It started with smoke—not from firewood or incense, but something weird. Something’s wrong. Shadows glided down imperial corridors. Whispers clung to the walls, like fog. And the Medicine Seller had returned.
Longtime fans of the cult anime Mononoke felt a sharp jolt in their chests earlier this year, when rumors of a sequel surfaced. However, this was not just any follow-up. The Ashes of Rage would transport us back to a world where spirits wear masks, trauma seeps into reality, and exorcism isn’t salvation—it’s confrontation.
For months, fans speculated wildly. Will it continue from where Phantom in the Rain left off? Will the haunting score return? And, most importantly, when would it be released?
Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage Release Date
We now know. After months of rumors, unexpected visual teasers, and cryptic Netflix tweets, Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage has an official global streaming release date of August 14, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
The film previously premiered in Japanese theaters on March 14, 2025, eliciting enthusiastic fan reactions and a frenzy of curiosity among Western audiences. Netflix has secured international distribution, so global fans can finally prepare to wade into the fire.
The Return of a Haunted Legend
The Ashes of Rage, directed by Kiyotaka Suzuki and produced by genius Kenji Nakamura, transports us back to the shifting realm of Edo-era mystery and spiritual horror. The Medicine Seller (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) is once again embroiled in an inside palace battle, with murmurs of a new curse brewing beneath the surface.
This time, the mononoke appears in flames. Victims spontaneously burn, leaving only charred misery in their wake. The Fire Rat legend resurfaces, accompanied by the haunting cries of children searching for their long-lost mother.
Haruka Tomatsu plays Botan Ōōtomo, a severe new superintendent who clashes with Yōko Hikasa’s Fuki Tokita, a favored concubine with hidden secrets. The Ōoku’s political tensions can lead to spiritual degeneration.
Behind the Screens: Delays, Drama & Directorial Vision
Originally slated for a Q4 2024 global release, the film was delayed owing to animation retouching and narrative rewrites. Fans pondered on whether the loss of some Phantom in the Rain team members caused creative difficulties, particularly with a new screenwriter, Yasumi Atarashi, revising character arcs.
EOTA, a production firm, collaborated with Crew-Cell to further push visual frontiers. Early reviews complimented the dynamic cutting and rich, ukiyo-e-inspired palette, although some remarked that it relies on structured storytelling rather than the avant-garde nature of its predecessor.
Fan Reactions: Fire, Fury, and Feels
Nice I can’t wait
— Emma Trestler/M (@emmahearts3) July 25, 2025
My love for this series 😍😍🖤🖤
— Romance ♐️ (@bad_panda18) July 25, 2025
Watch the Official Netflix Trailer
From the trailer alone, fans spotted dozens of references to older arcs, suggesting deep narrative continuity. One quick frame even shows a familiar folding screen—the same motif seen in the “Bakeneko” arc from the 2007 series.
What Sets Chapter II Apart
Unlike Phantom in the Rain, which was dripping with sorrow and visual abstraction, The Ashes of Rage is hotter. It is faster, more aggressive, more politically heated. According to critics, it begins slowly before exploding in the last third.
Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave it an A-, describing it as “A sharp-edged fable with something to say about motherhood, rage, and repression.”
What about the runtime? A concise 74 minutes of surrealism, politics, sadness, and ghosts.
What Comes Next: The Final Chapter
Fans eagerly await the third and final installment, Gekijōban Mononoke Daisanshō: Hebigami (“Snake God”), slated for Spring 2026, following the emotional impact of the second film.
Will we learn the truth about the Fire Rat? Or does something more serpentine await?
FAQs About Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage Release Date
Is the release date global, or only for Japan?
The August 14, 2025 release date is global and will be available on Netflix.
Should I watch Phantom in the Rain first?
Highest recommendation. It establishes the emotional and narrative framework for Ashes of Rage.
Who is voicing the Medicine Seller this time?
Hiroshi Kamiya takes over the job, giving it a sharper edge.
Will the film be dubbed or subtitled only?
Similar to Phantom in the Rain, Netflix is anticipated to offer both.
Is this based on actual folklore?
loosely. The Fire Rat and the palace setting allude to Heian-era tales and imperial customs.
Final Thoughts
Mononoke The Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage does more than merely continue the plot; it also deepens the wound. It serves as a reminder that trauma remains in silent corners, that revenge is an uncontrollable fire, and that truth rarely comes without a cost.
With a tradition built on whispers and incense smoke, this chapter moves forward with urgency and depth. Whether you’re revisiting the story or discovering it for the first time, this is more than simply a movie; it’s an initiation.
So turn on your lantern, silence the chamber, and follow the Medicine Seller once more. The Ōoku is burning. Will you face the fire?
Do you believe the children were snatched or went willingly? Please share your theories below!
