A new music video for the second film in the Mononoke anime trilogy has been released, revealing the theme song “Hana Musou,” performed by the acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter Aina The End. The video offers a sneak peek at the film, officially titled Mononoke the Movie Trilogy: Chapter 2 (Gekijōban Mononoke Dai-Ni-Shō: Hinezumi), and its dark, supernatural atmosphere. This highly anticipated sequel is set to premiere in Japan on March 14, 2025.
Aina The End’s Musical Contribution
Aina The End, known for her distinctive husky voice and powerful performances, has created a unique soundscape for the Mononoke film series. Her song “Hana Musou” is described as a magnificent ballad, featuring a gentle piano melody and sweeping strings that blend with a band sound. This creates an immersive experience that enhances the movie’s overall mood. Notably, Aina The End also performed the theme song for the first film, Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, titled “Love Sick.” Her continued involvement highlights her important role in shaping the sonic identity of the Mononoke universe. The song “Hana Musou” was written by Aina herself, underscoring her deep connection to the project.
Aina The End: From Idol to Solo Artist
Born Aina Iitani on December 27, 1994, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, Aina The End is a multifaceted artist. She first gained recognition as a founding member of the alternative rock/punk idol group BiSH, which disbanded in June 2023. Prior to BiSH, she worked as a singer in a nightclub and as a backup dancer. She moved to Tokyo following encouragement from a dance colleague to pursue singing, and worked in a backup dancing unit called Parallel. Within BiSH, she was known for her husky vocals and also contributed choreography.
Beyond BiSH, she has collaborated with various artists and ventured into solo work, demonstrating her versatility. She’s been a vocalist for acts like TeddyLoid, Mondo Grosso, and Marty Friedman, and formed a duo called SexFriend. In addition to her music career, she has also ventured into acting, taking on the main character role in the movie Kyrie no Uta. She has also played Janis Joplin in the Japanese version of the Broadway musical, A Night with Janis Joplin, and voiced Porsha Crystal in Sing 2. Aina’s diverse experiences as a singer, songwriter, actress, and voice actor showcases her wide range of talents.
The World of Mononoke
The Mononoke franchise originated from the “Goblin Cat” arc of the 2006 horror anthology anime series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales. It follows the enigmatic Medicine Seller as he travels across feudal Japan, encountering and exorcising malevolent spirits known as “Mononoke”. These spirits are born from human’s negative emotions. The Medicine Seller is not a typical hero; he must uncover the Form, Truth, and Reason behind each Mononoke before he can use his Exorcism Sword.
The Second Film: Hinezumi
Mononoke the Movie Trilogy: Chapter 2 Hinezumi is set within the Ooku, the inner palace of Edo Japan. The film focuses on the concubines Fuki Tokita and Botan Otomo, who seem to play a more prominent role. The plot involves political intrigue, rivalry, and a vengeful spirit, aligning with the franchise’s theme of exploring the dark side of humanity and the supernatural.
Production Details and Cast
The second film sees the return of key staff members, with Kenji Nakamura as chief director and Kiyotaka Suzuki as director. Kitsuneko Nagata serves as the character designer, building upon the unique style of the original series. Hiroshi Kamiya will once again voice the Medicine Seller, taking over from Takahiro Sakurai, who voiced the character in the original 2007 anime series. This change was due to allegations of an extramarital affair against Sakurai. New cast members include Chō as Yoshimichi Tokita and Kenyuu Horiuchi as Rōjū Ōtomo.
The first film in the trilogy, Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, premiered in Japanese theaters in July 2024 and was subsequently released on Netflix in November 2024. It introduced the new voice of the Medicine Seller, Hiroshi Kamiya, and laid the groundwork for the trilogy’s narrative. The Phantom in the Rain was also well-received at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, where it won a bronze award in the animated film category.
What Makes Mononoke Unique?
Mononoke distinguishes itself from other anime with its distinctive visual style, rooted in traditional Japanese art and its exploration of psychological and supernatural horror. The series, and now the film trilogy, delve into the dark aspects of human nature, often portraying how negative emotions can manifest as malevolent entities. This blend of historical settings with supernatural elements creates a compelling and atmospheric experience for viewers.
The Mononoke films are not directly connected to the popular Hayao Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke which was released in 1997. While both explore themes of nature, spirits, and conflict, they are separate stories with no overlapping characters or plot. Princess Mononoke tells the story of Ashitaka, a young Emishi prince, during the Muromachi period of Japanese history and his journey to find a cure for a curse on his arm.
The upcoming release of Mononoke the Movie Trilogy: Chapter 2 is generating significant excitement among fans, thanks to the compelling storyline, unique animation style, and the powerful music of Aina The End. The film is a continuation of the iconic Mononoke series and promises to deliver a thrilling and haunting cinematic experience.
