San
Princess Mononoke, Forest Guardian
A human girl raised by wolves, known as Princess Mononoke, the guardian of the forest. Amid the fierce conflict between the forest and humans, she serves as a bridge between both sides.
Quotes
- Live.
- You are beautiful.
- I like Ashitaka, but I cannot forgive humans.
- The forest is alive.
- We belong to the forest.
Trivia
- Name origin from 'San no Hime', heroine in Hayao Miyazaki's 1980 project concept.
- As a human raised by wolves, has ability to communicate by wearing wolf pelt.
- Red tattoo on face in film is a feature with symbolic meaning.
- Stage version performed by British theater troupe in 2013.
- Voice actress Yuriko Ishida has experience in other Ghibli works.
- San sees herself as ugly but is shaken when Ashitaka calls her 'beautiful'.
Alternate names
Princess Mononoke
Wolf Girl
Moro's Child
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Female
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Has a red inverted triangular tattoo on her face, wears a fur coat with a white wolf tail and sleeveless white clothes. In battle, she wears a red clay mask and white wolf fur with ears.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Black
- Distinguishing features
-
- Red tattoo on face
- Wolf fur coat
- White wolf fur with ears
- Iconic items
-
- Short dagger made from wolf fangs
- Spear
- Red clay mask
- White sack-like leather boots
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Fierce
- Detailed personality
- Hates humans invading the forest, denies her humanity and lives as a wolf, but wavers at times, gradually opening her heart through her connection with Ashitaka.
- Keywords
-
- Brave
- Vengeful
- Communicates with animals
- Stubborn
- Proud
- Harbors inner conflict
- Talents
-
- Ability to communicate with animals
- Exceptional combat prowess
- Coordination with wolves
- Superior physical abilities
- Skills
-
- Spear mastery
- Swordsmanship
- Farming
- Clothing sewing
- Motivation
- Protect the forest and safeguard nature from human destruction. Protect the forest and wolves that raised her.
- Habits
- Dislikes conversation and behaves like an animal.
- Favorite foods
- Dried meat, Bounty of the mountain's nature
- Favorite places
- Shishigami Forest, Moro's Rock Den
- Disliked situations
- Forest destruction by humans, Lady Eboshi's Tatara field, Human betrayal
- Disliked foods
- City food
History
- Backstory
- A human girl raised by the wolf Moro. Lives amid the conflict and hatred between humans and the forest. Has a past where she was handed to wolves from human hands right after birth, and hates humans who invade the forest.
- Debut date
- July 12, 1997
- Work title
- Princess Mononoke
- Media type
- Movie
Encounter with Ashitaka
- Significant event
- Encounter with Ashitaka
- Description
- Initially tries to kill Ashitaka but is moved by his words and actions, beginning her conflict between the forest and humans.
Heals Ashitaka's injury at Shishigami Pond
- Significant event
- Heals Ashitaka's injury at Shishigami Pond
- Description
- Uses Shishigami's power to heal Ashitaka's wounds and resolves to care for him.
Confronts Eboshi
- Significant event
- Confronts Eboshi
- Description
- Attacks Lady Eboshi's iron Tatara field and repeatedly takes violent action to protect the forest.
Shishigami's head is taken
- Significant event
- Shishigami's head is taken
- Description
- When Eboshi seizes Shishigami's head, explodes in rage and works with Ashitaka to return it.
Rejects Ashitaka's proposal
- Significant event
- Rejects Ashitaka's proposal
- Description
- Acknowledges Ashitaka's love but rejects it, citing her position living in the forest and inability to forgive humans.
Relationships
Lady Moro
Pet
Adoptive mother and wolf lord of the forest. Protects San like her own child with strong maternal love.
Moro's Children
Sibling
Wolf pups who, along with San, oppose humans while cooperating.
Ashitaka
Best friend
Saved San from near death and moved her heart with words affirming her beauty.
Jikobo
Rival
Member of enemy forces, repeatedly clashes.
Wolf Pack
Wolf Pack: leader
Media appearances
Princess Mononoke
Movie / Protagonist
1997 theatrical release
Princess Mononoke
Anime / Protagonist
Special edited versions, etc.
Princess MONONOKE 〜Princess Mononoke〜
Stage play / Protagonist
2013 London, Japan performances
Voice cast and creators
Yuriko Ishida
- Voice actor
- Yuriko Ishida
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Theatrical version
- Notes
- Original
Claire Danes
- Voice actor
- Claire Danes
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- English dub
Hayao Miyazaki
- Creator name
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Role
- Original author
Hayao Miyazaki
- Creator name
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Role
- Character designer
Hayao Miyazaki
- Creator name
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Role
- Writer
Studio Ghibli
- Creator name
- Studio Ghibli
- Role
- Animation studio
Toshio Suzuki
- Creator name
- Toshio Suzuki
- Role
- Producer
Walt Disney Japan
- Creator name
- Walt Disney Japan
- Role
- Licensee
Related goods
San Figure
- Item name
- San Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Princess Mononoke Blu-ray
- Item name
- Princess Mononoke Blu-ray
- Category
- Digital
- Availability
- Regular
San Acrylic Stand
- Item name
- San Acrylic Stand
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited