It has been announced that the second chapter of the completely new film version of the popular TV anime "Mononoke ", "Mononoke the Movie Chapter 2: Fire Rat", will be selected for screening in the Midnight Special category of the special program at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival to be held in Annecy, France in June. This will be the first time that the film will be screened overseas.
The Annecy International Animated Film Festival was established in 1960 when the animation section of the Cannes Film Festival became independent. It is the world's longest-running and largest animated film festival. It will be held from June 8th to 14th.
The Midnight Special category will feature works that showcase experimental and thrilling visual expression, and will be held at night for audiences seeking an exciting experience.
" Mononoke" is an anime produced by a reunion of staff from the popular episode "Bakeneko" of "Ayakashi", which was broadcast on Fuji TV's late-night anime slot "Noitamina" in 2006, and was broadcast in 2007. It depicts the supernatural tale of a medicine seller who appeared in "Bakeneko" facing off against a Mononoke.
"Mononoke the Movie" is set in the inner palace, where the passions of women swirl, and follows a medicine seller as he pursues the true identity of the "Mononoke." There are three chapters in total, with the first, "Mononoke ," being released in July 2024, and the second, "Mononoke the Movie Chapter 2: Fire Rat," being released on March 14th. Nakamura Kenji, who worked on the TV series and the first movie, will be the general director of Chapter 2, and Suzuki Kiyotaka will be the director. It has also been announced that the third chapter, "Mononoke the Movie Chapter 3: Snake God," will be released in spring 2026.
