Oscar-Nominated One Piece Director’s Latest Release Is a Box Office Disaster (But There’s Still Hope)

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Mamoru Hosoda, the director known for acclaimed films like Mirai and One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, recently released his newest movie, Scarlet. Unfortunately, despite Hosoda’s strong reputation, initial reactions suggest the film isn’t doing well. Reports indicate that theaters are mostly empty and critics are finding fault with the story.

Since its release in Japan on November 21st, the movie Scarlet hasn’t resonated well with viewers, currently holding a 2.9-star rating on Filmarks. This is significantly lower than other popular anime releases this year, like Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc (4.3 stars) and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (4.2 stars). Reports also indicate a weak opening weekend, with theaters less than 5% full on the first day. Even on the first Saturday – usually a busy time for anime – many screenings were more than half empty. Despite being released in a large number of theaters – the third-highest of any anime in Japan this year after Demon Slayer and Detective Conan – Scarlet only earned 61 million yen on its opening day.

Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet Opens to Empty Theaters, Harsh Criticism

Most criticisms of the movie Scarlet center on its uninspired story and visuals. Many viewers found the script dull and lacking originality, with some even calling it the worst film of 2025. The film received a generally negative reaction after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, and currently has a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie’s unusual animation style has also divided audiences – while some appreciated the artistic approach and early visuals, others found the constantly changing style jarring and unappealing.

Many dedicated fans believe Hosoda’s latest film, Scarlet, didn’t receive positive reviews because Satoko Okudera wasn’t involved in the writing. Okudera collaborated with Hosoda during a particularly successful period, writing the screenplays for popular and critically praised movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children. Hosoda has written the screenplays himself since they stopped working together.

Although films like The Boy and the Beast and Mirai were well-received, reviewers have recently observed that the director’s stories haven’t been as focused or well-structured. Scarlet, a revenge story loosely based on Hamlet, seems to have been the turning point for many fans, with some calling it the director’s first outright failure, despite high expectations. Interestingly, writer Okudera is currently experiencing great success with her 2025 project, Kokuho, which has generated over 15 billion yen in Japan through its live-action adaptation.

Although Scarlet wasn’t a hit in Japan, it still has a good chance of success. Sony Pictures Classics will release the film in the U.S. on February 6, 2026. Hosoda’s films have often been better received by Western audiences, and Scarlet could be an Oscar contender in 2026. Studio Chizu is likely hoping international audiences will appreciate the film’s Shakespearean story and high production quality, helping it recover financially and gain a positive reputation.

Scarlet, a new film from Studio Chizu, tells the story of a princess who travels through time and space seeking revenge for her father’s death. Mana Ashida provides the voice for Princess Scarlet, and Masaki Okada plays Hijiri, a paramedic she encounters after she dies. Koji Yakusho voices the film’s villain, King Claudius, and Masachika Ichimura plays Scarlet’s father, Amlet. The music for Scarlet was composed by Taisei Iwasaki.

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2025-11-27 03:39