Summary of this article
Scarlet is set for a Blu-ray release on May 19, 2026.
Japanese animated fantasy anime tells the story of a brave princess who goes beyond time and space.
It premiered in Japan on November 21, 2025.
Mamoru Hosoda’s anime Scarlet had an exclusive IMAX release in the United States on February 6, 2026, followed by a wider release on February 13, 2026. Produced by Studio Chizu and Sony Pictures, it premiered in Japan on November 21, 2025. It is currently available on several streaming platforms and is set for a Blu-ray release on May 19, 2026. The time-bending animated fantasy, which explores the themes of grief, rage and forgiveness, earned three nominations at the 53rd Annual Annie Awards, including Best Feature – Independent, Best Direction, and Best Writing, but failed to clinch an award.
Scarlet story
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Scarlet is set in 16th-century Denmark. Mana Ashida voiced the lead character, Princess Scarlet, who is an expert sword-fighter. King Amleth, Scarlet’s father, is against wars and is labelled as a “traitor” by his brother Claudius (Koji Yakusho) and is killed. Scarlet wants to avenge her father's death but is poisoned by Claudius. She wakes up in the Otherworld, filled with grief and rage.
She meets an idealistic man there from the present who shows her a future without hatred and vengeance. But when confronted with her father’s killer once again, she finds it difficult to forgive him. Will she be able to control her rage?
Sony Pictures co-produced and co-financed the fantasy anime with Studio Chizu and Nippon TV. Hosoda is the founder of Studio Chizu. The Oscar-nominated writer-director is known for films like The Boy and the Beast (2015) and Wolf Children (2012).
