History Headscratchers / PrincessMononoke

** Despite the fact that it was well-developed, Irontown seemed to me to be a very young town, with little security. Note how they were constantly under the threat of invasion due to their iron supply, to say nothing of the constant attacks on their husbands by Moro and her children. There probably wasn't really much of a chance for anyone to settle down and have kids. [[spoiler: When their town gets rebuilt, perhaps...]]

* After viewing the movies a few more times, I made this interesting observation: Irontown doesn't seem to have children. I suppose the reason behind it is that the men and women are too busy with their jobs whether it's in the industrial town or outside and there were higher priorities, and Lady Eboshi built her town by recruiting so there wasn't a need to reproduce (or because it would just be a burden to them). What do other tropers have to say or speculate about this?

** I actually I think the best Dub is the French one. I watched the original the English the french and the Mandarin dub; the English one is okay, the Chinese one is the closest to the original but the voice acting sucks and the French version has a good voice acting and a good translation.

* After viewing the movies a few more times, I made this interesting observation: Irontown doesn't seem to have children. I suppose the reason behind it is that the men and women are too busy with their jobs whether it's in the industrial town or outside and there were higher priorities, and Lady Eboshi built her town by recruiting. What do other tropers have to say or speculate about this?

And, sort of related, I'm also curious as to why you decided that the people to root for were the ones who deliberately started a war and knowingly attempted to commit ''genocide''.

** No, you weren't suppose to root for either side. Everyone is portrayed as having the potential to be bloodthirsty or have an ounce of kindness. Even the forest harbours irrational (but somewhat understandable) hatred for the humans. This explains how even the merciful Boar who pardoned and thank the protagonist for the truth becomes consumed by his demons. Even so the forest reveals it kind side when it willingly guides the protagonist and two wounded man across. Note the scene where two woman are willing to meet Princess Mononoke to avenge their fallen husbands. Everyone can have a sympathetic side.

** No, you weren't suppose to root for either side. Everyone is portrayed as having the potential to be bloodthirsty or have an ounce of kindness. Even the forest harbours (somewhat understandable) but irrational hatred for the humans. This explains how even the merciful Boar who pardoned and thank the protagonist for the truth becomes consumed by his demons. Even so the forest reveals it kind side when it willingly guides the protagonist and two wounded man across. Note the scene where two woman are willing to meet Princess Mononoke to avenge their fallen husbands. Everyone can have a sympathetic side.

** No, you weren't suppose to root for either side. Everyone is portrayed as having the potential to be bloodthirsty or have an ounce of kindness. Even the forest harbours (somewhat understandable) but irrational hatred for the humans (explaining the demonized boars). Even so the forest reveals it kind side when it willingly guides the protagonist and two wounded man across. Note the scene where two woman are willing to meet Princess Mononoke to avenge their fallen husbands. Everyone can have a sympathetic side.

** No, you weren't suppose to root for either side. Everyone is portrayed as having the potential to be bloodthirsty or have an ounce of kindness. Even the forest harbours (somewhat understandable) but irrational hatred for the humans (explaining the demonized boars). Even so the forest reveals it kind side when it willingly guides the protagonist and two wounded man across. Note the scene where two woman are willing to meet Princess Mononoke to avenge their fallen husbands. Everyone can have a sympathetic side.

Second, I am very concerned by your [[UnfortunateImplications insinuation]] that a mother's love is/should be ''less'' powerful than a lover's. A different kind of love doesn't mean a less powerful love. The strength of that love can be matched, but it's not possible to ''surpass'' something that is unconditional and limitless.

* While San is... um, incapacitated on Okoto; It is ultimately Moro, San's mother, who saves her, not Ashitaka. All he succeeds in doing is...giving her a bath. Now, during that scene the crystal dagger is highlighted. We all know what the dagger means, so what is Miyazaki saying here? A mother's love is more powerful than a husband's/lover's? WarpThatAesop !

* Is there anyone who likes the Japanese version better than the English dub? I saw both and I feel the bub is superior. Perhaps I shall write a review

** As far as I can tell, the point of the story is that it is entirely possible for different cultures to live in harmony with each other, without war to determine a 'winner.' In that sense, I don't think you should root for anyone. The closest thing to a villain is Jigo, and his motives are understandable...

** I don't think there was a side you were "supposed" to root for, no. And I liked the movie all the more for it.

** The fact that the protagonist, Ashitaka, steadfastly refuses to pick sides indicates which side Miyazaki wanted the audience to take as well.

* While San is...um, incapacitated on Okoto; It is ultimately Moro, San's mother, who saves her, not Ashitaka. All he succeeds in doing is...giving her a bath. Now, during that scene the crystal dagger is highlighted. We all know what the dagger means, so what is Miyazaki saying here? A mother's love is more powerful than a husband's/lover's? WarpThatAesop !

* Is there anyone who likes the Japanesse version better than the English dub? I saw both and I feel the Dub is superior. Perhaps I shall write a review
** I actually I think the best Dub is the french one. I watched the original the English the french and the mandarin dub; the english one is okay, the chinese one is the closest to the original but the voice acting sucks and the french version has a good voice acting and a good translation.

* I realize that there's a whole lot of gray in this movie, but I need to know whether or not there was any one side they wanted us to root for. It wasn't like Avatar where the Na'vi were supposed to be the heroes, I just rooted for the humans of Iron Town to come out on top.

** Of course, we can just say YourMileageMayVary.

* I realize that there's a whole lot of gray in this movie, but I need to know whether or not there was any one side they wanted us to root for. It wasn't like Avatar where the Na'vi were supposed to be the heroes, I just rooted for the humans of Iron Town to come out on top.

** Of course, we can just say YourMileageMayVary.

** While the dub is indeed masterful, this troper still prefers the original Japanese version, since he doesn't need the extra explanations that the dub provides, isn't a native Anglophone to begin with, and has grown up with subtitles since early childhood as per his country's conventions, and can read them almost subconsciously without losing anything of the visuals. Knowing rudimentary Japanese also helps in holding this opinion.

** They might see her as an older sister. Even among siblings it is not uncommon for one to be more dominant and assertive than another.

** Friendly touch is very important for most mammals. Wolves constantly nuzzle and rub each other. San is doing the human equivalent to them. Not to mention that they must be really grateful that she can so masterfully scratch them in places they have really hard time reaching.

** I actually I think the best Bud is the french one. I watched the original the English the french and the mandarin dub; the english one is okay, the chinese one is the closest to the original but the voice acting sucks and the french version has a good voice acting and a good translation.

** YMMV, This Troper saw it more as a sign of affection, after all- it doesn't seem like they ''dislike'' the feeling, and if they like it, well... Honestly, I saw it more like when you give your friend a back rub or something. (Okay, bad example, but still...)

** I personally prefer the English dub of anything because I don't speak Japanese and would rather watch the screen than have to read. You can miss a lot of visual clues if you're stuck reading the text on the bottom of the screen.

** I actually I think the best Bud is the french one. I watched the original the English the french and the mandarin dub; the english one is okay, the chinese one is the closest to the original but the voice acting sucks and the french version has a good voice acting and a good translation.

* Is there anyone who likes the Japanesse version better than the English dub? I saw both and I feel the Dub is superior. Perhaps I shall write a review

* While San is...um, incapacitated on Okoto; It is ultimately Moro, San's mother, who saves her, not Ashitaka. All he succeeds in doing is...giving her a bath. Now, during that scene the crystal dagger is highlighted. We all know what the dagger means, so what is Miyazaki saying here? A mother's love is more powerful than a husband's/lover's? WarpThatAesop !

** YMMV, This Troper saw it more as a sign of affection, after all- it doesn't seem like they ''dislike'' the feeling, and if they like it, well... Honestly, I saw it more like when you give your friend a back rub or something. (Okay, bad example, but still...)

*While it is stressed that San sees herself as a wolf, an equal to her siblings, she treats them an awful lot like house dogs with all the scratching behind the ears bit. It seems like she sees herself in the dominate side of the master/pet relationship.