Neither Scarlet or Hijiri are developed or entertaining enough characters to sell the raging heartfelt emotions Hosada has successfully pulled off before.

Mamoru Hosoda’s continuing experiments with animation are passable enough. But it’s not enough to uplift this loose adaptation of a literary classic with its rather clumsy thesis on cycles of violence.

Toggling between 2D and 3D animation, Hosoda Mamoru’s gender-swapped take on Hamlet takes admirably big swings but only skims the surface of its deeper thematic concerns.

Visually daring and emotionally sincere, Scarlet showcases Mamoru Hosoda's ambition at its boldest. While its characters don't always match the richness of its stunning world-building, the film remains a fascinating and unforgettable experience.