Studio Chizu’s Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime) Sets Summer Release Date

Studio Chizu's new animated film Belle, also titled Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime ("The Dragon and the Freckled Princess") in Japanese, now has an official release date in Japanese theaters.

Belle, director Mamoru Hosoda's highly anticipated follow-up to the Academy Award-nominated Mirai, will open on July 16, as revealed in a new television spot.

Belle looks to continue Hosoda's explorations of life in virtual spaces, similar to what he did in Summer Wars and Digimon: Our War Game, combining these themes with a fairy tale interspecies romance akin to Hosoda's Wolf Children or the classic Beauty and the Beast story. The protagonist is a teenage musician who stopped singing after her mother's death. However, she finds new musical freedom inhabiting an online avatar, which draws the attention of a mysterious dragon-shaped creature.

The Japanese release of Belle marks the 10th anniversary of Hosoda's founding of Studio Chizu. Chizu will be collaborating with artists from around the world on the film, including Disney character designer Jin Kim and the acclaimed Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon of Wolfwalkers fame.

Plans for Belle's international release have yet to be announced.

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime) will premiere in Japanese theaters on July 16.

Source: Twitter via Anime News Network