Princess Mononoke: Writing Humanity | The Director Project 

This made me realize Most Ghibli Films have conflicts but doesn't really have a Villain

Ah, so the edgelords are wrong. To write a more realistic setting it doesn’t have to be more dark and cynical, but more compassionate.

"Look, everyone! This is what hatred looks like! This is what it does when it catches hold of you! It's eating me alive, and very soon now it will kill me! Fear and anger only make it grow faster!"

He walks like a soldier. That's a classic marching stride

His a man who hates humanity but loves the people. His a fascinating figure.

i just realized that the person in bandages at the end was healed of leprosy

Fantasy grounded in humanity. Great video essay on one of my favourite directors.

Miyazaki is the eye who watches human behavior and the world around him. He needs to be grumpy because he need to be critical. The most compassionate man are often those who can point out a problem (a real problem, not just a make-believe) not just giving it a pat on the back. We cant just have a problem being pointed out without addressing it roots. Can't just say that factory are bad because they damages the environment without addressing why those factories will never stop. Can't just say that many people are bad because they neglected their family and choose overwork to chase for a title without addressing the social expectation being forced upon them. Everyone are already familiar with all of these, it just needed to be addressed.

One of my favourite lines from a Miyazaki movie is from Castle in the Sky: "Humans need roots to live." That's how I feel about his films. They are beautiful, magical, but the humanity in them is ultimately very grounded, understated, and thoughtful, and anchors the films when everything else gets crazy.

I'm so happy you included that scene where Chihiro is putting her shoes on and has to reach down to pull one up and kick her foot into the other. That scene always struck me with how real it was.

Ghibli films are one of the few anime I can watch with my mom without her going “what the fuck is this shit?”. So far, she seems to really love Princess Mononoke.

I still remember pausing and playing back a very simple scene in From Up On Poppy Hill. The lead character goes to the butcher and asks for some pork. We see the butcher take the pork, chop it, pull out a paper from top, wrap it and tie it with a thread before handing it to the girl. I kept wondering when did I ever see such a simple thing being paid attentiom to.

This must be why my mom doesn't like modern anime. She's always raved about miyazaki's films, and now I know why. Thanks :D

Like that subtle tribute to Every Frame a Painting

A lot of anime don't place enough importance on background/scenery but having your character move through a place that feels real and alive is an important part of animation. That Ghibli almost always does better than anyone else.

I'd love to see you cover Satoshi Kon sometime. I feel like he's interesting to contrast against Miyazaki, because they both have that "realistic" eye towards designing and animating the people in their films, but they go in such totally different directions in terms of tone and story. (Plus Millennium Actress is one of my all-time favorite movies.)

Me: “Alright, I’m gonna take a break watching all of these Gordon Ramsay’s video and enjoy Accented Cinema’s new video.” Accented Cinema: “Gordon Ramsay, for example...” Me: “God dammit.”

Good to see other people appreciating the hard work of adding small character details. Working in the gaming industry I can tell you that no large company wants to pay for them, but no story feels right without them. Great video

Here I am, writing down notes for story-ideas, and you just come along and change my perspective on the whole thing?? Well done, love your work

Mononoke is my favorite Miyazaki movie because of the environmental themes. This is awesome, I totally agree with you. Miyazaki's understanding of social interaction are why his movies are so impactful. He creates his multifaceted characters that can be hypocritical or inane, like most people in real life. Miyazaki's characters are unlike most characters in film narratives that "stick to the point." Great job dude!

What ever is done out of love always takes places beyond good and evil. Every one speaks his own language of good and evil. He invents this language for himself from custom and tradition.

this made me cry :). I've always known that ghibli films don't really fit in the modern anime box and you really put that in perspective for me. I never used to like anime because I found the characters silly and unrelatable but recently I've been really enjoying it. Anime has really helped me escape real life especially in 2020. Sometimes it's absolutely ridiculous, but I think that's the charm of it. When you watch anime you're not supposed to equate it to real life, but when I watch ghibli films I feel like I'm watching someone's life journey. The characters become my friends and I put myself in their lives.

One day, I would really like to hear your analysis of "Porco Rosso". It's one of my favourites.

Just incase you are running out of Ghibli movies: Try "Song Of The Sea" and "The Breadwinner "

When I watched Princess Mononoke for the first time it struck me how much the direction (shots, pacing) reminded me of Kurosawa. How shots would linger long enough on a character to take in their humanity before cutting away. It struck me how Miyazaki directed this like a live action movie and not a cartoon, working with his actors to create a scene.

"... he has to learn to love his characters. And to do that, Miyazaki first has to learn to love people." So well put. I love Myazaki's films, for all the reasons you note and more (and Hisaishi's scores are always equally moving). Sen to Chihiro and Mononoke are divine, and Totoro is an often overlooked example of Miyazaki's oeuvre, since it seems so 'kiddie'. But looking within it's a deep and resonant story, with a bevvy of conflict, and yet with nary a 'bad guy' in sight. Just the struggle of two kids dealing with the pain and uncertainty of their sick mother. And all, of course, wrapped up in an amazing sense of delight and wonder through the titular character. No big plot, no big action, no big structure... yet out of his tenderness born of observation and compassion, it is one big move. :) Thanks for another great video!

Hi! I recently got to know your channel because friends sent me some of your videos. Ashitaka's gestures might not advance the plot, but they tell us who he is. He doesn't just put others first, he has the greatest respect for life in all its forms. It's first shown to us when he shoots an arrow to scare away his elk, thus saving the elk's life, instead of shooting the enemy that's coming right against him. I think that understanding who he is and how he acts is an important part of his role in the movie plot. He's not there by chance, there are many lives in danger and he won't leave just because the situation is hard to fix. I'd love it if more movies took the time to tell that part of the story in such a subtle way. I love Mononoke Hime and I love your video analysis!

this is one of the most beautiful, meaningful and heartwarming videos i've seen in this app. Thank you.

I don't know why, but for some reason I totally went to pieces and started sobbing as you talked about the rainforest and how much Miyazaki loves his characters and humanity. Thank you.

My father introduced me to so many Miyazaki films... they’re so awesome

Teacher: Why are you laughing Me: Nothing. Me in my mind: *Princess Monke*

This video made me cry a lot. Princess Mononoke is one of my favourite films, and the more I watch it, the more I connect with it. The world is a mess, and I don't want to give up. I want to think that we all can do better. Stay safe everyone. And be kind.

It's going to be 2021, let's keep loving this world without prejudice, unconditionally.

Miyazaki is one of the few directors who has no bad movies and it’s because of his ability to recognize compassion as a core human tenant. Even in the “evils” of the world, compassion is there. It is when our compassion is killed that humanity dies. Sadly corporations are not human, and therefore have no compassion. But that is why humans are needed and will always be needed. It’s good to be needed and to need others because of compassion.

one of the best video essays ive ever watched, thanks for this indepth look at mononoke.

I truely do believe that in every Ghibli film ypu can just feel the love of humanity.

This made me cry like a baby. Miyazaki has a worldview shared by no other filmmaker...the day we lose Miyazaki will be a great loss not only to the world of cinema but also all of humanity.

Wohoo, my favourite movie! Really important (and humble) lessons, I wish more people heard them!

This is one of the best summaries of why Miyazaki movies work so well that I've ever seen. Nicely done.

This video was so well written and thought out that it almost brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. I subscribed.

Thank you for this video, you summarized the heart of Miyazaki's movies and how they feel so different from many other anime productions. Mononoke always gets me so emotional, it's like it speaks directly to my heart.

Your video essays are so good omg I love it, thank you so much for all the effort you put into them!

Absolutely loved this one, spot on, maybe your best essay to date! Mononoke is a masterpiece, imo the peak of Miazaki's work. It will always be one of my favorite movies, and now I understand a bit better why it is, and why all the other Ghibli products are so different and ahead of every other Japanese animation production out there.

Fantastic video as always! I can’t get enough of Ghibli analyses, and this one was spectacular!!

love this, only thing id say is that these details are exclusive to princess Mononoke nor Miyazaki! almost all ghibli films have similar details and "frivolous" additions, truly an amazing studio

Subscribing to you is one of the best decisions I have ever made in life. I love Princess Mononoke so much; thank you for covering it!

Yesterday I ended up bingeing a bunch of videos on your channel and just wanted to say thanks!! This one in particular reminded me why I love movies and why art matters even when everything else in the world is so difficult. I feel like there's a lot of hype and interpretation placed over Miyazaki and his films and you really cut right to the heart of his humanity and why people keep coming back to his work. I also love your shin gojira video and your vids about HK cinema. Thanks for your channel!!

Thank you for this brilliant analysis of Miyazaki. It has deepened my understanding and respect for the man and his work.

I have to say, I only found this channel about 2 days ago, and have watched most of your videos, and I'm so glad that I did ^.^ Hope you're well! :)

I didn't know I needed this video essay so badly. Thank you!

Splendid analysis. A perceptive tender tribute to a great artist and human being. With filmmakers around like Miyazaki San, life is little easier to trod through, I can't thank him enough. He and his collaborators make such beautiful movies. I visit them as often as I can.

Thank you for this beautiful video. Miyazaki’s philosophy is wonderful, and the deliberate, peaceful tone of your video really helps the content sink in. I love your work. I really appreciate your videos, now more than ever. You’re always a breath of fresh air, and I feel like your videos embody the spirit of Miyazaki’s message spectacularly, while enriching your unique take on the subject. Hope you’re doing well. :)

love all of your vids.. .please keep them coming

Great video, as always. I have loved your work so far and look forward to whatever comes next.

Just beautiful; this made me cry. Thank you.

One of the best analysis I've ever seen!

Damn, what an eloquent and insightful essay on Miyazaki. Well done, I loved it

One of my favorite directors is being discussed by one of my favorite youtubers. Thanks for this! You have a follower from India :)

Mate, you are awesome. I am so greatful that I found your channel. You give so much insight into movies that I've watched a dozen times, I really appreciate you.

I don't usually write long comments but, your videos are very refreshing to me. The editing, the way you express words. The content is of high quality and touching too. I can't help but feel inspired every time I watch videos like yours. This channel is great, keep it up. You have my support

This is one of the best film analyses I've seen! Well done!

All of your videos are amazing and so well thought out. I love watching what you create. Miyazaki is the director that inspired my passion for animation and really drove me to work on art. I love every single one of his films, flaws and all 🙂

this might be fav video yet from this months director project!

I've been ruminating on an essay about Miyazaki and how the oversaturation of media is affecting modern storytelling for years, but you petty much said all that needed to be said in this video, and better than I ever could. I'm slightly jealous, but VERY glad this exists. You did Miyazaki and his works justice, and I can't think of a better compliment than that. Amazing video, man!

“But the world will not heal without being permanently scarred.” 😳😔

You're an amazing media journalist. Probably the best I've seen in a veeeeery long time.

Amazing video man. The way you write, structure and edit your videos is an inspiration to me.

Sir!! Cannot believe you're part of the project! Love your essays ; - ;

Another great video. Your voice is really growing on me. Looking forward to the next one.

Wonderful video as always man!

Beautiful. Thank you for this very loving analysis and discussion of Mr Miyazaki, I think you've got it spot on. For Miyazaki, love is not just an emotion, it's a value and he acts upon it very seriously in the making of his films. Each one is like a child that he takes a long time to gestate and he births them no matter the pain involved (and it is often great). His love for humanity bursts out of his stories, and as a result every film of his is a masterwork and to be honest, many of them are actually healing for me to watch. They've brought me back to myself, back to humanity and our world many times. Miyazaki is a storyteller I have needed in my life, and I'm so grateful for him.

Your videos are so good it's unbelievable! I'm amazed, and I completely agree with everything you said in this one.

OMFG Your essays are WAY TO GOOD I am bamboozled and in awe wow

I really like the video! Accented Cinema not only pays an homage to "Every Frame a Painting" but the Hayao Miyazaki quote that "It's (Japanese Animation) is produced by humans who can't stand looking at other humans" is so similar to the quote from the Chuck Jones episode of "Every Frame A Painting", that says you don't get better at animation by watching movies, but by studying other people and the ideas they create.

i had seen princess mononoke before, but after watching this i need to see it again, with more attention to all those details. Thank you, you've really inspired me

I just love your videos man. They are so insightful and broaden my perspective. Thank you.

am just about to write a dissertation on miyazaki's movies thank you for this 🙏

ur channel is really great, very consistently high quality analysis of the beautiful movies made outside of the West. thank you for your work!

This is a beautiful take. Thank you for making it! :)

Bravo. Well done. Loved this one!

Love your vids man

You, Sir, just made my favorite movie even more favorite. Thank you!

I've only recently watched this film. So glad to see my favourite youtuber has made a video of my favourite film!

Love the nod to the RU-vid channel, "Every Frame a Painting" at @ 2:46

fantastic video! Cant wait to dive into more of your content

Great essay! it highlighted aspects of this movie that had completely gone over my head! thank you!

To love characters in stories we must learn to love people, what a beautiful message friend.

Ty so much for this video and those like this. It gave me insight on some aspects that I have been contemplating about in the past, plus it provided some information I wasn't aware of yet, that greatly help with some thoughts and opinions I try to figure out within myself. So again, thank you.

Beautifully done essay! Thank you, sir.

I always look forward to your videos.

Great video, AC. Thank you! =)

Very insightfull comentary, thank you!

I loved your breakdown and analysis :) Thank you & blessings!

Really love watching your videos❤️ Put me at ease ☺️

1:11 In Vietnamese literature, there is this sentence from a novel named "Trang sang" by author Nam Cao about a poor countryside life "Nghệ thuật không cần phải là ánh trăng lừa dối, nghệ thuật không nên là ánh trăng lừa dối. Nghệ thuật có thể chỉ là tiếng đau khổ kia, thoát ra từ những kiếp sống lầm than" Roughly translated to "Art need not to and should not be a false shining moon. It can only be from the suffering waning of those poor in life"

Fantastic video! Thank you very much for it!

Excellent video!

wow this is a fantastic video, i just watched princess mononoke for the first time today and this helped me understand it a lot better

I am so glad you made another video on a Ghibli studio movie. I hope you cover most of the Ghibli movies in the future

Loved your work and explained why the stories connect so much even when it is larger than life in a very nuanced way A suggestion, Tumbad is a Indian movie maybe you want to check out