Belle
(Original title: Ryû to Sobakasu no Hime) | 2021 | 2h 1m
Genre:
Anime / Hand-Drawn Animation / Teen Drama / Adventure / Animation / Drama /
Family / Fantasy / Music | Country: Japan
Director:
Mamoru Hosoda | Writer: Mamoru Hosoda
Cast:
Kaho Nakamura, Ryo Narita, Shôta Sometani
IMDB:
7.0
My
Rate: 7/10
Suzu finds a new version of herself through Belle, her character in the virtual world U — a world without rules where users are free to express themselves. But everything changes when the Beast appears and throws everything into chaos.
Warning:
Contains scenes of violence and strong language
Synopsis:
Suzu
had to witness her mother disappear before her eyes while saving a child
trapped in a flooded river. Instead of gratitude, her mother received insults
for being a “fake hero,” leaving Suzu alone by the riverbank. This incident
left Suzu deeply traumatized, turning her into a withdrawn person.
Hiro,
Suzu’s best friend, introduces her to a virtual world app called U. In
this world, everyone can become a different version of themselves through
customized avatars that reflect their inner selves, revealing hidden talents
that may not appear in real life.
Suzu
creates her avatar and names her Belle. No one knows who Belle really
is. Suzu doesn’t realize how quickly she gains popularity because of her
mesmerizing and emotional singing voice.
The
peace in U starts to crumble when a mysterious figure known as The
Beast appears, causing chaos. Suzu and Hiro try to uncover the true
identity behind The Beast, but what they discover shocks them both.
Will
Suzu be able to save The Beast?
Review:
Beauty
and the Beast has been told countless times in various forms and eras, but
through Belle, the story is reborn in a modern yet gentle retelling that
never loses its magic. The film doesn’t focus on romance between its two main
characters — instead, it becomes a reflection on identity, trauma, and
self-acceptance.
The
story begins with Belle’s stunning performance — her beautiful voice and lyrics
echo through the cheers of the audience watching her. It’s a key moment that
later connects beautifully with the film’s ending. Suzu’s character is
introduced softly, showing her painful past and building a strong emotional
foundation for the story.
Suzu,
who once lost the courage to sing, rediscovers her voice through Belle — a
digital persona she created to escape her fears and wounds. The virtual world
becomes not just an escape, but also a space for healing, where she finally
feels admiration and love she never knew before.
That
calmness shatters when a mysterious figure named The Beast appears and
disrupts the order in U. He becomes a symbol of what society rejects —
strangeness, pain, and the darker side of humanity. Ironically, a world that
claims to be free of rules is quick to judge what’s different.
As
Suzu tries to understand and reach the person behind The Beast, she is forced
to confront herself. She faces a dilemma — whether to reveal her real identity
to save the Beast, or continue hiding behind the mask that makes her feel safe.
Her fear of rejection and others’ judgment haunts her, but from that fear,
courage begins to grow.
The
ending offers a comforting warmth. Each character finds a way to make peace —
with the past, with their pain, and with themselves. Although The Beast’s
background could have been explored more deeply, the message remains powerful:
there is no healing without the courage to be seen. That deeper exploration
might have helped the audience feel even more empathy.
Visually,
Belle is a symphony of color and light. The world of U is
breathtakingly beautiful, contrasting perfectly with Suzu’s simple real world.
The music flows tenderly, weaving emotion and story together without ever
feeling excessive. The songs become the heartbeat of Suzu’s journey — sometimes
soft, sometimes powerful, but always sincere. For some viewers, the vivid
visuals might feel intense, as each frame bursts with rich details.
In
the end, Belle is not just a reinterpretation of Beauty and the Beast,
but a story about two wounded souls — one hiding behind her voice, the other
behind his rage — finding the courage to truly see each other.
“Maybe
in the end, facing things bravely is the only way to stop hiding.”
Memorable Scene:
Suzu
tries to talk to Kei through a video call, but Kei’s response is painfully
honest. He says that no one can truly understand what he’s going through — not
even those who want to help. The dialogue reminds us that sometimes, no one can
fully grasp another person’s pain, until someone truly sincere comes along to
help.
Memorable Dialogue:
“You can’t start over in reality, but you can start over in U.”
Ending:
Happy
Ending
Recommendation:
Worth
to watch
(Aluna)
 – A Song from a World That Hides Its Wounds){kind=link}
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