‘Mirai’ Director Mamoru Hosoda Reteams With Charades For ‘Belle’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Rolling off the Oscar-nominated animated feature “Mirai,” Paris-based sales company Charades is set to reteam with Japanese auteur Mamoru Hosoda on his next directorial outing, “Belle.”

“Belle” follows a fruitful collaboration between Charades, Hosoda and his production company Studio Chizu. “Mirai” world premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2018 and was acquired by GKids for the U.S. In addition to being Oscar-nominated, “Mirai” also earned a Golden Globe nomination and received the Annie Award for best animated feature.

Hosoda’s ninth project, “Belle” follows a teenage girl who lives between modern-day Japan and a virtual world called “U.” As with some of Hosoda’s previous work, which includes “Digimon: The Movie” and “Summer Wars,” “Belle” will explore how technology impacts lives and relationships. Hosoda will also tackle familiar themes such as youth, family bonds and friendship to create a story about courage and hope in difficult times.

“I’ve been following closely the evolution of Mamoru Hosoda’s brilliant work over the past years. His voice keeps surprising us, film after film,” said Yohann Comte, partner at Charades. “We are eager to discover his new take on the topical and universal themes he masters. We are very proud to handle the sales of his most ambitious film to date.”

“Belle” is produced by Hosoda’s long-standing collaborator, Yuichiro Saito, president of Studio Chizu. Toho will release the film in Japan in summer 2021. Charades will handle world sales outside of Asia, which will be handled by Studio Chizu.

Besides “Mirai,” Charades’ strong track record in animation also includes Jeremy Clapin’s Oscar-nominated “I Lost My Body,” as well as Ben Stassen’s 3D animated features “Bigfoot Superstar” and “The Queen’s Corgy.”

GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to Studio Chizu’s “Belle”

Newest Animated Blockbuster from Oscar®-Nominated Director Mamoru Hosoda\

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced today it has acquired all North American distribution rights for Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda‘s highly anticipated new animated feature, BELLE, from Japan’s Studio Chizu. The film is an original story written and helmed by the celebrated director whose previous films include Mirai, The Boy and the Beast, Wolf Children, Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and others. Hosoda is joined by long time producing partner and Studio Chizu co-founder Yuichiro Saito, as producer on the title.

GKIDS handled North American distribution for Mirai, the previous film from Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu, which debuted at Director’s Fortnight in Cannes in 2018, before going on to receive career-first Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Hosoda.

GKIDS will release BELLE theatrically in both its original Japanese language and a new English dubbed version this winter, and will qualify the film for 2021 awards consideration. BELLE is scheduled to be released in theaters in Japan beginning July 16.

On BELLE, the Japanese creative team worked in collaboration with a roster of international talents. Character designer Jin Kim, the artist behind several iconic Disney features including Moana, Tangled, and Frozen, designed the titular Belle. Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar®-nominated Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart (Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells) also join the team, contributing artwork for the various virtual fantasy worlds within the film. Hosoda continues his film collaborations with architects, and is joined by up-and-coming British architect and designer Eric Wong, who designed the virtual world of “U.” Rounding out the team, composer Ludvig Forssell, best known for his collaborations with video game auteur Hideo Kojima (Death Stranding, Metal Gear Solid V), joined the score team for the film.

The all-rights North American distribution deal was negotiated by Eric Beckman of GKIDS and Carole Baraton of Charades, on behalf of Studio Chizu.

“I’ve been in love with Mamoru Hosoda since Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars and every film since. Hosoda is a master at exploring humans’ relationship with technology in a changing world,” said Eric Beckman, CEO and Founder of GKIDS. “Belle expands on the threads and themes of his previous works in an epic tour-de-force that is visually stunning, emotionally stirring, and deeply profound. We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu, and look forward to sharing what will surely be their most popular success to date.”

Special Offer: Order from ShoutFactory.com and get an 18" X 24" FOLDED POSTER, available while supplies last!

Bonus Features: The Making of BELLE*, A Conversation with Director Mamoru Hosoda, The Music of BELLE, Hosoda Draws BELLE Scene Breakdowns, Finding the Voice of Belle, Scene Breakdowns, Mamoru Hosoda at Animation is Film, Design Gallery*, Kylie McNeill Performs “Gales of Song”*

*Only available on the Blu-ray disc

BELLE - 4K UHD + Blu-ray + CD Deluxe Edition

PRE-ORDERS OPEN AT 5PM ON THURSDAY 28TH APRIL 2022 - PRICE TBC

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER PRODUCT - RELEASE DATE: 27TH JUNE 2022

On the discs

4K UHD Blu-ray: Contains the film in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision HDR. Contains Japanese Dolby Atmos and English 7.1 audio with English subtitle language options.

Blu-ray: Contains the film with Japanese and English 5.1 audio with English subtitles.

CD: Contains the Japanese soundtrack to the film.


Bonus content - on-disc

4K UHD Blu-ray: Interview with director Mamoru Hosoda at the Glasgow Film Theatre (recorded in 4K)

Bonus Blu-ray disc - contains:

- The Making Of BELLE
- A Conversation with Director Mamoru Hosoda
- The Music of BELLE interview
- Finding the Voice of BELLE
- Scene Breakdown: The Ballroom
- Scene Breakdown: The Station
- Hosoda @ Animation is Film
- Hosoda Draws Belle
- Kylie McNeill performs “Gales of Song”
- Design Gallery

Content and packaging
- Rigid Collector's Slipcase
- Two Amaray cases, containing:
- The film on 4K UHD Blu-ray
- The film on Blu-ray
- Bonus Blu-ray disc
- Original Soundtrack CD
- A3 replica of the film's UK theatrical poster
- 60-page book featuring interviews, information, lyrics and artwork from the film
- 16 double-sided art cards, one of which is individually numbered

Product Details
Release Date: 27/06/2022
BBFC: 12
Audio: Japanese, English
Subtitles: English
Format: 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, CD
No. of discs: 4
Region: B (Blu-ray), Region free (UHD Blu-ray)

SRP: £xx.99

Includes 13.25" x 21.25" Poster, 60-Page Book, Art Cards, Sticker