is a 2026 Japanese animated supernatural psychological horror film directed by Tomoaki Koshida with chief direction by Kenji Nakamura and written by Yasumi Atarashi; the film is based on the Mononoke anime television series (2007), which in turn is a spin-off of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales anthology series (2006), both created by Toei Animation. Co-produced by EOTA and Studio Kafka and distributed by Twin Engine, The Curse of the Serpent is a sequel to The Ashes of Rage (2025), as well as the final film of the Mononoke trilogy film project. Hiroshi Kamiya reprises his role as the Medicine Seller, alongside Haruka Tomatsu, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Yoko Hikasa, Yukana, Miyu Irino, Kenjiro Tsuda, Yoshiko Sakakibara, and Atsumi Tanezaki, with Miyuki Sawashiro, Fumi Hirano, Mariko Honda and Eiji Takemoto joining the ensemble cast. The Curse of the Serpent was released in Japan on May 29, 2026.
Netflix licensed the film, and streamed on its platform on September 29, 2026.
Plot After the major two incidents, the Medicine Seller still feels an ominous presence within the inner palace. He then faces against a Snake God, which threatens the Inner Chambers by strangling maids to their deaths.
Voice cast Character Japanese Medicine Seller Hiroshi Kamiya "Ri" Medicine Seller Takahiro Sakurai Botan Ōtomo Haruka Tomatsu Asa Tomoyo Kurosawa Fuki Tokita Yoko Hikasa Tenshi (Emperor) Miyu Irino Hokuto Mozorogi Kenjiro Tsuda Suikoin Yoshiko Sakakibara Sachiko Atsumi Tanezaki Third Emperess Miyuki Sawashiro Tokiwai Fumi Hirano Kawa Mariko Honda Amanotsubone Yukana Saku Mizorogi Eiji Takemoto
Production In March 2025, the third and final film for the Mononoke anime trilogy film was announced, with its title reveal, The Curse of the Serpent. In December of that year, it was announced that Miyuki Sawashiro, Fumi Hirano and Mariko Honda have been cast, with the returning key staff members, while Tomoaki Koshida will direct the film, and Studio Kafka will co-produce the film with EOTA. In April 2026, it was announced that Eiji Takemoto was cast, while Yukana will return to voice a new character, and the theme song for the film is "No Epilogue" by Aina The End.
Release The film was released in Japan on May 29, 2026. In August 2026, Netflix acquired the international distribution rights for the film, and streamed on its platform on September 29, 2026.
Reception Critical reception Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave the film an A− rating, and stated "The Curse of the Serpent is a fantastic capstone to the trilogy. It's visually stunning, musically strong, filled with supernatural mystery and action, and continues to highlight the plight against women in feudal Japanese society."
Controversy Return of Takahiro Sakurai In February 2023, it was announced that the voice of the Medicine Seller was recast to Hiroshi Kamiya for the Phantom in the Rain after Takahiro Sakurai, who voiced the role for the television series, whose scandal came to light around that year. However, The Curse of the Serpent featured Sakurai reprising his version of the character in the climax of the film. Producer Kōji Yamamoto apologized to the fans after their mixed reactions, and later retired his position as a producer.
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ja:モノノ怪#劇場版モノノ怪 蛇神