Cast
Yōji Matsuda voices Ashitaka (アシタカ?), the last prince of the Emishi tribe whose traveling companion is Yakul (ヤックル, Yakkuru?), a red elk. Miyazaki did not want Ashitaka to be a typical hero, saying that he is a "melancholic boy who has a fate" and also stated that Ashitaka's curse "is similar to the lives of people " Ashitaka's English voice actor Billy Crudup stated that he liked Ashitaka as "an unexpected hero. He’s not your usual wild, brave guy. He’s really just a young, earnest man who’s trying to lead a valuable life and protect his village."
Yuriko Ishida voices San (サン?), a woman raised by the wolves and has a hatred towards humans. In the English version, San is voiced by Claire Danes.
Yūko Tanaka provides the voice of Lady Eboshi (エボシ御前, Eboshi Gozen?), the ruler of Iron Town who continually clears the forest. Miyazaki stated that Eboshi was supposed to have a traumatic past, although it is not specifically mentioned in the film. Miyazaki said that Eboshi has strong and secure personality, evident in the fact that she let Ashitaka move freely through the settlement unescorted, despite his unclear motives. He also said that Eboshi does not acknowledge the Emperor's authority in Irontown, a revolutionary view for the time, and displays an atypical attitude for a woman of that era in that she wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice herself or those around her for her dreams. Miyazaki also said that Eboshi resembles a shirabyōshi. Eboshi's English voice actress Minnie Driver stated that she was interested "the challenge of playing woman who supports industry and represents the interests of man, in terms of achievement and greed." Driver viewed Eboshi as "a warrior, an innovator and a protector.
Akihiro Miwa portrays Moro (モロの君, Moro no Kimi?), a giant wolf goddess and San's adopted mother. Hisaya Morishige provides the voice of Okkoto-nushi (乙事主?, called "Okkoto" in the English version), a boar god. Gillian Anderson and Keith David respectively provided the voices of Moro and Okkoto-nushi in the English dub.
Kaoru Kobayashi provides the voice of Jiko-bō (ジコ坊?, called "Jigo" in the English version), a monk and mercenary who befriends Ashitaka on his journey to the west. Miyazaki was unsure whether to make Jiko-bō a government spy, a ninja, a member of a religious group or "a very good guy." He eventually decided to give Jigo elements of the above groups. In the English version, Jiko-bō is voiced by Billy Bob Thornton. Makoto Sato provides the voice of Nago (ナゴの守, Nago no Mori?), a wild boar who was turned into a demon by Eboshi, and curses Ashitaka when he attacks the Emishi village.
Sumi Shimamoto voices Toki (トキ?), a former prostitute and the leader of Eboshi's women; Jada Pinkett Smith provides her voice in the English dub. Tsunehiko Kamijō was cast as the voice of Gonza (ゴンザ?), Eboshi's bodyguard; he was voiced by John DiMaggio in the English dub. Kohroku (甲六, Kōroku?), Toki's husband, is voiced by Masahiko Nishimura; John DeMita voiced Kohroku in the English version. Mitsuko Mori provides the voice of Hii-sama (ヒイ様?), the wise woman of Ashitaka's village. In the English version, Hii-sama is voiced by Debi Derryberry.
Read more about this topic: Princess Mononoke
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