Nobody is more astonished than Mononoke fans by the emergence of three Mononoke movies. For those devoted to Kenji Nakamura's visually stunning and narratively engaging 2007 anime, it's a constant effort to precisely specify, "No, not Princess Mononoke, but Mononoke. It's this magnificent horror mystery anime series. Have you seen it?" And often, the answer is "No."

Dive into the Enigmatic World of Mononoke with Three New Films

Visual Splendor and Narrative Allure

Mononoke has always been a cult phenomenon, adored by the in-crowd but relatively unknown to a wider audience, especially for English speakers. The moment it was announced that Nakamura was creating three new movies, with the first, Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, premiering on Netflix for Western audiences on November 28th, it captured the attention of fans worldwide.The series' unique visual style, with its rich colors, intricate details, and textured designs that verge on the psychedelic, is one of its most distinctive features. Each episode is like a captivating puzzle, inviting close observation and rewarding repeated viewings. Nakamura masterfully presents hints through shot compositions, symbolism, and cutaways, ratcheting up the dramatic irony by providing the audience with information that the characters are yet to discover.

The Phantom in the Rain: A New Adventure

Asa and Kame, two new handmaidens, arrive at the emperor's Ōoku, ready to spend their lives there. Coincidentally, our hero, the mysterious demon-slayer and mystery-solver known as Kusuriuri, also arrives on the very day. The big news is the preparations for a ceremony celebrating the birth of the emperor's newest child, but the delay of several months remains a mystery.With Asa and Kame getting accustomed to the strange rituals and the tension between various characters, there are numerous mysteries to solve. However, Phantom in the Rain breaks Mononoke's tradition of self-contained mystery arcs. While it resolves the central mystery, it also introduces some loose ends, such as the man ladling out cursed water and hints of palace intrigue, leaving viewers wondering about their significance.

Visual Foreshadowing and Future Expectations

The movie's end credits feature a single animated loop of a camera rotating around a room with a great altar. One of the three ropes hanging on the altar is broken, hinting at a larger story yet to unfold. This non-articulated, visual foreshadowing is a trademark of Nakamura's work.Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi is set to premiere in Japan in March 2025, and with a six-month gap between its Japanese debut and its Netflix release in the US, it's a wait worth it. If you're a fan of Mononoke, Phantom in the Rain offers everything you desire, except an easy introduction for your newbie friends. But for newcomers, it's advisable to wait for all three films to be available to fully understand the grand picture.