As the final film in the planned theatrical feature trilogy is set to premiere in Japan on May 29, a new trailer for Mononoke the Movie: The Curse of the Serpent provides a vibrant recap of the previously established events. This threequel will conclude a storyline that has evolved from the acclaimed Mononoke anime series (available for streaming on Crunchyroll). The newly released trailer, titled “Chapter of the Ooku,” explores the karmic ties and horrors interwoven throughout the entire trilogy.
The Curse of the Serpent continues the saga that began with Phantom in the Rain (2024) and The Ashes of Rage (2025).
According to the film’s official website, the story description states:
Following two significant incidents involving supernatural entities — a lethal clash between a medicine seller (Hiroshi Kamiya) wielding a demon-slaying sword and a parasol, succeeded by a critical confrontation with a fire rat — tranquility appeared to have finally returned to the Ooku (the women’s quarters of the Edo Castle). Yet, the medicine seller sensed an unsettling presence and remained vigilant. During this period, Sachiko (Atsumi Tanezaki), the Emperor’s (Miyu Irino) wife, who governs the realm, gave birth to a long-anticipated son. Unfortunately, the joy was fleeting, as the hopes and prayers of those around her went unanswered, leading to her demise. Sachiko, who had aspired to transform her formal marriage to the Emperor by bearing an heir, becomes ensnared in a nightmarish conspiracy poised to undermine the very existence of the Ooku while she is at her lowest point. The irreversible sacrifices that went unacknowledged, coupled with the anger that found no outlet, begin to evolve into vengeful spirits.
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Mizorogi Hokuto (Tsuda Kenjiro), the priest of the Omizusama deity revered within the Ooku, witnessed the unfolding events with a grave expression. Concurrently, unnatural tremors began to occur frequently in the Ooku. Strange movements reminiscent of a colossal creature crawling and triangular scales dropping from unknown sources initiated a series of bizarre occurrences in which maids were twisted, crushed, and ultimately strangled to death. When the medicine seller hurried to the scene, he encountered a serpent god, a monstrous giant snake. After a tense standoff, he temporarily repelled it with a talisman but realized that he could not wield the “sword of exorcism” and defeat the serpent god without comprehending the three principles of form, truth, and reason. What is the origin of the serpent god? What has fueled its rage to threaten the entire Ooku? And why has it reemerged and begun to stir? The answers lie 150 years in the past, concealed within the truth surrounding the birth of the Ooku.
The Ooku was established by Yukana, the wet nurse of the third emperor. Its system facilitated a prolonged period of peace, and it is now revered as “Omizusama” (the Water God)… Sensing a foreboding presence, the medicine seller travels to the shrine situated at the heart of the altar and uncovers a shocking truth poised to shake the world, a truth that has remained untold until now! The rivalry between the third emperor’s wife (Miyuki Sawashiro) and Yukana, the mysteries of the Mizorogi family — alongside the background behind the recurring appearances of monsters in the Ooku — are unveiled, linking all the threads together. The medicine seller risks everything to confront the monster, emblematic of the Ooku’s sinister history. However, facing a snake god that has harnessed years of resentment into formidable strength, he finds himself in an unprecedented dilemma… As his life hangs by a thread, even more unpredictable and surreal events transpire! What fate lies ahead for the medicine seller as he confronts his ultimate crisis?
The Curse of the Serpent is overseen by chief director Kenji Nakamura from animation studios Twin Engine and Studio Kafka EOTA, with director Tomoaki Koshida assisting. The main creative team also features writer Yasumi Atarashi, original character designer Kitsuneko Nagata, animation character designer & chief animation director Yuichi Takahashi, and composer Taku Iwasaki.
