The U.S. summer box office is about to get an anime bump.
Sony’s Crunchyroll and Toei Animation revealed release details Tuesday for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the latest film in the blockbuster anime franchise. The film will open in North America on Aug. 19 in more than 2,300 theaters, including in select Imax cinemas. The first truly global theatrical release by Crunchyroll, Super Hero will also release in international markets throughout August and September, with Sony Pictures Entertainment partnering on the overseas rollout.
After decades of ups and downs in international popularity, Japanese anime has crossed over into the global mainstream in recent years, becoming a powerfully bankable genre in both cinemas and on streaming platforms.