After much rave reviews — both on the Cannes Film Festival 2021 and the Japanese cash register — Belle is finally coming this spring on Blu-ray and DVD. Fans were able to enjoy the movie in theaters in January, but those who missed it can catch up on the mesmerizing story.

Studio Chizu and director Mamoru Hosada – best known for Mirai and The Boy and the Beast – took inspiration from classic Disney films with their modern sci-fi narration of Beauty and the Beast. While musicals may be common in western animation, they are an anomaly in anime.

Due to the strong emphasis on the number of musicians, director Mamoru Hosada worked closely with Japanese singer Kaho Nakamura and involved her in the songwriting process. And even translated into English, Kylie McNeill gives a great performance. With an English voice cast with well-known YouTubers and live streamers including Lilypichus and ProZDBelle’s dubbed version is also one to check out.

What is the plot of Belle (film from 2021)?

Beauty and the Beast are no rarity, but Studio Chizu’s take on Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s 18th-century classic gives the story an update for a modern audience.

High school student Suzu Naito has lost her voice. She can talk just fine, but after her mother’s tragic death, she finds it hard to express herself – unable to enjoy carefree joys like singing. It’s only when Suzu finds a virtual space online that she can shake off the fear that’s holding her back.

Suzu takes on the role of her beautiful pink-haired avatar Belle and can express herself through songs. And while her avatar’s appearance initially grabs her attention online, it’s her voice that makes her a hit.

However, during one of her live performances, she sees a mysterious avatar called The Beast. Dealing with his own turmoil, The Beast arouses Belle’s curiosity. Secretly, she tried to learn more about the man others consider a threat.

Where can I see Belle subtitled or dubbed in English?

Unfortunately, Belle is not yet available for streaming. Given its popularity, it is possible that it will one day be available on platforms such as Netflix or Crunchyroll. For now, we’ll have to wait for future announcements. If you want a digital copy of the film, at least you can pre-order it on iTunes†

Those who want to wait a few months can buy the Belle Blu-ray/DVD combo, which will be released on May 17 and features several documentaries about the project, including a behind-the-scenes look at the music and the director’s commentary. Some features, such as an exclusive performance of Gales of Song by English voice actress Kylie McNeill, are only available on the Blu-ray disc.

Currently, the SteelBook Blu-ray pre-order is sold out at Target retailersbut check for more information on future availability.