In this episode, we’ll cover the forthcoming Super Kabuki stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s groundbreaking film, Princess Mononoke, scheduled to run in Tokyo during the summer of 2026. This announcement follows the acclaimed success of the previous kabuki staging of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, further demonstrating the commitment to adapting Studio Ghibli works for the traditional stage. The production utilizes the Super Kabuki format, which is known for revitalizing the classical art form by incorporating modern storylines like the 1999 cinematic phenomenon, Princess Mononoke. Key casting for the show includes Danko Ichikawa portraying the lead character Ashitaka, and Ichitaro Nakamura stepping into the role of San, promising a compelling dramatic dynamic. With a screenplay crafted by Keiko Niwa and Kazuhisa Tobe, the show is expected to deliver an epic reinterpretation of the film’s conflict between nature and civilization through the unique lens of kabuki theatre.
