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One day, the witch Alonsotaka, who was

and helpful son of the wise man : Otari

the adviser of the Emperor, recommended

hanzo. Otari hanzo taught him martial arts,

him to get rid of one of the twins, because it

respect and wisdom. No one at the village

only one legitimate successor. Eboshi was

But Ashitaka did. Otari hanzo told him

very reluctant but Alonsotaka, who

three years ago when Ashitaka asked his

controlled chemistry and potions art very

mentor why he couldn’t go to the kingdom,

well, created one drink made of some drugs

to see the city and the palace. But now that

of the forest. Very sick and under control,

he knew he had a twin his only obsession

part of his mind was not totally charmed so

was forbidden by Otari hanzo and

he decided to entrust Ashitaka with the

Ashitaka did not enjoy the idea of

hermit Otari hanzo, out of the kingdom. He

desobeying the old hermit who brought him was to meet this unknown young man. Yet, it knew the drama story of this young man.

favourite boy of his village. The kind, wise And Ashitaka, nineteen years old, the had a brother, a twin, miles away from him. palace, spoiled child who ignored that he The two sons grew up. Ayame at the was only two years old. up. Four years later, Ashitaka was practising martial arts when suddenly, Otari hanzo

called him. When Ashitaka came back home, he saw an old man next to the hermit. Otari hanzo introduced him as the Emperor. The young man had only one idea in mind : running away from his house. But he didn’t. He stayed in front of this man, looking at

him angrily. But on the other hand this old man inspired him some pity. He looked very tired and afraid. When Eboshi was close to Ashitaka, to take his son between his legs, this one moved back. A glimmer of sadness crossed the eyes of Eboshi. Otari hanzo decided to intercede with Eboshi and

explained the reason of his coming. The Emperor suspected his other son, prince Ayame and his adviser Alonsotaka of

Eboshi was going to kill his son. But one

would be easier to make an heir if there was Ayame, his two sons.

transfered all his affection on Ashitaka and died at the time of the delivery and Eboshi

to very young sons who were twins. His wife in eastern Asia. The Emperor Eboshi had Once upon a time, there was an Emperor,

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Sophie Todini & Hugo Coutelier

The Story of a Son needed him. « If your father entrust you with

power. He needed help, his son’s help.

hanzo had always been there when he

making a plot in order to kill him and take the Ashitaka furiously, answered the old man

that it was to easy to demand his help after getting rid of him more than twenty years later. Ashitaka told him that his father was and would ever be Otari hanzo and no one else. With a broken heart, Eboshi came back to the kingdom, thinking that he had all lost : his love and his two sons.

In the same time, in the forest not far from the village, Ashitaka was perched on a tree,

me that was not the chance. He loves you

and at the time he was looking for the best solution » said the hermit. Then he moved away in the forest, leaving Ashitaka alone. « He loves you ». The first thing that the hermit learned him was to forgive. He would. He could forgive the old man ; his father, and would help him. But he would not be

alone. Otari hanzo would be there, he was positive about it. way, riding their tamed stags. They arrived

this one came only in order to ask for some

A week later, at the down, they were on the

totally lost. He had finally met his father but help. Moreover, the help required to fight against his own brother. Perched above

Ashitaka, the old hermit was looking at the boy. He climbed down and settled next to him. Ashitaka was not surprised, Otari

on the kingdom before night. Streets were layed waste. Perched over a wall, a kid was

observing the two companions. Otari hanzo asked him what happened. The kid told him that the kind Emperor Eboshi had been

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emprisoned and that prince Ayame and the witch had taken the control of the kingdom. « Is there a way of getting into the palace without being seen ? » asked Ashitaka

desperatly. « Of course ! » answered the kid «I always do it ! The only thing you have to do is walk trough the little garden, behind the palace, there are lot litchis there ! » « Thank you very much boy, now

you must go home, good evening »said the hermit. They had left their stags in the wood close to the city, keeping only ropes and their sabres. Now, the sky was so dark that they couldn’t see the stars. They entered in the garden. The kid was right : there was no guard on this side. Climbing up a tree, Ashitaka reached an open window. He threw a rope to the old hermit in order to help him but

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