【The Aftermath of San and Ashitaka】Decoding Princess Mononoke through Cognitive Science and Psychology

For a quick look, 25 seconds👆🏻

Just before the end of "Princess Mononoke," San says, "I like Ashitaka. But I cannot forgive the humans."

Ashitaka replies, "That is fine. San, you live in the forest, and I will live in Iron Town. Let us live together."

The story ends with the appearance of a Kodama,

The pitch-black ending credits and the song. (Haritsumeta...)
Of course, the future of San and Ashitaka is not depicted.

Fans imagine what happens "after," but Director Hayao Miyazaki leaves a few hints.

The "Gaps" in the Story

The brain tries to fill in the ambiguity of a story.
By not providing a clear conclusion to the parting of San and Ashitaka, it makes us imagine the future.

San's state of having no choice but to be loyal to nature, and Ashitaka's responsibility to human society. (Though there are various theories about this responsibility...)
This conflict stimulates acognitive desire for resolutionbut Director Miyazaki intentionally avoids giving an answer and makes the audience think.

Director Miyazaki sometimes casually says things that make everyone recoil, like "It's not that protecting nature is good, or that not protecting it is bad."

However, the structure of Princess Mononoke elevates it from a movie you just watch with your eyes to something that prompts personal reflection. I think it's an amazing technique to make people think just by watching.

The "Resolve to Live" that Director Miyazaki talks about

Director Miyazaki talks about the future of San and Ashitaka like this:

Summary: "Ashitaka will live while being torn between Iron Town and San. If Iron Town says they want to cut down 500 trees, San might get angry. So, he negotiates, 'How about 250?' That is what it means to live."

This can be called psychological cognitive dissonance.

From now on, Ashitaka will be a mediator between nature and humanity, struggling within conflicting values.
This can also be calledemotional regulationwhere one suppresses emotions while finding a compromise. You can feel the complexity of real-world environmental issues and human relationships, too. Ashitaka... well, in short, it means a life of compromise. It's tough when you have such a heavy burden to carry.

San's "Thorn" and Ashitaka's Acceptance

San's words, "I like Ashitaka. But I cannot forgive humans," are what Director Miyazaki calls "a thorn stuck in Ashitaka."

Psychologically, this is San's emotional schema (emotional framework). A massive trauma.

San is human, but her experience of being abandoned (offered) by humans, raised by wolves, and further having her nature (home) destroyed by humans (fear and anxiety) has become a powerful belief.

This belief is her identity, and it won't change easily. It will likely last a lifetime, even if its scale changes.

Ashitaka shows an attitude of accepting San's conflict without forcing it to be resolved.
You could say this shows high emotional intelligence (EQ), but if I put it that way, Director Miyazaki would surely get angry. He hates that kind of thing. Haha.

But really, if you care about San even a little, you wouldn't want to force her to do anything (especially by human hands) ever again! I mean, forcing a resolution itself is wrong!

I thought that wasn't about having high EQ or high problem-solving ability (IQ), but just about doing what's right.
If you only think about what's convenient for you or what makes money, that part of you probably goes numb.

A silent proposal

Actually, Director Miyazaki has revealed that San's words were a response to Ashitaka's "proposal."

This proposal is only hinted at in a scene without dialogue. Because it's non-verbal, it makes you imagine it.

Perhaps...
"Won't you live with me at Irontown?"
Or maybe since it's Ashitaka, it was lighter?
"Let's go back to Irontown!"
Something like that?
Hmm... I wonder what he said...
That's too much of a gamble, Ashitaka!

The beauty of living with complexity

"Princess Mononoke" is neither a happy ending nor a tragedy; it depicts the continuation of conflict (reality).
San and Ashitaka will likely move toward a future where they love each other while choosing different worlds, repeating compromises and negotiations.

In cognitive science, there is something called tolerance for uncertainty, which is like saying, "Well, there's a lot going on, but let's make it work."

Whoa, but isn't that amazing?
Even though it shows a fantasy-like world like "Princess Mononoke," it makes you think about realistic life, the world, and what it means to "live."

What did you all think when you watched "Princess Mononoke"?
It's fun because everyone has their own thoughts on it!
Well then, see you tomorrow!

↑ Having life goals, setting targets, and recovery methods are super important for "living"!!
In other words, let's refresh your mind and body with coaching and bodywork! Coaching is currently offering a 30-minute free campaign!
Minami-Aoyama bodywork is also offering free initial consultation fees!

If you have any impressions, questions, or need advice, please feel free to reach out via note comments, the Minami-Aoyama bodywork website inquiry form, or X (formerly Twitter) DM!