Articles about Mononoke Hime

The Nikkei Weekly, 29 Dec 1997
Daily Variety, 31 Dec 1997
Japan Economic Newswire, 13 Jan 1998
Japan Economic Newswire, 21 Jan 1998    Yoshifumi KONDO, 'Mimi' director, dies
Yahoo! Entertainment, 30 Jan 1998    REVIEW/FILM
Daily Variety, 13 Feb 1998
Mainichi Shinbun, 27 Feb 1998
Ghibli Press Conference, 16 Jul 1998
The Hollywood Reporter, 21-27 Jul 1998    Japanese Video Sales
Los Angeles Daily News, 6 Sep 1998

Earlier articles (until Dec 1997)

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Links to MH reviews can be found at the links page.

December 29, 1997

SECTION: MAJOR STORIES; Pg. 1

Fantasy, hard realities spawn hit products

Hottest Items Include 'Mononoke', Deposits At Tokyo-Mitsubishi

BY ASAKO ISHIBASHI Staff writer

Hit products and fads are mirrors of their times. This year, mounting economic and social anxieties have caused Japanese consumers to be risk-averse and introspective in their spending.

Deposits at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and the animated film "Princess Mononoke" topped The Nikkei Marketing Journal's 1997 annual list of Japan's 32 hottest items.

A series of bankruptcies of domestic financial institutions in 1997 has jolted Japanese consumers to a rude realization that their banks are no longer fail-safe. Scared depositors rushed to move their savings to Tokyo-Mitsubishi, the largest and believed to be the strongest Japanese bank.

"Princess Mononoke, " directed by Hayao Miyazaki, has broken box office records in Japan, despite its complex and sometimes dark story line based on the conflict between industrial progress and nature.

Japan's economic outlook remains gloomy. But trend watchers see tinges of hope for the future from the 1997 hit products, which signal the budding of new values and technologies.

Greater competition in the market has given Japanese consumers more choices. At the same time, producers are on edge, realizing it's survival of the fittest.

The products show that more value is being placed on experiencing unconventional worlds than on possessing material items. Consumers appear eager to improve the quality of their lives, preferably without spending more. There's heightened awareness of health and the environment. Despite the economic stagnation, there's no slowing in the new wave of digital electronics penetrating Japanese offices and households.

Many of the hit products of 1997 allow consumers to experience surreal worlds, quite inexpensively. Tamagotchi, a portable electronic "pet," lets players become virtual pet owners. Pocket Monster, a Nintendo game, has become a monster hit, spinning off hit derivatives that include character dolls and a television series. "Princess Mononoke" drew and mesmerized an audience of 12 million viewers with its superb animated imagery.

Many Japanese grown-ups have enjoyed these fantasy products almost as much as have children.

"The borderline between adult and child cultures has disappeared," says Hideo Takayama, head of the Children's Research Institute. "While children have become more precocious, it seems like many Japanese adults have grown up without fully experiencing childhood."

Japanese consumers were also drawn to memories of the lost past. "Candle in the Wind," the song rewritten and sung by Elton John in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, after her death, has sold 700,000 copies in Japan and 33 million globally. "Shonen H" ("Boy H"), an autobiographical novel by Kappa Senoo, a renowned theatrical designer, reflecting on his wartime boyhood, became a sleeper best seller, with 1.6 million hardcover copies sold.

December 31, 1997

Grosses grow as 21 pix hit $ 100 mil

SYDNEY --- U.S. majors collectively are certain to finish 1997 with record grosses outside the U.S., as an unprecedented 21 titles have earned more than $ 100 million each overseas.

As of today, just a dozen films, including the recently released "Titanic," had topped $ 100 million domestically.

[snip]

Although Hollywood devoured the lion's share of the 21 clicks' total receipts of well over $ 3 billion (topping last year's 15 pics pulling $ 2.6 billion), four films of non-U.S. origin joined the $ 100 million winners' circle. British comedies "Bean" with Rowan Atkinson (Polygram) and "The Full Monty" (Fox) vied for the sleeper of the year accolade, while "The Fifth Element" (directed by Luc Besson and financed by Gallic major Gaumont) ranked third, and Japanese animated sensation "The Princess Mononoke" surpassed "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" to become the highest-earning film in Nippon history.

[snip]

JANUARY 13, 1998

Agency awards 'Princess Mononoke' grand prize

TOKYO, Jan. 13 Kyodo

The animation film 'Mononoke Hime' (Princess Mononoke) , Japan's top all-time box-office hit, has been selected to receive the Cultural Agency's grand prize with three other works for the first media arts festival awards, the agency said Tuesday.

The fantasy film, directed by veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki, was recognized in the animation category for its 'high finished quality' as a full-length animated film that represents domestic animated works.

The other categories are for 'manga' or Japanese comics, interactive and noninteractive digital art, representing computer games and special visual effects, respectively. The awards ceremony will be held Feb. 2 at the New National Theater in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.

The agency said it established the new award to promote the development of artistic expression that would meet the demands of an increasingly diversified media.

The award recognizes achievement in new artistic fields that have developed techniques which make new forms of visual expression possible.

Such domestically produced works, which are now gaining recognition around the world, are expected to represent Japan's new culture in the next century, the agency said.

'Mononoke Hime' earned net receipts of 9.65 billion yen less than four months since its release in July 1997, breaking a 15-year net earnings record for a first-run movie in Japan, held by 'E.T. The Extraterrestrial.'

Still showing in cinemas throughout Japan, the medieval adventure film is scheduled to be released commercially in the United States and Europe later this year, its distributor said.

NOTE: Cultural Agency (Bunka Cho) is a part of the Ministry of Education of Japan.  -Ryo

JANUARY 21, 1998

'Mononoke Hime' animator Kondo dies at 47

TOKYO, Jan. 21 Kyodo

Yoshifumi Kondo, one of the animation directors for the award-winning animated film ' Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) ', died of an aneurysm at a Tokyo hospital Wednesday, his family said. He was 47.

Kondo, together with directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, created many animated films for Studio Ghibli, including 'Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whispers from the Heart)' and 'Mononoke Hime.'

'Mononoke Hime,' which has turned out to be Japan's all-time top box office hit, won the Cultural Agency's highest honor at the first Media Arts Festival Awards.

Friday January 30

REVIEW/FILM: Japan's 'Princess' Set For Royal Reception

Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime) (Animated, Japanese, Color, no rating, 2:13)

By Leonard Klady

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Japan's all-time box office champ, "Princess Mononoke," is a rich cartoon fable of bygone gods locking horns with man and with industry, which threatens to unbalance the forces of nature.

Though set in the 14th century, its ecological bias and feminist slant provide a modern resonance. But the picture -- steeped in Asian folklore -- will require shrewd translation to connect with Western audiences. A few deft brush strokes could result in strong theatrical returns and extremely buoyant cassette sales. The animator could reap a bounty from all revenue streams as it ushers in a Japanese animation franchise.

(Disney recently concluded a multipicture acquisition of films by Mononoke director Hayao Miyazaki that will include theatrical and video releases in the U.S. and other territories. Mononoke will open via Miramax in the summer.)

Flying in the face of popular Western animation, Princess Mononoke is not a musical, nor is it primarily directed at preteens, even if that group can readily embrace it. The film represents a bold experiment for Miyazaki, whose earlier work, including Kiki's Delivery Service, The Red Pig and My Neighbor Totoro, had more gentle, youthful themes. The new film, which has grossed more than $150 million in Japan, is not only more sharply drawn, it has an extremely complex and adult script.

The tale begins in Japan's distant and sparsely populated north. In the opening section, young Prince Ashitaka is valiantly fighting off a demon god -- a giant boar seemingly possessed by wormlike creatures. After the prince slays the beast, the village oracle begs its forgiveness, but it has already left its curse on the prince and infected him with a fatal disease. He's told by the seer that he must venture to the west to have the malediction lifted.

The journey evolves into a mystical and violent pilgrim's progress. He encounters bloodthirsty samurai, a corrupt priest and cuddly, docile forest gnomes. Eventually, the prince arrives at the great forest and is befriended by Lady Eboshi, who operates a giant ironworks on its periphery.

Ashitaka finds himself thrust into the middle of several conflicts. Eboshi's clan is in danger of attack by rivals. The great struggle however, is between the factory and the forest families of boars, wolves and the like who are being killed off to make way for industrial expansion. For centuries, the woodland denizens have controlled their turf, but this woman has a powerful secret that's turned the tables -- gunpowder.

Allegiances are further clouded by the arrival of the title character, also known as San. She not only runs with the wolves, she considers herself one of them. San does not know what to make of the young stranger. And though each side considers him friend or foe at various stages, Ashitaka ultimately wants to reconcile the two and find the deer god who can cure his affliction.

In keeping with the best of Disney's toon features, Mononoke develops full characters, obscuring the lines separating it from live-action fare. Eboshi is not some cardboard villain; rather, she is a force of the future, employing society's misfits, such as lepers and ex-prostitutes, and giving them the chance to find dignity in work. She's also headstrong and incapable of backing down once she's thrust into battle.

Pic shares an eco theme with Miyazaki's earlier Pom Poko, but it is much richer, drawing upon the nation's history and adapting folkloric legends for a highly original tale. Princess Mononoke has the soul of a romantic epic, and its lush tones, elegant score by Joe Hisaishi and full-blooded characterizations give it the sweep of cinema's most grand canvases.

Voices:

Ashitaka ........ Yoji Matsuda

San ............. Yuriko Ishida

Lady Eboshi ..... Yuko Tanaka

Jiko ............ Kaori Kobayashi

Koroku .......... Masahiko Nishimura

Gonza ........... Tsunehiko Kamijyo

Toki ............ Sumi Shimamoto

Moro ............ Akihiro Miwa

Oracle .......... Mitsuko Mori

Okkoto .......... Hisaya Morishige

A Miramax Films (U.S.) release of a Tokuma Shoten Co.-Nippon Television Network-Dentsu-Studio Ghibli production. Produced by Toshio Suzuki. Executive producer, Yasuyoshi Tokuma.

Directed, written by Hayao Miyazaki. Animation direction, Masashi Ando, Kitaro Kosaka, Yoshifumi Kondo. Camera (Fujicolor, Panavision widescreen), Atsushi Okui; editor, Takeshi Seyama, Miyazaki; music, Joe Hisaishi; sound (Dolby Digital), Kazuhiro Wakabayashi. Reviewed at Ticketmaster Screening Room, L.A., Jan. 27, 1998.

Reuters/Variety

Page A6 (Special Animation section)

'PRINCESS' GOES WEST

JAPANESE HIT GETS ENGLISH TREATMENT

By Michael Mallory

[ A picture of San riding on a white wolf and running with a group of pigs, with caption ]

HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLVES: Miramax is preparing "Princess Mononoke" for its Stateside release in July. The toon set new records at the box office in Japan in '97.

'"Mononoke" is not effects-driven or violence-driven. This is true, story-driven animation that appeals to an older audience.'

Mark Johnson
Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Disney-owned Buena Vista Home Entertainment knew a successful partnership would arise from the strategic alliance it formed two years ago with Japan's leading animation company, Studio Ghibli. But the size of the pearl that has emerged from the deal has set even the Mouse on its ears.

Under the arrangement, BVHE acquired video rights within Japan and all media distribution rights outside of the country for eight films made by master animation filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, including a work in progress. That work, "Princess Mononoke," became a phenomenon upon its release in 1997, taking in about $160 million to date, and becoming the highest grossing film ever released in Japan.

"[Miyazaki] has a whole slate of films that are very, very popular in Japan," says Michael Johnson, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment. "When 'Princess Mononoke' came out, everyone believed it was going to be a good, strong film. What we didn't expect, but I believe (Studio Ghibli) expected, was just how strong it was."

'Jurassic' who?

Strong enough, in fact, to leave former B.O. champs, like 1982's "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" and 1993's "Jurassic Park," eating dust and become Japan's official selection for Academy consideration for best foreign-language film.

This kind of success and recognition means an almost certain theatrical release in the United States, perhaps even by this summer. BVHE is working with another Disney component, Miramax, on getting the film dubbed into English and hammering out a release schedule.

But audiences who are familiar only with American-made animated features, which continue to be targeted toward the kid trade, or even those who revel in the raucous, comic book-inspired, often graphically sexual and violent Japanese animation that travels the cult and arthouse circuits, will find in "Princess Mononoke" something entirely new.

"This is not anime," says Johnson, "it's not effect-driven or violence-driven. This is true, full-cel, story-driven animation that appeals to an older audience. 'Princess Mononoke' is playing to a 16- to 25-year-old audience in Japan."

Set in a demon-haunted world during Japan's feudal era, "Princess Mononoke" tells in terms of allegorical fantasy of the battle between humankind, on the verge of becoming industrialized, and the creatures and gods of nature, who are being supplanted in the process. The title character is a feral young woman who, after being abandoned in infancy, is raised by giant wolves and becomes their leader in battle against the humans. It is not "Pocahontas."

Audience appeal

But is it too philosophical and spiritual to find a U.S. audience?

Johnson thinks not. "It is without a doubt a very complex story that talks to various themes," he says, "but I think the dub and the actual scripting, the idiomatic interpretation, is what is going to drive the understanding of this film."

The other titles in the distribution deal with Studio Ghibli (which is part of Tokuma-Shoten, a major Japanese publishing company) include "Kiki's Delivery Service" and "Castle in the Sky". Johnson adds there might even be a coproduction arrangement with Studio Ghibli in the future.

The following is a rough translation of the article. -Ryoko

Director Miyazaki will not retire

By Shinsuke Nagao

We learned on 27th (of Feb.) that the next movie by Hayao Miyazaki will be about the 21st century, where the destruction of environment gets worsened. Miyazaki made a huge hit movie "Mononoke Hime", which earned 18 billion yen, with 13 million attendance. Although there has been a rumor of Miyazaki's retirement, Yasuyoshi Tokuma, the president of Tokuma Publishing and the executive producer of Mononoke Hime, denied this rumor, and announced that Miyazaki's next movie will be a huge picture with 3 - 5 billion yen production cost, which will surpass 2.4 billion yen for Mononoke Hime. It is said that Disney will cooperate in the worldwide distribution of this movie.

At the press conference for "Mononoke Hime" last March, Miyazaki said "It can be my last movie", and his "declaration of retirement" made a news. However, Tokuma says "He just meant that he was tired because of the movie making. Fans gave him such a support, and sent many letters to plead him not to retire. He will work for life. Miyazaki-San himself told me clearly that he would not retire."

In "Mononoke Hime", Miyazaki depicted the war between the forest gods and humans, which took place in medieval Japan. His next movie is going to take place in the 21st century. Tokuma says "Mononoke Hime was about Japan. This time, we want to make a movie for the world, which will be about the 21st century with environmental problems, terrorism, earthquake, plagues, population explosion, and so forth."

Since "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" in 1984, Tokuma Publishing has produced Miyazaki films such as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Porco Rosso".

Since its release in last July, "Mononoke Hime" has been popular among both children and adults, and is still in theaters. It broke all the Japanese record, from rental (the revenue for a movie company), gross (total ticket sales), to the number of attendance. It has been released in Hong Kong and Taiwan, from last August to October, and will be released in Europe and the US.

MH world release and Yamada-Kun

From: "Ryoko"
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 18:28:22 +0900
Organization: Nausicaa.net Project [Team Ghiblink]

Ghibli's official home page now has a picture of "Tonari no Yamada-Kun", Ghibli's next movie by Isao Takahata. There is also a report about the press conference on July 16th at http://www.ntv.co.jp/ghibli/yamada/index.html (in Japanese)

Most of the things in that report have already been reported, but here is a summary.

• The conference was attended by Mr. Tokuma, Miyazaki-San, Takahata-San, Mr. Michael Johnson (president, BVHE), Mr. Scott Martin (vice president, Miramax) and others.

• Miramax will release MH in the US from April to June in about 1,000 theaters in 100 cities.

• Buena Vista International will release MH in France, Italy, Germany, and Brazil.

• Voice casts:

  San - Claire Danes
  Moro - Gillian Anderson
  Eboshi - Minnie Driver
  Ashitaka - Billy Crudup

  Danes, Anderson, and Driver sent video letters, which were shown during the press conference. Gillian Anderson said that her daughter is a Totoro fan.

• Mr. Martin of Miramax said that MH has a wonderful story, and Americans can understand a Japanese movie.

• The English version of MH will also be released in Japan.

• MH earned 11.3 billion yen in rental (distributor's share of box office sales) and 13.53 million tickets were sold so far.

• 3.8 million copies of MH videos have been shipped. The previous video sales record was held by "Aladdin", which sold 2.2 million copies.

• The next movie from Ghibli is "Tonari no Yamada-Kun (My Neighbors the Yamadas)", directed by Isao Takahata, to be released in Japan in the summer of 1999. The theme of the movie is "family". Takahata-San wants to make a movie that everyone can laugh and relax. The movie will be full digital, and use no cel.

• Disney will invest 10% of the production cost for Yamada-Kun.

• The voice cast for "Yamada-Kun" are:

  Matsuko - Yukiji ASAOKA
  Takashi - Toru MASUOKA
  Shige - Masako ARAKI
  Narrator - Kosanji YANAGIYA

• Yamada-Kun will be distributed by Shochiku and Ghibli, not by Toho.

International Film Week 29

(...)

"Princess" rules Japanese video

SYDNEY -- Hayao Miyazaki's animated feature "Princess Mononoke" became Japan's best-selling video release by selling 2 million units and genarating $121 million in retail revenues, as of late late week, since its release by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. At a press conference in Tokyo, BVHE's Michael Johnson said the figures mean approximately one in 15 Japanese families with VCRs now own the film. Miramax also revealed that its voice-over lineup for the U.S. version of the Japanese blockbuster will include Gillian Anderson, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup.     -- Blake Murdoch

`KIKI'S' ANIMATOR TO DELIVER 9 FILMS TO U.S. AUDIENCES

09/06/98
Orlando Sentinel
METRO
Page F14
(Copyright 1998)

LOS ANGELES - When the Walt Disney Co. calls someone the Walt Disney of Japan, maybe animation fans ought to pay attention.

The animation giant will release nine of Hayao Miyazaki's animated films from the past two decades in American video markets or theaters in coming months.

The first one, Kiki ' s Delivery Service , hit video stores Tuesday and features Miyazaki's wonderful animation style and a flight of narrative fancy that's perfect for children yet still engaging for adults.

The film was a big Japanese hit, something Miyazaki has a habit of making.

The Princess Mononoke, which Disney subsidiary Miramax plans to release in theaters next year, has grossed at least $150 million so far, second only to Titanic in Japanese box-office history.

Miyazaki also created My Neighbor Totoro, another highly recommended children's film infused with magical beasts and striking art that has been available on video in the United States since 1994, selling half a million copies so far. Rights to distribute Totoro also will revert to Disney from 20th Century Fox under the deal.

"Miyazaki is a pioneer and a visionary who can take a story and bring it brilliantly to light through phenomenal animation and imagery," said Michael Johnson, president of Disney subsidiary Buena Vista Home Entertainment Worldwide. Johnson championed the deal at Disney after seeing a Miyazaki film several years ago in Tokyo.

"We know animation," Johnson said. "When I first saw Miyazaki's films, I wanted to find a way to make them available around the world."

Kiki follows a 13-year-old witch as she leaves her family for a year of training on her own in a big city in a universe somewhat like ours, but not quite.

In it, dirigibles and early TVs, Clipper ships and double-decker prop planes, '40s-era cars and quill pens all combine to give the film a slightly disorienting, if pleasing alternate-world feel. That feel is further heightened by Miyazaki's lifelike style, reminiscent of the Tintin series and some recent French comic book artists.

To revoice the film for American audiences, Buena Vista brought in a name-brand American cast. Young actress Kirsten Dunst is Kiki, Phil Hartman was cast as her wisecracking cat and Janeane Garofalo is an artist friend.

The conversion to English isn't total however. Written credits and some minor details in the film itself are in Japanese, though in other places, signs in German, English and other languages contribute to the tale's overall dislocation of reality.

Unlike most Japanese animation, or anime, Miyazaki's work is much slower, quieter and sweeter.

"His films are truly universal and timeless in their appeal," Johnson said. "They transcend cultural borders, and I know of animators everywhere who speak of his influence on their work."

Miyazaki, who personally draws thousands of each film's frames of animation, is a stunning visual artist. For instance, one of Kiki's stars is the gorgeous European-looking city in which it is largely set, replete with a dazzling clock tower and mansard-roofed buildings.

Other tours de force are a sequence with a flock of Canadian geese, his handling of wind and water, and an accident involving the helium-filled dirigible.

Disney has ambitious plans for Miyazaki's films.

"We want to take Kiki ' s Delivery Service and have it transcend the anime category by packaging and marketing it differently so that it reaches a much wider audience, beginning with families," Johnson said.

But securing the deal with Miyazaki took almost as long as creating one of Miyazaki's films. He had been courted by other studios in the past but had resisted deals because of concerns about preserving his films' artistic integrity, Johnson said.

As part of Miyazaki's deal, Disney's own name won't appear explicitly anywhere in connection with his films. Subsidiaries will handle the releases.

The films themselves won't be cut or otherwise modified, except for the addition of top-flight American casts. For Mononoke, which updates a 14th-century Japanese fable, the company has signed Gillian Anderson, Claire Danes and Minnie Driver for character voices.

Said Johnson, "We really view these films as masterpieces and don't want to take too many liberties with them."

Caption: PHOTO: `Kiki.' Film exemplifies stunning visuals for which Hayao Miyazaki has come to be known.

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