Mamoru Hosoda's New Anime Scarlet Hits Theaters November 2025

Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda’s latest film, Scarlet, is coming to Japanese theaters on November 21, 2025, with a North American release following on December 12, 2025, through Sony Pictures. A teaser trailer and a stunning visual dropped on April 29, 2025, giving fans a sneak peek at this dark fantasy adventure, brought to life by Studio Chizu, Nippon TV, and Sony Pictures.

Scarlet follows a fierce princess who wields a sword and embarks on a quest for revenge after her father, the king, is betrayed. Hosoda, the creative mind behind hits like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Wolf Children (2012), and the Oscar-nominated Mirai (2018), calls this his boldest project yet. The story mixes action, romance, and deep themes about life and death, all set in a world that feels like it stretches across time and space. The animation style looks unique neither classic 2D nor typical Hollywood CGI promising something fresh and breathtaking.

The 30-second teaser trailer shows off smooth animation and a vivid, almost magical world, while the teaser visual highlights the determined heroine. Studio Chizu, which Hosoda co-founded with producer Yuichiro Saito, is leading the charge on animation, with Toho distributing in Japan and Sony Pictures handling the global rollout. This is Sony’s first time teaming up with Studio Chizu, which has fans buzzing about the film’s potential worldwide impact.

After the massive success of Belle (2021), Hosoda’s top-grossing film, Scarlet, is shaping up to be another game-changer. Fans on X are already raving, thrilled by the dark, epic vibe and Hosoda’s knack for heartfelt storytelling. With 2025 also bringing big anime releases like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Scarlet is a highlight to watch for.