Mononoke the Movie Phantom in the Rain Blu-ray

Wherever the Medicine Seller appears, the presence of a Mononoke can be felt. A new story of salvation takes shape. The Bakeneko story from Ayakashi recorded unusually high viewing figures in Fuji TV's Noitamina slot in 2006. Mononoke has maintained its devoted following since its 2007 television series, and now returns as a theatrical film with a strong creative team gathered under series creator and director Kenji Nakamura. In an age when a Mononoke's seeds might take root in anyone's heart, a soul-stirring story of salvation begins.

The Ooku is both a garden of women, gathering beauties and talented women from across the land to bear an heir for the ruler, and an important administrative institution. New attendants Asa and Kame enter this unusual society with its own strict rules. Asa is intelligent and ambitious, seeking to advance her career; Kame hopes to find a place in the Ooku she has long admired. On their first day, the two opposites must participate in a ritual of conformity, offering something precious to the revered Omizu-sama. What happens there begins to forge a bond between them.

The senior attendant Utayama organizes the women with the Ooku's prosperity and continuity above all else, but hides something behind her expressionless face. Gradually, something closes around them: emotions accumulate night after night, strange sounds echo like a paper umbrella spinning, and attendants lose their reason as though possessed. When a decisive tragedy finally occurs, the Medicine Seller follows the Mononoke into the heart of the Ooku. His exorcism sword cannot be drawn until Form, Truth and Reason are all revealed. As he touches the terrifying yet sorrowful truth concealed within the palace, the ritual of exorcism and salvation begins.

Hiroshi Kamiya voices the Medicine Seller, with Tomoyo Kurosawa as Asa, Aoi Yuki as Kame and Mami Koyama as Utayama. The cast also includes Kana Hanazawa, Haruka Tomatsu, Yoko Hikasa, Yuko Kaida, Yukana, Yuki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Hosomi, Miyu Irino and Kenjiro Tsuda. Kenji Nakamura directs, with the theme song Love Sick performed by Aina the End.

Video extras include the release-commemoration stage greeting, promotional footage, both teasers, the main trailer, the Omote no Maki and Do no Maki special trailers, and the animated music video for Love Sick. Package enclosures comprise a special booklet, washi-style stickers and a visual card newly illustrated by animation character designer and chief animation director Yuichi Takahashi.

The 89-minute film is presented in 16:9 cinemascope 1080p high definition with Japanese Linear PCM 2.0-channel stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel surround audio. English and Japanese subtitles are included on the region-free Blu-ray. This is the single Blu-ray edition VPXV-72090.