ashitaka retrieves San from Moro and plunges back into the depths to wash away the demonic tendrils that had threatened her very existence. Meanwhile, in a stunning turn of events, the Forest Spirit exacts a grim toll on Okkoto and Moro, leaving Lady Eboshi unfazed by this sudden display of divine power.

As the Forest Spirit begins its metamorphosis into the formidable Night Walker, Lady Eboshi turns to Jigo and her fellow hunters with a calculating glint in her eye. “Pay close attention, everyone,” she says, her voice dripping with an air of nonchalance. “I’ll demonstrate how to vanquish a god – all it takes is not fearing him.” With calculated precision, Ashitaka hurls his sword, striking Lady Eboshi’s gun and momentarily disrupting her aim.

The Forest Spirit, now half-transformed, gazes at Lady Eboshi as tendrils of vegetation burst forth from the wooden components of her firearm. Undeterred by this unusual development, Lady Eboshi fires again, striking the Forest Spirit in the neck and severing its head from its body. A grotesque, tar-like substance erupts from the wound, spreading a path of destruction wherever it falls, leaving in its wake a trail of lifeless kodamas plummeting from the trees above.

As the severed head lies before her, Lady Eboshi hands it to Jigo, who carefully places it within a round metal box. The porters arrive, bearing the ominous container, and the pair departs with haste, their mission accomplished.

As Moro’s severed head slithers forward, its razor-sharp teeth sinking into Lady Eboshi’s arm with a gruesome efficiency, the very fabric of reality seems to unravel. San and her wolf brothers take refuge on the sacred island of the Forest Spirit, while Ashitaka (Ashitaka) valiantly swims to shore with Eboshi clutched in his arms, Gonza doggedly pursuing him through the murky waters despite his inability to swim a stroke. Meanwhile, San rips the crystal pendant from her neck and demands that Ashitaka allow her to exact justice upon Eboshi, but he calmly insists that Moro’s vengeful spirit has already been sated, and promises Eboshi safe passage back to her people. Infuriated by Ashitaka’s defiance, San plunges her dagger into his chest, only for him to enfold her in a tight embrace, emphasizing their shared mortality and the imperative to act in concert to salvage the forest they both cherish.

In this dire interval, the Night Walker – its decapitated form now an eerie, lurching thing – stalks the forest, leaving a trail of devastation as it spreads its dark, viscous fluid across the landscape. Its grasping, serpentine arms burst forth from its neck, questing out for Jigo and the three porters like skeletal tentacles. As the town of Tatara slumbers quietly beneath the watchful eyes of its women defenders and leper gunsmiths toiling on Toki’s behalf, a sense of foreboding settles over the community as they gaze up at the mountain peak, where the Night Walker’s disembodied head now looms – an unholy harbinger of doom. The tide of noxious blackness flows inexorably toward Tatara, ravaging Lord Asano’s encampments and leaving destruction in its wake. Ashitaka, San, and her wolf companions arrive just in time to orchestrate a hasty evacuation, guiding the townspeople and lepers into the lake as the ooze threatens to engulf everything. Under Toki’s urging, most of the populace manages to escape the infernal tide before it overruns the town, leaving only smoldering ruins – including the forge that had once been the lifeblood of Tatara’s industry – to attest to its passage. As the survivors stand in the water, watching in numb horror as their world burns around them, the very foundations of their reality seem poised on the brink of collapse.

As the sun teeters on the brink of dawn, a tense standoff unfolds as Ashitaka (actor name), San, and the wolves converge on Jigo in pursuit of the mystical head. The air is electric with anticipation as Ashitaka demands that Jigo relinquish his prize to the Night Walker, its ethereal essence palpable in the atmosphere. Jigo, sensing the gravity of the situation, pleads for mercy, citing the impending sunrise, before launching a surprise attack on Ashitaka and ordering the other porters to flee. San gives chase, only to be intercepted by the Forest Spirit, whose divine presence proves too powerful for the fleeing party to resist. In their desperation, they abandon their metal box, allowing it to roll down the hill like a tangible manifestation of fate.

As Jigo attempts to halt its descent, he finds himself tumbling down the slope, finally coming to rest on a large boulder as the ooze-like tendrils of the forest close in around him. San, Ashitaka, and one porter manage to catch up to Jigo, only to be enveloped by the very essence they sought to contain. With a deep understanding of their predicament, Ashitaka convinces Jigo that there is no alternative but to return the head to its rightful place. As one, Ashitaka, San, and Jigo lift the head aloft, entreating the Forest Spirit to reclaim it and find peace once more.

In a blinding flash of light, the Forest Spirit responds, reuniting with its sacred head as the very fabric of reality seems to shift and writhe. On the shores of the lake, the Tatara refugees gather to witness the Night Walker’s rebirth, its transparency restored as it resumes its celestial beauty. Rafts bearing Lady Eboshi (actor name), Gonza, and the iron town men approach, reuniting the two groups in a joyous celebration.

Meanwhile, on the distant hills, the aftermath of the Forest Spirit’s collapse becomes apparent. The remnants of Tatara and Asano’s camp are swept away by a fierce gust of wind, leaving behind a barren expanse that slowly begins to transform as new life bursts forth from the earth. Kouroku stands agog at the miraculous transformation, while the lepers gaze down upon their newly healed bodies in awe.

As the veil of night lifts, Yakul stirs San and Ashitaka from their slumber, finding them nestled beside her wolf companions. As they awaken to a world forever changed, San’s distress at the Forest Spirit’s apparent demise is tempered by Ashitaka’s reassuring words. He reminds her that life itself cannot be extinguished, its essence embodied in the very being of the Forest Spirit.

As the pair begins their journey back to Tatara, San reveals her conflicted feelings for Ashitaka, ultimately choosing to part ways with a heavy heart. Ashitaka, understanding her decision, vows to remain by Tatara’s side and help rebuild the ravaged town, promising to visit San frequently. With a nod of acceptance, San departs into the dawn-lit landscape, accompanied by her wolf brothers, as the forest begins its new chapter in the unfolding tapestry of life.

As Lady Eboshi (voiced by…) navigates her rehabilitation from the devastating loss of her arm with characteristic resilience, she convenes with her loyal ladies and trusted advisor Gonza, vowing to chart a brighter future for their fledgling town. Her determination is palpable as she extends an olive branch to Ashitaka, seeking to express her heartfelt gratitude in person. Meanwhile, Jigo, perched precariously atop the rocky outcroppings above, gazes down with wry amusement, remarking to himself that it’s futile to contend against the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to give up.

In a poignant juxtaposition of life and death, the desolate landscape surrounding the sacred pool of the Forest Spirit begins to stir anew. Amidst the skeletal remains of ancient trees, tender shoots of new life burst forth, like tiny green flags waving in defiance of adversity. As if mirroring this rebirth, a diminutive white kodama emerges from the underbrush, its head rattling softly as it takes tentative steps through the revitalized landscape.