Initially I was worried about the change in Kusuriuris voice actor. Despite greatly admiring Hiroshi Kamiyas work this character has a very peculiar way of speaking and even the smallest alteration could completely mischaracterize him. Im so positively surprised that Ill start this review by praising Hiroshis incredible work. The difference was barely noticeable and Im immensely grateful for the meticulous effort he put into bringing back the Medicine Seller we remember and love. Visually Kusuriuri has undergone slight changes. Details like colors hair and makeup give him a refreshed look while maintaining cohesion with his original design. The layered and patterned robes reflects his multifaceted personalitycalm and composed outwardly but deeply insightful and knowledgeable. His pale complexion and subtle face paint connect hint at the performative nature of his role in bridging the human and spirit worlds. His piercing gaze conveys his ability to perceive hidden truths. The silver hair adds to his ethereal appearance symbolizing wisdom neutrality and detachment from mortal concerns. His ornate sword central to his identity reflects his mission to uncover the truth and restore balance. While his vibrant attire contrasts with the eerie environments he moves through reinforces his role as a mediator between humanity and the supernatural. Even with small updates to his design his character still bridges oppositeshuman and spirit emotion and logic tradition and the unknown. Art and Animation The art style was something I was very curious about not just because of the updated color palette but also to see how the animation would benefit from newer techniques. After all 17 years have passed and the animation industry has transformed significantlynot just in technology but also in storytelling and pacing. Some key elements remain intact which Im thrilled about. For instance the film stays true to the series signature ukiyoeinspired art style and its distinctive paper texture creating a dreamlike and otherworldly atmosphere. Sound effects angles and scene transitions feel faithful to the original evoking a sense of nostalgia. However there are marked differences. Compared to the 2007 series Phantom in the Rain features much more movement quicker scene cuts and heightened color saturation. At times it was hard to absorb everything while reading subtitlesits definitely not a film you can watch just once as much can be missed in a blink. This isnt a drawback thoughit feels like a deliberate choice amplifying the discomfort and immersion typical of Mononoke. It forces the audience to engage fully opening their minds and eyes to capture every detail. Personally I prefer slightly less movement especially compared to the minimalism of the 2007 series. Jumping into Phantom in the Rain with the expectation of the same pacing might be jarring. Still I appreciate the creative risk taken here. They balanced the movement well giving the film a fresh yet familiar feel for longtime fans. And of course just being able to watch in high resolution is a gamechanger. The welldefined and emphasized shapes complement the cinematic experience beautifully. Plot and Narrative Once again the story is brilliant. The narrative structure feels very similar to the series but with more sophisticated and daring visuals they were able to omit certain aspects that would have previously been explained aloud. This is the biggest difference I noticed in storytellingwe rely more on visual cues and our own perceptions to draw conclusions of which there are many possible interpretations. Compared to the 2007 series this film demands more attention since the ending can feel disconnected if key details are missed along the way. While the Medicine Seller still announces the Form Truth and Reason of the Mononoke he doesnt explain everything step by step as explicitly as before. I see this as a positivethis approach keeps the essence of the story but invites us to engage with it differently. Mononoke is known for its carefully crafted mysteries that only fully unravel at the very end. Judging by a few scenes it seems the continuation will be tied to the setting of Part 1 in a very intriguing way. This time I appreciated how we were shown a bit more of the Medicine Sellers other persona and how they explained more about the realm he comes from and the hierarchy he is a part of. Additionally they provided more details about the sword. As always its not about who he is but about what he does and how he does it. Kusuriuri remains a mystery and thats what makes him so intriguing. Besides in the 2007 series we had only seen Mononoke that had already taken form even if they had not been discovered yet. Here it is different it is the first time we see the birth of a Mononoke this crossing between the human and spiritual realms the exact moment of its manifestation. Symbolism The return of the wall masks in key scenes was a treatsome of them even identical to those from the Faceless Monster arc in the 2007 series. This parallel between the two cases is fascinating as the masks metaphorically represent how characters hide their true selves only for the Mononoke to rip these facades away exposing raw emotions and vulnerabilities. As always Mononoke brims with symbolism weaving themes of human emotion societal constructs and supernatural elements. Id like to share some of the symbolism I noticed and how I interpreted some of the details. By layering the titular elementsrain phantom and the haremMononoke: The Phantom in the Rain crafts a narrative that is not just about the individual suffering of a few characters but about the collective emotional landscape of the group. In this sense the collective trauma and repressed emotions of many individuals can form a shared consciousness that manifests in haunting and supernatural ways. These motifs not only create an immersive atmosphere but also challenge viewers to unravel complex ideas about identity and emotional resilience. In Conclusion I admire how original the story is and although it touches on recurring themes that are part of the broader work the setting and approach are completely new and interesting. Not to mention despite this film having a cohesive structure and a mystery with a clear beginning middle and end it seems that the next two films will be connected to this one with the conclusion of the larger mystery being tied up in the third and final film. If this is the case it will likely be the most intriguing and complex mystery yet. Mononoke continues to be a work like no other. In my opinion they nailed every detail though I personally prefer a bit less movement in animation. The film offers important reflections in a fluid and engaging manner and what truly sets it apart is how the story is open to endless interpretations shaped by each viewers personal experiences a genuinely unique journey for everyone. If you enjoyed the 2007 series youre likely to find Phantom in the Rain equally captivating.