The film Mononoke: Hi no Hinezumi ( Mononoke: Part II – The Fire Mouse ) will be released in Japan on March 14, 2025. As a prelude to this long-awaited release, it has been confirmed that the first installment of the trilogy, "Mononoke: Karakasa", will return to theaters starting March 7 in a special screening nationwide .
Mononoke began as a spin-off of the Bakeneko arc within the Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology series. Later in 2007, it was turned into an anime series with a unique aesthetic and deeply atmospheric narrative. The story follows the enigmatic Medicine Seller , who travels the country facing the Mononoke , spirits formed from intense human emotions.
Released in July 2024, Mononoke: Karakasa marked the return of the franchise after 17 years. Its impact was such that it achieved an extended theatrical run and received international recognition , including the Best Animated Feature Film Award at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival and the Audience Award (Bronze) in the same category. Its director, Kenji Nakamura, stressed that the film was conceived to make the most of the cinematic experience, with a visual and sound style designed specifically for the big screen.
Along with the announcement of the special screening, new images from the second part of the trilogy have been revealed. In them, we can see intense combat scenes and a disturbing shot of the Medicine Seller looking through a paper lantern. In addition, the return of Saburoumaru and Asa , key characters from the first part, has been confirmed. Saburoumaru is the younger brother of Fuki, an O-naka-ro (concubine of the emperor), who was scarred by the tragedy of the previous story. On the other hand, Asa, who lived a heartbreaking experience as a new maid in the previous chapter, will show an important evolution in this new installment.
The list of theaters that will be screening Mononoke: Karakasa will be announced in early March through the official website. For those who were unable to see it at its premiere or wish to relive the experience before the second part, this will be an unmissable opportunity.
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