Belle: The Future Begins with “U”

Introducing the animated original motion picture, Belle, “U” sung by Belle and the Millenium Parade immediately wraps you with an upbeat, inviting song that would make your foot follow it’s rhythm.

The movie alternates between two societies, the human and virtual. Through the virtual “U” world, people from around the globe use their imagination to create their own unique avatars and interact with others while containing anonymity. Giving users the freedom to express their true selves without fear of judgment or embarrassment.

Our main character Suzu Naito (voiced by Kaho Nakamura) has a secret life in this world that only her tech savvy best friend, Hiroka Betsuyaku (voiced by Ikura) knows about. In human society, Suzu is a timid and antisocial but overall normal 17 year old girl who is in a constant fight with herself due to the traumatic experience of witnessing her mother die, making it hard for her to move on and be who she truly is.

However, in the virtual world, she is able to showcase the one thing that she has hidden since her mother’s death: her singing. She becomes a rising music star in the virtual society, enchanting everyone who hears her voice.

While navigating her complex double life, she encounters a beast who is well-known in the virtual community. The beast, known as the Dragon, makes his first appearance by interrupting Belle’s virtual concert with millions of viewers. Belle is intrigued by this avatar, convinced that there is more to the person behind the image than meets the eye.

From that point forward, the movie follows through captivating and colorful scenes that will leave you in awe and possibly with a couple of wet tissues.

By expressing the real-world issue of our desire to be different people through the plot of “The Beauty and the Beast,” Mamoru Hosoda demonstrates how changing society starts with you.