Mamoru Hosoda's Latest Film "Scarlet" Coming to Theaters in December 2025
By Haruka Ishibashi, KYODO NEWS - 15 minutes ago - 18:58 | All
New information has arrived for "Scarlet," the latest work from acclaimed anime film director Mamoru Hosoda!
Sony Pictures, which is co-producing and co-financing the film with Studio Chizu and Nippon TV, has announced that the movie will come to U.S. theaters on December 12, 2025. The story, teaser visual, and special trailer have also been revealed!
"Scarlet" Announces December Premiere, First Look at Story, Visual, and Trailer!
At the production announcement conference held on December 23 last year, the latest work in production was revealed after a four-year hiatus since the previous film.
The new film title is "Scarlet" (the original Japanese title is Hateshinaki Scarlet, literally "Scarlet Without Limits"). A super teaser visual featuring the main character, Princess Scarlet, was unveiled. At the conference, Director Hosoda expressed his extraordinary passion for this film, saying, "After feeling the potential in the world of 'U' in 'Belle,' I wanted to expand the possibilities of animation with a completely new look in this work."
The super teaser visual, showing a woman with a sword at her waist gazing intently at a distant light under a dim sky, hinted at a significantly different direction from previous Studio Chizu and Hosoda works, heightening expectations for the latest film.
The film will be released in Japan on November 21, 2025 and alongside with this announcement
Sony Pictures Entertainment has confirmed to distribute the film in the U.S. and around the globe except for Japan, set to release on December 12!
Story of Mamoru Hosoda's "Scarlet" Finally Revealed!
The protagonist, Scarlet, is a princess whose father, the king of a certain country, was killed. However, when Scarlet wakes up after failing in her revenge, she finds herself in the "Land of the Dead."
In this madness-filled "Land of the Dead," it's said that one must either exact revenge on their nemesis or reach the "Unseen Place," or else become "Void" and cease to exist.
Can Scarlet avoid becoming "Void" and succeed in her revenge? Thus begins a journey of endless vengeance.
"I want to make a powerful, substantial film that questions why people live. Now, I want to explore this big theme of 'living' together with the audience," says Director Hosoda, expressing the sentiment from which this work originates.
Comment from Director Mamoru Hosoda
I came up with the idea for this work around March 2022.
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt the world was united against the virus.
However, as the pandemic was winding down in 2022, wars broke out in various parts of the world, and I sensed a sharp turn for the worse. We began to see daily news of what we thought was normal life crumbling. It was shocking to realize how fragile our lives, our society, and this peace we take for granted really are.
People around the world are seeking answers on how to live in a world that isn't peaceful. Whether there are answers or not, everyone is desperately searching for ways to resolve conflicts and live with peace of mind.
If I were to make a film now, I felt I should face these urgent feelings that everyone has, which is where the concept for "Scarlet" came from.
Looking at world events, I feel we're in a situation where deep resentment and desires for revenge are constantly being born. "Revenge" leads to "retaliation." This cycle never ends. We need to break out of this loop somewhere, but it's not something that can be easily escaped.
In the film, if the protagonist is driven into a situation where they must seek "revenge," or if we were in such a situation, what actions should we take? Even if we understand intellectually that we must break the cycle of "revenge," is it emotionally possible? I felt challenged by these questions.
That's why I decided to create a "story of revenge."
Shocking First Look: Princess Scarlet's Pure White Dress Stained with Blood!
The newly released teaser visual for this work depicts the protagonist, Princess Scarlet, in a startling scene. Her pure white dress is stained with blood, yet she holds a sharp sword in her hand. Standing atop numerous corpses, she fixes the viewer with an intense gaze.
The tagline "Should I live?" leaves us wondering: Is this a reflection of Scarlet's inner conflict, or a direct question to us, the audience?
This visual marks a stark departure from the typical imagery associated with Studio Chizu and Director Hosoda's works. Gone are the uplifting visuals of protagonists set against blue skies and towering cumulus clouds that usually warm viewers' hearts. Instead, we're presented with a shocking image tinged with madness, dominated by Scarlet's haunting expression.
First Trailer Drops for "Scarlet": Glimpse the Land of the Dead and Scarlet's Vengeance!
This visual marks a stark departure from the typical imagery associated with Studio Chizu and Director Hosoda's works. Gone are the uplifting visuals of protagonists set against blue skies and towering cumulus clouds that usually warm viewers' hearts. Instead, we're presented with a shocking image tinged with madness, dominated by Scarlet's haunting expression.
The teaser reveals the intricate details of the "Land of the Dead," including a majestic castle rising from the desert, bustling crowds, volcanoes, and lightning, all rendered in delicate strokes. The presence of dragons is also confirmed, adding to the mystique of this world. Even in its brief 30-second long, it is a special trailer that you cannot miss out on in every cut.
Scarlet herself appears, drawing her sword with a fierce expression, determined to survive in this harsh environment. We see her battling alone against numerous soldiers and covered in sand, her face etched with grim determination.
In contrast, Scarlet is also shown wearing a spotless pure white dress, hinting at intriguing plot developments and raising expectations for the full film.
The trailer also marks the first time we hear Scarlet's voice. She asks, "Where am I...?" to an unseen figure, leaving viewers to wonder about this mysterious character's identity and role in the story.
Who is the person asking the question, and how is she involved in the story? And who exactly is Scarlett, who throws herself into this endless drama of revenge?! Stay tuned for more information to be revealed soon!
It's been 19 years since "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time." This winter, prepare to meet a shocking new heroine that will challenge everything you thought you knew about Hosoda's works!
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