TL;DR
- Scarlet is a 2025 animated fantasy/action film from celebrated director Mamoru Hosoda, with animation by Studio Chizu.
- The film centers on a sword-wielding princess named Scarlet (voiced by Mana Ashida) who, after her father’s murder, embarks on a vengeful, time-bending quest — only to find herself trapped in a surreal “otherworld.”
- An official trailer (in both Japanese and English-subtitled versions) is out, hinting at cinematic visuals, emotional stakes, and the film’s unique blend of revenge, redemption, and fantasy.
- Release dates: Japan — November 21, 2025; U.S. — December 12, 2025 (with wider IMAX/ international rollout expected early 2026).
What is Scarlet — and what’s the story?
Scarlet follows a medieval-era princess, trained from childhood to wield a sword, who is thrust into tragedy when her father is murdered by her treacherous uncle.
As she pursues vengeance, Scarlet’s journey doesn’t remain grounded in her own world: after being gravely injured, she wakes up in a surreal, liminal realm — a purgatory-like “otherworld” between life and death.
There she meets a young man from the present day (voiced by Masaki Okada) who challenges her bitter quest for revenge. As old grievances and existential questions collide, Scarlet must decide: continue chasing vengeance or embrace a chance at healing, forgiveness, and possibly a new future.
The story’s roots in Hamlet-inspired tragedy give Scarlet a classic dramatic backbone — but Hosoda’s vision transforms it into a cinematic, fantastical meditation on revenge, regret, and redemption.
What the trailer reveals — tone, visuals, and themes
The recently released trailer (also available with English subtitles) for Scarlet delivers a bold first look at the film’s atmosphere: sweeping fantasy landscapes, intense sword-fights, and haunting visuals of a world suspended between life and death.
Visually, Scarlet mixes fluid animation with detailed character work — a style that, according to the director and studio, leans neither on traditional 2D nor Hollywood-style CGI, but strives for a distinctive cinematic anime aesthetic.
The trailer also showcases emotional weight: grief, anger and heartbreak are juxtaposed with fleeting glimpses of hope, compassion, and the possibility of breaking a cycle of vengeance.
Overall, the tone is dark and mature — suggesting this will be one of Hosoda’s most adult-oriented stories, dealing with heavy themes like loss, vengeance, morality, and what it means to move on.
When and where you can watch it
- United States: initial release on December 12, 2025; wider theatrical / IMAX release slated for early 2026 (some sources list February 6, 2026 for IMAX screenings).
- International: Distribution by Sony Pictures Entertainment promises availability beyond Japan and the U.S., with rollout in multiple regions globally.
If you’re an anime fan, fantasy lover, or simply drawn to stories about vengeance and redemption — Scarlet is shaping up to be a major cinematic event this winter.
