He rides his red elk, Yakul, up the hillside from his village passing three girls along the way, including Kaya (English: Tara Strong), his younger sister (or, in the Japanese version, the girl Ashitaka has promised to marry). Ashitaka (English: Billy Crudup, Japanese: Yôji Matsuda) is a prince of the dwindling Emishi people living in the eastern forest. The forest is disappearing and now is the age of gods and demons. The ancient gods once lived harmoniously with humans, but times have changed. A voiceover explains ancient gods and giant beasts inhabit the forests, owing their allegiance to the Forest Spirit. (Note: This synopsis describes the English version of the film.) Ashitaka and the Demon The film opens on a view of a mountainous forest shrouded in mist.
The story's competing interests- comprised of cursed monsters, an assortment of people driven by ambition, a selfless hero, and vengeful gods-are remarkable in that there is no villain, instead portraying darkness and hate as it manifests in everyone.
The tale of Princess Mononoke is a fantasy adventure: an epic struggle between humanity and nature.
