Mamoru Hosoda’s “Scarlet” Anime Film Reveals Trailer, Key Visual Ahead of November 2025 Premiere

Renowned anime director Mamoru Hosoda has provided the first substantive look at his highly anticipated new feature film, titled “Scarlet”. The official website for the project, known as “Hateshinaki Scarlet” in Japan, unveiled a striking teaser trailer and a key visual on April 28, 2025, marking a significant moment for fans awaiting the director’s next work.

This announcement also confirmed the film’s forthcoming release dates, setting the stage for its global debut later in 2025. It represents Hosoda’s first directorial effort in feature animation since the critically acclaimed “BELLE”, which premiered in 2021.

Anticipation Builds with First Look

The reveal of the teaser trailer and visual generated immediate interest within the animation community and broader cinematic circles. The material released through the official website on April 28, 2025, offers the initial glimpses into the aesthetic style and narrative direction Hosoda is pursuing with “Scarlet”. Details within the teaser are sparse but compelling, designed to intrigue viewers without divulging core plot points, a common strategy to build anticipation ahead of a major film release.

The key visual, often serving as the primary promotional image for a film, provides a static but atmospheric representation of the movie’s tone and potential themes. For “Scarlet”, this visual accompanies the motion of the teaser, collectively offering the public its first look at the world Hosoda is creating.

Global Release Dates Confirmed

The official announcement on April 28, 2025, firmly established the film’s premiere schedule. “Hateshinaki Scarlet” is slated to open in Japanese cinemas on November 21, 2025. This places the film squarely in the latter part of the year’s release calendar, a common slot for major anime features.

Following its domestic debut, the film, under the international title “Scarlet”, is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States. US audiences can expect to see the film beginning December 12, 2025. This relatively swift turnaround between the Japanese and US premieres underscores the growing global demand for Hosoda’s work and contemporary Japanese animation more broadly.

The Director’s Return Since “BELLE”

Mamoru Hosoda is one of contemporary anime cinema’s most celebrated voices, known for films that blend fantastical elements with poignant human drama, often exploring themes of family, technology, and identity. His previous feature, “BELLE” (released in 2021), garnered international praise and box office success, cementing his position following earlier acclaimed works such as “Summer Wars”, “Wolf Children”, and “Mirai”.

The four-year gap since “BELLE” has fueled speculation about the subject matter and scale of his next project. The unveiling of “Scarlet” on April 28, 2025, officially ends this period of anticipation, setting a clear timeline for his return to the screen.

Exploring the Theme of Revenge

A notable detail shared in the initial announcement is the report that the film’s central theme is “revenge”. This represents a potentially darker or more intense thematic focus compared to some of Hosoda’s previous films, which often centered on growth, reconciliation, or finding one’s place in the world.

Exploring “revenge” could lead Hosoda to delve into complex emotional landscapes and potentially more mature narrative territory. How this theme will be integrated into the director’s signature style, which frequently incorporates vibrant visuals and explorations of digital spaces or natural environments, remains a key point of interest following the release of the teaser and visual.

Looking Ahead to November and December 2025

The release of the teaser trailer and key visual on April 28, 2025, serves as the official kick-off for the promotional campaign for “Scarlet” (“Hateshinaki Scarlet” in Japan). With the Japanese premiere set for November 21, 2025, and the US theatrical release following on December 12, 2025, audiences worldwide now have concrete dates to anticipate the arrival of Mamoru Hosoda’s latest cinematic endeavor.