This film intrigued me ever since I heard about it and the glowing reviews it got. Beauty and the Beast meets Ready Player One? Count me in! Read on to read my thoughts!
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Belle tells the story of Suzu, a shy and anxious high school girl who hasn’t been truly happy nor confident since her mother died when she was a child. However a brand new virtual reality social networking app called U provides her with a chance to live as an avatar in an alternate reality within the metaspace.
Suzu names her avatar Belle and becomes the next popular singer in U. She hasn’t sung since her mother died, so she’s enjoying getting to do so again. However she soon meets another avatar known as the Beast or the Dragon. He has somewhat of a terrorizing demeanor, but Suzu recognizes torment and mystery behind his gruff exterior. She becomes instantly drawn to him and makes it her mission to find out his true identity.
The reviews did not lie, the film was really amazing! (I watched the English dub, but it was still pretty darn great!) The last third of the film especially kept me glue to the screen and at the edge of my seat! I’m a sucker for any Beauty and the Beast-esque story so the fact that this was inspired not only by the tale, but by the animated 1991 Disney film, was so comforting to me!
The film also dwells on topics such as protecting others against abuse, standing up against abuse yourself, managing the world of crushes, and real love (both romantic and platonic). If you want a film that makes you feel emotions deep down in your soul, this is the film for you!
The animation is spectacular and everything you’d expect from an anime film. The English voice cast comprising Kylie McNeill, Paul Castro Jr., Jessica DiCicco, Manny Jacinto, and Hunter Schafer among others, does an impeccable, believable job. And the virtual reality social networking aspect of the film also helps bring the Beauty and the Beast story to a modern audience.
I can’t recommend this Studio Chizu film enough! If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?
The Animation Commendation 
This movie looks great! Have you seen WOLF CHILDREN? That’s been on my wish list for ages!
I haven’t seen that one yet, but that also looks good!