Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke is set to return in the summer of 2026 with a new show and in a new format, which will notably be different from the AI controversies the title was embroiled in last year.
Per Mantan Web, Princess Mononoke is set to be adapted into a Super Kabuki performance to mark the 40th anniversary of Yamato Takeru, the debut performance that launched the genre in 1986. Titled “Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke,” it will be performed at the Shinbashi Enboujo in Tokyo from July to August 2026.
Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke Gets Super Kabuki Release in Summer 2026
While traditional kabuki is a classical form of Japanese theater known for its stylized drama and elaborate make-up, Super Kabuki is a modern iteration designed to broaden the art’s appeal by incorporating contemporary storytelling, faster pacing and modern stage effects while maintaining traditional techniques.
Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke boasts an impressive roster of talent, including the return of original composer Joe Hisaishi to handle the music, with the script penned by Keiko Niwa and Kazuhisa Tobe. Danko Ichikawa will portray the protagonist Ashitaka, while Kazutaro Nakamura has been cast as San. Notably, Danko Ichikawa is the grandson of Ichikawa En-o, the legendary actor who originally invented the Super Kabuki genre to modernize the art form.
“Super Kabuki is something my grandfather created with the future of kabuki in mind, aiming for a form of kabuki that is fresh, full of life, and brimming with energy for people today,” Ichikawa said. “I hope it will be a work that not only kabuki fans but also Studio Ghibli fans can wholeheartedly appreciate. Above all, I want everyone to enjoy it. With clear, unwavering eyes, I intend to take on Princess Mononoke.”
Princess Mononoke Was Recreated in 2024 in Controversial ‘Shot-for-Shot Remake’
This Super Kabuki performance serves as a stark contrast to the unauthorized live-action trailer created by AI enthusiast PJ Acetturo last year, which garnered significant attention. Produced using a generative AI program called Kling, the video attempted a “shot-for-shot” remake of the Ghibli masterpiece’s Miramax trailer, costing the creator roughly US$745 in credits to generate.
While Acetturo claimed that they merely intended to show what the world of Princess Mononoke would look like in live-action, the video was eventually removed following a wave of backlash from fans who viewed the imitation as a blatant disrespect to the original creators who dedicated years of hard work to the project, and also the studio, which almost went broke producing it.
Following the AI controversy, Princess Mononoke’s 4K restoration was released in the U.S. by GKIDS in March 2025, prompting the distributor to highlight the distinct value of traditional animation. In a statement regarding the film’s box office performance, GKIDS VP of Distribution Chance Huskey noted, “In a time when technology tries to replicate humanity, we are thrilled that audiences value a theatrical experience that respects and celebrates Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece.”
Originally released in 1997, Princess Mononoke explores the themes of co-existing with nature as humanity embraces industrialization. The narrative centers on Ashitaka, a young man afflicted by a deadly curse, who becomes embroiled in the conflict between a human settlement determined to consume the forest’s resources and San, a human girl raised by the wolves, and the ancient gods fighting to protect their home. A full-color comic adaptation of the film was released in 2005.
Release Date
July 12, 1997
Runtime
133 Minutes
