Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain Review: Drenched in Stunning Visuals

A new adaptation of the beloved Mononoke franchise has arrived, depicting yet another adventure of the mysterious medicine seller. Let us see how this movie, Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain fared and whether you should watch it or skip it.

Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain Overview

The Mononoke franchise originated from the Goblin Cat segment of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, an animated horror anthology that aired on Fuji TV’s noitaminA block in 2006. It later expanded into a standalone TV series, Mononoke, in 2007, earning a devoted fanbase that has continued to grow over the years.

The plot centres around the mononoke, supernatural entities born from intense human emotions entwined with spiritual forces. When these apparitions begin to cause harm, the enigmatic Medicine Seller steps in, armed with the Sacred Sword—the only tool capable of vanquishing these dangerous spirits.

Brought to life by a talented team led by series creator Kenji Nakamura, this feature-length film promises to build upon its legacy, introducing a fresh chapter to its already rich lore.

– Minor Spoilers –

Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain Review and Recap

Here, we find a brilliant and immersive tale while we witness themes that are very close to our own hearts. This time, the story revolves around the lives of the women of Ōoku, the official harem or women’s quarters situated at the Edo castle. These women belonged to the Shogun and were expected to put forward their lives in the service of their Lord.

Being a part of Ōoku is considered to be a highly prestigious endeavour. On top of that, if anyone wins the attention of the Shogun and manages to produce a male heir, even low-ranking servants could live the life of concubines. Thus, it is very apparent that surviving in such a competitive structure where you are constantly vying for the attention of one single man is extremely difficult.

If one is not a concubine, then the only way one can have a blissful life is by climbing up the ranks of the women who truly oversee and control the workings of the establishment. That is exactly what two women with vastly different personalities hope to accomplish and, in doing so, create a shift in the never-ending cycle that defines life for the women inside the chambers.

Kame is happy-go-lucky and prone to making mistakes, whereas Ame is diligent and wishes to be more than just a concubine. They both find friendship in a setup where one only thinks for themselves and faces a completely new world that forces them to forget their original selves every moment. However, the strangeness of this harem intensifies when unexplainable incidents occur, which none can justify. Thankfully, the medicines seller arrives in time to solve this riddle that deals with otherworldly entities.

If this is your first time watching the medicine seller solving a case of Mononokes and Ayakashis, then the uneven narrative structure might confuse you. The storyline is never simple, and the hidden meanings are very rooted in Japanese society and mythology. However, once you have a basic grasp of the plot, the only thing left will be to immerse yourself in the breathtaking visuals that transport you to a new world.

The horror fanatics would also love this. But do not expect jumpscares as this will scare you with harsh realities and the rotten nature of humans rather than ghosts.

Verdict

I believe the strongest suit of Mononoke is its visual brilliance, which does not let you look away from the screen for even a moment. The bright colours and the picturesque animation that almost looks like paintings on paper take your breath away. Apart from that, the intense music that skilfully merges traditional Japanese melodies with electronic beats compliments the impact of the scenes very well.

However, I must admit that the storyline feels somewhat weaker compared to its predecessors. That said, in terms of technical execution, this movie undeniably surpasses them.

Must Read: Tokyo Override Review: Good Idea, Mediocre Execution