Following the initial reveal of the
project last December , where it was presented as one of Mamoru Hosoda's most ambitious
projects to date, the highly anticipated film " Scarlet (Hateshi
naki Scarlet) " is back in the spotlight with the release of a
new teaser trailer. The video confirms that the film will be released
in Japan on November 21st, while it will hit theaters in the United States on
December 12th, in what appears to be a clear commitment to global distribution.
The teaser
also sheds more light on the story. "Scarlet" will revolve
around a strong and determined princess whose father, the king, was murdered.
After failing in her attempt to exact revenge, Scarlet awakens in the so-called
"Land of the Dead," a place filled with madness reserved for souls
who failed to fulfill their purpose. There, those who fail to achieve their
revenge end up becoming "nothing" and disappearing. From
this dark starting point, the protagonist will embark on a boundless journey in
search of justice.
Mamoru
Hosoda not only directs the film, but also writes the script and is credited as
the original creator. As he previously explained, the director is
aiming for a completely new visual style, one that doesn't fit with either
traditional 2D animation or the typical Hollywood CGI. He has promised that
this project will have a different tone from his previous works, although it
will also include elements of action and romance. In his own words,
the story is inspired by a "global classic," although he hasn't yet
revealed which one.
The
director commented on this:
- I began conceiving this work
around March 2022. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt like the
entire world was united in facing the same virus. However, in 2022, just
when it seemed like all of that was coming to an end, wars began to break
out in different parts of the world, and I felt like society was abruptly
transforming in a negative direction. What we thought was "everyday
life" began to crumble, and we saw that collapse daily on the news. I
was deeply struck by the realization that just being alive, the world we
live in, and the peace we take for granted are extremely fragile.
- Today, people all over the
world are searching for an answer to the question of how to live in a
world that is no longer peaceful. That answer may or may not exist, but we
are all desperately trying to find it: how we can resolve conflicts, how
we can live in peace and tranquility. I thought that if I was going to
create a new film, I should directly address those deep feelings that many
people have today. Thus, the idea for "Hateshi naki Scarlet"
(Scarlet Without Limits) was born.
- Seeing what's happening in the
world, I feel like we're in a situation where deep resentments and desires
for revenge are constantly being born. When there's "revenge,"
there's inevitably "retaliation," and that cycle never ends. We
know that at some point we have to break out of that loop, but it's not
easy. If
the protagonist in this story were forced to take the path of revenge, or
if we ourselves were in that situation... what should we do? Even if in
our minds we understand that we must break that cycle, can we really do it
emotionally? I felt this was a question we needed to confront. And that's
how I decided to make a story about revenge.
Studio
Chizu producer Yuichirou Saitou confirmed once again that the film will have
worldwide distribution. In Japan, TOHO will be in charge, while Sony Pictures will not
only handle the international release but has also invested in the production,
consolidating "Scarlet" as one of the most relevant anime titles by
the end of 2025. Will Scarlet achieve her revenge, or will she
disappear forever? Only time (and space) will tell.
