The appeal and reviews of "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess": A fusion of moving story and visuals

"The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" - Mamoru Hosoda's new challenge and its appeal

Released on July 16, 2021, "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" is the latest work by director Mamoru Hosoda and is an animated film produced by Studio Chizu. The film was released to audiences in the form of a theatrical release and is 122 minutes long. We will provide a detailed review of this film, which is filled with director Mamoru Hosoda's unique worldview and storytelling, and introduce some recommended points.

Story Summary

The story of "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" unfolds where the real world and the virtual world intersect. The protagonist, a young girl named Suzu, lives her daily life while grieving the loss of her mother. Meanwhile, she discovers a virtual space called "U" where she tries to find a new version of herself. In the virtual world, Suzu goes by the name "Bell" and meets various people and goes on adventures.

character

The main character, Suzu, is a girl who lives with a strong will, despite the great sadness of her mother's death. Her growth and change are at the heart of the story, and the audience can empathize with her emotions deeply. The "Bell" in the virtual world is another face of Suzu, symbolizing the conflicts and hopes she holds.

Suzu's friends and family are also portrayed as important characters. In particular, Suzu's father and sister provide her with emotional support and contribute to the depth of the story. Suzu's encounters in the virtual world are also important, and her relationship with a character called "Ryu" in particular has a major impact on the climax of the story.

Visuals and Music

Director Hosoda Mamoru's works are characterised by their visual beauty. "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" is no exception, with both the real and virtual worlds depicted vividly. In particular, the design of the virtual world "U" is colourful and fantastical, with the power to draw the audience in. Furthermore, the characters' expressions and movements are drawn with meticulous attention to detail, realistically expressing the subtleties of their emotions.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this work. The original soundtrack by RADWIMPS stirs emotions as the story unfolds. In particular, the theme song "Utakata" has a beautiful melody that symbolizes Suzu's inner thoughts and resonates deeply with the audience.

Theme and Message

"The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" delves deeply into themes of self-discovery and the boundary between reality and virtuality. Suzu's journey to find her new self in a virtual world symbolizes the issue of identity in modern society. It also sends a powerful message about the importance of bonds with family and friends, and of connecting with others.

Furthermore, this work also depicts the power to overcome sadness and suffering. Suzu's positive attitude towards life despite the great sadness of her mother's death gives courage and hope to the audience. Director Hosoda Mamoru's works always have a human drama at their core, and this work also maintains this style.

Recommended points

"The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" is a film that can be recommended not only to fans of Director Mamoru Hosoda, but to anyone who loves animated films. Below are some points that I would particularly like to recommend the film to.

• Visually stunning : Both the real and virtual worlds are beautifully rendered, providing plenty of visual splendor.
• The power of music : RADWIMPS' soundtrack deeply enhances the story and stirs emotions.
• Deep themes : Deep themes include self-exploration, family ties, and overcoming grief.
• Character Development : The growth and change of the main character, Suzu, is portrayed realistically, making it easy to empathize with.
• Mamoru Hosoda's worldview : This work is filled with director Mamoru Hosoda's unique worldview and storytelling.

Related information

"The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" is a film distributed by Toho and produced by Studio Chizu. The original story is by director Mamoru Hosoda himself, and is an original story for the anime. Copyright belongs to "©️2021 Studio Chizu".

The film will be released on July 16, 2021, and is 122 minutes long, with each episode being a complete story. Like other works by director Mamoru Hosoda, it is characterized by deep human drama and beautiful visuals.

Conclusion

"The Dragon and the Freckled Princess" is a new challenge for director Mamoru Hosoda, and its appeal is manifold. Various elements such as visual beauty, musical power, thematic depth, and character growth combine to form a single wonderful work. I highly recommend this work to anyone who loves animated films. You will empathize with Suzu's adventure and growth, transcending the boundaries between reality and virtuality, and gain courage and hope.