Following its acclaimed return to theaters, Mononoke: The Ashes of Rage debuted in Japan on March 14, 2025 , marking a new chapter in the eerie and philosophical journey of the Medicine Seller . This second film installment revives the signature blend of supernatural storytelling and avant-garde visual direction , continuing the haunting tales of unresolved spirits and the dark emotions that bind them to the world.
In true Mononoke fashion, the narrative doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity and psychological depth. The Medicine Seller once again navigates cryptic human conflicts and restless spirits— mononoke —whose origins are rooted in the suppressed traumas and regrets of the living.
A Return to Form and Flame
Mononoke The Ashes of Rage
Titled The Ashes of Rage , the new film goes into a case where anger and repression manifest into a volatile spirit , forcing the Medicine Seller to unravel the layers of guilt and betrayal surrounding a ruined family estate. The visual palette—still vibrant with Ukiyo-e-inspired designs , surreal patterns, and shifting dimensions—amplifies the emotional intensity of each confrontation.
The direction remains experimental and stylized, immersing viewers in a world where reality bends to the logic of memory and emotion. The signature three-part exorcism process— Form, Truth, and Reason —once again guides the narrative, this time pulling the viewer deeper into the psychological decay of its characters.
The Mononoke Franchise’s Artistic Ambition
Mononoke The Ashes of Rage
Produced by Twin Engine and directed by Kenji Nakamura , the mind behind the original 2007 series, The Ashes of Rage builds on the franchise’s reputation for challenging storytelling. The film doesn’t just aim to scare—it provokes, questions, and meditates. It continues the franchise’s legacy as a thinking person’s horror , laced with emotion and visual metaphor.
Fans of Mononoke have praised its return not just for nostalgia, but for how the film reflects the evolving anxieties of a modern world, particularly how inner rage—when denied—can take monstrous form.
The wildly unpredictable manga Detectives These Days Are Crazy! by Masakuni Igarashi is officially getting an anime adaptation, slated for release in 2025 . A fan favorite for its blend of zany humor and bizarre criminal investigations, the upcoming series promises to bring its chaotic charm to a broader audience with full animated flair.
The original manga follows an unlikely duo of detectives who defy logic and standard police procedures. With their unpredictable behavior and strange problem-solving methods, they unravel cases that veer between laugh-out-loud absurdity and genuinely puzzling crimes.
A Mystery-Comedy That Breaks the Rules
Detectives These Days Are Crazy
Unlike conventional detective stories, this one thrives on anti-formula . The detectives’ methods often raise more eyebrows than their suspects, and their rapport—equal parts frenetic banter and strange mutual respect—is a big part of the appeal. Each case spirals into unexpected directions, often veering into slapstick chaos or genre parodies, only to snap back with a satisfyingly clever twist.
The anime is expected to maintain the stylized expressions, visual gags, and fourth-wall breaks that the manga is known for, making it a standout in the mystery-comedy genre. While details on the animation studio and cast are still under wraps, fans are hopeful the adaptation captures the manga’s fast-paced comedic timing and dynamic character chemistry.
From Niche Manga to Mainstream Madness
Detectives These Days Are Crazy
The manga has steadily built a reputation for its bold humor and unique premise , often attracting comparisons to classic comedy-mystery duos with a modern, chaotic twist. With t he anime scheduled for next year , Detectives These Days Are Crazy! could quickly become a sleeper hit, especially for fans looking for something offbeat but smart.
