Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage

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Mononoke the Movie:
The Ashes of Rage
Mononoke Ashes Of Rage.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Kanji 劇場版「モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠」
Revised Hepburn Gekijōban Mononoke Dainishō: Hinezumi
Directed by
Screenplay byYasumi Atarashi
Based on Mononoke
by Toei Animation
Produced by
  • Kimiaki Satō
  • Yūki Sudō
Starring
Edited byShigeru Nishiyama
Music by Taku Iwasaki
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Giggly Box
  • Twin Engine
Release date
  • March 14, 2025 (2025-03-14)
Running time
74 minutes [1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage [2] [b] is a 2025 Japanese animated supernatural psychological horror film directed by Kiyotaka Suzuki with chief direction by Kenji Nakamura, and written by Yasumi Atarashi; the film is based on the Mononoke anime television series (2007), which in turn is a spin-off of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology series (2006), both created by Toei Animation. Co-produced by EOTA and Crew-Cell, and co-distributed by Giggly Box and Twin Engine, The Ashes of Rage is a second film of the Mononoke trilogy film project, and a sequel to Phantom in the Rain (2024). Hiroshi Kamiya reprises his role as the voice of the Medicine Seller, alongside Haruka Tomatsu, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Yoko Hikasa, Yukana and Yuki Kaji, with Chō, Kenyu Horiuchi, Ryō Horikawa, Yoshiko Sakakibara and Atsumi Tanezaki joining the ensemble cast. The Ashes of Rage was released in Japan on March 14, 2025. [3]

Contents

Netflix licensed the film, and is set to release on its platform on August 14, 2025. [4] A third film is set to release in Q2 2026. [5]

Plot

One month after the events taken place at the Inner Chambers, [c] the Medicine Seller returns to the imperial harem, where the carnal workings for the lower-ranking concubines seems to have improved under the management of Asa. However, the higher-ranking concubines continue to fight each other to produce a new imperial heir, and things come to a head when one of the concubines spontaneously combusts.

Voice cast

CharacterJapanese [2]
Medicine Seller Hiroshi Kamiya
Botan Ōtomo Haruka Tomatsu
Asa Tomoyo Kurosawa
Fuki Tokita Yoko Hikasa
Saburōmaru Tokita Yuki Kaji
Yoshimichi Tokita Chō
Elderly Ōtomo Kenyu Horiuchi
Fujimaki Ryō Horikawa
Katsunuma Naomi Kusumi
Suikōin Yoshiko Sakakibara
Sayo Yukana
Sachiko Atsumi Tanezaki

Production

In July 2024, Hiroshi Kamiya, the voice of the Medicine Seller, teased that he was recording his lines for the sequel to Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain . [6] [7] Later that month, it was announced that the Mononoke film project will consist of a trilogy, with the second film titled Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage. [3] In December 2024, it was announced that Chō and Kenyu Horiuchi have been cast as new characters, while Haruka Tomatsu, Yoko Hikasa and Yuki Kaji are reprising their roles from the first film. [8] The Ashes of Rage features returning key staff members from Phantom in the Rain, while Kiyotaka Suzuki is directing the film under Kenji Nakamura's chief direction, and Crew-Cell co-producing the film with EOTA. [9] In February 2025, additional cast members were announced. [2] Aina the End provided the theme song, titled "Flower Unrivaled" (花無双, Hana Musō). [10]

Release

The film was released in theaters in Japan on March 14, 2025. [3] It was also screened at Anima Festival in Brussels on March 6, 2025. [11] In June 2025, Netflix acquired the international distribution rights for the film, and will stream on August 14, 2025. [4] [12]

Reception

Box office

The Ashes of Rage made its debut in 6th place in the Japanese box office, one place higher than its predecessor, Phantom in the Rain. [13] [14]

Critical reception

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film an A- rating, and stated "Buoyed by its supernatural twist, mystery, and visuals unlike any other anime out there, it is a fantastic follow-up to The Phantom in the Rain—even if it never quite reaches the lofty heights of that film". [15]

Sequel

A third film is set to release in Japan in Q2 2026. [3] [5]

Notes

  1. ↑ Credited as "Chief Director" (総監督, Sō Kantoku)
  2. ↑ Japanese: 劇場版「モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠」, Hepburn: Gekijōban Mononoke Dainishō: Hinezumi; lit. "Mononoke the Movie Second Chapter: Fire Rat", also known as "Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage"
  3. ↑ As depicted in Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain (2024)

References

  1. ↑ 劇場版 モノノ怪　第二章　火鼠 [Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage]. eiga.com (in Japanese). February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Dempsey, Liam (February 6, 2025). "Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage Reveals Main Visual and Trailer, More Cast". Crunchyroll . Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Cayanan, Joanna (July 28, 2024). "Mononoke Film Project to Have 3 Films, 2nd Film Opens on March 14, 2025". Anime News Network . Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Canayan, Joanna (June 19, 2025). "Netflix to Stream 2nd Mononoke Film on August 14". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Pineda, Rafael (March 14, 2025). "3rd Mononoke Film Announces Title, Spring 2026 Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 27, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film Star Hiroshi Kamiya States He is Recording for '2nd Chapter'". Anime News Network . Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ 神谷浩史、『モノノ怪』第二章は明日収録！｜シネマトゥデイ [Hiroshi Kamiya, the second chapter of "Mononoke" will be recorded tomorrow!]. Cinema Today (in Japanese). July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  8. ↑ "劇場版モノノ怪：第2章「火鼠」 メインキャラは老中の娘ボタン＆天子様の寵愛受けるフキ 老中大友役に堀内賢雄 フキの父役はチョー". Mantan Web (in Japanese). December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  9. ↑ Cayanan, Joanna (December 4, 2024). "2nd Mononoke Anime Film Unveils New Trailer, 2 New Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  10. ↑ "「劇場版モノノ怪」第2章主題歌はアイナ・ジ・エンド、初公開の映像用いたアニメMV". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Anima 2025 - Feature films". Anima Festival. January 13, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Massoto, Erick (June 18, 2025). "Netflix's 'Mononoke' Sequel Finally Gets Release Date". Collider . Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ "ORICON NEWS：映画ランキング：『映画ドラえもん』2週連続1位、新作は『お嬢と番犬くん』『劇場版モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠』". Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). March 17, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  14. ↑ Komatsu, Mikukazu (March 18, 2025). "Japan Box Office: Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Art World Tales Holds No. 1 in 2nd Weekend". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  15. ↑ Eisenbeis, Richard (March 15, 2025). "'Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage' Anime Film Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
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