‘Princess Mononoke’ comes to theaters amid AI controversy

To celebrate Studio Ghibli’s 40th anniversary, “Princess Mononoke” directed by Hayao Miyazaki was released in 4K IMAX.

Studio Ghibli has significantly impacted the genre of animated films through intentional visual storytelling and layered thematic elements. Ghibli films are often described as “transportive” and “whimsical,” which can be attributed to the countless hours of work put into intricate hand-drawn animation.

“Princess Mononoke” is a film that exemplifies why Studio Ghibli is so beloved.

The film follows Asitaka, a prince who comes down with a curse. As he sets out on a journey for a cure, he encounters San, a human girl who has been raised by wolves.

The core elements making up the story include the impact of industrial expansion and the delicate balance between humans and the environment. It’s poignant, touching and necessary.

It’s my favorite Ghibli film because of how expansive it feels. It’s like living in another world for its runtime. The barriers between the audience and the characters blur as the runtime goes on, and we get more invested in the beautiful animation and storyline.

The audience is shown the impact of harming the environment in a visually striking way that is lasting. CGI can’t compare to the obvious care put into each frame of a movie like “Princess Mononoke.” It’s easy to suspend disbelief when the world is so immersive through sound, color and dialogue.

Miyazaki puts extreme emphasis on the importance of putting in the effort to create meaningful art. He hand-draws all his animation and has been quoted as saying, “I will continue to use my pencil as long as I can.”

The 1997 film made $4.1 million in North America on its opening week, the biggest IMAX domestic opening for a local language title. In the past, Ghibli has won an Oscar for “Best Animated Feature” for its works like “Spirited Away” in 2003 and “Boy and the Heron” in 2024.

Recently, Studio Ghibli and ChatGPT have been in the news because of the AI software’s new ability to create personal images in the hand-drawn Studio Ghibli art style. Miyazaki called AI “an insult to life itself” in a 2016 documentary.

As users mass-produce images in the style of Ghibli, the sanctity of skilled artwork dwindles. There should be a line that shouldn’t be crossed and making rapid-fire imitations of an art-style that takes real skill and time to perfect by hand should be that line.