Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain

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Mononoke the Movie:
Phantom in the Rain
Kanji 劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」
Revised Hepburn Gekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa
Directed by Kenji Nakamura
Based on Mononoke
by Toei Animation
Produced by
  • Kōshō Satō
  • Yūki Sudō
Starring
Edited byShigeru Nishiyama
Music by Taku Iwasaki
Production
company
Distributed by
  • Giggly Box
  • Twin Engine
Release date
  • July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26)
Running time
89 minutes [1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain [2] [lower-alpha 1] is a 2024 Japanese animated supernatural psychological horror film directed by Kenji Nakamura based on the Mononoke anime television series, which in turn is a spin-off of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology series, both created by Toei Animation. Produced by EOTA and co-distributed by Giggly Box and Twin Engine, the film stars Hiroshi Kamiya as the voice of the Medicine Seller, alongside Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki, Mami Koyama, Kana Hanazawa, Haruka Tomatsu, Yoko Hikasa, Yūko Kaida, Yukana, Yuki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Hosomi, Miyu Irino and Kenjiro Tsuda. Phantom in the Rain was released in Japan on July 26, 2024. [3]

Contents

It is the first part of the Mononoke trilogy film project. A sequel, Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi is set to release in Japan on March 14, 2025, followed by an untitled third film. [4]

Synopsis

A girl named Asa is trying to advance her career, while another named Kame is seeking her dream to participate in the carnal workings of the Inner Chambers. As the elderly Utayama does her best to conceal its secrets, the Medicine Seller arrives and begins to unravel the horrifying and painful truth at the heart of the Inner Chambers.

Voice cast

CharacterJapanese voice cast
Medicine Seller Hiroshi Kamiya
Asa Tomoyo Kurosawa
Kame Aoi Yūki
Kayama Mami Koyama
Kitagawa Kana Hanazawa
Botan Ōtomo Haruka Tomatsu
Fuki Tokita Yoko Hikasa
Awashima Yūko Kaida
Mugitani Yukana
Saburomaru Yuki Kaji
Hiramoto Jun Fukuyama
SakashitaDaisuke Hosomi
Tenshi (Emperor) Miyu Irino
Hokuto Mizoragi Kenjiro Tsuda

Production

In June 2022, it was announced that the Mononoke anime series would receive a film adaptation in 2023, with Kenji Nakamura returning to direct the film, while EOTA handling the animation. [5] In February 2023, EOTA announced that Takahiro Sakurai would not be reprising his role as the Medicine Seller, whom voiced the character in the 2007 series, and was later recast to Hiroshi Kamiya. [6] [7] Additional staff members were also revealed, with Yūichi Takahashi serving as a character designer from Kitsuneko Nagata's original character concept, music composed by Taku Iwasaki. [8] In March 2024, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki and Mami Koyama was cast for the film. [3] [9] In April of that year, more cast members were announced, along with Aina the End providing the theme song for the film, titled "Love Sick". [10]

Release

The film was slated to release in 2023, but was later postponed to July 26, 2024. [3] It was also released in Montreal at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival the same month. [2]

Reception

Box office

On its debut weekend, the film opened in 229 theaters, and was the 7th most attended film. [11] [12]

Critical reception

Matt Schley of The Japan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 star rating, as he praised the tone shift and making the film different from the television series, but also felt overwhelmed by its pacing, despite the 90 minute-length. [13] Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film a solid A rating, and stated "Without its groundbreaking visuals, Mononoke The Movie: Karakasa would still be a film worth watching thanks to its mystery, suspense, and well-explored themes." [14]

Adaptations

A light novel adaptation by Yasumi Atarashi was published by Kadokawa in Japan on June 13, 2024. [15] [16] A manga adaptation by Kitsuneko Nagata was serialized on Monthly Shōnen Sirius magazine on May 26, 2024. [17]

Sequels

In July 2024, it was announced that a sequel was in production, [18] [19] and later that month, it was announced that the Mononoke film project will have three films. The second film, titled Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi, [lower-alpha 2] is set to be released on March 14, 2025. [4]

Notes

  1. Japanese: 劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」, Hepburn: Gekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa, lit. "Mononoke the Movie: Paper Umbrella"
  2. 劇場版「モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠」, Gekijōban Mononoke Dainishō: Hinezumi, lit. "Theatrical Feature Mononoke Second Chapter: Fire Rat"

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References

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