{
  "id": 18239768,
  "title": "Princess Mononoke was going to look totally different, new Studio Ghibli artbook shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/princess-mononoke-was-going-to-look-totally-different-new-studio",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T03:00:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/11/05/princess-mononoke-was-going-to-look-totally-different-new-studio-ghibli-artbook-shows/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new Studio Ghibli artbook unveils the alternate visual direction Hayao Miyazaki planned for the iconic film Princess Mononoke. The 184-page book, published by Iwanami Shoten, features 258 pieces of concept art, including 90 never-before-seen illustrations. One of the intriguing revelations is the original concept for Princess Mononoke as a feudal-Japan version of Beauty and the Beast, featuring a dark tone and a clash between humans and forest creatures. Miyazaki's initial idea evolved over time, ultimately leading to the poignant animated tale we know today, released in 1997. The artbook, the seventh volume in the Hayao Miyazaki Image Board Series, showcases the differences between the two potential versions of Princess Mononoke and is available for purchase starting December 3 for 6,000 yen (US$38).",
  "summary": "Art collection includes never-before-shown illustrations from Hayao Miyazaki’s vision for a feudal-Japan version of Beauty and the Beast. The very first time I saw a preview for Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, I was shocked by how dark the tone was. I was not at all prepared for a grim tale of humans and giant forest […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}