History TearJerker / PrincessMononoke

* The film can be viewed as a Creation Myth for ''industrialisation'': It's the moment where humanity, not understanding the damage it's causing, started taking more than nature had to give. Until then the forest had been able to hold its own but it had been weakening the whole time. And the natural world no longer has its gods to protect it. As San says, ''"The forest spirit is dead"'', and it won't be the same any-more. The death of the gods can be said to be the beginning of our climb into the present day world, and it's come at a terrible cost.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/princess_mononoke_36_1024x768.jpg]]

!! Film

* Moro's guilt at having to leave her adopted daughter to assume her place as a guardian of the forest when her time passes. That this magnificent being feels such tenderness for a hairless human and even though she has given her a life that could have been ever tranquil and prosperous and could be still; Moro longs to give her adopted daughter ''everything she can't''. She knows that the position she's put her in is untenable as San will not abandon her home even for love and a legacy of her own. So it is implied that for all the joy San has found as Princess of the Spirits; she is ''doomed to live forever until the forests fall.'' And for her tragedy to be eternal until the moment she rejoins the earth. ''[[SomethingInMyEye Damn...]]''

!! Meta
* About six months after this film was released, animation director Yoshifumi Kondo died suddenly of an aortic aneurysm. It's sad knowing that this film was his last work as an animator.

* What about when Okkoto, limping away from the catastrophic loss against Jigo's men, confuses the skin-wearing people for his warriors and tries to lead them back into combat? Only to be poisoned by them and become a senseless monster? His blind hope and desperation is terribly sad. What makes it worse is to see this once proud, albeit stubborn god be driven utterly insane.

* The fate of some of residents of Iron Town. When the black ooze of the forest spirit washes over the town, they flee to the river. Some of them go the wrong way. You can briefly hear Toki scream "No, not that way!" just before they are instantly killed.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tendrils, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the worms wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again; though this is combined with an expression of fear so great that it almost qualifies him for [[{{Woobie woobie status}}]]. Then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tendrils, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the worms wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again; though this is combined with an expression of fear so great that it almost qualifies him for [[Woobie woobie status]]. Then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tendrils, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the worms wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again; though this is combined with an expression of fear so great that it almost qualifies him for [[Woobie]] status. Then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

* The film can be viewed as a Creation Myth for ''industrialisation'': It's the moment where humanity, not understanding the damage it's causing, started taking more than nature had to give. Until then the forest had been able to hold its own but it had been weakening the whole time. And the natural world no longer has its gods to protect it. As San says, ''"The forest god is dead"'', and it won't be the same any-more. The death of the forest god can be said to be the beginning of our climb into the present day world, and it's come at a terrible cost.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tendrils, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the worms wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again; though this is combined with an expression of fear so great that it almost qualifies him for [[{{Woobie}}]] status. Then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

* The scene where Ashitaka is too weak to eat by himself, so San chews the food up first and then [[IntimateHealing gives it to him]]. Ashitaka actualy begins [[ManlyTears tearing up]] at this display of unconditional care, it may be a factor...

* What about when Okkoto, limping away from the catastrophic loss against the Irontowners and Jigo's men, confuses the skin-wearing people for his warriors and tries to lead them back into combat? Only to be poisoned by them and become a senseless monster? His blind hope and desperation is terribly sad. What makes it worse is to see this once proud, albeit stubborn god be driven utterly insane.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tendrils, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the worms wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again. But then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

* When San is knocked out by Jigo's hunters and trapped in Okkoto's demon flesh. Her groggy, terrified realisation of her plight as she wakes up along with the agony she's enduring as she tries to escape is just heart-wrenching. What's worse? It's inferred that because of her resistance to the caustic qualities of demonic corruption; she would have slowly become an avatar of hate and vengeance if Moro and Ashitaka had not saved her.

* When San is knocked out by Jigo's hunters and trapped in Okkoto's demon flesh. Her groggy, terrified realisation of her plight as she wakes up along with the agony she's enduring as she tries to escape is just heart-wrenching. What's worse? It's inferred that because of her resistance to the caustic qualities of demonic corruption; she too would have slowly become an avatar of hate and vengeance.

* Yakul getting wounded with an arrow. Ashitaka tells Yakul to stay but the elk tries to continue. That's UndyingLoyalty for you.

** This merits elaboration. When Okkoto, wreathed in the wrath of demonic tentacles, happens upon the Forest Spirit in his glen, ''all of the tentacles wither and die'' as his rage is immediately extinguished, and it even seems he can see again. But then the Forest Spirit kisses his nose, and the mighty warrior's eyes drift closed, and he just collapses where he stands. Moro, weakly propped up nearby after having delivered San to Ashitaka, follows suit. The world had just lost two forces of nature like they were nothing.

** The person right behind Koroku . She was covered in bandages, and looks shocked at being all better. That person was one of the lepers that Lady Eboshi took care of. Leprosy was a death sentence back then, and that person was pretty much brought back from the dead.

* During the scene where Ashitaka is too weak to eat by himself, so San chews the food up first and then [[IntimateHealing gives it to him]]. Ashitaka is [[ManlyTears tearing up himself]] during that scene himself, it may be a factor...

* Moro's guilt at having to leave her adopted daughter to assume her place as a guardian of the forest when her time passes. That this magnificent being feels such tenderness for a hairless human and even though she has given her a life that could have been ever tranquil and prosperous and could be still; Moro longs to give her adopted daughter ''everything she can't''. She knows that the position she's put her in is untenable as San will not abandon her home even for love and a legacy of her own. So it is implied that for all the joy San has found as Princess of the Spirits; she is ''doomed to live forever until the forests fall.'' And for her tragedy to be eternal until the moment she rejoins the earth. ''[[SandInMyEye Damn...]]''

* Moro's guilt at having to leave her adopted daughter to assume her place as a guardian of the forest when her time passes. That this magnificent being feels such tenderness for a hairless human and even though she has given her a life that could have been ever tranquil and prosperous and could be still; Moro longs to give her adopted daughter ''everything she can't''. She knows that the position she's put her in is untenable as San will not abandon her home even for love and a legacy of her own. So it is implied that for all the joy San has found as Princess of the Spirits; she is ''doomed to live forever until the forests fall.'' And for her tragedy to be eternal until the moment she rejoins the earth. ''[[TheresSomethingInMyEye Damn...]]''

* During the scene where Ashitaka is too weak to eat by himself, so San chews the food up first and then [[IntimateHealing give it to him]]. Ashitaka is tearing up during that scene himself, it may be a factor...

* Yakul getting wounded with an arrow. Ashitaka tells Yakul to stay but the elk just continues. That's UndyingLoyalty for you.
* What about when Okkoto, limping away from the catastrophic loss against the Irontowners and Jigo's men, confuses the skin-wearing people for his warriors and tries to lead them back into combat? Only to be poisoned by them and become a senseless monster? His blind hope and desperation is terribly sad. What makes it worse is to see this once proud, albeit stubborn god go insane.

* Moro's relationship with San. She loves her "ugly, beautiful" daughter so much that she gives up her best chance at killing Eboshi to save her from Okkoto's demonic influence.

* When Mononoke Hime plays for the first time, whether it's the Japanese or English version, the lyrics and notes will send you into chills and make you want to weep.

* The fact [[spoiler: Okkoto became a demon and was so far gone Moro can only take pity on him.]]
--> '''[[spoiler:Demon!Okkoto]]''': (roars)
--> '''Moro''': "You can't even speak anymore can you?"
* The ending; between Joe Hisaishi's sublime score of "Ashitaka and San", the message that [[spoiler: despite the fact that humans can be bastards and have serious flaws, there is always hope for them, and the last shot of a Kodama appearing in the ruined, yet rejuvenating forest,]] one line of dialogue is all it takes to kick it off:
--> [[spoiler: "''...I never knew the Forest God made the flowers grow.''"]]
** The person right behind him. She was covered in bandages, and looks shocked at being all better. That person was one of the lepers that Lady Eboshi took care of. Leprosy was a death sentence back then, and that person was pretty much brought back from the dead.
* The film can be viewed as a Creation Myth for ''industrialisation'': It's the moment where humanity, not understanding the damage it's causing, started taking more than nature had to give. Until then the forest had been able to hold its own but it had been weakening the whole time. And the natural world no longer has its gods to protect it. As San says, ''"The forest god is dead"'', and it won't be the same anymore. The death of the forest god can be said to be the beginning of our climb into the present day world, and it's come at a terrible cost.
* What makes the film so profound is that hatred and love is found on either side. Even the forest creatures have somewhat understandable but irrational hatred for the humans. Examples of hatred: the wolves initially want to kill the human protagonist, the lead boar is demonized out of his desire to battle instead of focusing on living, the villagers have hostility toward the animals, the humans go to war. Examples of kindness: the Forest spirits guide the humans to safety, the protagonist has a loyal non-human friend, etc.. And the protagonist manage to achieve a peace between all cultures and lives.
* How about just 10 minutes into the movie, when Ashitaka is banished from his village ... and Kaya comes out against the rules to give him her crystal dagger so he won't forget her.

* What about when [[spoiler: Okkoto, limping away from the catastrophic loss against the Irontowners and Jigo's men, confuses the skin-wearing people for his warriors and tries to lead them back into combat? Only to be poisoned by them and become a senseless monster?]] His blind hope and desperation is terribly sad. What makes it worse is to see this once proud, albeit stubborn god go insane.
* When San stabs Ashitaka [[spoiler:for saving Eboshi's life]], he barely flinches, and even [[CooldownHug hugs her]] [[spoiler:as the beheaded Forest Spirit is tearing up the forest.]]
* It's hard to watch the scene of Ashitaka cutting his topknot off, as the Emishi elders lament what will happen to their tribe now their last prince is leaving them forever.
* During the scene where Ashitaka is too weak to eat by himself, so San chews the food up first and then [[IntimateHealing give it to him]]. Ashitaka is tearing up during that scene himself, it may be a factor...
* San desperately clinging to the belief that she is a wolf whenever the differences between her and her brothers are emphasized.
* Moro's relationship with San. She loves her "ugly, beautiful" daughter so much that she [[spoiler:gives up her best chance at killing Eboshi to save her from Okkoto's demonic influence.]]
* The fate of some of the Irontown people. When [[spoiler:the black ooze of the forest spirit washes over the town, they flee to the river. Some of them go the wrong way.]] You can briefly hear Toki scream "No, not that way!" just before [[spoiler: they are instantly killed.]]
* Yakul getting wounded with an arrow. Ashitaka tells Yakul to stay but the elk just continues. That's UndyingLoyalty for you.
* Osa's speech. Just Osa's speech.

* This troper always feels close to tears during the scene where Ashitaka is too weak to eat by himself, so San chews the food up first and then [[IntimateHealing give it to him]]. Ashitaka is tearing up during that scene himself, it may be a factor...