Studio Ghibli's timeless masterpiece Princess Mononoke, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1997, is coming to the stage in an exciting new way!
It has been announced that the film will be adapted into a Super Kabuki production, scheduled to run at the Shinbashi Enbujō Theatre in Tokyo from July to August 2026!
Additionally, the casting for the lead roles has been revealed: Ichikawa Danko will play Ashitaka, and Nakamura Ichitarō will portray San. Both actors have shared their thoughts on these exciting roles.
The following information is quoted from the official announcement:
Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke Confirmed for July-August 2026!
In 1986, Super Kabuki Yamato Takeru made waves in Japan's theater world by fusing traditional kabuki with contemporary spectacle through dynamic and innovative staging, establishing an entirely new genre in Japanese performing arts.
Now, in 2026—marking the 40th anniversary of that groundbreaking debut—a new Super Kabuki production is being born. This time, the work receiving new life through Super Kabuki is Princess Mononoke, a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences more than a quarter-century after its initial release.
Created, written, and directed by Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke tells an epic tale of nature and humanity. Upon its release, it rewrote Japanese box office history and became the first animated film to win the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year, earning acclaim both domestically and internationally. The 4K digital remaster screening that began this October has once again sparked tremendous buzz, creating waves of emotion across generations.
In the summer of 2026, Princess Mononoke will shine with new brilliance as a Super Kabuki production, captivating audiences with grand spectacle and dynamic staging. The intertwining fates of Ashitaka and San, the people of Tataraba, and the gods dwelling in the forest—depicting the fierce clash between humanity and nature and the yearning for coexistence—will carve out new history as Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke.
Ichikawa Danko Cast as Ashitaka, Nakamura Ichitarō as San!
It has been announced that Ichikawa Danko will play Ashitaka, the young man cursed by fate, while Nakamura Ichitarō will portray San, the girl raised by wolves.
In the 2024 production of Super Kabuki Yamato Takeru, Danko played the lead role of Ousu no Mikoto (later Yamato Takeru) as well as Ōusu no Mikoto, while Ichitarō took on dual roles as Ototachibana-hime and Sototachibana-hime during the May Misonoza and June Osaka Shochikuza performances, and a triple role including Miyazu-hime at the October Hakata-za performance. Danko showcased quick costume changes and wire flying in Yamato Takeru, not only inheriting the artistry of the Omodakaya house that mesmerized audiences with spectacular staging, but also establishing the "Shinsho Shunjukai" study group, expanding his range of activities with a focus on dance.
Ichitarō has increasingly taken on major roles, including the demanding onnagata (female role specialist) piece Kyōkanoko Musume Dōjōji. He has also broadened his activities in various ways, successfully staging theatrical performances of ART Kabuki, which he planned and hosted as "kabuki that can be enjoyed outside the theater."
Two young talents representing the next generation are now taking on the challenge of this new Super Kabuki production with full commitment. Please look forward to their passionate collaboration!
▲Left: Ichikawa Danko, Right: Nakamura Ichitarō
Comment from Ichikawa Danko (Ashitaka):
"When I received news of my grandfather's passing, the song I heard was 'The Legend of Ashitaka' from Princess Mononoke.
I still vividly remember finding 'hope' in my grief.
This was before I even received this offer, and I can't help but feel there's something fateful about it.
Super Kabuki was created by my grandfather with an eye toward the future of kabuki—aiming to create a fresh, energetic form of kabuki that lives in the present.
From that perspective as well, I feel that staging Princess Mononoke as Super Kabuki is deeply meaningful.
I want to create a production that not only satisfies kabuki fans but also earns the approval of Ghibli fans, and above all, one that everyone can enjoy. I, too, will approach Princess Mononoke with unclouded eyes."
Comment from Nakamura Ichitarō (San):
"The fact that Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke will be staged next year already fills me with intense nervousness and excitement.
Princess Mononoke was released when I was in elementary school. While my memories of it then were vague, when I watched the film again as an adult, I somehow felt that the memorable lines had a very kabuki-like quality to them.
And then there's the wonderful music by Joe Hisaishi. I want to make this the opening of a production that connects to the future—one where people will say, 'I'm glad they made this grand, universally known work into Super Kabuki!'"
Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke Performance Details
Original Work: Hayao Miyazaki
Original Music: Joe Hisaishi
Script: Keiko Niwa, Kazuhisa Tobe
Direction: Kensuke Yokouchi
In cooperation with: Studio Ghibli
Cast:
Ashitaka: Ichikawa Danko
San: Nakamura Ichitarō
July-August 2026
Shinbashi Enbujō Theatre, Tokyo
Produced by Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Princess Mononoke Film Information
Synopsis
The setting is medieval Japan, during the Muromachi period.
In a primeval, deep forest that still repels human encroachment, giant spirit beasts—such as wolves and boars—capable of understanding human language lie in wait. These divine creatures attack the humans who violate their sanctuary, and are feared as Wrathful Gods.
Ashitaka, a descendant of the Emishi tribe, is afflicted by a curse placed on him by a boar god, which had transformed into a Tatari-gami (a demon/Curse God) due to its rage and hatred toward humans. In his search for a cure in the western lands, Ashitaka is drawn into an extraordinary fate.
He finds himself caught between the iron-working settlement, Tatara, and its leader Lady Eboshi, who seeks to clear the forest; the wolf clan that protects the forest; and San, the human girl raised by the wolves. In the midst of this conflict, Ashitaka learns the reason for his curse...
Cast
Ashitaka: Yōji Matsuda
San: Yuriko Ishida
Lady Eboshi: Yūko Tanaka
Jiko-bō: Kaoru Kobayashi
Kōroku: Masahiko Nishimura
Gonza: Tsunehiko Kamijō
Toki: Sumi Shimamoto
Wolf: Tetsu Watanabe
Demon God: Makoto Satō
Cattleman: Akira Nagoya
Moro: Akihiro Miwa
Hii-sama: Mitsuko Mori
Okkoto: Hisaya Morishige
(C)1997 Studio Ghibli・ND
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
