History Headscratchers / PrincessMononoke

** It also works on a metaphorical level. The movie can be read as an allegory for the real relationship humans have with nature, and in real life, environmental disasters created by humans can only be remedied by humans.

*** Nago seemed to have actively cursed Ashitaka, even in death, so there seems to be some element of intentionality in it, with Okkoto only cursing those he considered enemies.

** 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 [[IrrationalHatred 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.

*** Okkoto's curse was "young" compared to Nagu's and might not yet have been as infectious or dangerous to others. The curse had not affected Okkoto for long by the time San is rescued, as opposed to Nagu whose curse had festered for possibly weeks or months when he attacked Ashitaka's village.
*** Since the curse is born of hate, and Okkoto considers San a friend, it might have spared her at least as long as Okkoto had some sense in him and had not completely succumbed to the curse and become a demon. It might have been more dangerous to those he hated - Irontowners or Jigo's warriors.

** I just assumed she was released from the curse alongside Ashitaka.

* How come San isn't cursed by Okkoto's demon flesh? It's stated several times during the movie that touching it might be enough, and she was completly covered by it. Yet both Ashitaka and Moro act like she can be saved without consequences. And indeed, she doesn't seem to be cursed afterwards.

* How come San isn't cursed by Okkoto's demon flesh? It's stated several times during the movie that touching it might be enough, and and she was completly covered by it. Yet both Ashitaka and Moro act like she can be saved without consequences. And indeed, she doesn't seem to be cursed afterwards.

** It's implied that the forest spirits weren't always this vicious, and that they only became more aggressive as the conflict with the humans increased. The Apes were supposed to be peaceful spirits who planted seeds so the trees can grow - and San was clearly shocked that they would do something so out of character.

** Killing someone in revenge/anger is extremely different from killing them so you can ''eat them.'' Moro scorns San's biological parents because they threw their own baby at her so they could get away faster, and it's clear that they thought she'd try to eat San. Instead Moro gets offended at their callousness and ''raises the baby as her own,'' so the gods seem to have an implicit standard of "don't (intentionally) eat other sapient beings."

** San actually means "Three" in japanese, so I go with the idea that they are named "Ichi" and "Nii" or "Yon" an "Go" if they're younger.

* Moro explains the reason she doesnt go to the Forest Spirit to heal her bullet wound despite slowly dying is because shes lived long enough and is content to die, however she still intends on killing Lady Eboshi even though her weakened state would make it harder. Why doesnt San who clearly doesnt want her wolf mother to die explain that if she refuses to get healed and dies then Moro may never have her revenge or at least enjoy it if Eboshi was to die by other means?

** As Moro is probably keenly aware, the Forest Spirit mercy kills the animal gods that are suffering, as it does to Okkoto. The large piles of bones underneath its tree attests to this. Moro preferred to live long enough through her suffering to get revenge on Eboshi.

** As Moro is probably keenly aware, the Forest Spirit seems to prefer to mercy kill the animal gods that are suffering, as it does to Okkoto. The large piles of bones underneath its tree attests to this. Moro preferred to live long enough through her suffering to get revenge on Eboshi.

** As Moro is probably keenly aware, the Forest Spirit seems to prefer to mercy kill the animal gods that are suffering, as it does to Okkoto. The large piles of bones underneath its tree attests to this.

** As Moro is probably keenly aware,tThe Forest Spirit seems to prefer to mercy kill, rather than heal, the animal gods that are suffering, as it does to Okkoto. The large piles of bones underneath its tree attests to this.

* When the Apes appear to eat Ashitaka while he's unconscious why does San prevent them from doing so? She was pissed off at Ashitaka from preventing her from killing Lady Eboshi and didnt see it as a him rescuing her so it definitely wasnt out of gratitude. Hell, she was even about to stab him before he called her beautiful and passed out. Given San's hatred of humans and the apes wanting to eat Ashitaka so that they could gain his strength when the forest was steadily declining due to Irontown, the apes devouring Ashitaka would be one less troublemaking human and an advantage for the forest side so San defending Ashitaka seems odd.