Anime Wars

THU 6/12

Princess Mononoke is a beautifully drawn story in which Lady Eboshi rules an industrial village that fills the sky with clouds of smoke, and Princess Mononoke — raised by wolves — helps the beasts fight her. Meanwhile, in a remote village, it turns out that a monster who terrorizes humans was once a god driven to madness by a bullet lodged in his skin. Wounded by the monster, Prince Askitaka ventures out in search of the bullet’s source. His journey leads him to join forces with Princess Mononoke. It’s a movie that makes Star Wars: Episode I look like “dim radiation from a dull and distant galaxy,” writes Salon.com’s Andrew O’Hehir, who argues that George Lucas lacked the dramatic chops and the “largeness of spirit” to pull off a movie of such beauty and tragedy.

The movie shows at the Spencer Museum (1301 Mississippi in Lawrence) at 7 p.m., kicking off the museum’s free Anime Festival. Given the 133-minute running time and a few scary scenes, we recommend leaving the really little ones at home. For information, call 785-864-4710.— Gina Kaufmann

County Pole

A fishing derby takes kids outside.

SAT 6/14

Wyandotte County minnows can win prizes for getting their fish on. Anglers who are fifteen or younger need only bring poles to the eighteenth annual Leavenworth Road Association Kids Fishing Derby; organizers provide the bobbers, stringers and worms. Fish will be weighed to determine winners in five age categories, and kids also get free “goody bags” — canvas totes filled with treats and information on area opportunities to get dirty. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at the Kids Pond at Wyandotte County Lake Park (91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas). The pond can fit up to 250 fishers, but participants should either be Wyandotte County residents or come with county connections — grandpas, aunts, whomever. The derby lasts until 11 a.m. For information, call 913-788-3988.— Sarah Smarsh