Mononoke

[Drunk Monk]

Part 2 - The Ashes of Rage (2025) The sequel takes place a month after the first film, picking up more or less where the first one left off. We're back at the ooku and there's another Mononoke rising, which brings back the medicine seller. I should've noted that the medicine seller wields a magic sword that has a demon face in the pommel that moves about like Mary Poppin's parrot-handled parasol. It can only be drawn after certain conditions are met and can slay Mononoke. 

The sequel is even more intense artistically. The graphics are so ornate, with colorful background murals adorned with yokai symbols and a Mononoke that's like flaming sperm. This one is more graphic, depicting more sex. There's no full on nudity except the emperor's butt as he does his 'night work' with the lead courtesan. Again , the inner politics are confusing with its secrets and subservience. There's the internal tension of which courtesan might bear and heir. And notably, the courtesans are of all races. The creepy monk finally gets his. The Mononoke burns its victims up from the inside. The final battle takes place in some sort of alternate dimensional plane and is crazy colorful. My retinas get exhausted trying to take it all in. 

This is a stronger film than the first, more unabashed about its hyper visual style. Still not D00M recommended. It's too deep anime for y'all. 

I'm planning to watch the final installment of this trilogy over the weekend, if not tonight.