Buzz
1. 'You are so beautiful' - This moment captures the heart of any woman watching a Ghibli film. Despite a serious wound in his abdomen and San's knife at his throat, Ashitaka manages to say, 'You are so beautiful.' It's not just a superficial compliment; it's a powerful arrow that cuts through the wolf within her and reaches the human side of San. A miraculous moment of connection, a spark for an unexpected romance.
2. The Moonlight and the Song of Revenge - This scene is paired with the film's haunting theme song. With its rising and falling melody, it makes us wonder if it represents San’s inner turmoil as she tends to a human for the first time in a human way. A deep conflict stirs within the wolf girl’s heart, as she questions her identity upon touching another of her kind.
3. The Footsteps of the Forest Spirit - The Forest Spirit, or the soul of the mighty forest, is the most powerful figure in the film. When it steps down, new life sprouts from the earth; when it rises, everything withers away. This is the power of Mother Nature, the force that gives both life and death. Only the Forest Spirit can extinguish the hatred in the demons—with a kiss, a breath, and an all-encompassing love like the forest it guards.
4. Guns Made from Severed Hands - Most of the humans in the film are antagonists, but hidden within these characters are moments of compassion that could only exist in human society. The Iron Town becomes a threat not only to nature but to the Emperor of Japan because they possess powerful cannons—weaponry crafted by the hands of those afflicted with leprosy. Eboshi, the leader of Iron Town, took them in with the compassion of a mother, offering aid to women in similar plight.
5. The Vengeance of Nature - The Emperor's promise drove Eboshi to risk everything, even going after the head of the Forest Spirit. As a result, Iron Town faced a devastating catastrophe. The winds howled, the rivers surged, and mournful cries echoed, symbolizing death itself. Humanity needs nature, but nature does not need humanity. If we seize what belongs to nature, one day, it will reclaim what is rightfully its, demanding payment in the form of our very lives.
6. An Apology - When Ashitaka and San lift the Forest Spirit’s head, the curses of hatred are lifted, releasing a brilliant light. Was their atonement too late? Yes, though the Forest Spirit regains its head, it will never return to mankind. So, was the atonement necessary? Yes. The bond with nature is one that spans generations, and although San and Ashitaka are mere mortals, they fulfilled this monumental task and were redeemed.
7. Separation - Everyone is taken aback when Ashitaka declines San's invitation in the final moments. Why would a man, once thought dead, choose a life of wandering? And how do we interpret San’s calm acceptance? It’s because their paths are different. Their worlds are different. Their love is real, but each must forge their own future, not relying solely on their emotions. Both are extraordinary individuals, destined to make the world greater with their own hands, like a small shoot growing into a mighty tree offering shade.
8. The Cursed One - Ashitaka is a prince, a hero, and yet, a cursed soul. Cast out from his own community, he embarks on a solitary journey to find a cure for the curse. The scene where he cuts his hair and renounces his title within the tribe deeply moves the heart. What drove him to make such a painful decision? Was it for his own dignity, or was it the people he risked everything to protect?
9. Wounds Turned into Hatred - The monster that brought the curse upon Ashitaka is unforgettable. A boar, shot with an iron bullet, its wounds burning from within, transforming it into a vengeful spirit. Was this its fate? Who is truly to blame for the seething hatred it carries?
10. The Bloodied Hero - Ashitaka represents the quintessential Ghibli hero: skilled, courageous, and with an infinitely compassionate heart. Recall the battle in Iron Town, where, even after being struck by a stray bullet, Ashitaka still manages to halt the clash between two women, and even has the strength to open the door to San’s salvation. That is the act of a true hero.
