Image: Twin Engine, Mononoke Production Committee
AMBot | 07/05/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The popular anime franchise "Mononoke" announces a new project. A promotional video ushering in the next stage of the series reveals for the first time the third medicine seller named "Inui no Ken" (Sword of Inui). The role is voiced by Hironori Araki, who already portrayed the mysterious herb seller in the stage adaptations of "Mononoke."
"Mononoke" originated in 2006 as a spin-off of the series "Ayakashi – Samurai Horror Tales" and was broadcast as an independent anime television series in 2007. The story follows an enigmatic medicine seller who travels the country to defeat Mononoke possessed by human passions and grudges. About 17 years later, the franchise returned in 2024 with an entirely new theatrical trilogy set in the Great Inner Palace (Ōoku). The first film "Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 1 – Karakasa" had an exceptionally long theatrical run, and the second part "Chapter 2 – Hinezumi" won the Audience Award for Best Animated Film twice in a row at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada. The concluding third part "Chapter 3 – Hebignami" has been screening in Japanese theaters since May 2026.
The new promotional video first shows scenes of the two already known medicine sellers – the "Ri no Ken" from the TV series and the "Kon no Ken" from the theatrical trilogy. At the end of the video, the third seller, "Inui no Ken," is finally introduced. As series creator Kenji Nakamura explained, this character is characterized by a split personality: Before the Mononoke appear, he appears casual and talkative, but as soon as the calamity begins, he transforms into a sharply focused figure. His demon sword has a vulture motif and grants him superior far-sightedness. He assumes the characteristic "one-shoulder-baring" pose when he takes his "form." The character's foundations were designed by Kitsuneko Nagata, who was also responsible for the design of the theatrical trilogy.
Actor Hironori Araki commented on his role: "It is a great honor for me to portray the Inui medicine seller. Having already played the Ri and Kon sellers on stage, this holds special significance for me. Through close collaboration with the director and the entire team during the recordings, I was able to breathe life into the character. I hope the audience looks forward to getting to know him."
Alongside the new project, three brand-new novels are being released by Kadokawa Bunko, each focusing on one of the three medicine sellers – Ri, Kon, and Inui. The stories are completely independent and expand the world of "Mononoke." Series director Kenji Nakamura emphasized that the world of the medicine sellers becomes even larger with the revelation that there can be up to 64 different sellers.
Further details about the novels and the scope of the new project are to follow shortly.
"Mononoke" originated in 2006 as a spin-off of the series "Ayakashi – Samurai Horror Tales" and was broadcast as an independent anime television series in 2007. The story follows an enigmatic medicine seller who travels the country to defeat Mononoke possessed by human passions and grudges. About 17 years later, the franchise returned in 2024 with an entirely new theatrical trilogy set in the Great Inner Palace (Ōoku). The first film "Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 1 – Karakasa" had an exceptionally long theatrical run, and the second part "Chapter 2 – Hinezumi" won the Audience Award for Best Animated Film twice in a row at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada. The concluding third part "Chapter 3 – Hebignami" has been screening in Japanese theaters since May 2026.
The new promotional video first shows scenes of the two already known medicine sellers – the "Ri no Ken" from the TV series and the "Kon no Ken" from the theatrical trilogy. At the end of the video, the third seller, "Inui no Ken," is finally introduced. As series creator Kenji Nakamura explained, this character is characterized by a split personality: Before the Mononoke appear, he appears casual and talkative, but as soon as the calamity begins, he transforms into a sharply focused figure. His demon sword has a vulture motif and grants him superior far-sightedness. He assumes the characteristic "one-shoulder-baring" pose when he takes his "form." The character's foundations were designed by Kitsuneko Nagata, who was also responsible for the design of the theatrical trilogy.
Actor Hironori Araki commented on his role: "It is a great honor for me to portray the Inui medicine seller. Having already played the Ri and Kon sellers on stage, this holds special significance for me. Through close collaboration with the director and the entire team during the recordings, I was able to breathe life into the character. I hope the audience looks forward to getting to know him."
Alongside the new project, three brand-new novels are being released by Kadokawa Bunko, each focusing on one of the three medicine sellers – Ri, Kon, and Inui. The stories are completely independent and expand the world of "Mononoke." Series director Kenji Nakamura emphasized that the world of the medicine sellers becomes even larger with the revelation that there can be up to 64 different sellers.
Further details about the novels and the scope of the new project are to follow shortly.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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