Princess Mononoke
While protecting his village from rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west. Once there, he's embroiled in a fierce campaign that humans were waging on the forest. The ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan use their guns against the gods of the forest and a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke, who was raised by a wolf-god. Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flood of blood. This is met by animosity by both sides as they each see him as supporting the enemy.
Despite a moderate budget of $23.5M, Princess Mononoke became a massive hit, earning $176.5M worldwide—a remarkable 651% return.
14 wins & 6 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Princess Mononoke (1997) reveals deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Hayao Miyazaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 14 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 4.6, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ashitaka lives peacefully as a prince of the Emishi village, a hidden community living in harmony with nature and ancient traditions.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Ashitaka is cursed by the demon boar during the attack, forcing him to leave his village forever to seek a cure and understand the demon's origin.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ashitaka enters Iron Town and actively chooses to stay and understand Lady Eboshi, despite seeing that she was responsible for creating the demon that cursed him., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Of particular interest, this crucial beat San infiltrates Iron Town to kill Eboshi; Ashitaka stops the fight and is shot, revealing the curse spreading on his arm. He carries the unconscious San into the forest, collapsing from his wounds., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Forest Spirit (Shishigami) is decapitated by Jigo and Eboshi. Its death form begins destroying everything, turning the forest into a wasteland and threatening all life., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 97 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Ashitaka and San fight through both human and forest forces to return the head to the Forest Spirit. The Spirit reclaims its head and dies, but in death brings new life and healing to the land., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Princess Mononoke's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Princess Mononoke against these established plot points, we can identify how Hayao Miyazaki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Princess Mononoke within the animation genre.
Hayao Miyazaki's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Hayao Miyazaki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.6, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Princess Mononoke takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Hayao Miyazaki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Hayao Miyazaki analyses, see Kiki's Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ashitaka lives peacefully as a prince of the Emishi village, a hidden community living in harmony with nature and ancient traditions.
Theme
The wise woman tells Ashitaka he must "see with eyes unclouded by hate" to understand the conflict between humans and nature.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ashitaka's Emishi village, the cursed demon boar attack, and the revelation that he is now cursed and must leave to find the source of the demon's corruption in the west.
Disruption
Ashitaka is cursed by the demon boar during the attack, forcing him to leave his village forever to seek a cure and understand the demon's origin.
Resistance
Ashitaka journeys west, encountering Jigo the monk who introduces him to the conflict between humans and forest gods, and witnesses the destruction humans cause in pursuit of iron and progress.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ashitaka enters Iron Town and actively chooses to stay and understand Lady Eboshi, despite seeing that she was responsible for creating the demon that cursed him.
Premise
Ashitaka navigates between two worlds: Iron Town's human ambition led by Eboshi, and the forest's primal power represented by San and the wolf goddess Moro, trying to understand both sides.
Midpoint
San infiltrates Iron Town to kill Eboshi; Ashitaka stops the fight and is shot, revealing the curse spreading on his arm. He carries the unconscious San into the forest, collapsing from his wounds.
Opposition
The conflict escalates as both sides prepare for war. San cares for wounded Ashitaka but remains committed to the forest. Jigo's plot to kill the Forest Spirit is revealed. Multiple forces converge on the forest.
Collapse
The Forest Spirit (Shishigami) is decapitated by Jigo and Eboshi. Its death form begins destroying everything, turning the forest into a wasteland and threatening all life.
Crisis
The Night Walker form of the dying Forest Spirit spreads destruction. Ashitaka and San witness the devastation caused by human ambition and realize they must act together to restore balance.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ashitaka and San fight through both human and forest forces to return the head to the Forest Spirit. The Spirit reclaims its head and dies, but in death brings new life and healing to the land.