Wounded Prince

We start this cue with a statement of the Village Theme played by xylophone and flute over bass drum strokes. As Ashitaka is getting of the tree and is getting on Yakul, Ashitaka's Theme plays over an ominous chord progression (D#m - Em - D#m - Dm - Gdim - Edim - C - D#m) supported by percussive anvil hits. Then, as Ashitaka follows the Demon closely, the Demon Theme plays in staccato violins. But as the rider tries to speak to the Demon, Ashitaka's Theme tries to form itself played by legato violins.

When the village and the girls come in sight, short and deep percussion hits play. As the girls recognize Ashitaka with the Demon, a short piccolo line of the Village Theme is heard. The girls run away, terrified of the huge monster following them and the rythmic ostinato of the Boar Tribe Theme under trumpets, slowly playing the Demon Theme, is given. Ashitaka's Theme tries to form itself with violins played legato, but it's unable to do so. As Kaya, one of the girls, draws a sword to defend the other girls, a short phrase of the Village Theme is given. Ashitaka shoots an arrow at an eye of the demon and Ashitaka's Theme is heard in full played by trumpets over aleatoric string and woodwind lines. As the demon extends its "arms" to go for the rider, the Demon Theme takes over with violins and trumpets. But then, when the demon touches Ashitaka's arm, the music switches to take on a more "mystical" approach, describing the forest and all the spirits that live within it, with the Eboshi Chords underneath (A#m - G#m6), hinting at irontown and how the two sides oppose each other. From now on, Ashitaka is cursed and the plot of the movie is in motion. But the cursed arm does not stop him. Ashitaka rides towards the demon and shoots it right in the head. The beginning of Ashitaka's Theme is heard in legato violins moving up halfsteps with direct modulations to create suspense while fast Demon Theme hints can be heard in legato trumpets. Finally, as the creature is defeated, a final chord progression (Dm - G#m - A#m) in violins can be heard with the harp playing an arpeggiated A#m(maj7) chord ending the cue.