As a result of global warming and environmental degradation, many media are focusing on ways to alert the public to preserve the planet . In “Princess Mononoke,” the film aesthetically creates a complex sociocultural world in which the audience is forced to weigh in on complex questions regarding our nature and how we treat the planet. The film follows Ashitaka as he travels from his home village to western Japan to find answers to his impending doom. His quest soon leads him to the industrious fort of “Irontown,” and he finds himself in the middle of a deadly battle between humans and spirits. “Princess Mononoke” depicts the sublime story of humans’ devastating war against nature and challenges audiences to find its real-world application. The setting of Princess Mononoke highlights the evolution of social conquests and their impact on the environment. The film is set in mythical Japan of around the 15th century, where most of the population is rural and industry is just beginning to proliferate. The film depicts the duality of humanity between pre- and post-industrial. For example, the Emishi village represents the pre-industrial era of Japan which contrasts with the modern era of consumerism and globalization. Villagers live sustainably using the resources around them. However, Irontown is an industrious fort clouded by the fog of greed and money. In Irontown, humanity is depicted as hungry, power-hungry beasts who have a voracious appetite for resources. Emishi Village has grown to become one with the spirits while Irontown is determined to bend the forces of nature to their will to obtain valuable natural resources. What Irontown can gain by defeating the forest spirit would be to conquer the earth from other horizons...... middle of paper ...... remains but, "the main force of "Princess Mononoke lies in asking the audience to think about compassion for the poor and the excluded in tandem with concern for nature" (29). side in favor of the other is out of the question because there is a certain good for each side Comparing this environmental children's film to others like "Over the Hedge" is that Princess Mononoke challenges the audience. to understand the motivation behind both sides and find a way to integrate each side in a lasting way Works Cited Smith, Michelle J. and Elizabeth Parsons "Animating Children's Activism: Environmentalism and Class Politics in Princess Mononoke. Ghibli (1997) and Fox's Fern Gully (1992)." Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies 26.1 (2012): 25-37. Academic research completed. Internet. April 27. 2014.