The director of BELLE announces a new film

Acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda, known for films such as "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time," "Summer Wars" and "BELLE," unveiled his latest project titled "Scarlet (Hateshi naki Scarlet)" on Monday. The film, which will be released in winter 2025 (i.e. the end of next year), will be Hosoda's first work in four years since the release of "BELLE" in 2021.

At a production event held on December 23, Mamoru Hosoda revealed that "Scarlet" will tell the story of a powerful princess who traverses space and time. In addition to directing, Hosoda is in charge of the script and is credited as the original creator of the play. According to the director, this new film will explore a completely innovative visual approach, which does not align with traditional 2D animation or the CGI style typical of Hollywood. Hosoda described this project as a work with elements of action and romance, based on a "global classic" and with a narrative that addresses universal themes such as life and death.

Since "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" in 2006, Hosoda's films have tended to be released during the summer in Japan. However, Scarlet will break this tradition with a release scheduled for the winter season, marking a significant change in the usual pattern of her works.

Yuichiro Saito, producer of Studio Chizu, announced that "Scarlet" will have worldwide distribution. In Japan, the film will be released by TOHO, while Sony Pictures will handle its international distribution. The latter has also invested in production, underscoring "Scarlet's" approach as an innovative product in the Japanese anime landscape.

During the event, a "super visual teaser" was presented that shows Princess Scarlet, an imposing figure who is described as the protagonist of the story. While plot details are being kept under wraps, Hosoda noted that the film will represent his most ambitious project to date, tackling a subject "bigger" than any previous work.

With a revolutionary visual approach and an epic narrative that combines action, romance and classic elements, "Scarlet" promises to be a cinematic experience that transcends borders. Expectations are high for this next chapter in the career of one of the most visionary directors in the anime industry.

Source: Comic Natalie