Princess Mononoke: Writing Humanity | The Director Project

Summary

This video dives deep into Hayao Miyazaki's unique approach to animation, particularly in his masterpiece *Princess Mononoke*. The narrator explores how Miyazaki’s keen observation of real people and nature contributes to his characters' realism and emotional depth, setting them apart from typical animated figures. Through examples from *Mononoke*, the video highlights how even the smallest details — like Ashitaka’s walking habits — make characters feel alive. The video also touches on the complexity of Miyazaki’s themes, such as environmentalism, human conflict, and compassion, which resonate deeply with contemporary global issues, offering an insightful look into the director’s filmmaking philosophy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video begins by referencing a YouTube project, 'One Marvelous Scene,' and introduces the new 'Director Project,' which focuses on directors in film analysis.
• 😀 Hayao Miyazaki is introduced as a director whose work often portrays characters in a realistic, grounded manner, even in fantastical settings.
• 😀 Miyazaki's approach to animation is contrasted with Hollywood's style, emphasizing the importance of human observation and the inclusion of small, non-plot-driven details to make characters feel alive.
• 😀 A key example is Ashitaka from *Princess Mononoke*, whose character is made more realistic through his habits, behaviors, and small gestures.
• 😀 The animation in *Princess Mononoke* is praised for its level of detail and its ability to make characters appear like real people, with their actions reflecting habits rather than just serving the plot.
• 😀 The script highlights the complexity of Miyazaki's characters, noting that they are rarely purely good or evil, as exemplified by Lady Eboshi, who is shown to have both positive and negative aspects to her character.
• 😀 The video explores Miyazaki’s philosophical stance on good versus evil, quoting him on how real-world issues are more complex and less black-and-white than media often portrays.
• 😀 There is a comparison between real-life environmental issues (like deforestation and climate change) and the themes of *Princess Mononoke*, which has a prophetic feel, especially in light of current global environmental challenges.
• 😀 Miyazaki's characters and films are noted for their emotional depth and compassion, with the idea that to write realistic characters, Miyazaki must first love and observe real people.
• 😀 The video concludes by encouraging viewers to explore the broader 'Director Project' series, with future installments focused on various directors, and it promotes a sponsored VPN service, Private Internet Access.

Q & A

What makes Miyazaki's characters in *Princess Mononoke* feel more realistic compared to typical anime characters?

Miyazaki's characters feel more realistic because of the small, everyday details in their behavior and actions. Unlike most animated characters whose actions serve the plot, Miyazaki’s characters have habits and motions that ground them in reality, such as Ashitaka washing his bowl or feeding his elk, even when these actions don’t directly impact the story.

How does Miyazaki's approach to character development differ from traditional Hollywood screenwriting?

In Hollywood screenwriting, every action or behavior of a character is usually tied to advancing the plot. Miyazaki, however, allows his characters to have habits and behaviors that don’t directly serve the story. This makes his characters feel more like real people with their own personal histories and motivations.

Why are the characters in *Princess Mononoke* morally complex?

The characters in *Princess Mononoke* are morally complex because they don’t fit neatly into good or evil categories. For example, Lady Eboshi’s destruction of the forest is driven by a desire to improve the lives of people in Irontown, which complicates her role as a villain. Miyazaki’s work explores how human motivations are often layered and not easily categorized.

What role does environmentalism play in *Princess Mononoke*?

Environmentalism is a central theme in *Princess Mononoke*. The film portrays humanity’s destructive relationship with nature, where industrialization and deforestation threaten the forest gods. This theme mirrors real-world issues like deforestation and climate change, highlighting the consequences of human actions on the environment.

How does the depiction of nature’s revenge in *Princess Mononoke* relate to current global issues?

Nature’s revenge in *Princess Mononoke*, represented by the forest gods' wrath and the destructive consequences of industrialization, parallels real-world environmental crises such as deforestation, climate change, and natural disasters. The film's depiction of nature’s retribution feels prophetic, as global environmental disasters continue to intensify.

How does Miyazaki use small gestures and habits to enhance his characters' realism?

Miyazaki uses small, subtle gestures, such as Ashitaka washing his bowl or feeding his elk before eating himself, to enhance the characters' realism. These actions don't advance the plot but give the characters depth, making them feel more like real human beings with routines and habits.

What is the significance of Miyazaki’s statement, 'Anime is a mistake'?

Miyazaki’s statement, 'Anime is a mistake,' is often misquoted. What he actually meant was that much of Japanese animation lacks realism because it is made by people who are detached from real human life. He emphasized that to create believable characters, one must observe real people, a principle he applies in his films.

Why is Lady Eboshi’s character considered a morally gray figure?

Lady Eboshi is considered morally gray because, while she leads the destruction of the forest to expand Irontown, her actions are motivated by a desire to improve the lives of her people, particularly women and outcasts. She represents the complexity of human decisions, where the pursuit of progress often comes at a cost to nature.

How does Miyazaki’s love for humanity influence his work?

Miyazaki’s deep love and compassion for humanity are evident in his films. He observes people with care, which allows him to create characters that are realistic, complex, and emotionally engaging. His films, despite their often serious or grim themes, are infused with empathy and a love for life.

What does the video say about the relationship between humans and nature in Miyazaki's films?

Miyazaki’s films explore the relationship between humans and nature as one of conflict and reconciliation. In *Princess Mononoke*, the destruction of nature by humans leads to violent retaliation by the forest gods, reflecting the larger human struggle with environmental degradation and the consequences of exploiting natural resources.