Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Mononoke: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Mononoke is a supernatural ghost story with elements of mystery and horror as part of the genre mix. The series unique exploration of a ghost tale features animation by Toei Animation (One Piece, Sailor Moon). The series serves as a spin-off production following the Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology anime series. Produced by Atsuya Takase, Hiroaki Shibata, and Atsutoshi Umezawa, Mononoke was originally broadcast on Fuji Television Network. The Mononoke theme music was performed by Charlie Kosei (opening) and JUJU (ending). Fans of ghost tales with a unique approach should find this unique offering to be imaginative fun.

The world of feudal Japan is one with a strange and mysterious aura. The classical period of Japan is one with evil spirits who are known as Mononoke. These spirits reside in the common household and even show up while traveling. Most don’t know what to do about the evil spirits. Yet this task isn’t such an overwhelming one for the unique Medicine seller (Takahiro Sakurai) who understands what to do in slaying the evil Mononoke spirits.

Known by many as the medicine “peddler” – the figure uses the enormous powers of a Blade of Salvation in order to stop the spirits. Yet vanquishing spirits also demands an understanding of the Mononoke. The medicine seller has to grasp the truth, form, and reason behind the spirits existence. A wanderer on a mission to vanquish spirits, the journey is one of intrigue.

The central protagonist provides the series with an element of intrigue – the sort of unique aura that adds a compelling layer to the main character of the series. The character makes a compelling lead for the series. Though thought of as a medicine peddler by some, the central character finds determination to vanquish spirits. The character designs by Takashi Hashimoto (Welcome to Irabu's Office, Shadow Star Narutaru) are creative and stylish. The designs by Hashimoto are certainly more distinct than on many productions and the results are highly distinct and artistic. A wonderful effort by the designer.

The animation is the greatest strength of Mononoke. There is no question that this is the standout element of the anime series. Mononoke is a remarkably beautiful looking anime production and it features stunning layouts and background illustrations.

The chief animation direction of Takashi Hashimoto (Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales, Welcome to Irabu's Office) combined with art direction by Takashi Kurahashi (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, Gatchaman Crowds) and Yumi Hosaka (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, One Piece 3D: Mugiwara Chase), provides a superb artistic achievement. Mononoke is one of the most unique and distinct looking anime series. There is nothing else quite like it – one of the reasons the Mononoke series gained a cult following.

The animation approach is certainly uncommon. Most anime series (especially modern productions), strive for a clean and vibrant aesthetic. Mononoke aims for an animation style that is reminiscent of traditional art. Each frame showcases a more organic looking animation style. One can’t help but appreciate the non-traditional animation style used for Mononoke. It recalls classical art and the enormous artistry of artists with work hanging up in museums – the kind of art framed for display. Beautiful.

The score composed by Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, The Ambition of Oda Nobuna) provides a fun and charming score for the production. Composer Takanashi is a gifted composer with a good understanding of the genre elements. The supernatural is enhanced by the elegant score. The music certainly adds to the charm.

The screenplay by Chiaki J. Konaka (Armitage III, Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040), Ikuko Takahashi (Blue Exorcist, Library War), and Manabu Ishikawa (Welcome to Irabu's Office, Arc the Lad) provides the production with a sense of mystery and intrigue. The horror-surreal elements are compelling. A worthwhile effort and one that has fun with the series concept.

Directed by Kenji Nakamura (Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales, Gatchaman Crowds), Mononoke is a series that has garnered itself a cult following for its unique aesthetic and vibe. The production is impressive and director Nakamura crafted something unique here. The distinct style of this anime production is something that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Anime fans who are looking for something more traditional will walk away feeling disappointed by the series while those intrigued by the distinctive style of this series will appreciate the unique qualities it has to offer. Mononoke might not be for everyone but for some anime fans it is exactly the kind of unique production one may be looking for. There is something special about that and it helps the Mononoke series to feel more compelling.

Mononoke: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Mononoke is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The presentation isn't as crisp as one might hope to find on the release. Compared to an entirely native high-definition presentation with more modern production techniques, Mononoke and its animation appears somewhat limited by the technology of the time-period in which the series was produced (circa 2007).

Line art appears a bit soft and some of the animation appears less robust than more modern productions. Even though the distinct animation style is noteworthy and remarkably impressive, the presentation wasn't quite as crisp as I had hoped to find. The encoding by Discotek Media is worthwhile and handles the animation well – one will simply need to accept some of the limitations of the animation (from a production standpoint).

Mononoke: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The lossless audio quality on the release is reasonably engaging – the audio dynamics are crisp and pleasing. The sound quality is something that fares a bit better than the video presentation.

Dialogue is crisp and well reproduced. The Japanese audio track sounds excellent on the release and the subtitles are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors. The stereo audio sounds clean and is engaging to listen to. The dynamics are a bit more robust sounding than expected for a standard 2.0 stereo mix. Though a 5.1 surround sound track might have elevated the audio experience a bit more, audiences will find the 2.0 stereo mix satisfactory and find that it works for the series.

Mononoke: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a nice o-card slipcover with unique art-work. Discotek Media designed the release with additional key artwork underneath the slipcover. This is one element I always enjoy with a nicely designed slipcover (one gets additional key art – with unique art on both the slipcover and on the release sleeve). The package also includes inner-sleeve art-work as well.

Unfortunately, the release of Mononoke is not jam-packed bonus features and does not provide a more in-depth package. The set could have been more well-rounded on the whole if there had been some behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries, or art galleries.

On disc supplements include:

TV Spots (SD, 2:46) showing promotional footage.

Concept Art – The Goblin Cat (SD, 7:21) showcasing early concept animation.

Mononoke: The Complete TV Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mononoke is a compelling anime series with a supernatural element. The series became a cult favorite hit due to its unique aesthetic and standout animation. The art style is a lot more unique looking than many anime productions and it certainly feels creative and energetic in a unique way. The series has creativity in spades. Director Kenji Nakamura (Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales) brings a unique and artistic vision to the table.

Fans of experimental anime with a more distinct approach to the medium will find the efforts here are impressive. In addition to the series arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media for the first time in North America, fans of the series can be excited for something more: Mononoke is expected to return in late 2023 or in 2024 with a new feature-film bringing back the series director at the helm. The Blu-ray release of Mononoke is well worth consideration for series fans. Highly recommended.