In his spare time, Ashitaka often hunts with his red elk and best friend, Yakul. While Ashitaka has a variety of talents – archery, leadership, and martial combat among them – he has developed all of these skills with the aim of helping his people. However, now that the Oracle tells Ashitaka that his cursed wound will kill him, he must go west to see if there's any way to lift the curse and save his life. The most able-bodied young man in the village, Ashitaka has grown up so that he may one day protect his people. Profession… last prince of the Emishi people. Now exiled, he must travel west to meet what evil awaits him.
When his village comes under attack by a demon from the nearby forest, Ashitaka kills the beast, but not before gaining a demonic wound that slowly poisons him.
Consequently, Ashitaka has become a young man with both formidable leadership skills and a strong concern for others. As the prince of a shrinking tribe, Ashitaka was raised with special care, guided by both the village elders and their wise woman, the Oracle. Grew Up… prince of the Emishi people, a once great tribe now reduced to a single village.
