Many theatrical anime films address profound themes such as environmental protection and anti-war. Which one left the deepest impression on you?
When it comes to this topic, the first thing that flashes into my mind is actually the Doraemon movie mentioned in your tags. Watching Nobita and the Kingdom of Clouds as a child, I was genuinely scared and shocked by the premise that the Sky People planned to flood the Earth to punish humanity for polluting the environment. It conveyed the message "if we don't protect the environment, we're doomed" in a way a child could understand, directly and effectively. That was my environmental awakening.
But if we're talking about the most impactful and memorable film for me, it absolutely has to be Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (Taiwanese title: Magic Princess).
This film is truly not a fairy tale for children; it's far too complex and brutally real.
Why Princess Mononoke?
Because it doesn't simply define anyone as purely "good" or "evil," which is incredibly rare in animation.
- Look at the forest side: There's "San" (Princess Mononoke), raised by the wolf god Moro after being abandoned by humans, filled with hatred and wanting to kill all humans who destroy the forest. There are also the Forest Spirit and the Boar God, representing primal, inviolable nature. Are they "righteous"? It seems so, but their methods are also violent and destructive.
- Now look at the human side: The leader is "Lady Eboshi." Is she a villain? She cuts down forests and drives out the gods to smelt iron. Yet, simultaneously, she takes in lepers abandoned by society and women sold into servitude, giving them work, dignity, and a home. In her "Irontown," everyone is equal; women can also take up arms to defend their home. From her people's perspective, she is a hero.
(Imagine a picture here of Lady Eboshi with her people)
The Core Conflict and Reflection
The protagonist, Ashitaka, is caught in the middle, much like the audience. Hailing from an isolated village, he embarks on a journey due to a curse. He neither fully agrees with the forest's violence nor can he accept humanity's greed.
He constantly tries to mediate between the two sides. His most iconic line urges everyone to "see with eyes unclouded by hate."
The film's brilliance lies in showing us:
- The conflict between nature and humanity may have no perfect solution. Human development and survival inevitably clash with nature. How do we find that balance? The film doesn't give an answer; it vividly presents this brutal question.
- The true terror isn't conflict itself, but "hatred." The forest's hatred for humans, humanity's fear of the unknown and desire for conquest – once ignited, this hatred consumes everything, leading to mutual destruction where no one wins. The film's climax, where the Forest Spirit is killed and transforms into the destructive Night-Walker, is the ultimate depiction of hatred spiraling out of control.
Other Memorable Works
Besides Princess Mononoke, another Miyazaki masterpiece, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, is phenomenal. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans live on the fringes of the "Sea of Decay," a toxic fungal forest, the protagonist Nausicaä discovers the Sea is actually purifying the polluted world. This film explores how humans and nature can "coexist," even advocating reverence for nature, with equally profound themes.
To Summarize
So, for me, Princess Mononoke stands out the most because it doesn't offer a simple "environmental slogan" or "anti-war statement." It uses an incredibly powerful story and complex, multi-dimensional characters to make me truly ponder: In the face of complex issues like survival, development, nature, and hatred, how should we conduct ourselves?
It doesn't tell you "protect the environment"; it shows you the consequences of not doing so. It doesn't tell you "don't fight"; it shows you how war and hatred lead everyone to ruin. That feeling it leaves you with – heavy-hearted, yet compelled to reflect and contemplate it repeatedly – is where its true power lies.