Apes

Apes (猩々 Shōjō) are a minor species from Princess Mononoke.

Looks
The Apes are much larger and sturdier than normal Japanese monkeys. Their appearances with dark furs somewhat resemble that of gorillas.

Intelligence
Apes are peaceably creatures, but the humans destroy their living space by cutting down woods of the Cedar Forest. As they don't have really brains, they start to believe to become smarter and more powerful by eating humans.

The apes get first seen in the movie by encountering Ashitaka and San. They try to kill Ashitaka, but San and her wolf brothers chase them away.

Duty
The humans destroy their living space. So they need to forest up their home, but Lady Eboshi hinder them in their working. Still San encourage them to continue to work. However, more trees get cut down than they can plant new ones.

Trivia

 * The name means either in Japanese or mystical beasts of the same name. In the Chinese mythology, the apes have red eyes and they like to get drunken.

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Shōjōs もののけ姫