“PRINCESS MONONOKE / もののけ姫” (1997) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 ROADSHOW THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / STUDIO GHIBLI
“PRINCESS MONONOKE / もののけ姫” (1997) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 “ASHITAKA & YAKUL” THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / STUDIO GHIBLI
Ghibli Grail | Rare B1 Oversize | Reflective Disney International-Release Announcement Sticker | Original Japanese Release Campaign (1997) | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Excellent+ / Approaching Near Mint
An exceptional, original first-release Japanese B1 theatrical poster for Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫), featuring the spectacular Ashitaka and Yakul composition. Where the San-and-white-wolf design conveys the film’s intensity through a confrontational portrait, this artwork offers movement, sunlight and adventure: Ashitaka rides his faithful mount beneath a canopy of trees, his red bow cutting diagonally across the blue sky.
This example retains a particularly interesting addition: an applied silver/gold-toned reflective promotional sticker, announcing the film’s forthcoming international distribution through Disney. Positioned at the upper right, its metallic finish and bold Japanese lettering distinguish this sheet from an example without the announcement.
Offered by Japan Poster Shop in Excellent+ condition, verging on Near Mint apart from the applied sticker, this is a beautifully presenting original on unbacked paper. The combination of the scarce B1 format, dynamic illustration and distinctive distribution announcement makes it a compelling piece for a serious Miyazaki collection.
Date & Japanese Theatrical Release
Princess Mononoke opened in Japanese cinemas on 12 July 1997, distributed by Toho. This poster carries advance wording for the film’s original summer release campaign.
The red announcement along the lower edge reads:
「’97年夏、全国東宝洋画系ロードショー」
“Summer 1997—nationwide roadshow release through Toho’s foreign-film cinema circuit.”
The sheet also retains the Studio Ghibli emblem, Japanese title, Miyazaki director-credit panel, 1997 copyright line, Toho branding, Dolby Stereo logo and Eirin mark within its original layout.
The distinction between the two distribution references is important: Toho handled the Japanese theatrical release; the applied Disney announcement concerns the film’s planned international distribution. Ghibli’s relationship with Disney was established before the Japanese premiere, with the studio’s production diary already recording the overseas distribution decision in May 1996.
The Film & Its Place in Cinema History
An epic journey through a world in which survival, compassion and destruction are inseparable.
The film follows Ashitaka, a young warrior afflicted by a deadly curse, as he travels west in search of a cure. He encounters a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi and the people of Iron Town and the forest’s animal gods, defended by San, the human girl raised by wolves. His journey places him between communities whose needs, loyalties and fears cannot be reconciled through a simple division between good and evil.
That complexity gives Princess Mononoke its lasting force. Its landscapes are magnificent, but its natural world is neither passive nor harmless. Human ingenuity offers protection and opportunity while also bringing destruction. Ashitaka’s challenge is not merely to survive the conflict, but to resist surrendering his judgement to hatred.
The original release became a defining moment for Studio Ghibli. Its extraordinary Japanese success surpassed E.T. to establish a new national box-office record at the time, turning the film into a cultural phenomenon well beyond the usual animation audience.
This poster captures the story through Ashitaka’s journey rather than San’s confrontation. The raised bow, Yakul’s towering horns and the forest opening onto blue sky convey the scale of the adventure while keeping its central traveller firmly in view.
Design Notes
This is a striking Ashitaka-and-Yakul composition, built around strong diagonals, contrasting colours and an unusually close viewpoint.
Ashitaka at the ready: His red hood frames an intense, focused gaze, while his blue clothing and straw cloak introduce contrasting textures. The bow stretches across the image, giving the composition a powerful directional line.
Yakul in the foreground: His face, pale chest and immense ridged horns dominate the sheet. The close perspective gives the image its monumental quality, with the horns reaching almost the full height of the poster.
Sunlight and forest colour: Clear blue sky contrasts with layered green foliage, warm ochre fur and concentrated red accents. Compared with the darker San design, this version has a particularly bright, expansive character.
The Japanese title and slogan: Large cream lettering with a red shadow anchors the bottom of the sheet. Above, the film’s stark instruction appears against a vertical purple brushstroke:
「生きろ。」
“Live.”
The reflective distribution-announcement sticker: Applied at the upper right, the metallic oval carries a black, jagged border and the wording:
「ディズニー配給による 世界公開決定！」
“Worldwide release confirmed through Disney distribution!”
The smaller text names the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Brazil, followed by “and elsewhere.”
Its subject gives the sticker more significance than an incidental label. The announcement reflects the international distribution initiative that Ghibli agreed with Disney in 1996, connecting this Japanese campaign image to a pivotal stage in the studio’s overseas expansion.
The sticker is a separately applied element—not part of the underlying printed illustration. Its reflective surface adds a distinctive material contrast to the colour-printed artwork and remains attached as photographed.
The Japanese B1 Format and Why It’s So Hard to Find
At approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, the Japanese B1 format gives this composition substantial presence. The additional scale is particularly effective here: Yakul’s horns span the upper image, Ashitaka’s expression remains sharply readable, and the foliage rewards close inspection.
The collecting distinction is between a familiar image and its scarce original large-format theatrical issue. This is not simply the Princess Mononoke artwork reproduced at an impressive size; it is original Japanese release-era material, carrying the campaign’s Japanese typography, summer announcement and distribution markings.
A large sheet also presents practical challenges for preservation. Its greater surface area and long edges leave more opportunities for handling impressions, creasing and wear. On this design, the broad blue sky and pale passages of Yakul’s chest make clean presentation especially desirable.
The B1 size was printed in far fewer quantities than the B2 and was a rare item from the outset. We do not have verified print-run figures for this particular issue, so no precise production total is claimed. Its appeal rests on the combination of the rare B1 format, original 1997 campaign, distinctive applied announcement sticker and exceptionally strong surviving condition.
For collectors seeking a companion to the San-and-white-wolf design—or a centrepiece in its own right—this is a particularly rewarding alternative.
About the Artist: Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli
Hayao Miyazaki created the original story, wrote the screenplay and directed Princess Mononoke, with Toshio Suzuki producing and Joe Hisaishi composing the score. Their collaboration brought together the film’s expansive world, emotional complexity and extraordinary cinematic scale.
This poster expresses that ambition through a relationship between traveller, mount and landscape. Ashitaka appears prepared for danger, yet the setting remains luminous and inviting. The image holds those qualities together rather than allowing either to overwhelm the other.
The attention to equipment, clothing, foliage and animal form makes the scene feel substantial and inhabited. Even as a single promotional image, it suggests a world extending far beyond the frame.
For a Miyazaki collection, its strength lies in that balance: a commanding adventure image with the detail and atmosphere that make Ghibli’s worlds so memorable.
Condition Report
Overall presentation: Excellent+ / approaching Near Mint, with an applied reflective promotional sticker.
A beautifully preserved original example with vivid colour, strong contrast and excellent illustrative clarity. The blue sky, red bow, warm colouring of Yakul and layered forest greens retain outstanding visual impact.
Original paper, unbacked: This example is presented without linen backing. The photographs show both the printed face and the reverse.
Light handling traces: Minor paper undulations and small handling impressions are visible on close inspection, together with a few faint marks on the reverse. These do little to detract from the exceptionally clean overall presentation.
Applied promotional sticker: A silver/gold-toned reflective Disney international-release announcement sticker remains attached at the upper right. This is specifically disclosed as an addition to the printed sheet. The surface beneath it is concealed and therefore not visible for inspection.
Apart from the applied sticker, the poster is in Excellent+ condition, verging on Near Mint. Its appeal is the quality of the surviving original paper and print—not a restored finish on linen.
Authenticity: Original 1997 Japanese B1 theatrical poster for the first release of Princess Mononoke—not a modern reproduction or later reprint.
Distinguishing feature: Applied reflective Disney international-release announcement sticker, retained as shown.
Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity included.
(Please refer to the detailed images provided—these show the exact poster offered, including the attached sticker, and the poster you will receive. Additional imagery available on request.)
