Release Date
26-07-2025
Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain(or,Mononoke Movie: Karakasa) sees the return of one ofthe best TV anime of the 2000s,Mononoke, from its original director, Kenji Nakamura. Following its recent premiere, it was revealed that the highly anticipated film would be only the beginning of a trilogy, all the more reason why an international release feels essential.
The Fantasia Film Festival hosted the world premiere ofKarakasain Montreal on July 20, where it wonthe Satoshi Kon Award for Achievement in Animation, a week before its release in Japan. Upon its debut, the film’s credits teased a continuation, and on July 28, the film’s staff confirmed that the second of three films, titled “Hinezumi”, would premiere in Japan on July 24, 2025.
What Is Karakasa About?
Like the TV series it originates from,Mononoke the Moviefollows the Medicine Seller, a mysterious wandering merchant whose true skill lies in his talents as an exorcist. He seeks to eliminate dangerous and often vengeful spirits known as “mononoke”, alternatively named “ayakashi” or known more widely as “yokai.” By discerning the shape, truth, and reason behind the mononoke, he can unleash his sword of exorcism and put the spirit to rest.
The name of the first film,Karakasa, translates not only to a paper umbrella but also the name of a yokai in Japanese folklore, often called the Karakasa-kozo. This film follows two women, Asa and Kame, who arrive to work within the Ōoku, the place where the harem of Lord Tenshi resides, and where no man may enter. As they soon find out, within the Ōoku lies a great many resentments, exacerbated by an otherworldly spirit. Luckily, the Medicine Seller soon arrives to help.
What Critics Have To Say About It
Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film an “A,” calling it “the best-animated film of the year so far,” and in particular praising the color design. Praise for the visuals is constant among reviews currently available online, but Eisenbeis went so far as to say that the film would still be a captivating watch even without it. It’s a testament to the script, one in which its themes of individuality and groupthink flourish.
Matt Schley of The Japan Times was a bit more critical, though the visuals were once again praised considerably. He found the pacing of the film a bit exhausting and that the 90-minute runtime, though plenty enough for the protagonists, didn’t favor the supporting cast. This “fast and furious approach,” as he called it,extended to the music by Taku Iwasaki, which tonally felt like an inverse of the tone of the music in the original series. He gave it a 3 out of 5.
Why Karakasa Needs To Get A Wider Release Across Many Countries
It need not be said how beautiful this film looks and that alone is a pressing enough reason to bring it to as many screens as possible.That it was awarded the Satoshi Kon award, a name associated with one of the medium’s greatest and most inspirational directors, further speaks to not only its technical qualities but also its narrative prowess. This should come as no surprise to fans of the anime.
The Deeper Message Behind Mononoke
Karakasais a ghost story that examines the lives of the women in this harem and the parts of themselves that they’ve had to sacrifice to fulfill their roles. Back during the original series, beneath the core supernatural appeal, it had a consistent habit of examining the injustices done to women and society’s complacency with such injustices. The Ōoku is just the latest setting, and one fitting for a bold theatrical sequel to the series.
Whether it is Crunchyroll or GKIDS, someone has to announce a theatrical release forMononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain, and soon. With two more films on the way, this could be the most dazzlinganime trilogy to hit theaters sinceKizumonogatariorFate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel. All this to say: these films are begging to be seen on the big screen.
