Lester Ace Pile

ARC-184

REACTION PAPER: Princess Mononoke

1. What was the relationship of man and to his ecology in the movie? (Animistic? Religious? Scientific? Modern?) Cite
examples that support your answer.

• It is animistic, wherein there are spiritual beings in a form of an animal like the Forest Spirit which is believed by
humans as the God of Life and Death in the movie. It is also modern, modern in a way that the people in irontown
uses modern weapons, specifically the riffles compared to the traditional spear and swords used by their human
enemies. Of course, these rifles are used to kill animals in order for them to dig and get more iron which can be
found in the forest’s grounds. This clearly states that these humans didn’t care what will happen to their
environment as long as they can get what they want.

2. What problems in the movie arise similarly to current problems in today's urban setting? (Is it technical, political,
aesthetic, economic, socio-cultural, etc.?)

• I think it is environmental problem which is similar in the movie. Just like in the movie, some humans tend to
abuse the resources that they get from nature and just taking it for granted.

3. In the film's resolve, what can be learned from the events in the movie that can be applied in today's urban planning
problems?

• I think it is all about designing with nature. In the present time, we humans are aware of the negative effects of
what we’re doing with nature. We simply ignore these things just for convenience. It is important to always
consider our environment in every move or developments we’ll make. Humans should protect, adapt and
coexist with the nature, not the other way around. We should take care of it before it’s too late because
always remember, Nature will always win in the end.