It has been revealed that a stage play, "Mononoke the Movie Prequel: Two-Headed Woman," which depicts the prequel to the all-new film trilogy of the popular TV anime "Mononoke," will be performed at Shinagawa Mononoke Hotel Stellar Ball (Minato Ward, Tokyo) from May 14th to 17th, 2026. Under the supervision of Kenji Nakamura, general director of the "Mononoke the Movie" series, the play will depict a completely original episode that can only be seen on stage.
The production will be directed by Yoriko Jun, who has worked on the stage "Mononoke" series, and Araki Hironori will play the medicine seller, as in the previous work. A teaser visual of the medicine seller has been released, featuring a new look from the previous work, dressed in a navy blue costume.
Nakamura commented, "I've been given the opportunity to see the play being steadily made in advance, and as the main character this time is 'The Medicine Seller of Kun in the Movie Version,' I was able to get a chance to see and touch Kun's costume and props up close. It's been made with incredible attention to detail, and I was allowed to carry a carrier on my back, which is actually extremely heavy (I hope you understand!). I also took part in the filming of Araki dressed as the medicine seller, and she looked so cool and beautiful, it really got me excited! I recommend that everyone see it with their own eyes. Look forward to the play ' Mononoke Prequel - The Two-Headed Woman'! I'm really looking forward to it too!"
"Mononoke" is an anime produced by the reunion of the staff who worked on the popular episode "Bakeneko" of "Ayakashi," which aired on Fuji TV's anime slot "Noitamina" in 2006, and was broadcast on Noitamina in 2007. The story depicts the supernatural tale of a medicine seller who appeared in "Bakeneko" facing off against a Mononoke.
The "Mononoke the Movie" is set in the inner palace, where women's passions swirl, and follows a medicine seller as he pursues the true identity of the "Mononoke." The first chapter, "Karakasa," was released in July 2024, and the second chapter, "Fire Rat," was released in March. The third chapter, "Snake God," will be released on May 29, 2026.
