Mononoke follows a wandering, nameless character known only as the "Medicine Seller" (Kusuriuri). The series is made up of individual chapters in which the medicine seller encounters, combats and subsequently destroys various mononoke. The "mononoke" are a type of ayakashi, unnatural spirits that linger in the human world.
The Medicine Seller always proceeds in the same manner, using his knowledge of the supernatural to fend off the mononoke until he can learn the spirit's shape (Katachi), truth (Makoto) and reasoning (Kotowari). Only then can he unsheathe his sword and exorcise the demon.
Mononoke is a collection of stories revolving around the nameless Medicine Seller. Though nameless, you cannot be helped but be drawn to this character. Exactly who is he and what is his mission?
The animation is done in a very different style as opposed to cell shading animation. Mononoke relies on texture and a Japanese block-print like style using bright colors. The animation is very detailed in depicting setting and decorations like painted shoji screens.
Throughout the anime, there is heavy use of symbolism through the imagery which requires some notes to help the viewer understand. I highly recommend you read the notes after you watch the anime. The entertainment level is high especially those who are not familiar with the concept. Mononoke is not simply about exorcism but delving into the morality of humanity in each story. There is a lot of suspense and mystery in each tale and the soundtrack does a great job in portraying it.
For those who are into a supernatural psychological mystery, this is one of the animes to check out.
