Wikipedia

Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain

Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain[2][a] is a 2024 Japanese animated supernatural psychological horror film directed by Kenji Nakamura based on the Mononoke anime television series (2007), which in turn is a spin-off of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology series (2006), both created by Toei Animation. Produced by EOTA and co-distributed by Giggly Box and Twin Engine, Phantom in the Rain is the first part of the Mononoke trilogy film project.[3] The film stars Hiroshi Kamiya as the voice of the Medicine Seller, alongside Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki, Mami Koyama, Kana Hanazawa, Haruka Tomatsu, Yoko Hikasa, Yūko Kaida, Yukana, Yuki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Hosomi, Miyu Irino and Kenjiro Tsuda. Phantom in the Rain was released in Japan on July 26, 2024.[4]

Mononoke the Movie:
Phantom in the Rain
Kanji劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」
Revised HepburnGekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa
Directed byKenji Nakamura
Based onMononoke
by Toei Animation
Produced by
  • Kōshō Satō
  • Yūki Sudō
Starring
Edited byShigeru Nishiyama
Music byTaku Iwasaki
Production
company
Distributed by
  • Giggly Box
  • Twin Engine
Release date
  • July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26)
Running time
89 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Netflix acquired the streaming rights for the film.[5] A sequel, Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi is set to release in Japan on March 14, 2025, followed by an untitled third film.[3]

Synopsis

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A girl named Asa is trying to advance her career, while another named Kame is seeking her dream to participate in the carnal workings of the Inner Chambers. As the elderly Utayama does her best to conceal its secrets, the Medicine Seller arrives and begins to unravel the horrifying and painful truth at the heart of the Inner Chambers.

Voice cast

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Character Japanese
Medicine Seller Hiroshi Kamiya
Asa Tomoyo Kurosawa
Kame Aoi Yūki
Kayama Mami Koyama
Kitagawa Kana Hanazawa
Botan Ōtomo Haruka Tomatsu
Fuki Tokita Yoko Hikasa
Awashima Yūko Kaida
Mugitani Yukana
Saburomaru Yuki Kaji
Hiramoto Jun Fukuyama
Sakashita Daisuke Hosomi
Tenshi (Emperor) Miyu Irino
Hokuto Mizoragi Kenjiro Tsuda

Production

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In June 2022, it was announced that the Mononoke anime series would receive a film adaptation in 2023, with Kenji Nakamura returning to direct the film, while EOTA handling the animation.[6] In February 2023, EOTA announced that Takahiro Sakurai would not be reprising his role as the Medicine Seller, whom voiced the character in the 2007 series, and was later recast to Hiroshi Kamiya.[7][8] Additional staff members were also revealed, with Yūichi Takahashi serving as a character designer from Kitsuneko Nagata's original character concept, music composed by Taku Iwasaki.[9] In March 2024, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki and Mami Koyama was cast for the film.[4][10] In April of that year, more cast members were announced, along with Aina the End providing the theme song for the film, titled "Love Sick".[11]

Release

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The film was slated to release in 2023, but was later postponed to July 26, 2024.[4] It was also released in Montreal at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival the same month.[2] In September the same year, Netflix acquired global streaming rights for the film.[5]

Reception

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Box office

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On its debut weekend, the film opened in 229 theaters, and was the 7th most attended film.[12][13]

Critical reception

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Matt Schley of The Japan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 star rating, as he praised the tone shift and making the film different from the television series, but also felt overwhelmed by its pacing, despite the 90 minute-length.[14] Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film a solid A rating, and stated "Without its groundbreaking visuals, Mononoke The Movie: Karakasa would still be a film worth watching thanks to its mystery, suspense, and well-explored themes."[15]

Adaptations

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A light novel adaptation by Yasumi Atarashi was published by Kadokawa in Japan on June 13, 2024.[16][17] A manga adaptation by Kitsuneko Nagata was serialized on Monthly Shōnen Sirius magazine on May 26, 2024.[18]

Sequels

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In July 2024, it was announced that a sequel was in production,[19][20] and later that month, it was announced that the Mononoke film project will have three films. The second film, titled Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi,[b] is set to be released on March 14, 2025.[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: 劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」, Hepburn: Gekijōban Mononoke: Karakasa, lit. "Mononoke the Movie: Paper Umbrella"
  2. ^ 劇場版「モノノ怪 第二章 火鼠」, Gekijōban Mononoke Dainishō: Hinezumi, lit. "Theatrical Feature Mononoke Second Chapter: Fire Rat"

References

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  1. ^ 劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」 [Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain]. eiga.com (in Japanese). July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Carson, Lexi (June 6, 2024). "Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival Unveils 'Bookworm' Starring Elijah Wood as Opening Film, Plus Second Wave of Titles (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Cayanan, Joanna (July 28, 2024). "Mononoke Film Project to Have 3 Films, 2nd Film Opens on March 14, 2025". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 21, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film Reveals July 26 Release, More Cast, Full Title in New Teaser Trailer". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (September 26, 2024). "Netflix to Stream 1st Mononoke Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 18, 2022). "Mononoke Anime Gets New Film in 2023, Stage Play". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 30, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film Delayed, Takahiro Sakurai Will No Longer Reprise Medicine Seller Role". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "「劇場版 モノノ怪」2024年夏に全国公開、薬売り役は神谷浩史". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Pineda, Rafael (August 4, 2023). "Mononoke Anime Film's Teaser Reveals Hiroshi Kamiya, More Staff, 2024 Summer Release". AnimeNewsNetwork. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Harding, Daryl (March 21, 2024). "Mononoke the Movie Anime Prescribes July 26 Premiere Date With New Teaser Trailer". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Loo, Egan (May 1, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film's Trailer Unveils More Cast, Aina The End's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "ORICON NEWS：映画ランキング：『怪盗グルーのミニオン超変身』2週目に1位獲得、『デッドプール＆ウルヴァリン』『もし徳』など5本が初登場" [Movie ranking: "Despicable Me 3" takes first place for the second week, while five films including "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Moshidoku" make their debut]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  13. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (July 30, 2024). "Japan Box Office: Fourth Live-Action Kingdom Film Ranks Second in Third Weekend". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  14. ^ Schley, Matt (July 26, 2024). "'Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain': A fast and furious visual spectacle". The Japan Times. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Eisenbeis, Richard (July 26, 2024). "Mononoke The Movie: Karakasa Anime Film Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  16. ^ "Shosetsu Gekijo Ban Mononoke Karakasa (Kadokawa Bunko)". CD Japan. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  17. ^ 小説『劇場版「モノノ怪 唐傘」』 [Novel Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain] (in Japanese). Kadokawa. June 13, 2024. ISBN 978-4-041140-90-1.
  18. ^ Tai, Anita (May 16, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film Gets Manga Adaptation". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  19. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 27, 2024). "Mononoke Anime Film Star Hiroshi Kamiya States He is Recording for '2nd Chapter'". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  20. ^ 神谷浩史、『モノノ怪』第二章は明日収録！｜シネマトゥデイ [Kamiya Hiroshi, the second chapter of "Mononoke" will be recorded tomorrow!]. Cinema Today (in Japanese). July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
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