It was the Age of Iron: a time when mankind was just starting to understand its ability to exploit the earth and all its natural resources. But a war was brewing--a war between a village of iron miners and the animal gods of the surrounding forest.

A full-blown war has erupted in the forest surrounding the iron town of Tatara. An elder forest god by the name of Lord Okkoto has arrived and is leading an attack against the humans with his tribe of militant boars. Meanwhile, Ashitaka is hoping that his newly formed alliance with the wolf tribe will avoid any further bloodshed.