Scarlet Movie Review: A Haunting Anime Exploration of Vengeance and Redemption
Release Details: The Japanese anime film Scarlet, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda, premiered on February 6, 2026. With a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes, this action, romance, and sci-fi hybrid has garnered a 3.5 rating from both critics and audiences alike.
A Shakespearean Tragedy Reimagined Through Anime
The narrative of Scarlet draws loose inspiration from William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy Hamlet, transporting viewers to a medieval Danish kingdom. The story centers on King Amlet, portrayed by Masachika Ichimura, a benevolent ruler dedicated to maintaining peace and prosperity for his subjects. His reign is brutally cut short when his own brother Claudius, played by Kôji Yakusho, murders him in a cold-blooded act of betrayal, driven by insatiable ambition and desire for Queen Gertrude.
This horrific event unfolds before the eyes of Amlet's young daughter, Princess Scarlet, voiced by Mana Ashida. The trauma of witnessing her father's murder scars Scarlet deeply, shaping her entire existence around a singular, consuming purpose: to exact vengeance upon her uncle and make him pay for his unforgivable crime.
Layered Storytelling and Philosophical Depth
While Scarlet operates fundamentally as a revenge drama, director Mamoru Hosoda elevates the familiar premise through sophisticated thematic layering. The film navigates complex territories including death, the afterlife, blind faith, unchecked greed, and the moral ambiguity surrounding justice itself. Hosoda skillfully maintains focus on the central revenge plot while simultaneously exploring profound existential questions about life's purpose, destiny, and consequences.
The narrative structure shifts fluidly between past and present, life and afterlife, creating a multidimensional storytelling experience. This approach allows the film to paint a bleak, unsettling portrait of despair, grief, and spiritual unrest that resonates on both emotional and intellectual levels.
Visual Brilliance and Character Dynamics
The animation in Scarlet represents a technical and artistic triumph, creating immersive, often dazzling visual landscapes. Hosoda employs stark, symbolic environments to mirror the protagonist's inner turmoil—particularly the arid, unforgiving desert Scarlet must traverse to reach a mountain summit and the stairway to an infinite world. These hostile landscapes reinforce the film's central themes of endurance and suffering.
While the story follows a largely predictable trajectory, it gains compelling unpredictability through its innovative exploration of the afterlife—a conceptual space Hosoda handles with remarkable confidence and control. The arrival of Hijiri, voiced by Masaki Okada, introduces crucial emotional balance and warmth to the otherwise oppressive narrative tone.
Performance and Emotional Resonance
The voice performances throughout Scarlet are uniformly strong, effectively conveying the emotional weight of each character's journey. Masaki Okada delivers a particularly memorable performance as Hijiri, becoming the film's voice of reason—a grounding presence who anchors the chaotic energy with restraint, empathy, and quiet conviction.
The slow-burning chemistry between Hijiri and Scarlet forms the emotional backbone of the film, offering moments of tenderness and quiet reflection amidst the prevailing darkness. This relationship provides much-needed emotional respite and complexity to the narrative.
Critical Assessment and Audience Experience
Scarlet begins with gripping intensity, immediately immersing viewers in Princess Scarlet's emotionally charged world. However, as the screenplay progresses, the narrative momentum occasionally slows, weighed down by repetitive conflicts and the inherent complexity of its philosophical explorations.
Audience investment in Scarlet's journey comes naturally, yet the experience can prove emotionally exhausting. Hosoda writes his protagonist as perpetually burdened by sorrow and failure, which reinforces the film's oppressive tone but sometimes limits opportunities for her strength to truly shine. While this may represent an intentional creative choice, it occasionally tests viewer patience.
Final Verdict and Lasting Impact
Ultimately, Scarlet stands as a relentless, somber revenge drama steeped in grief and existential dread. The film may not appeal to broad mainstream audiences seeking lighter entertainment, but Mamoru Hosoda's masterful direction ensures its emotional impact lingers well beyond the final frame.
Like much of Hosoda's distinguished body of work, Scarlet leaves behind haunting images, profound questions, and unforgettable moments that continue to resonate—unsettling, imperfect, and remarkably difficult to forget. This is thoughtful, visually rich anime that courageously explores darker emotional and moral terrain, making it essential viewing for those who appreciate sophisticated animated storytelling.
Cast Highlights:
- Mana Ashida as Princess Scarlet
- Masaki Okada as Hijiri
- Masachika Ichimura as King Amlet
- Kôji Yakusho as Claudius
- Mamoru Hosoda as Director
