Original artwork, not a still
Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living.
— Princess Mononoke ‧ 1997
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the film's mission statement said by its most unlikely sage: a man hidden under bandages who has every reason for despair and chooses to go on. The line frames Ashitaka's whole journey, hatred met with compassion rather than a cure, and it is why people quote it when things are bleak, rather than the grander speeches.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Princess MononokeShow the scene
Ashitaka, the cursed prince who has ridden west to find the source of the curse on his arm, reaches Irontown, Lady Eboshi's ironworks, where the town shelters former prostitutes at the furnaces and people with leprosy, who manufacture firearms. In the sealed-off quarter where the lepers work, he meets their bandaged leader, known only by the title Osa ("elder"). Having heard of Ashitaka's rage and grief, he tells him that life is suffering and the world is cursed, but that people still find reasons to keep living. In the English dub the character is voiced by Corey Burton.
Sources (4)
- Wikiquote: Princess Mononokequotes list, entry for OsaReference checked
- Ghibli Wiki: Osacharacter page and quote boxReference checked
- Wikipedia: Princess MononokePlot sectionReference checked
- Ghibli Wiki: Irontowndescription of the leper quartersReference checked
Context reviewed
