Mononoke Anime Film Sequel Confirmed for March 2025, Trilogy Announced

The official staff for the Mononoke anime film announced on Sunday, July 28, 2024, that the sequel, GekijobanMononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi (Fire Rat), will be released in Japan on March 14, 2025. Tickets for the movie will go on sale on August 2, 2024, with the design already revealed.

The staff also revealed that the Mononoke anime film project will consist of three films, with the first installment, Gekijoban Mononoke: Karakasa (Paper Umbrella), premiering in Japanese theatres on July 26, 2024. As of now, there is no information available about the third film. However, director Kenji Nakamura has shared exciting details about the trilogy.

Release Date for Sequel to Mononoke Anime Film Announced

The Mononoke anime film will be produced as a trilogy, as announced by the official X account for the series (@anime_mononoke) on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The second film, Gekijoban Mononoke: Hinezumi (Fire Rat), is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theatres on Friday, March 14, 2025.

In addition to the announcement, the movie’s staff also shared that tickets for the sequel will be available for purchase in Japan starting August 2, 2024. The design of the tickets showcases the colorful and dynamic aesthetics of Ooku, while the illustration depicts the Medicine Seller exploring the interior of Ooku.

The illustration for the sequel's ticket (Image via Twin Engine/EOTA) — The illustration for the sequel’s ticket (Image via Twin Engine/EOTA)

It should be noted that the Mononoke anime film sequel was hinted at just before the end credits of the first movie, with the phrase “To be continued in chapter 2″appearing on screen. The initial installment of the trilogy, Gekijoban Mononoke: Karakasa, made its debut in Japanese cinemas on July 26, 2024.

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, during a stage event for the movie, Hiroshi Kamiya, the voice actor for the Medicine Seller, announced that he will start recording for the second chapter of the film, titled “Hinezumi”(Fire Rat), beginning on Sunday.

Additionally, director Kenji Nakamura stated that the next two movies will be produced as individual theatrical works. Both films will feature the same setting of Ooku and the character of Medicine Seller.

Despite this, the plot will vary for each movie. Kenji-san also mentioned that the trilogy centers around the Medicine Seller’s battle against a formidable “passion.”Additional details about the sequel’s storyline will be disclosed in the coming days.

Kenji Nakamura helmed the inaugural installment at Twin Engine Studios, with Kitsuneko Nagata serving as the character designer. Yuichi Takahashi was responsible for adapting Kitsuneko-san’s illustrations as the chief animation director. The movie was animated by EOTA, with music composed by Taku Iwasaki.

The plot of the initial Mononoke movie revolved around a Medicine Seller who visits Ooku, the female living quarters in Edo castle, in search of an Ayakashi, with a focus on his path to redemption.