Blood of the Forest Spirits: Princess Mononoke’s Visual Language that Evokes Empathy for Nature

Author: Theodore Friedman

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Abstract: The Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke (1997) depicts the conflict between humans and nature through a fantastical world, designed and animated with intricate detail. Scholars have examined the film’s exploration of the powerful majesty of nature and the cataclysmic impacts of violence and hate. However, less attention has been paid to creator Hayao Miyazaki’s subtle use of visual storytelling as a tool for eliciting empathy for aspects of nature we otherwise struggle to connect with emotionally, such as habitats and ecosystems. Through analysis of the film’s animation and design, and an understanding of the psychological effects of illustrated images on viewers, this paper unearths a hidden narrative commenting on the grim direction in which humanity is progressing. At a broader level, this project suggests how the art form of animation appeals to audiences’ subconscious to create emotional stakes for the changing relationship between humanity and nature.