The Communication Process

The Communication Process Through Princess Mononoke 

By: Nina Borja

        Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke,” is a Japanese animated film that was released in the late 90s. The film itself is part of a long collection of the famous director’s animated works, which has been long loved and critiqued over the years. One of these reviews takes form in a New York Times article, “Waging a Mythic Battle to Preserve a Pristine Forest,” By Janet Maslin.

“Princess Mononoke,” although an animated film, explores adult subjects such as industrialization, death, war, and environmental crises.

        The success of Miyazaki’s film may be related to its polysemic messages the audiences find to enjoy, as Maslin states how the cultural vibrancy of the film’s mythical story-telling can attract both young and older viewers, although parents are to be strongly cautioned. 

        Maslin’s article appears in a New York Times 1999 publication, where readers of the magazine are known to be keen on cultural news and innovative stories that influence general American life.

        This structure can sustain the messages Maslin critiques of “Princess Mononoke” because of the significance Miyazaki pertains not only within the film industry but also the general progression of visual storytelling.

        Maslin knows that this topic is on par with readers’ expectations for New York Times and so the medium helps pull in the audience to the content. 

        Throughout the review, Maslin also describes the film in great detail, emphasizing the symbolism sprinkled throughout its plot.

        As she goes on, it becomes clear that the audience who watches “Princess Mononoke” or those who seek out the film, are those who admire Miyazaki’s storytelling, and or those who specifically enjoy the animated genre separated from, as Maslin quotes, “the post-’little mermaid’ era.”

        The overall receptivity to the film and its purpose is directly influenced by the audience’s knowledge of Miyazaki’s story tropes present in his other films, making “Princess Mononoke” a highly relevant film in that regard. 

Overall, Maslin showcases Miyazaki’s intention with “Princess Mononoke” to be highly historical and culturally striking in order to impact a wide range of audiences. Maslin’s critical expression of “Princess Mononoke” reflects Miyazaki’s intention to emotion and understanding within not only this film but all his films.