Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 masterpiece, “Princess Mononoke,” weaves a captivating tale set in Japan’s Muromachi period.
This Studio Ghibli animation features Prince Ashitaka caught in a battle between forest gods and resource-hungry humans, spotlighting themes of environmentalism and Shinto beliefs.
With a curse threatening his life, Ashitaka seeks healing, encountering enigmatic characters like opportunistic monk Jigo, fierce wolf goddess Moro and the human girl San (Princess Mononoke) along his journey.
The epic unfolds in Iron Town, revealing tensions, betrayals and hopes for healing and redemption as it ventures into the realms of the supernatural and the profoundly human.
I have made a list of the top quotes from Princess Mononoke.
Best Princess Mononoke Quotes
You’d risk everything on one last battle. That’s just what the humans want. ~ Moro
You cannot win against the humans. Their guns will destroy you all. ~ Moro
Lord Okkoto, you must stop! They aren’t your warriors, don’t you understand? ~ San
What do you say we give ’em a little demonstration of how fast we can run, huh? ~ Jigo
Quiet! Watch what you say, you filthy pig! ~ San
I’m not afraid to die. I’d do anything to get you humans out of my forest! ~ San
There’s a demon inside of you. It’s inside both of you. ~ Prince Ashitaka
The legends say the blood of the Great Forest Spirit can heal anything. ~ Lady Eboshi
When you’re going to kill a god, let someone else do your dirty work. ~ Jigo
Please keep it with you, brother, to protect you. You must take it with you. Please, I want you to have it, so you won’t forget. ~ Kaya
Famous Princess Mononoke Quotes
Moro, please ask the Forest Spirit to save you! ~ San
Relax, kid, I have bigger fish to fry. Your secret’s safe with me. ~ Jigo
I can deal with forest gods, it’s humans I’m worried about. Remember, you can’t trust men. ~ Lady Eboshi
Ugh, I smell like a human. ~ San
Disgusting little creatures. Soon, all of you will feel my hate, and suffer as I have suffered. ~ Nago
I knew that from the first moment I saw you. ~ Prince Ashitaka
Do as you must. You know, that boy wanted to share his life with you. ~ Moro
Well, I give up. Can’t win against fools. ~ Jigo
Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed, but still, you find reasons to keep living. ~ Osa
No! I don’t wanna become a demon! ~ San
I hate him! I hate all humans! ~ San
That curse will spread throughout your whole body, bone, and flesh alike, and finally kill you. Now, leave this place at sunrise. Return and I shall kill you. ~ Moro
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! ~ Prince Ashitaka
I did not want them to kill you. That’s why. ~ Prince Ashitaka
You’re too slow! Get on! ~ Moro’s Cub
You scared me half to death! Don’t you ‘little flower’ me! ~ Toki
I understand. You’ll live in the forest, and I’ll help rebuild Irontown. ~ Prince Ashitaka
I’m sure she’ll make a lovely wife for you. ~ Lady Eboshi
Don’t worry about her ladyship. I will be protecting her. ~ Gonza
That’s what we’re worried about. ~ Townswoman
And I’m not afraid of you! I should kill you for saving her! ~ San
Popular Princess Mononoke Quotes
Give me back my daughter, demon! ~ Moro
Why did you stop me from killing her? Tell me while you are still alive. ~ San
This is my garden. None of the townspeople dare to come here. ~ Lady Eboshi
Stay your hand. The girl’s life is now mine. ~ Prince Ashitaka
I have lived long enough, San. Soon, the Great Forest Spirit will let me rest forever. ~ Moro
No, I want you to keep it, so you won’t forget your little sister. ~ Kaya
I wish the wolves had eaten you! Then maybe I could’ve found a real husband. ~ Toki
It feels like I must have been asleep for weeks. I had a dream that San was by my side, nursing me. ~ Prince Ashitaka
Kaya, you know I could never forget you. ~ Prince Ashitaka
My arm, it doesn’t hurt. It’s healed! ~ Kohroku
Don’t touch him. He’s no longer a god. ~ Moro
Inspirational Princess Mononoke Quotes
You’re beautiful. ~ Prince Ashitaka
All these years, you’ve defended the Forest Spirit! He must save you! ~ San
Now, watch closely, everyone. I’m going to show you how to kill a god. A god of life and death. The trick is not to fear him. ~ Lady Eboshi
Ugh, it’s that damn woman again. ~ San
You cannot alter your fate, my prince. However, you can rise to meet it if you choose. ~ Wise Woman of the Emishi
Nago was afraid to die. Now, I too, carry within my breast a poisoned human bullet. Nago fled, and the darkness took him. I remain and contemplate my death. ~ Moro
We’re grateful to you for bringing those men back to us. We don’t want to hurt you. ~ Rifle Guard
Cut off a wolf’s head and it still has the power to bite. ~ Lady Eboshi
What do you think you’re doing, boy? ~ Lady Eboshi
Top Princess Mononoke Quotes
I caught her human parents defiling my forest. They threw their baby at my feet as they ran away. Instead of eating her, I raised her as my own. Now, my poor, ugly, beautiful daughter is neither human nor wolf. ~ Moro
You go, before my fangs find you! ~ Moro’s Cub
The Forest Spirit gives life and takes life away. Life and death are his alone. ~ Moro
I walked in through this gate this morning. Now I’m going to leave the same way. ~ Prince Ashitaka
That’s enough! I’m not listening to you anymore! ~ San
Huh. I never knew the Forest God made the flowers grow. ~ Kohroku
Humans are everywhere these days. Go back to your mountain. Kill them there. ~ Moro
Ashitaka, can you save the girl you love? ~ Moro
The sooner we get this rice home, the sooner we’ll eat! Let’s move! ~ Lady Eboshi
I’m getting a little bored of this curse of yours, Ashitaka. Just let me cut the damn thing off. ~ Lady Eboshi
Don’t be a fool. It takes 10 men to open this gate. ~ Rifle Guard
You mustn’t give up! We’ll find a way! The Forest Spirit is with us. Go on planting the trees and someday we will beat them! ~ San
Lady Eboshi: What exactly are you here for?
That woman is evil, and there’s no one who can stop me from killing her! ~ San
What I want is for the humans and the forest to live in peace! ~ Prince Ashitaka
I was hoping you’d cry out in your sleep. Then I would have bitten your head off to silence you. ~ Moro
Short Princess Mononoke Quotes
To see with eyes unclouded by hate.
What is it, San? Want me to crunch his face off? ~ Wolf
Princess of the spirits, of ghouls, beasts, and ancient gods. The wolves stole her soul and now she lives to kill me. ~ Lady Eboshi
You will die! ~ Lady Eboshi
Your crystal dagger. Kaya, I can’t take this. ~ Prince Ashitaka
Ashitaka, you mean so much to me, but I can’t forgive the humans for what they’ve done. ~ San
Silence, boy! How dare you speak to a god like that! ~ Moro
Mother, I have to go. Lord Okoto is blind; I must be his eyes. Do you understand? ~ San
You see, everyone wants everything – that’s the way the world is. But I just might actually get it. ~ Jigo
I was saving my energy to bite off that damn woman’s head, but I must save San. ~ Moro
Even if you were a woman, you’d still be an idiot, so there! ~ Toki
You want some of our iron? Mine your own! ~ Townswoman
Well, they say that happy women make a happy village. ~ Prince Ashitaka.
So this ends our list of Princess Mononoke quotes.
Other Movie Quotes
Short Biography of Princess Mononoke
“Princess Mononoke” is a captivating animated film from Japan, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Set in the late Muromachi period, it tells the story of Ashitaka, a young prince cursed by a demon boar.
His quest for a cure leads him to a conflict between forest gods and humans over natural resources.
| Movie Name | Princess Mononoke |
| Japanese Name | もののけ姫 |
| Hepburn | Mononoke-hime |
| Release Date | 12 July 1997 (Japan) |
| Directed By | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Distributed By | Toho Co., Ltd., Miramax |
| Cinematography | Atsushi Okui |
| Written By | Hayao Miyazaki |
| Produced By | Toshio Suzuki |
| Starring | Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka, Kaoru Kobayashi, Masahiko Nishimura, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Akihiro Miwa, Mitsuko Mori, Hisaya Morishige |
| Edited By | Takeshi Seyama |
| Music By | Joe Hisaishi |
| Production Company | Studio Ghibli |
| Running Time | 133 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Budget | ¥2.35 billion; ($23.5 million) |
| Box Office | $194.3 million |
The film blends Shinto beliefs and environmental themes, achieving massive success in Japan and abroad.
Ashitaka’s adventures involve battling humans and gods, seeking balance between nature and industrialization, and forming a bond with San, a girl raised by wolves.
The story climaxes in a dramatic confrontation to save the forest and its spirit, ultimately offering a message of healing and coexistence.
Quick Facts about Princess Mononoke
- “Princess Mononoke” is directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli.
- Released in 1997, the film became Japan’s top-grossing movie of its time.
- The story is set in medieval Japan, focusing on Prince Ashitaka’s adventures.
- It delves into the conflict between nature and humanity, emphasizing environmental themes.
- Miyazaki spent over a year on storyboarding and screenplay writing.
- Known for its hand-drawn animation, the film showcases Studio Ghibli’s signature style.
- The original Japanese title, “Mononoke-hime,” means “Spirit/Monster Princess.”
- It was the first animated feature to win the Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture.
- The English version features voices of Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, and Billy Bob Thornton.
- Influential to James Cameron, it partly inspired his film “Avatar.”
- The soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi is critically acclaimed.
- Characters are presented in shades of gray, highlighting complex moral dilemmas.
- Studio Ghibli’s animation team studied forests in Yakushima for realistic depictions.
- The U.S. release came in 1999, post the success of “Spirited Away.”
- With a 134-minute runtime, it’s among Studio Ghibli’s longer films.
- Themes of industrialization and its environmental impact are explored.
- Attention to detail is evident in character movements and forest spirit designs.
- “Spirited Away” eventually surpassed its box office success.
- Y?ji Matsuda and Billy Crudup voice protagonist Ashitaka in Japanese and English versions, respectively.
- The film features strong female characters like San, the wolf princess, and Lady Eboshi.
- It examines the clash between traditional and modern societal influences.
- International awards include Best Animation Film at Fantasporto and Blue Ribbon Awards.
- Art director Kazuo Oga dedicated two years to creating intricate background paintings.
- Nature is portrayed as mystical, with forest spirits and Moro, the wolf goddess.
- It gained international audiences with releases in the UK, France, and Australia.
- The Japanese premiere attracted celebrities and dignitaries, including royal family members.
- Its success solidified Studio Ghibli’s global reputation.
- The film’s complex narrative underwent multiple script revisions.
- Praised for its environmental message and depiction of human-nature consequences.
- Boosted global interest in Japanese animation, enhancing Studio Ghibli’s popularity.
- Holds a 93% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Its storytelling and visuals continue to captivate audiences.
- Boosted tourism to film-related locations like Yakushima.
- The English adaptation was done by Miramax Films with translation by Neil Gaiman.
- Themes of prejudice and discrimination are highlighted, showing the harm of hatred and mistrust.
Top Questions about Princess Mononoke
A: Hayao Miyazaki, a celebrated Japanese filmmaker, directed Princess Mononoke.
A: The film made its debut in Japan in 1997 and later garnered acclaim on an international scale.
A: The film weaves elements from Japanese mythology and folklore, rather than being based on real-life events.
A: The title points to San, dubbed Princess Mononoke or “Spirit Princess,” who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding story.
A: The climax involves a fierce clash leading to the devastation of both the forest and Irontown, but it ends with a note of hope as Lady Eboshi commits to rebuilding Irontown with a new respect for nature.
A: Given its mature themes and violent scenes, it’s better suited for older children and adults.
A: It casts a critical eye on the repercussions of industrialization on the natural world, advocating for environmental conservation.
A: While Miramax Films, then a Disney subsidiary, handled the English dub’s distribution, Disney did not sell the film with the Miramax library and retained the distribution rights in North America.
A: Yes, the film has been made accessible to a wider audience through English dubbing by a skilled voice cast.
A: Absolutely, it stands as one of Studio Ghibli’s hallmark creations, celebrated for its animated masterpieces.
A: Its intricate characters, breathtaking hand-drawn visuals, and introspective themes distinguish it, resonating with a diverse audience beyond the usual animated film demographic.
A: Yes, it received widespread critical praise and bagged several awards, including Best Animation Film at the Japan Academy Prize and Best Film at the Mainichi Film Awards.
A: It’s readily available on numerous streaming services and can also be bought on DVD or Blu-ray.
