The main visual for "Mononoke: The Movie - Chapter 3: Serpent God," the third and final chapter of the "Mononoke: The Movie" trilogy, a brand-new theatrical film series based on the popular TV anime "Mononoke ," has been released. The visual depicts the Medicine Seller in a shocking form never before seen, standing ethereally in a predominantly white space. The patterns on his face and the colors of his kimono seem to emanate from him, as if capturing the final moment before he disappears from this world, foreshadowing the fate that awaits the Medicine Seller.
The second trailer has also been released on YouTube. Chapter three will delve into the "greatest secret" that has been hidden within the Ooku for a long time, and the most terrifying Mononoke in the series will appear. The trailer begins with the powerful line from the medicine seller, "Mononoke must be slain," and shows the sadness, anguish, and loneliness of Sachiko, the highest-ranking woman in the Ooku and the main character. In the latter half, the words of the characters intertwine, such as "I wanted to love you more," "I cannot make you happy," and "I want to become water."
It was also announced that Yukana will play the role of Tenkyoku and Hidefumi Takemoto will play the role of Mizorogi Saku as additional cast members. Yukana has also appeared in the TV anime "Mononoke," playing Mugitani in the first chapter of the theatrical version and Sayo in the second chapter. In the third chapter, she will play Tenkyoku, a key figure deeply involved in the secrets of the Ooku, who was the wet nurse of the third emperor 150 years ago and held more power than the principal wife. Yukana commented, "Just like in the story, everything has a beginning. Even if something seems meaningless and strange from your perspective at the time, there must have been some reason for its beginning. There was a truth in the form of the umbrella and the fire rat. I just hope that you will be able to see the truth in the form of the snake god and in this series of stories."
Takemoto has voiced various characters in the TV series, including the demon-slaying sword. In the third chapter of the theatrical film series, he will appear as Mizorogi Saku, an ancestor of Mizorogi Hokuto, a priest of the Mizusama faith. Takemoto sent a message saying, "Hello, the theatrical film! Long time no see, Mononoke! Thank you! I look forward to working with you! My role this time is 'Mizorogi Hokuto's ancestor.' Yes, I'm sure you're all confused, aren't you? An ancestor!? Someone from long, long ago!? So how is he related to Hokuto? Who is he??? Hehehe. Well, what do you think? There's only one thing I can say. 'It's an amazing movie, so you should see it.' So! Find out the mystery! At the theater! With your own eyes! See for yourself! Enjoy!"
Daisuke Hosomi, who plays Sakashita, a character who has appeared since the first chapter of the theatrical film series and has gained popularity for his unique presence, also provided a comment, saying, "As the series progresses, I am happy that my relationship with the Medicine Seller is getting closer and closer, but at the same time, I feel sad that the time to say goodbye is also approaching... All the mysteries will be revealed in ' Mononoke: The Movie Chapter 3 - The Serpent God,' and it's sure to be interesting! Please come to the theater! Watch the Medicine Seller's exploits on the big screen, and while you're at it, cheer on Sakashita too!"
It was also announced that Aina the End will be in charge of the theme song for the third chapter, following the first and second chapters. The theme song is an original song titled "No Epilogue," and Aina the End commented, "The third chapter has a finale feel to it, but the lives of everyone in Mononoke are not over! I don't want them to end! I created the song 'No Epilogue' with that feeling in mind. I hope that I can add my own flower to each of their forms of love."
"Mononoke: The Movie" is set in the Ooku (women's quarters of Edo Castle), a place swirling with the passions of women, and follows a medicine seller as he tries to uncover the true identity of the "Mononoke." The first chapter, "Karakasa," was released in July 2024, and the second chapter, "Hinezumi," was released in March. The third chapter, "Hebigami," will be released on May 29th.
"Mononoke" is an anime produced by the same staff who worked on the popular episode "Bakeneko" from "Ayakashi," which aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina anime block in 2006. It aired on Noitamina in 2007. The story depicts a supernatural tale in which the medicine seller who appeared in "Bakeneko" confronts a Mononoke.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Executive Director: Kenji Nakamura▽Director: Tomoaki Koshida▽Screenplay: Shin Hachikaku▽Character Design: Koko Nagata▽Animation Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi▽Art Setting: Yoichi Kadono▽Art Directors: Akira Kuramoto, Yoko Saito▽Art Supervision: Takashi Kurahashi▽Color Design: Kunio Tsujita▽Visual Director: Yoichi Izumitsui▽3D Director: Kenichi Shirai▽Editing: Shigeru Nishiyama▽Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki▽Music: Taku Iwasaki▽Producers: Kimiaki Sato, Koichi Naruse, Haruka Kato, Nanako Uematsu▽Planning Producer: Koji Yamamoto▽Production and Distribution: Twin Engine▽Production: Studio Kafka, EOTA
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Medicine Seller: Hiroshi Kamiya ▽ Sachiko: Atsumi Tanezaki ▽ Tenshi: Miyu Irino ▽ Hokuto Mizorogi: Kenjiro Tsuda Tsuda▽ Suikoin: Yoshiko Sakakibara▽ Asa: Tomoyo Kurosawa▽ Fuki Tokita: Yoko Hikasa▽ Botan Otomo: Haruka Tomatsu Yuki Kaji ▽ Saburomaru Tokita: Jun Fukuyama ▽ Heiki Saga: Jun Fukuyama▽ Sakashita: Daisuke Hosomi▽ Ryoji Tokita: Cho▽ Fujimaki: Ryo Horikawa▽ Tenkyoku: Yukana▽ Tokiwai: Aya Hirano▽ Kawa: Mariko Honda▽ Saku Mizorogi: Eiji Takemoto▽ Third Generation Lady: Miyuki Sawashiro
