On May 16, 2026 (Saturday), a special screening event for Mononoke was held at a Tokyo movie theater, featuring voice actors Kamiya Hiroshi and Hosomi Daisuke, along with general director Nakamura Kenji. The event looked back on Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 with fans, while also highlighting the appeal of the upcoming Chapter 3.
Mononoke is a television anime series that aired in 2007, spun off from the “Bakeneko” arc of Ayakashi, which recorded unusually high viewership in 2006. Beloved ever since its broadcast, the first theatrical film, Mononoke the Movie: The Umbrella, was released in July 2024, followed by Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 2: The Fire Rat in March 2025. Then, on May 29, 2026, the third and final chapter, Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3: The Snake God, will be released nationwide.
On this day, revival screenings of The Umbrella and The Fire Rat were held, along with a preview of the first 20 minutes of The Snake God. After the screening, the cast and general director appeared on stage in kimono, receiving warm applause. Kamiya, who plays the protagonist Medicine Seller, smiled and said, “I always get complimented when I wear kimono. I think it’s because I have sloping shoulders.” General director Nakamura, who was so suited to kimono that people called him “master,” cheerfully remarked, “Kamiya-san and Hosomi-san are like my apprentices.” The event began in a friendly atmosphere.
The audience at the venue was the first to see the opening of The Snake God. When the MC asked, “What did you think?” the venue responded with enthusiastic applause. General director Nakamura revealed that the main film had been completed safely and, looking refreshed, said, “I feel relieved now.” Kamiya, who had not yet seen the finished product, expressed his eagerness: “I want to see the completed version as soon as possible.” The stage then turned to looking back at the journey of the Mononoke theatrical films, which began as a set in the Ooku.
Regarding his state of mind when approaching The Umbrella, the first of the three-part series, general director Nakamura, the creator of the Mononoke series, touched on the passage of time: “It’s been quite a while since the TV series ended and we started making the theatrical film. In that time, society has changed, animation technology has changed, and many things have changed.” He nostalgically recalled the challenges: “We tried to take in the good parts and hold on to what we should preserve. It was tough to sort out what was right for Mononoke rather than following current animation trends.”
Kamiya, who appeared in a work by Nakamura for the first time with The Umbrella, confessed that when he saw the teaser for The Umbrella, “It was about 90 seconds long, but I felt it was going to be an amazing work.” He was shocked when he saw the completed film, with its extremely dense visuals and sound: “I never thought that quality could last for 90 minutes. I thought, ‘No way!'” He imagined that reaching all three chapters would require a very hard journey, saying, “I had the feeling of ‘Will it be completed?'” General director Nakamura expressed gratitude, saying, “We were encouraged by everyone’s comments and support. Even if just one person wrote that they were looking forward to it, I thought, ‘Okay, let’s do it!’ The staff were also encouraged.” He thanked the fans for their love that brought them this far. Kamiya also praised the series, saying, “Actually, all the answers are presented on screen. It’s a work where your view completely changes depending on whether you miss them or not, and whether you understand their meaning. I thought, ‘Director, you’re amazing.'” He nodded in agreement that it makes sense for Nakamura to look so refreshed after completing such a grand saga.
In The Fire Rat, the relationship between the Medicine Seller and Hiroshikiban (guard of the Ooku) Sakashita also showed change. Their perfect chemistry has captivated many fans.
Hosomi, who plays Sakashita, recalled, “When we did The Umbrella, I met Kamiya-san for the first time. From not knowing what kind of acting he would do, we did ADR together. Being able to act while receiving Kamiya-san’s performance was really significant. As we went through Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, my relationship with Kamiya-san reflected in our acting. In Chapter 2, we became closer, and that was also reflected in my role as Sakashita. His concentration on acting is amazing, and the way he breathes life into the screen resonates even when I’m next to him. I was inspired by that and could do my performance. Without Kamiya-san, I couldn’t have created Sakashita.” He emphasized that Sakashita exists thanks to Kamiya’s Medicine Seller. Kamiya analyzed Hosomi as “a person with only good feelings. He has a mysterious charm,” and added, “I enjoy being with Hosomi-san. Even when we meet for ADR, I can relax. He helps me a lot,” revealing their mutual affection.
It seems Kamiya and Hosomi always did ADR together as a pair. General director Nakamura testified, “The two of them just looked like they were having fun. They were cheerful, and after finishing, they were always smiling.” He also mentioned that Chapter 3 has “a big moment for Sakashita,” and explained Sakashita’s role as a foil: “The Medicine Seller is cool but hard to approach. Having someone who can challenge him with ‘What’s your deal?’ helps the Medicine Seller and also helps us in production. Without someone who pressures him, the Medicine Seller’s personality doesn’t come out.” Kamiya, feeling grateful for Sakashita’s presence, said with a smile, “The Medicine Seller probably has a high opinion of him too.” Hosomi, hearing about Sakashita’s importance, said, “In daily life, when you get closer to someone, you first take their words at face value, but gradually you come to sense the meaning behind them or hidden things. I kept that in mind while listening to the Medicine Seller’s lines and speaking, valuing our relationship.”
The Fire Rat is a story centered on a mother and child, but it was also a chapter where men plotted behind the scenes. Veteran actors like Horiuchi Kenyu, who plays the elder Otomo, gave flavorful performances. Kamiya smiled, “It’s great that the veterans are having fun with their acting. Seeing Kenyu-san, Horikawa Ryou-san, and Chou-san going at it with sharp exchanges feels so good. I wonder if I’ll be able to take a position like that and do that kind of acting when I reach their career level. I watched them thinking about the unpleasantness that veterans exude (laughs). I wondered if I can age in a way that conveys that.” General director Nakamura was thrilled to be praised by Horiuchi, saying, “I was extremely happy.” He promoted The Fire Rat as “a story where the Medicine Seller is recognized by the people of the Ooku. That’s the highlight—the movement of relationships and drama.”
And now, from May 29, The Snake God will be released. The story has gained depth with each chapter, and the character portrayals have become more nuanced. What will be revealed in this final chapter is the “biggest secret” that has been hidden for a long time within the Ooku.
When talk turned to highlights, general director Nakamura said, “In a small room, the Medicine Seller makes a cool jump and spin. When I drew the storyboard, I went ‘Wow!'” He emphasized the action as a point of interest. Kamiya spoke powerfully, “The final destination is The Snake God. In Chapters 1 and 2, while acting, I was feeling out the pacing so as not to give my all. The Medicine Seller himself was also exploring how to enter the Ooku. That’s the part where he and I are linked. In The Snake God, we find the final destination and head toward it, and the feeling that the story will conclude and my purpose will end is also linked.” He urged the audience to “please watch” the Medicine Seller charging toward his goal.
At the end, there was a photo session with the audience holding the “rotating mask of the mob maids.” The entire venue was filled with the atmosphere of Mononoke. Kamiya, looking deeply moved, said, “At last, Mononoke the Movie is complete. I’m moved.” He proudly stated, “Everything that wasn’t revealed in Chapters 1 and 2 will be made clear in Chapter 3. All mysteries will be disclosed. It’s a Mononoke packed with everything you wanted to see. It’s the ultimate entertainment.” Hosomi raised his voice, “It’s a 90-minute film you can’t take your eyes off. Please convey Director Nakamura’s passionate feelings to as many people as possible! Could we ask you to spread the word around the world!” General director Nakamura, reflecting on the difficult times, said, “It was tough at times, but everyone worked with great motivation, like it was a festival. I wish I could have brought all the staff here.” He thanked the staff and promised, “I’ve packed in everything that people wanted to see like this,” receiving big applause.
Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3: The Snake God
※ Snake God is read as “Hebigami”
Cast
Medicine Seller: Kamiya Hiroshi
Sachiko: Tazaki Atsumi / Emperor: Irino Miyu / Mizohoki Rokuro: Tsuda Kenjiro / Suikouin: Sakakibara Yoshiko
Asa: Kurozawa Tomoyo / Tokita Fuki: Hikasa Yoko / Otomo Button: Tomatsu Haruka
Tokita Saburomaru: Kaji Yuki / Saga Heisuke: Fukuyama Jun / Sakashita: Hosomi Daisuke / Tokita Roroji: Chou / Fujimaki: Horikawa Ryou
Tenkyoku: Yukana / Tokiwai: Hirano Fumi / Kawa: Honda Mariko / Mizohoki Saku: Takemoto Hidefumi / Third-generation Midaidokoro: Sawashiro Miyuki
Theme Song
“No Epilogue” by Aina the End (avex trax)
Staff
General Director: Nakamura Kenji / Director: Koshida Tomoaki / Script: Hachikaku Shin
Character Design: Nagata Kitsune / Animation Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Takahashi Yuichi
Art Setting: Uetono Yoichi / Art Director: Kuramoto Akira, Saito Yoko / Art Supervisor: Kurahashi Takashi
Color Design: Tsujida Kunio / Visual Director: Izutsui Yoichi
3D Director: Shirai Kenichi / Editor: Nishiyama Shigeru / Sound Director: Nagasaki Yukio / Music: Iwasaki Taku
Producers: Sato Kosho, Naruse Koichi, Kato Haruka, Uematsu Minako / Planning & Produce: Yamamoto Koji
Production & Distribution: Twin Engine / Animation Production: Studio Kafka, EOTA
(C) Twin Engine
