Mamoru Hosoda's "Scarlet" (2025) News and Discussion Thread

[Elijah Abrams]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this, but in a very interesting move for a major American film studio, Sony Pictures has acquired "Scarlet", the new anime film from Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children, Mirai) for domestic U.S. (and global) distribution (Toho has the distribution rights in Japan), and get this, per the film's poster, it will be released by Columbia Pictures (not Sony Pictures Classics, nor Destination Films)! The film will be released in theatres December 12th (not sure if there will be subbed and dubbed screenings yet). Perhaps, if the film succeeds, it’ll prompt the other major film studios (and Sony) to distribute anime films in theatres, especially in this time of uncertainty for the Western animation industry, and as something that can fill cinema seats with today’s people.

Mamoru Hosoda’s Animated Princess Tale ‘Scarlet’ Lands December Release From Sony

Academy Award-nominated Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda's latest film, "Scarlet," has landed a Dec. 12 release date from Sony Pictures.

variety.com

 

[Frontier]

Hosoda really seems to be stepping out genre wise, but not sure how to feel about the CG animation.

 

[Yojimbo]

Interesting, I think Sony also got one of Satoshi Kon's movies back in the day but that was through their Classics imprint.

Here's the teaser:

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Scarlet: Mamoru Hosoda’s Next Movie Arrives December 12"​

"We now know what anime director Mamoru Hosoda is doing next! Sort of. I’ll explain.

Hosoda made his mark back in 2000 as the director of Digimon: The Movie (the original, not the version with Funk Soul Brotha in it) and every step since then has been a step up. He made Summer Wars, one of my favorite anime movies — if you haven’t seen it, rectify that ASAP. He made The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, recipient of many accolades including the Japan Academy’s first prize for Best Animation. Most recently he made Belle, his 2021 sci-fi take on the Beauty and the Beast fable.

Sony Pictures is handling the worldwide distribution of Hosoda’s next picture, and today they revealed it’s called Scarlet. They gave us a painfully short, one-sentence description to fill an entire article with: “Scarlet centers on a brave princess who transcends time and space.” That leaves a LOT to speculate on…like is “Scarlet” the name of the princess or is it a reference to the aesthetic of the movie in general, which is very very red?"

Read the full article here.

 

[RoyalRubble]

Minor but a new poster.

 

[Frontier]

Minor but a new poster.

Should've known there'd be a guy .

 

[Yojimbo]

The trailer has been posted.

 

[Frontier]

The trailer has been posted.

Seems like they're trying to blend a 2D/CG style...I can't quite put my finger on whether it works for me or not.

Kind of surreal to see the male lead is the typical Isekai protagonist. I guess because he's a medic he's meant to contrast with Scarlet's quest for vengeance and all the violence and brutality going around him.

Also of course she gets the classic character development haircut.

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Trailer for Anime Film “Scarlet” by Legendary Director Mamoru Hosada is Out"​

"Mamoru Hosada is one of the most celebrated directors of anime films. For those not in the know of who he is, he is the director of beloved anime films The Girl Who Leapt through Time, Wolf Children, Summer Wars, Mirai, and Belle. On November 21 in Japan and December 12 in the United States, his latest film will release, Scarlet.

As we can see from the trailer, this film will be his first 100% CGI film, although his earlier films were famous for extensively using CGI, such as the depiction of the digital worlds of Summer Wars and Belle. Fans are heavily debating the quality of said CGI with some calling it video game cutscene-esque. The film is set to be a mix of romance and action and will take heavy inspiration from William Shakespeare’s iconic play Hamlet, with several characters from Scarlet named after Hamlet characters."

Read the full article here.

 

[Yojimbo]

North American premiere delayed to early 2026.

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Mamoru Hosoda’s “Scarlet” Delayed Internationally To 2026"​

"“Scarlet”, the next feature-length anime epic from Studio Chizu and writer/director Mamoru Hosoda, will now take longer to arrive abroad rather than a planned simultaneous global release with Japan. On Monday, days ahead of its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival where it will screen out of competition, the film’s North American distribution rights moved from Columbia Pictures to Sony Pictures Classics. Columbia, via Sony Pictures Releasing International retains all distribution rights for the rest of the world, outside of Japan which will be handled by Toho. The film will rollout as a awards-qualifier run in selected areas this year followed by an early-2026 global release.

As you may not know, Sony Pictures Classics is Sony Pictures’ arthouse unit that is known for producing and/or acquiring smash hits such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “I’m Still Here”, “Amour”, “Whiplash”, “The Father”, “Howards End” among thousands of others. The unit has also helped distribute various animated hits from around the world such as “The Red Turtle”, “The Triplets of Belleville” to American cinemas. Most of SPC’s films were major successes and were well-received by critics and moviegoers worldwide, leading to record-breaking award nominations and wins. "

Read the full article here.

 

[Yojimbo]

9/17: More cast info posted.

edit: Will be screened at Animation is Film festival in Los Angeles between October 17-19.

10/9: New trailer, getting IMAX screenings.



11/7: New promo previews "Hateshi naki" (Without Limits) performed by Mana Ashida.



11/14: New footage, trailer, and more cast revealed.



12/10: First 7 minutes posted.

 

[Scofisticated]

I just found a showing in my town (not a big city, so wasnt sure it would be here). And I found a dub showing. I've been following this movie for sometime, and didnt see anything about a dub.

 

[RoyalRubble]

"Scarlet" launches home release with 10-Min. Preview.

The movie is now available on Digital. The 4K Blu-Ray release date is May 19. First 10 minutes of the movie included in the link.

 

[Yojimbo]

Debuts on Netflix on June 6.