The first chapter, “Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa,” is also streaming on Netflix.
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The animated film “Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 2: Fire Rat” will be available worldwide exclusively on Netflix starting August 14th.
“Mononoke” is an original story about a mysterious medicine seller who calms down supernatural phenomena possessed by human passions and grudges. It originated from the episode “Bakeneko” in the 2006 Ayakashi series, and a television series aired in 2007. The film trilogy includes the first chapter, “Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa,” released in 2024, and “Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 2: Fire Rat” in March 2025. The final chapter, “Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3: Snake God,” is scheduled for release in spring 2026.
A Bold Return of the Medicine Seller in a Global Streaming Debut
“Mononoke the Movie: Fire Rat” marks the long-awaited return of the enigmatic Medicine Seller, one of anime’s most visually unique and philosophically rich protagonists. The choice to release the film exclusively on Netflix worldwide underscores how Japanese studios are increasingly embracing global streaming platforms to reach broader audiences. Given the original series’ cult status and artistic acclaim, this movie could serve as a bridge between longtime fans and new viewers discovering the surreal world of Mononoke for the first time. It will be especially interesting to see how the film modernizes its themes while retaining the traditional Japanese aesthetics that made the original so distinctive.
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