Ultimately, most of the film’s bloodshed stems from fear of the unknown. But the most impressive, frightening part of the film is the way Miyazaki manages to turn one of the film’s driving forces, the fear of the unknown, into a visible force. Environmentalism is a primary theme, as the characters struggle to balance human survival with the needs of the nature around them. It’s certainly the goriest of Miyazaki’s films, rife with blood and severed body parts, and it features some of the most terrifying monster designs in the Ghibli canon. But Princess Mononoke pushes the limits of that balance. His work always balances seemingly childish stories with grown-up themes, or mature stories with childish flights of fancy. Hayao Miyazaki’s films can’t be categorized as kids’ stories or adult-focused features. Read all of the stories on our Ghibli Guide page.
With Studio Ghibli’s library now on digital and streaming services, we’ve surveyed the studio’s history, impact, and biggest themes.
