Mononoke
モノノ怪
Not to be confused with Princess Mononoke, Mononoke is a 2007 anime consisting of 12 30-minute episodes.
The animation is VERY stylized, painting scenes with bright colors and textures and giving off a very “picture book” feel. It sometimes utilizes blocky and over-exaggerated movements purposefully. Flash view changes are also abundant, to the point of disorientation. This can be a little off-putting for some people, but I feel that it suits Mononoke’s story well, though a little over the top.
Mononoke follows the Apothecary, an unknown man who destroys mononoke, a type of ayakashi (spirits/monster things). However, to say the anime is about the Apothecary is a grave mistake. In each story arc, he takes a background role as a prompter to other characters in order to move the story along. (At least until it is time to destroy the mononoke.) I’d say the story is more about the interaction between mononoke and humans, and why the Apothecary has to exist to destroy the mononoke.
For the Apothecary to be able to unsheathe his sword, the Demon-Slayer, he must first learn the mononoke’s Form (Katachi), Truth (Makoto) and Reason (Kotowari). Most of the story in each arc is trying the wheedle these things out in order for the Apothecary to “release” his sword. BTW, I think his sword is intelligent. When the Demon-Slayer is released, the Apothecary … switches bodies? I don’t really know what happens, but the Apothecary’s usual form disappears, and a tanner man clad in gold takes his place, presumed to still be the Apothecary, but who knows.
Warning; the 1st story arc, the Zashiki-Warishi, is confusing as heck. Nothing is explained, determined, etc. Please follow the Zashiki Warishi story immediately with the 2nd story arc, Umibouzu. They explain things there.
Actually, most of Mononoke is confusing. I suggest watching it several times, because each time I’ve watched it I’ve noticed new things that either help me understand each story a little better, or confuses me further. That being said, the over-arcing theme of human desires, fears, and deception is pretty easy to pick up, the Apothecary mentioning many times that mononoke are dangerous because of human involvement in its creation, and each mononoke generally originating from some dark human secret. But do be prepared to be confused, or at least disoriented, from the surreal animation and story-telling. I am often very confused as to whether what I’m watching is the present or past, or if a certain length of time just disappeared or what have you.
Though not meant to be comedic, Mononoke has its moments that make me snicker if you like petty, subtle humor. For example: the first time the Apothecary is caught off-guard; his “facade” when he loses his face; when he cuts the nue; the comment on his outfit in the last arc.
All in all, I recommend this anime for those who enjoy surreal shows. Also those who enjoy xxxHolic and Jigoku Shoujo might like the philosophy employed by the Apothecary. I will admit its a rather polarizing anime, so watch it to see if it strikes your fancy.
