All the latest news about the future of the Mononoke anime film series

It's been a busy week for the Mononoke franchise. The anime series' first feature-length movie spin-off, Mononoke: Karakasa debuted in Japanese theaters on July 26. This comes after a months-long delay caused by news of the lead voice actor being caught having an affair and being recast. Following the debut, a sequel was confirmed by the movie's production team via a post on X (formerly Twitter):

The announcement confirms plans for a Mononoke film trilogy. The second entry will be titled Hinezumi and is currently slated for release on March 14, 2025. No additional information about the third film in the trilogy has been announced at this point, beyond the fact that it is planned for some point in the future. This pattern follows the release of the original 2007 anime series, itself a spin-off of the anthology Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales. The plot of the original Mononoke anime consisted of five standalone story arcs following the Medicine Vendor investigating a different supernatural mystery. Combined, the episodes of each arc run about as long as a feature-length movie.

Additionally, to promote the Japanese release of Mononoke: Karakasa, the movie's theme song has also been made available. The Japanese singer AiNA THE END provides the single "Love Sick" for the movie. An official animated music video featuring footage from Mononoke: Karakasa can be watched below:

Mononoke is not connected in any way to Studio Ghibli's 1997 movie Princess Mononoke. "Mononoke" is a Japanese word referring to supernatural creatures in general. Mononoke follows a mysterious and nameless Medicine Vendor investigating incidents of mononoke in an indeterminate time in Feudal Japanese history. Thanks to its stylish storytelling and art direction, Mononoke became a cult classic among anime fans, leading to an English dub being made available in 2023.

Crunchyroll, the current streaming home for the series, provides the following synopsis:

"In feudal Japan, evil spirits known as mononoke plague both households and the countryside. Only one person has the power to kill them where they stand: the Medicine Seller. But in order to draw his spirit-slaying sword he must first understand the Form, Truth, and Reason of the mononoke. Armed with sharp wit, he wanders from place to place striking down the evil spirits in his wake."

- Crunchyroll

There is currently no word about an international release of the Mononoke anime movies. Keep following us here on Anime Away for updates about the Mononoke film trilogy and news about other upcoming anime shows and movies.