Synopsis
U is a widely used social media platform that enables users to craft a virtual identity and begin anew. Among its five billion members, a newcomer named Belle is rapidly drawing notice—a mesmerizing singer whose captivating tunes gradually win over the hearts of many. Yet in this realm where everyone conceals their true self behind an avatar, curiosity grows about who this mysterious girl really is. Suzu Naito is a shy girl from the countryside who has lost her ability to sing due to past trauma; every attempt leads to breakdowns and sickness. But when Suzu joins U, she regains the power to project her voice. Using the alias Belle, her singing quickly goes viral, attracting both adoration and hostility. Meanwhile, rumors spread within U about a chaotic beast called the Dragon. After an accidental encounter during her concert, Belle realizes he is not as malevolent as the tales claim. Now, both online and in reality, Suzu must confront the challenges of identity, fame, and opening her heart.
Background
Inspired by the 1756 French fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on July 15, 2021 and was received with a standing ovation of 14 minutes. It was the third highest-grossing movie at the Japanese box office in 2021, earning 6.53 billion yen as of December 12, 2021. Belle was drawn by Jin Kim, the character designer of popular Disney productions such as Tangled and Frozen. Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime had five nominations at the 49th Annie Awards, including one for Best Independent Animated Feature, making it the Japanese anime film with the most nominations ever received in the history of these awards. A novel adaptation was issued by Kadokawa Bunko on June 12, 2021.