Hosoda's Upcoming Film Appears to Be a Strike-Back Fantasy Saga
In the upcoming anime film, "Scarlet," directed by Mamoru Hosoda, a modern-day Japanese man named Hijiri, played by Masaki Okada, finds himself in a fantastical world known as the "Land of the Dead." This world-renowned film, inspired by a classic fairy tale akin to "Beauty and the Beast," is set to captivate audiences with its unique cosmic high fantasy anime reinterpretation.
Hosoda, who is also the screenwriter and original creator, is crafting "Scarlet" with a distinctive animation style, aiming to provide a fresh visual experience that stands apart from traditional 2D or Hollywood-style CG. The film's narrative revolves around Scarlet, a strong princess who transcends time and space, and Hijiri, a nurse who aids her in her perilous quest.
The Japanese cast for "Scarlet" includes Mana Ashida (Ruka Azumi in Children of the Sea) as the titular character, Masaki Okada (Keicho Nijimura in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable live-action film) as Hijiri, and Koji Yakusho (Claudius, Scarlet's uncle and her father's murderer). Other notable cast members include Munetaka Aoki as Rosencrantz, a retainer of Claudius, Shota Sometani as Guildenstern, another retainer of Claudius, and Yuki Saito as Gertrude, Scarlet's mother.
The film's supporting cast includes Kazuhiro Yamaji as Polonius, a third henchman of Claudius, Yutaka Matsushige as Cornelius, another henchman of Claudius, Kotaro Yoshida as Voltimand, Claudius's henchman, and Tokio Emoto as Laertes, a character in the story. Nao Shiroyama and Kayoko Shiraishi play mysterious characters in the Land of the Dead.
Studio Chizu has released the first trailer for "Scarlet," with the movie set to debut in Japan on November 21. The film will later be released in U.S. theaters on December 12. "Scarlet" is an isekai-adjacent tale, following in the footsteps of Hosoda's previous works such as Mirai, Belle, The Boy and the Beast, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Summer Wars.
Hosoda's statement suggests that "Scarlet" is based on a "global classic" with a cosmic high fantasy anime twist, possibly drawing inspiration from Hamlet. As of now, Sony Pictures has not announced an English dub cast for the film.
Gizmodo and IO9 are likely to create a buzz in the entertainment world with their analysis of the trailer-frenzy surrounding the upcoming movie, "Scarlet." This movie, centering on technology-infused fantasy, is set to redefine the movie-and-tv scene, drawing influence from global classics like Hamlet and Beauty and the Beast. Fans of Mamoru Hosoda, renowned for his unique anime style and storytelling, eagerly await the film's release in Japan on November 21, followed by its arrival in U.S. theaters on December 12.
