Last fall, the creative minds at Studio Chizu, co-founded by visionary director Mamoru Hosoda (known for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, The Boy and the Beast, and Mirai), released a new feature-length anime titled Scarlet (Hateshi naki Scarlet). Premiering in Japanese theaters on November 21, this fantasy film quickly captured both critics' attention and audiences' hearts, becoming Hosoda’s second highest-grossing anime in his home market.
By early this year, Scarlet had earned 6.2 billion yen (approximately $39.6 million). The only film by Hosoda to surpass it so far is Belle (Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime), which premiered in 2021 and achieved 6.6 billion yen in box office revenue. Considering the global rise in anime popularity through streaming platforms and international film festivals, Scarlet may soon become a strong contender for broader distribution outside Japan.
At the heart of Scarlet is a fierce princess who defies time and space to avenge her father’s murder. When her revenge fails, she falls into the chaotic “Land of the Dead,” a place where souls that cannot fulfill their vengeance dissolve into nothingness. During her perilous journey, she meets Hijiri, a male nurse from modern-day Japan, whose rational, empathetic nature contrasts sharply with Scarlet’s fiery determination. Their unlikely bond becomes the emotional core of the story, exploring grief, guilt, and the meaning of redemption.
The film draws tangible inspiration from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. Several characters share names and emotional archetypes with Shakespeare’s iconic figures, but Hosoda reimagines the timeless revenge tale through an otherworldly lens, blending classical themes with striking visuals and modern psychology. This fusion between ancient storytelling and contemporary artistry makes Scarlet not just another fantasy adventure, but a meditation on how loss and choice shape who we become.
With its blend of mythic scale, emotional storytelling, and breathtaking animation, Scarlet reinforces Hosoda’s reputation as one of Japan’s leading auteurs. Fans of epic fantasy and thoughtful character-driven cinema alike will find in Scarlet a deeply resonant story that bridges worlds — both imagined and real.
