Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu have officially announced that Scarlet (JP: 果てしなきスカーレット), the highly anticipated follow-up to Belle (2021), will hit theaters in Japan on November 21, 2025. The film will also receive a worldwide distribution (excluding Japan) by Sony Pictures Entertainment, with a U.S. theatrical release slated for December 12.

The theme of Scarlet is "revenge," marking a bold new chapter in Hosoda’s storytelling. Along with the announcement, a striking teaser visual and a special preview video have been revealed, showcasing the intense and emotionally charged world of Hosoda’s latest creation.

A New Frontier for Hosoda: Diving into the Theme of Revenge

Mamoru Hosoda, renowned for acclaimed works such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Summer Wars (2009), Wolf Children (2012), The Boy and the Beast (2015), Mirai (2018), and Belle (2021), has consistently earned accolades, including multiple Japan Academy Prize awards for Best Animated Feature. His international achievements include an Annie Award and an Academy Award nomination for Mirai, and an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival for Belle.

Now, with Scarlet, Hosoda embarks on his most daring project yet.

The newly revealed teaser visual presents Scarlet, a princess clad in a pure white dress now stained with blood, standing atop a mound of corpses, sword in hand, and gazing fiercely ahead. The tagline, "To live or not?", poses a profound question — one that may reflect Scarlet’s inner turmoil or challenge the audience directly.

This imagery is a sharp departure from the radiant skies and uplifting visuals characteristic of Hosoda’s previous works. Instead, Scarlet’s desperate and intense expression delivers a chilling impact.

Synopsis

The story follows Princess Scarlet, whose father, the king of her homeland, is murdered. After failing in her quest for revenge, Scarlet awakens in the "Land of the Dead."

In this realm of madness, she must fulfill her revenge and reach the "unseen place" or else be consumed by "the void" and cease to exist. The journey of endless vengeance begins—can Scarlet defy her fate and complete her mission before she disappears into nothingness?

A Film Born from Global Turmoil

Hosoda shared that the inspiration for Scarlet arose from the world’s ongoing turmoil—COVID-19, wars, and growing instability since 2021.

"I felt that while the world seemed united against the virus, as it waned, conflicts erupted worldwide, making the world feel irreversibly worse. I wanted to create a film that faces this harsh reality and resonates with the urgent emotions people are feeling," Hosoda explained.

On choosing revenge as the central theme, he added, "Today, grudges and the desire for revenge are escalating across the globe. Retaliation invites retaliation. We need to break that cycle, but it’s not easily done. By placing the protagonist in a situation where she has no choice but to seek revenge, I wanted to explore what actions she could take."

A Glimpse of the Stunning Animation

The 30-second teaser showcases breathtaking animation: a vast desert known as the "Land of the Dead," a majestic castle, dense crowds, volcanic eruptions, lightning storms, and dragons—all rendered with exquisite detail.

Scarlet’s fierce expression as she draws her sword promises intense action and emotional depth.

Additionally, the teaser features Scarlet’s voice for the first time, as she asks a mysterious figure, "Where am I?" Attention is now turning to who will be voicing Scarlet in this highly anticipated film.

Teaser Trailer

Source : ORICON NEWS