It’s been almost six months since the first installment of Mononoke came to Western screens, and even though fans of the franchise knew that the sequel was bound to be announced at some point, they’ve had to hold their breath for a while until it finally became official. But now we can start counting down: Netflix announced today that Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage is debuting on the platform on August 14. Mononoke will continue to follow the Medicine Seller (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) as he uses his detective and fighting skills to help a community get rid of an evil spirit. If in the first movie it felt like the protagonist was pushed to his limit in order to fight a massive foe, this time around it looks like he’ll have to pull off something similar to come out the other side. Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage will pick up one month after the events of the first movie, and it centers around the Medicine Seller’s return to the Ōoku because a different threat has emerged in the same location. Netflix is yet to unveil an official trailer for Mononoke Chapter II, but we know that one thing we can expect for sure is that the animated movie will once again deliver its unique style and rhythm in the new adventure. Directed by Kiyotaka Suzuki (Evangelion 3.33) and with returning filmmaker Kenji Nakamura (Gatchaman Crowds) serving as chief director, the movie features an excess of colors and details, and its “texture” simulates a hand-drawn painting made on canvas. The franchise is also a genre-bending adventure that dares viewers to keep up with it.
Is ‘Mononoke’ Based On a Manga?

Image via EOTA

The trajectory of Mononoke is a pretty interesting one. The story was first released as a spin-off from the anthology horror animated series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales. In 2007, a twelve-episode series started to tell the tale of the medicine seller at the end of the Edo Period and the beginning of the Meiji Era in Japan. The original anime story inspired manga and stage adaptations, but the story was only followed up with the film trilogy — Chapter III is slated to premiere in Japan in early 2026. Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage is brought to life by Twin Engine, the Japanese production company responsible for titles like Psycho-Pass, Golden Kamuy, Zoom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and the upcoming Witch Hat Atelier. The screenplay is written by Yasumi Atarashi (Star Wars: Visions). Netflix premieres Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II — The Ashes of Rage on August 14. A trailer is yet to be unveiled, but stay tuned at Collider for updates!

Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – Fire Rat

Release Date

March 14, 2025

Director

Kiyotaka Suzuki