Latest news with #MamoruHosoda
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Summer Wars review – Mamoru Hosoda's birthday party anime puts the world at risk from AI baddie
This virtual reality thriller-cum-family drama from 2009 was an early solo success for Mamoru Hosoda, who along with Your Name's Makoto Shinkai is one of the leading new-school anime auteurs. Made after he withdrew from directing Howl's Moving Castle for Studio Ghibli, it flits between a fraught, soap-operaish saga about a family reunion near the city of Ueda and the metaverse of Oz. It isn't as sophisticated perhaps in its understanding of the online/real-world interface as his 2021 film Belle, but the multilayered storytelling still shows plenty of panache, especially on the visual front. Maths boffin Kenji (voiced by Michael Sinterniklaas in the English-language dub) is browbeaten by schoolmate Natsuki (Brina Palencia) into attending her great-grandmother Sanae's (Pam Dougherty) 90th birthday on her family estate; she needs a willing victim to pose as her boyfriend to impress the matriarch. Fending off his new in-laws, the teenager – also a part-time moderator for Oz – solves an encrypted math problem that opens a backdoor for a malevolent AI called Love Machine to corrupt the network. With much of the world dependent on the services hosted by Oz, much more than the birthday party is at stake. Hosoda shows a novelistic attention to detail that puts Summer Wars a cut above genre anime: from the sense of history underpinning the sprawling Jinnouchi family, always harping on about being descending from famously uncowable samurai, to the baseball game that is a meta-commentary on the unfolding online catastrophe. The deep texturing also extends to the images: not only the translucent and, from a 2025 perspective, somewhat utopian-looking online realm, but also piercing touches of IRL beauty. Sanae's flowers blooming by night as Kenji solves his maths puzzle is a particularly delicate touch. Insisting, via Sanae, on family solidarity and civic spirit in the face of existential challenges, Hosoda also shows something of a moralistic streak. But in the case of Summer Wars, this conviction dissipates somewhat in a gabbled finale that leans into the film's frantic tempo and assigns every Jinnouchi a supposedly key role in defeating Love Machine. Battling an apparently motiveless AI – whose link to bad boy prodigal son Wabisuke (J Michael Tatum) is underexploited – it feels increasingly consequenceless, as virtual action often does. But the narrative complexity and bravura imagery still impress. Summer Wars is in UK cinemas from 3 August.
Geek Vibes Nation
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
GKIDS & Shout! Studios To Release Mamoru Hosoda's 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time' On 4K UHD Blu-Ray
GKIDS & Shout! Studios are continuing their efforts to issue all-new 4K UHD releases of award-winning director Mamoru Hosoda's early film catalog in 2025. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is the latest film to be given the special treatment, and it will be available on September 9, 2025. The new home entertainment release will be presented with brand new artwork in a 4K UHD SteelBook version exclusive to Amazon, a standard Blu-ray issue, and on digital download-to-own platforms. The first titles in the series to receive a reissue were his seminal 2009 feature Summer Wars and critically lauded 2012 hit Wolf Children (August 5, 2025). Last year, GKIDS announced it had acquired the North American distribution rights to the Mamoru Hosoda catalog of films. GKIDS previously released the Academy Award®- and Golden Globe-nominated Mirai (2018), and the critically lauded Belle (2021), which became Hosoda's highest-grossing film to date in North America. The director Mamoru Hosoda's six features have all been nominated for, and five have been awarded, the Japan Academy Prize for 'Animation of the Year.' Hosoda remains the only Japanese animation director outside of the famed Studio Ghibli to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Get more details below! Synopsis: Makoto is a typical teenage girl who spends most of her days slacking off with friends. One day while rushing to meet her aunt, she nearly gets hit by a train, but at the last second, finds herself jumping backwards through time to avoid the accident. She immediately makes use of her newfound ability to re-do every minor inconvenience – from poor exam results to awkward confessions of love. However, when faced with the consequences of tampering with time, Makoto must do everything she can to avoid a dire future that can't be reversed. Bonus Features Feature with Storyboards Feature Commentary with Director and Voice Cast Storyboard Commentary Teasers & Trailers Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount! Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link! Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies. Related Posts
Kyodo News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Mamoru Hosoda's Latest Film "Scarlet" Coming to Theaters in December 2025
By Haruka Ishibashi, KYODO NEWS - 15 minutes ago - 18:58 | All New information has arrived for "Scarlet," the latest work from acclaimed anime film director Mamoru Hosoda! Sony Pictures, which is co-producing and co-financing the film with Studio Chizu and Nippon TV, has announced that the movie will come to U.S. theaters on December 12, 2025. The story, teaser visual, and special trailer have also been revealed! "Scarlet" Announces December Premiere, First Look at Story, Visual, and Trailer! At the production announcement conference held on December 23 last year, the latest work in production was revealed after a four-year hiatus since the previous film. The new film title is "Scarlet" (the original Japanese title is Hateshinaki Scarlet, literally "Scarlet Without Limits"). A super teaser visual featuring the main character, Princess Scarlet, was unveiled. At the conference, Director Hosoda expressed his extraordinary passion for this film, saying, "After feeling the potential in the world of 'U' in 'Belle,' I wanted to expand the possibilities of animation with a completely new look in this work." The super teaser visual, showing a woman with a sword at her waist gazing intently at a distant light under a dim sky, hinted at a significantly different direction from previous Studio Chizu and Hosoda works, heightening expectations for the latest film. The film will be released in Japan on November 21, 2025 and alongside with this announcement Sony Pictures Entertainment has confirmed to distribute the film in the U.S. and around the globe except for Japan, set to release on December 12! Story of Mamoru Hosoda's "Scarlet" Finally Revealed! The protagonist, Scarlet, is a princess whose father, the king of a certain country, was killed. However, when Scarlet wakes up after failing in her revenge, she finds herself in the "Land of the Dead." In this madness-filled "Land of the Dead," it's said that one must either exact revenge on their nemesis or reach the "Unseen Place," or else become "Void" and cease to exist. Can Scarlet avoid becoming "Void" and succeed in her revenge? Thus begins a journey of endless vengeance. "I want to make a powerful, substantial film that questions why people live. Now, I want to explore this big theme of 'living' together with the audience," says Director Hosoda, expressing the sentiment from which this work originates. Comment from Director Mamoru Hosoda I came up with the idea for this work around March 2022. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt the world was united against the virus. However, as the pandemic was winding down in 2022, wars broke out in various parts of the world, and I sensed a sharp turn for the worse. We began to see daily news of what we thought was normal life crumbling. It was shocking to realize how fragile our lives, our society, and this peace we take for granted really are. People around the world are seeking answers on how to live in a world that isn't peaceful. Whether there are answers or not, everyone is desperately searching for ways to resolve conflicts and live with peace of mind. If I were to make a film now, I felt I should face these urgent feelings that everyone has, which is where the concept for "Scarlet" came from. Looking at world events, I feel we're in a situation where deep resentment and desires for revenge are constantly being born. "Revenge" leads to "retaliation." This cycle never ends. We need to break out of this loop somewhere, but it's not something that can be easily escaped. In the film, if the protagonist is driven into a situation where they must seek "revenge," or if we were in such a situation, what actions should we take? Even if we understand intellectually that we must break the cycle of "revenge," is it emotionally possible? I felt challenged by these questions. That's why I decided to create a "story of revenge." Shocking First Look: Princess Scarlet's Pure White Dress Stained with Blood! The newly released teaser visual for this work depicts the protagonist, Princess Scarlet, in a startling scene. Her pure white dress is stained with blood, yet she holds a sharp sword in her hand. Standing atop numerous corpses, she fixes the viewer with an intense gaze. The tagline "Should I live?" leaves us wondering: Is this a reflection of Scarlet's inner conflict, or a direct question to us, the audience? This visual marks a stark departure from the typical imagery associated with Studio Chizu and Director Hosoda's works. Gone are the uplifting visuals of protagonists set against blue skies and towering cumulus clouds that usually warm viewers' hearts. Instead, we're presented with a shocking image tinged with madness, dominated by Scarlet's haunting expression. First Trailer Drops for "Scarlet": Glimpse the Land of the Dead and Scarlet's Vengeance! This visual marks a stark departure from the typical imagery associated with Studio Chizu and Director Hosoda's works. Gone are the uplifting visuals of protagonists set against blue skies and towering cumulus clouds that usually warm viewers' hearts. Instead, we're presented with a shocking image tinged with madness, dominated by Scarlet's haunting expression. The teaser reveals the intricate details of the "Land of the Dead," including a majestic castle rising from the desert, bustling crowds, volcanoes, and lightning, all rendered in delicate strokes. The presence of dragons is also confirmed, adding to the mystique of this world. Even in its brief 30-second long, it is a special trailer that you cannot miss out on in every cut. Scarlet herself appears, drawing her sword with a fierce expression, determined to survive in this harsh environment. We see her battling alone against numerous soldiers and covered in sand, her face etched with grim determination. In contrast, Scarlet is also shown wearing a spotless pure white dress, hinting at intriguing plot developments and raising expectations for the full film. The trailer also marks the first time we hear Scarlet's voice. She asks, "Where am I...?" to an unseen figure, leaving viewers to wonder about this mysterious character's identity and role in the story. Who is the person asking the question, and how is she involved in the story? And who exactly is Scarlett, who throws herself into this endless drama of revenge?! Stay tuned for more information to be revealed soon! It's been 19 years since "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time." This winter, prepare to meet a shocking new heroine that will challenge everything you thought you knew about Hosoda's works! ■ 30-second Special Video
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mamoru Hosoda's anime princess film Scarlet set to entertain fans: Here's what we know so far
Anime fans may rejoice because the teaser for Mamoru Hosoda's eagerly awaited new movie, Scarlet, has finally been released. Hosoda is the visionary filmmaker behind critically praised films like Mirai and Belle. The developers posted the teaser on YouTube, giving fans a sneak peek at the enchanted and poignant tale of a mysterious princess. The official release date has been announced in addition to the teaser, which has increased anticipation among Hosoda's worldwide fan base. Here's everything you need to know about this upcoming anime masterpiece. Mamoru Hosoda's anime princess film Scarlet release date The movie will debut in Japanese theaters on November 21 and in U.S. theaters on December 12, according to the teaser. Regarding its release in India, there is currently no information available. With the exception of Japan, where Toho is managing the film's theatrical distribution, Sony will release the movie in the US and other countries. What is Mamoru Hosoda's anime princess film Scarlet about? Scarlet, a fierce princess, will be the main character of the movie. She will travel space-time to exact revenge. She wakes up in "The Land of the Dead," which is teeming with insanity, after her attempt at retribution for the murder of her father, the king, failed. If a person does not get even with their enemy and wind up in this "place for the unfulfilled," they become "nothing" and vanish. The narrative traces Scarlet's unending quest for retribution. What Mamoury Hasoda has to say about the film In addition to creating the screenplay and directing the movie, Hosoda is also given credit for the original work, according to AnimeNewsNetwork. The movie is not 2D animation or "Hollywood-style CG," according to Hosoda, who is aiming for an entirely other aesthetic. In addition, Hosoda said the movie will feel different from his previous works and include aspects of romance and action. He went on to say that the movie is based on a "global classic."
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mamoru Hosoda's next anime film ‘Scarlet' to hit US theatres on December 12
Mamoru Hosoda's next anime film 'Scarlet' to hit US theatres on December 12 Mamoru Hosoda , one of Japan's most respected anime directors, is returning to the big screen with his new film titled Scarlet . Sony Pictures has officially announced that the movie will release in theatres across North America and other countries on December 12, 2025. In Japan, it will release a few weeks earlier on November 21, 2025. Scarlet tells the story of a strong and brave princess who travels through time and space. It will explore deep themes like life and death, along with action and romance. Hosoda has shared that Scarlet is not made in traditional 2D anime style, nor is it like Hollywood CGI. He says it will have a 'completely new look' that is different from anything he has done before. Scarlet is being co-produced by Sony Pictures, Studio Chizu, and Nippon TV. Sony will handle global distribution, while Toho takes care of the Japanese release. Hosoda is once again working with producer Yuichiro Saito, with whom he co-founded Studio Chizu back in 2011. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo 【特報】『果てしなきスカーレット』＜11月21日（金）公開！＞ Scarlet: A big release after the success of Belle Scarlet will be Hosoda's first movie after his 2021 hit Belle, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and earned over $65 million worldwide. Many fans and critics are excited to see what the director will do next, especially since Scarlet is said to be based on a globally known classic story. Hosoda is known for his movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, and Mirai, which was nominated for an Oscar. For the last 20 years, his films have explored virtual worlds, emotional family stories, and important life questions. This time, he seems to be trying something even more unique. Also Read | Netflix's One Piece Live-Action Season 2 update is coming very soon
