Introduction to Scarlet
Sony Pictures Classics has taken over the North American distribution of Sony Pictures from Mamoru Hosoda’s anime adventure Scarlet, just days before its world premiere outside of competition at the Venice Film Festival (August 27 to September 6).
Festival Screenings and Distribution
Scarlet will also play at TIFF and the New York Film Festival next month before a prize ceremony and an early 2026 release. Sony Pictures, who will distribute internationally, will be handling distribution for Columbia Pictures in the rest of the world, and Theater will distribute the film in Japan.
Sony Pictures Classics’ Involvement
While details are still emerging, Sony Pictures Classics’ involvement means that the Sony fold now has two robust animation awards candidates for the coming season. This development comes after Sony Pictures Animation produced KPOP – Demon Hunter for Netflix, and the sing-along version of the film has just been claimed by the service.
The Story of Scarlet
Scarlet focuses on a medieval-era, sword-fighting princess on a mission to avenge her father’s death. After she fails in her mission, Scarlet ends up in a state known as "Otherworld Limbo", where she meets an idealistic man from the present who helps her and shows her the possibility of a future free from bitterness and anger.
The Message Behind Scarlet
"When we’re experiencing heartbreaking conflicts all over the world, I think it’s something better for us to find something better," said Hosoda, the former animator at Toei Animation, whose director’s credits include the Oscar-nominated Mirai and Japanese box office hit Belle. This message is at the heart of Scarlet, a film that explores themes of hope and redemption.
Production and Financing
Sony Pictures co-produced and co-financed Scarlet alongside Studio Chizu and Nippon TV. Yuichiro Saito, Toshimi Tanio for Nippon TV, and Nozomu Takahashi for Studio Chizu produced the film, with Hosoda serving as director. The film’s production team brought together some of the most talented individuals in the anime industry to create a truly unique and captivating story.
