“Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain” streams on Netflix starting November 28! This is part 1 in a trilogy; Part 2 releases theatrically in Japan on March 14, 2025.
Trailer:
β Synopsis β
The Εoku β
A harem swirling with intense emotions.
The Εoku is where beautiful and talented women are gathered from all across the land to bear the heir of His Majesty, the ruler. At the same time, it is an important place that plays a crucial bureaucratic function. Stepping into this unusual society with its own rules are young newcomers Asa (Tomoyo Kurosawa) and Kame (Aoi Yuki). Blessed with both intelligence and beauty, Asa aims to improve her standing, while Kame searches for a sense of belonging in this place she has always dreamed of. On the day of their induction, these two girls of opposite personalities are forced to participate in a ceremony to become part of the group by sacrificing their most cherished belongings to the Water Goddess, a deity worshiped within the Εoku. As a result of this event, a bond forms between the two girls.
The elder Utayama (Mami Koyama) oversees the women while prioritizing the prosperity and continuation of the Εoku, but she conceals something behind her stony facade. Slowly, over time, something uncanny begins to envelop the women. As their powerful emotions accumulate each night, the strange sound of a spinning paper umbrella echoes from the shadows and the maidservants begin to lose their minds, as though they are possessed.
Eventually, a pivotal tragedy occurs. The Medicine Seller (Hiroshi Kamiya) proceeds to the heart of the Εoku, but he cannot draw the Sacred Sword to exorcise the mononoke unless he learns the beingβs βForm,β βTruthβ and βReason.β When the Medicine Seller uncovers the frightening and heartbreaking truth hidden in the Εoku, the ceremony of exorcism and redemption begins.
