The kindly king Amlet (Masachika Ichimura, the voice of Mewtwo) is betrayed and slain by his cruel, scheming brother Claudius (A towering Koji Yakusho) in front of his kindly daughter Scarlet (Mana Ashida); and when her plan for vengeance is foiled, she finds herself in a strange realm between the living and the daughter. Single minded in her quest for vengeance, she seeks out Claudius in this dark and unusual land, and finds herself not only tracked by his minions, but stalked by a terrifying dragon, and travelling alongside Hijiri (Masaki Okada), who calls himself a "paramedic", on this odyssey into mortality and the soul...
(Photo Credit: Crunchyroll. The only context you'll see me credit them. Fuck Crunchyroll, absolute state of that fucking place.)
I have always preferred Mamoru Hosoda to Makoto Shinkai, the two big anime "auteurs" going today, and had a cracking time with "Belle". As expected: the style is rather striking. In the new world the animation is photographs and real backdrops with shimmering 3D animation over the top of them - reflecting the familiar disonance and disconnect, it's effective (though maybe not really for me in parts? A few of the early 3D shots took some getting used to and reminded me of the newer 3D anime stuff I don't really like, personal preference, though don't worry it's not as bad as shit ike "Exarm" or that incredible helicopter sequence in "Golgo 13: The Professional") and the more traditional sequences are pretty enough. Plus the dragon looks fucking awesome, and kind of terrifying and ominous too - an embodiment of dread and the darkest impulses consuming and looming over all. There's a musical sequence, which is pretty enough, and some energetic and fluid fight sequences I rather enjoy.
The central relationship is a buddy cop adventure between a "softening ice queen" and a gentle pacifist: you've seen it before but it's all fairly competently done, and I did find myself liking these two characters (Scarlet in particular was a fine line to walk, and done well), which is essential. It was fun following the various Hamlet characters and seeing how and when they turn up (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are a pair of murder clowns, whilst minor players Valdemar and Cornelius are the burly goons, for example), though the reach and grasp are a touch excessive: I wasn't quite gripped and immersed in the quest and plotline, but enjoyed the themes of vengeance (as well-trodden as they are) are sure to resonate with people, and tie well into the foreshadowing and planted imagery and ideas. It's well-constructed but didn't quite soar personally for me, though I am glad it avoided the excesses of anime peers. Beautiful to look at, and a fantastic Claudius performance from Koji Yakusho, but I wish it were bolder or less-traditional in its narrative. It's good.
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