If Ashitaka appeared in more than one movie (a series, perhaps?), he might be even higher on my list. For he embodies all of my deeply held moral beliefs in life. You see, deep down, I'm a pacifist. No, not a Relenabitch pacifist - a Ghandi-sama pacifist. I believe in harmony with nature and the wrongness of taking another's life, even in battle. Yes, I understand that there must be warriors to fight and protect. I'm not that naïve. It's simply that I view killing as immoral and unrespectable. Therefore I have no sympathy for Kenshin, a ruthless murder responsible for the death of his first "love." Rather, my heartstrings are tugged by the simple and honorable Ashitaka. When coming upon a band of samurai (Kenshin?) mercilessly killing innocents, Ashitaka lets his arrows fly, killing two men. Does he feel "manly" pride at this accomplishment? No. Later, he regrets his actions. "Because of me, two men are dead." He feels remorse even for the lives of killers.

Ashitaka believes in the strength of nature and the spirits of the forest. He is respectful to the Forest Spirit, the great animal gods, and the little Kodama. Yet he also respects the desires of the Irontown workers to make a good life for themselves. He sees that, as flawed as Lady Eboshi may be, she truly means well, and has made the lives of slaves, prostitutes, and lepers better than they could have ever imagined. He fights beside both the workers and the animal gods, emploring both to simply try to work together. It may be a lost cause, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't continue to fight for his beliefs.

Ashitaka is a real man. He stands up for his ideals, he helps all those in need. He is honorable, respectful, polite, kind, and beautiful. I never thought a man like that would exist on screen. Thank you, once again, Miyazaki-sensei.