Ashitaka

Ashitaka is the last prince of the Emishi people who becomes cursed while defending his village from a demon-possessed boar. To find a cure and understand the forces threatening the forest, he embarks on a journey westward. As the protagonist, he attempts to mediate the conflict between humans and nature with honor and compassion.

San

San, also known as Princess Mononoke, is a fierce young woman raised by the wolf goddess Moro. She fiercely defends the forest and resents humans for their destruction of nature, though her relationship with Ashitaka challenges her worldview.

Lady Eboshi

Lady Eboshi is the ambitious leader of Iron Town, a human settlement striving for progress through industry. While she provides work and refuge for outcasts, her deforestation and weapon-making bring her into conflict with the forest spirits. Her complexity lies in her dual role as both protector of her people and antagonist to nature.

Moro

Moro is the giant wolf goddess and adoptive mother of San. As one of the forest's most powerful spirits, she represents nature's wrath and wisdom, fighting to defend her domain against human encroachment.

Jigo

Jigo is a cunning, worldly monk and mercenary who befriends Ashitaka early in his journey. Although outwardly helpful, he has secret motives tied to acquiring the Forest Spirit's power, making him morally ambiguous and opportunistic.

Okkoto

Okkoto is the elder boar god who, desperate over the destruction of the forest, succumbs to rage and the corruption that infected Nago, the boar-turned-demon. His descent into madness dramatically illustrates the destructive consequences of environmental imbalance.