The Tale of the Princess Kaguya [Anime Movie] – Info, Plot, Main Characters
Japanese Title: かぐや姫の物語 (Kaguya-hime no Monogatari)
Year of Release: 2013
Origin: Japan
Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes
Director: Isao Takahata
Production: Studio Ghibli
Facts: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya premiered in Japan on November 23, 2013, distributed by Toho. With a substantial budget of US$49.3 million, it stood as the most expensive Japanese film produced at the time. The film garnered significant critical acclaim and earned a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards, though it was ultimately surpassed by Big Hero 6.
Plot Summary
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya opens with a humble bamboo cutter discovering a minuscule girl within a luminous bamboo shoot. He and his wife, embracing the unexpected gift, decide to raise her as their own, naming her Kaguya. Her growth is remarkably rapid, and she blossoms into a stunning young woman. Kaguya attracts the attention of numerous suitors. However, she finds herself at odds with the societal expectations of nobility, a status her adoptive father ardently desires for her.
Kaguya eventually unveils her true origins. She reveals herself to be a being from the Moon, who defied its laws to experience life on Earth. This revelation ignites a poignant conflict between her earthly desires and her celestial destiny. As the narrative progresses, Kaguya endures pressure from suitors tasked with impossible feats to win her hand. All the while, her heart yearns for Sutemaru, her childhood friend. Ultimately, Kaguya must confront her inescapable fate when celestial beings arrive to escort her back to her lunar home.
Main Characters
- Princess Kaguya: The central figure of the story. She is a beautiful young woman raised by a bamboo cutter and his wife. Kaguya grapples with her dual identity and predestined fate.
- Sutemaru: Kaguya’s childhood companion. He shares a profound bond with her and embodies her deep-seated earthly desires.
- The Bamboo Cutter: Kaguya’s adoptive father. He discovers her as an infant and harbors a fervent dream of elevating her to the status of a noble princess.
The film artfully explores themes of identity. It examines societal expectations and the profoundly bittersweet nature of beauty and love.
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