Oneanimefilmmaker whose films are consistently distributed to America is Mamoru Hosoda, the director offilms such asWolf ChildrenandThe Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Now, Hosoda’s next anime film, a science-fiction romance titledBelle, has been confirmed for release in America, and Gkids, a company known for distributing anime films, acquired the rights.
Belletells the story of a 17-year-old Japanese high schooler who enters “U,” a virtual reality world accessed by billions. In this world, the girl takes on the identity of a famous singer named Belle, and one day, while in the virtual world, she meets a mysterious beast-like figure who takes her on a journey through puzzling and dangerous corners of the virtual world.
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Gkids is an important entity when it comes to the release of anime films in the United States. Along with being involving in the theatrical distribution of two of Hosoda’s previous films—Summer WarsandMirai—the company has quickly become a middle man of sorts not only for Japanese animated features but for international animated features from all around the world. Their extensive library of anime films includesMary and the Witch’s Flower,Lupin III: The First, and various films by Masaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby), with the company being entrusted as the theatrical and DVD/physical-edition distributor ofStudio Ghibli filmsfor almost a decade.
Bellemarks the eighth feature anime film directed by Hosoda and his sixth time telling an original story through animation.Belleis also the fourth film by Hosoda since he broke off from Studio Madhouse to start his own animation studio, Studio Chizu. The film is slated to release in Japan on July 16th, and English dub casting and release date information for the film is expected to be announced at a later date.
The prospect ofBellereleasing in America is an exciting one for anime fans across the country. Hosoda is one of the biggest names in the anime industry at this point in time, with his previous filmMiraibecoming the first Japanese anime film not made by Studio Ghibli to be nominated forBest Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.Belle, while making room for more CGI animation than usual for a Hosoda film, also promises to address themes that the filmmaker has been known for, including the coming-of-age of a young individual discovering their place in society.
Between the confirmation ofBelle’s U.S. release and the announcement of aLord of the Ringsanime film by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, it is certainly an exciting time for fans of feature-length anime. Gkids' early commitment toBellealso suggests that the distributor has confidence in the film, and with a director like Hosoda and teaser imagery that exudes beauty through every frame, it isn’t hard to see why.
