Princess Mononoke - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is to "see with eyes unclouded by hate" and find a way for both humans and the forest to live. Cursed by the physical embodiment of hatred, he seeks to prevent others from being consumed by it. He is driven by a profound sense of empathy and a desire for balance, refusing to accept that destruction is the only answer.

Ashitaka begins as a prince of a secluded tribe, bound by duty and honor. After being cursed, he is exiled and forced to journey into the wider world. Initially seeking only a cure for himself, his journey evolves into a quest to understand the hatred that created his curse and to find a way for humanity and nature to coexist. He consistently acts as a neutral party, attempting to quell the violence on both sides. By the end, while his curse is lifted, he chooses to remain in the world of men to help rebuild Irontown with a newfound understanding, forever changed by his experiences and his bond with San.

San's driving motivation is the protection of her forest home and her wolf family. She is fueled by a righteous fury against the humans who destroy the forest and kill the animals. She is willing to die to defend her world and avenge the spirits harmed by Irontown's expansion.

Raised by wolves, San completely rejects her humanity at the start of the film, identifying as a wolf and despising all humans. Her initial interactions with Ashitaka are hostile, as she sees him as just another enemy. Through her relationship with him, she begins to see that not all humans are like Lady Eboshi. While she never fully embraces her human side or forgives humanity for its transgressions against the forest, her character arc shows a softening of her absolute hatred. By the end, she is able to see Ashitaka as an individual and expresses a willingness to coexist, even if from a distance.

Lady Eboshi is motivated by a desire to create a prosperous and safe community for her people, particularly for the marginalized and forgotten members of society. She sees the forest and its gods as obstacles to this goal, believing that controlling nature is necessary for human advancement and security.

Lady Eboshi is introduced as a seemingly ruthless industrialist, willing to destroy the forest and kill its gods for the sake of progress and the prosperity of her people. As the film progresses, her character is revealed to be more complex; she is a progressive leader who has created a society where women, lepers, and other outcasts are treated with respect and given purpose. Her primary flaw is her belief that humanity must conquer nature to survive. After losing an arm and seeing the destructive power of a dying god, she is humbled. In the end, she resolves to "build a better town," implying a newfound respect for the balance between humanity and nature.