It has been revealed that actor Mana Ashida will voice the protagonist, medieval princess Scarlett, in director Mamoru Hosoda's new animated feature film "Scarlet" (released November 21st), his first in about four years. Scarlett is a character who is obsessed with revenge after her father is killed in front of her eyes, and Ashida will play Scarlett as a child and as a 19-year-old. It was also announced that actor Masaki Okada will voice Hijiri, a kind-hearted modern-day Japanese nurse who travels with Scarlett in the "Land of the Dead." This is the first time Ashida and Okada have participated in a Hosoda production, and their first co-starring role in about five years since the film "Hoshi no Ko" (2020).
Ashida reflected on the recording, saying, "Scarlett is a medieval princess, and is 19 years old, the same age as me, but there are many aspects in which our underlying beliefs and values are different, so it was very difficult to play the role. The director told me, 'A 19-year-old today is different from a 19-year-old living in the Middle Ages. I want you to feel the awareness and resolve of a princess of a country.' I researched women who lived in turbulent times, such as Joan of Arc and Elizabeth I, and gradually developed into the character. I acted while imagining what it feels like to seek revenge, and how you would probably have to shout out loud in order to face it. I was a little hesitant during the shouting scenes, but I did my best and there was a moment when I thought, 'This is it!' and I felt like the role was becoming more and more familiar to my body."
"Scarlett is sometimes seen as crazy, burning with a desire for revenge, but when you think about the circumstances that force her to do so, it's endearing, and I think viewers will want to root for her as she runs straight ahead. The film depicts people trying their best to live in a chaotic world, which can also be relevant to our modern world. As a viewer, I was touched by the people who, despite all the pain and despair they face, still tried their best to look forward and live their lives. I think this is a film that will give you a sense of hope for the future."
Okada commented, "This was my first time trying my hand at voice acting in a feature-length anime. Expressing emotions with just your voice is very difficult, and I realized for the first time how difficult it is to convey emotions. I watch a lot of anime, but I've once again realized how amazing voice actors are. The character I played, Sei, is the kind of person who reaches out to people in need without expecting anything in return. To put it simply, he's a very idealistic person. I created this character to be like a sheath for Scarlett, who is burning with revenge, and to convey Sei's kindness and sincerity, as well as how he supports and accompanies her. There are scenes where Scarlett rebels against him, but I believe he is a person who is very necessary in the world right now. I hope that as you follow the story and think about the problems Scarlett is facing and the answers she arrives at, you will be able to feel through Sei whether you should or shouldn't expect kindness and sincerity from people."
Regarding his first time working on a Hosoda film, he said, "I've always looked forward to Director Hosoda's works, so I'm happy and excited to be a part of it, and it's a strange feeling. To be honest, there's a part of me that is a fan of Hosoda's work that wishes I could have seen it in the theater without knowing anything about the plot. As a fan, I'm looking forward to seeing the film completed. I hope everyone will look forward to it as well."
Director Hosoda praised Ashida, saying, "It is thanks to Ashida that we were able to portray Scarlett to this extent. Her performance was a series of incredible performances, and I was amazed many times during recording at what a wonderful actor she is. Ashida is possessed with all her heart and soul as the medieval princess obsessed with revenge. The performance is filled with power, which is hard to imagine given her cute appearance. She fully expresses the overwhelming madness, the body-wrenching conflict, and the pure humanity hidden deep within. Ashida's acting is one of the major highlights of this film."
Regarding Okada, he said, "Okada is a good actor and is sincere, but he is also humble and modest. I felt like I understood the character of Sei through Okada, and thought, 'Maybe this is what Sei is like.' Sei has the active strength to approach life with sincerity, but he also has the kindness to gently comfort people like Scarlett who have the anger and madness of revenge. I feel that this duality is in line with Okada's own humanity. I strongly felt that the role and the actor were a perfect match."
This work was produced using a technique called pre-scoring (presco), which is a first for director Hosoda. The voices are recorded first, and animation is then created based on those voices. Ashida and Okada pre-recorded their lines about a year ago, and then dubbed them again this time to match the scenes. The pre-scoring was done separately, but Ashida and Okada recorded together for the dubbing. Ashida said, "We were able to act together, and it was very easy to portray the contrast between Hijiri and Scarlett. I'm glad we were able to dub together," and Okada said, "This experience was a big one for me, and I really feel glad that I was able to work with Director Hosoda, who I love."
A poster visual was also released, showing Scarlett holding a sword while being supported by Sei.
The theme of the latest film is "revenge," and Director Hosoda wrote the original story and screenplay. After her father was killed and her revenge failed, Scarlett once again attempts to exact revenge on her nemesis in the "Land of the Dead." The "Land of the Dead" is a place where if Scarlett does not exact revenge on her nemesis and reach the "endless place," she will become nothing and disappear, and she embarks on an endless journey of revenge. Following its release in Japan, the film will be released in the U.S. on December 12th.
