Netflix acquired the streaming rights for the film, and was released worldwide on November 28, 2024.[5] A sequel, Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi is set to release in Japan on March 14, 2025, followed by an untitled third film.[3]
Synopsis
A girl named Asa is trying to advance her career, while another named Kame is seeking her dream to participate in the carnal workings of the Inner Chambers. As the elderly Utayama does her best to conceal its secrets, the Medicine Seller arrives and begins to unravel the horrifying and painful truth at the heart of the Inner Chambers.
In June 2022, it was announced that the Mononokeanime series would receive a film adaptation in 2023, with Kenji Nakamura returning to direct the film, while EOTA handling the animation.[6] In February 2023, EOTA announced that Takahiro Sakurai, who voiced the character in the 2007 series, would not be reprising his role as the Medicine Seller. The role was recast to Hiroshi Kamiya.[7][8] Additional staff members were also revealed, with Yūichi Takahashi serving as a character designer from Kitsuneko Nagata's original character concept, and music composed by Taku Iwasaki.[9] In March 2024, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki and Mami Koyama was cast for the film.[4][10] In April of that year, more cast members were announced, along with Aina the End providing the theme song for the film, titled "Love Sick".[11]
Release
The film was slated to release in 2023, but was later postponed to July 26, 2024.[4] It was also released in Montreal at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival the same month, where it won bronze in the animated film category.[2][12] In September of the same year, Netflix acquired global streaming rights for the film, and released on November 28, 2024.[5]
Reception
Box office
On its debut weekend, the film opened in 229 theaters, and ranked at #7 in the Japanese box office.[13][14][15]
Critical reception
Matt Schley of The Japan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 star rating, as he praised the tone shift and making the film different from the television series, but also felt overwhelmed by its pacing, despite the 90 minute-length.[16] Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film a solid A rating, and stated "Without its groundbreaking visuals, Mononoke The Movie: Karakasa would still be a film worth watching thanks to its mystery, suspense, and well-explored themes."[17] Susana Polo of Polygon praised the film for its visuals, mystery, protagonist, and faithfulness to the format of the original anime series, but noted that it would be difficult for those who were not fans of the anime to enjoy the film.[18]
In July 2024, it was announced that a sequel was in production,[22][23] and later that month, it was announced that the Mononoke film project will have three films. The second film, titled Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi,[b] is set to be released on March 14, 2025.[3]
Notes
^Japanese: 劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」, Hepburn: Gekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa, lit. "Mononoke the Movie: Paper Umbrella"
^劇場版「モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠」, Gekijōban Mononoke Dainishō: Hinezumi, lit. "Theatrical Feature Mononoke Second Chapter: Fire Rat"
References
^劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」 [Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain]. eiga.com (in Japanese). July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
^"ORICON NEWS：映画ランキング：『怪盗グルーのミニオン超変身』2週目に1位獲得、『デッドプール＆ウルヴァリン』『もし徳』など5本が初登場" [Movie ranking: "Despicable Me 3" takes first place for the second week, while five films including "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Moshidoku" make their debut]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
^神谷浩史、『モノノ怪』第二章は明日収録！｜シネマトゥデイ [Kamiya Hiroshi, the second chapter of "Mononoke" will be recorded tomorrow!]. Cinema Today (in Japanese). July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
