New Mononoke the Movie trailer and key visual feature classic anime’s beautiful art style
Michelle Topham 
Over a decade ago, I stumbled across the mythological horror anime series Mononoke and immediately fell in love.
From its distinct art style, the way each hand-colored scene looked like it was printed on crumbled up paper, and how scenes didn’t feature a music soundtrack just the sounds of voices, falling rain or the rustling of leaves — all of it was so unusual, I couldn’t look away.
Even as the anime became creepier and more disturbing.
Now, more than 17 years after the original series premiered, and after the series has become a cult classic, Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa is now on its way after being announced back in 2022.
New Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa trailer released
Today, a Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa trailer was released via the anime’s official X account, along with a key visual (see below) and the names of 10 more voice actors added to the cast.
The film, called Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain in English, is being animated by Twin Engine, and follows more adventures of the Medicine Seller.
Unfortunately, due to Japan’s conservative and often quite judgmental society, the original voice actor Takahiro Sakurai will not be back to reprise his role as the protagonist due to him having an extra-marital affair.
(Yep, people really do lose their jobs in Japan for something that is really nobody’s business but the people involved simply because “listeners were upset”).
That part is now being played by Hiroshi Kamiya (Ranpo in Bungou Stray Dogs).
New cast members for Mononoke the Movie
- Kana Hanazawa voices Kitagawa
- Haruka Tomatsu is Botan Ohtomo
- Yoko Hikasa plays Fuki Tokita
- Yuko Kaida is Awashima
- Yukana is Mugitani
- Yuki Kaji plays Saburoumaru
- Jun Fukuyama voices Hiraki
- Daisuke Hosomi plays Sakashita
- Miyu Irino is Tenshi
- Kenjiro Tsuda is Hokuto Kourogi
Kenji Nakamura, the director of the original Mononoke series, is back directing, with Yuuichi Takahashi (Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-) both designing the characters and acting as animation director.
With no word yet on when Mononoke: The Movie will premiere outside Japan, the Japanese release date is July 26th, 2024.
Watch the new Mononoke: The Movie trailer down below.
It also features the anime film’s theme song ‘Love Sick‘ which, brilliantly, is being performed by Aina the End.
Hell, I would go and see the movie just to hear her.
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