San


 * This article is for the character. For the film, see Princess Mononoke.

"I'm not afraid to die! I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
 * —San to the dying Ashitaka"

San, otherwise known as Princess Mononoke or the "Wolf Girl," is a character in Princess Mononoke and the deuteragonist behind Ashitaka. She acts, behaves, and resembles a wolf due to the fact that she was raised by wolves themselves. San is the Princess of the Wolf Gods.

In the Film
When San was a baby, the wolf goddess Moro attacked her parents, who were found damaging the forest. San's parents threw her to Moro as a sacrifice to save their own lives. Moro raised San as her own daughter, and in turn San treats Moro as her mother and Moro's two natural pups as siblings.

San’s primary concern is protecting the forest and the animals she lives with. San rejects her own humanity and even thinks of herself as a wolf. She has attempted to assassinate Lady Eboshi of Irontown many times, as San believes that Eboshi’s death will result in the end of Irontown and human growth into the surrounding, untouched forest. It is only by Ashitaka's affection to her that she slowly comes to acknowledge her human side as well.

After the battle for the Forest Spirit'shead, San tells Ashitaka that he is very dear to her. However, she cannot forgive the human race for what they have done to the forest and will continue to live apart from them. San returns to the forest while Ashitaka remains in Irontown. Before separating, Ashitaka promises that he will always be near and he will visit her in the forest whenever he can. San reciprocates his declarations and leaves.

Appearance and Personality
San is a beautiful young woman of average build who wears ragged clothing and a cape made of a wolf's fur, and has what appears to be red war paint on her face. She is also very agile, fast, fairly strong and appears to be really good at using daggers and spears. She wears a mask which is her iconic feature. The mask is red with ears and white wavy lines and three yellow holes for a mouth and eyes.

San is stubborn and protective, her primary concern being to protect the forest and animals she lives with. San rejects her own humanity and seems to be quite misanthropic and thinks of herself only as a wolf. Despite this, she eventually falls in love with Ashitaka.

Trivia

 * In the original concept of Princess Mononoke, San was the third princess of a kingdom that was sent off to marry a monster, hence her current name, San, meaning "three".