Studio Ghibli’s epic tale of gods, wolves, and humanity has found a dazzling new life on the kabuki stage. Shochiku’s Super Kabuki adaptation of Princess Mononoke premiered on July 3rd at Tokyo’s historic Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre, blending Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved masterpiece with the bold energy and spectacular staging of modern kabuki.
Just nine days after its premiere, the Super Kabuki adaptation is showing strong early signs of success. Cast members have repeatedly shared their gratitude upon seeing “満員御礼” (sold-out/full house) signs at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre, with multiple performances drawing robust crowds. The production remains on track for its full run through August 23, with no cancellations or shortening of the schedule. For more information on how to purchase tickets for this event, click here to visit the play’s official website.
What is Super Kabuki?
Super Kabuki is a modern style of Kabuki that was created in 1986 by Ichikawa Eno III that embraces modern stagecraft and popular culture to to attract new audiences. Previous Super Kabuki productions have included popular titles such as One Piece and Final Fantasy, making Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke a natural fit for the style.
According to the Japan Times, this was the second Kabuki adaptation of a Studio Ghibli film, following the 2019 production of “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind,” and the first to be adapted under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative. The Princess Mononoke Kabuki adaptation was directed by Kensuke Yokouchi, with screenplay by Keiko Niwa and Kazuhisa Tobe.
In the lead roles, 22-year-old Ichikawa Danko — grandson of Super Kabuki founder Ichikawa Ennosuke III — stars as the cursed protagonist Ashitaka. Veteran performer Nakamura Kazutaro takes on the fierce wolf-raised heroine San. Other key roles include Nakamura Tokizō as Lady Eboshi.
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Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) is the seventh anime feature film by Hayao Miyazaki. It was released in Japan in July 1999 and earned 20.18 billion yen (124,180,798.26 USD) to become the highest-grossing film at the time. The film also won the Picture of the Year at the 21st Japan Academy Film Prize.
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity.
Film Synopsis
Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi, the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there
Source: Japan Times
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