1h ago
A web lottery for the third and final chapter of the theatrical Mononoke trilogy, "Mononoke: Chapter 3 - Snake Goddess," launched on May 29, 2026, the same day the film opened in Japanese theaters. The lottery, offered through the online service "WEB Kuji" and at physical storefronts under the "WEB Kuji Shucchojo" banner, features prizes made from newly commissioned illustrations. The artwork includes two full-body depictions of the Medicine Seller and Kamiyori holding cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, as well as chibi-style character art paired with Japanese sweets. Prize tiers include a large wall hanging (A prize), an A3 clear poster (B prize), an acrylic stand (C prize), a wood key holder (D prize), an A5 illustration board (E prize), a shikishi board collection (F prize), and a large can badge (G prize). Store-exclusive last-win prizes include a large acrylic stand set. Online-exclusive last-win prizes are acrylic visual panels. Each lottery ticket costs 770 yen, and the sale period runs through July 10, 2026. The film series began with "Mononoke: The Phantom Chapter 1 - The Umbrella" in 2024, followed by "Chapter 2 - The Fire Rat" in March 2025. Both earlier films won the Audience Award for Best Animated Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada.
May 20
Twin Engine released the final PV for Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3 - Snake God on May 19, condensing the Ooku's karma and horror from the trilogy's first two chapters. The concluding film opens nationwide in Japan on May 29, centering on the Ooku's greatest secret and the series' most terrifying mononoke.
May 17
The Super Kabuki stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke has released a video ad showing the main cast in costume. The play stars Danko Ichikawa V as Ashitaka, Kazutaro Nakamura as San, and Tokizo Nakamura VI as Eboshi Gozen. It runs from July 3 to August 23 at Tokyo's Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre, directed by Kensuke Yokouchi with a script co-written by Ghibli veteran Keiko Niwa.
May 17
Twin Engine released a new trailer for Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3: Snake God on Thursday, ahead of its May 29 theatrical debut in Japan. The trailer shows more of the supernatural chaos in the inner palace, with the emperor and priest Hokuto Mizorogi playing larger roles. Aina The End performs the theme song "No Epilogue." New cast members include Miyuki Sawashiro as the Third Empress, Fumi Hirano as Tokiwai, Mariko Honda as Kawa, Yukana as Amanotsubone, and Eiji Takemoto as Saku Mizorogi. Kenji Nakamura returns as general director from the second film, while Tomoaki Koshida directs at Studio Kafka and EOTA. The story follows the Medicine Seller confronting a giant snake-shaped Mononoke called the Snake God. He must discover its three characteristics-form, truth, and reason-before he can slay it. The roots of the conflict lie 150 years in the past, in the true story of the inner palace's birth. The first two films in the trilogy, Phantom in the Rain and The Ashes of Rage, premiered in July 2024 and March 2025 respectively, and are streaming on Netflix.