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Best known for Wolf Children (2012), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), and Summer Wars (2009), writer-director Mamoru Hosoda’s latest film is set to hit cinemas on February 6. As his latest anime creation, Scarlet brings about a new Hamlet-inspired adaptation. With Hosoda’s striking animation, this action-adventure and fantasy tale will take viewers on a journey through revenge, love, and self-discovery.
As a young girl, Princess Scarlet (Mana Ashida) witnesses the murder of her father. Years later, after failing to avenge him, she finds herself in the “Land of the Dead”. This world is filled with madness and mystery. In order not become “void” and cease to exist, Scarlet must achieve her revenge and reach the “No End Place”. Along the way, she meets friends, faces foes, and must confront the ultimate question of whether or not she will be able to live at the end of this endless journey.
“What is it to be human? What is it to die? To live? And…what is love?”
From the moment we enter this world, we are graced with this ethereal landscape. Hosoda introduces his viewers to a well-known story, but greatly reimagined. As he brings us into Denmark and sets the scene, the influence of Hamlet begins to immerse. There is, however, no denying that his film remains fully of Japanese creation and lore. Fine brush strokes and vibrant colour work hand-in-hand to, at times, make us forget it is not the real world we are witnessing. Princess Scarlett is a mesmerizing woman, both in her acts and in the animation, who travels through time and space on this vengeful quest.
Hosoda’s script is filled with more mythology that helps shape his version of Shakespeare’s classic play. Better than what has been said, and how the film has been made out to be, Scarlet is different from what you would expect going in. After a long creative process, around four and a half years to be more precise, Scarlet is ready to be shared with the world. No matter what has been said about the film itself, if you support anime and have a soft spot for Hosoda’s films, Scarlet might just be the film for you. There are many chances to connect with this story, and for females, there are even more.
If you ignore the sufficiently long and dragged-out middle of Scarlet, you do receive a cautionary magical tale. The story of Hamlet is a tragedy. But the story of Scarlet goes beyond the pain and sorrow. On this chaotic journey, Scarlet is on an unknown path to self-discovery. In the beginning, she believes she knows what the end goal of her quest is. Yet the truth of the matter becomes a question of whether she really knows what she is fighting for. A film with an empowering story for girls everywhere, Scarlet learns about what it means to be human. As the audience follows Scarlet on her journey, they both begin to understand that love and forgiveness are always the most important things. By choosing forgiveness instead of revenge, your life and the lives of those around you may change for the better.
Even though Scarlet is bloated in its centre, there is still so much available for viewers to unpack. A gender flipped Hamlet, being an empowering standpoint for women everywhere, is just one of the reasons to see Scarlet on the biggest screen you can. While also a study into the idea of war and whether the fighting will ever end. Hosoda’s highly stylized film is crafted with love and beauty in its heart.
Grade: C+
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Scarlet
After failing to avenge her father's murder, Princess Scarlet, wakes up in the "Land of the Dead." In this world filled with madness, if she does not achieve her revenge against her nemesis and reach the "No End Place," she will become "Void" and cease to exist. Can Scarlet find a way to live at the end of her endless journey?
Release Date: February 6, 2026
Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast: Mana Ashida , Masaki Okada , Yutaka Matsushige
