Mamoru Hosoda’s Anime Offers a Uplifting View of Virtual Worlds, Contrasting Hollywood’s Dystopian Depictions
In the face of rising concerns about our digital future, Mamoru Hosoda’s anime Belle presents a strikingly optimistic take on the metaverse, a stark contrast to the often dystopian visions Hollywood portrays. While Mark Zuckerberg’s unveiling of the “metaverse” left many feeling uneasy about a digital world controlled by corporate powers, Belle offers an alternative view, where virtual spaces can become sanctuaries, especially for vulnerable youth.
Unlike typical portrayals in film, which lean into the dangers of technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, Belle focuses on the empowering aspects of digital life. It centers on Suzu, a shy, introverted teenager in rural Japan who, after losing her mother and her voice, finds herself in the virtual world of “U.” Here, she transforms into a vibrant pop star with millions of followers. The anime emphasizes the importance of virtual identities in revealing deeper, hidden facets of people, echoing the themes of Beauty and the Beast.
Hosoda, who had never heard of the term “metaverse” until after Belle’s release, attributes the concept’s portrayal in his film to his observations of his daughter growing up in a world where the internet is as integral to life as the physical world itself. “For young people, it’s more: ‘This is the real world and that’s another world,’” he explains, underscoring the significance of how they navigate both realms.
Belle challenges traditional views, making a case for virtual spaces as integral parts of reality, and offering a refreshing, hope-filled perspective on the metaverse.
