‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ Will Be Crunchyroll’s First Global Theatrical Release
Crunchyroll and Toei Animation have announced that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will get a worldwide release this summer.
According to Crunchyroll, this will be the first “truly globally-distributed theatrical release” for the company.
The film’s official synopsis reads:
The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals who carry on its spirit have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes,” but start attacking Piccolo and Gohan. What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the second film in the Dragon Ball Super franchise. Its predecesor, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, came out in 2018 and has grossed over $120 million at the box office globally. It currently ranks as the fifth highest-grossing anime film at the U.S. box office of all time, having only recently been passed by Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
Anime features have proved to be among the most buoyant at the post-pandemic box office. In addition to the success of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission broke its franchise global box office record late last year, eventually pulling in nearly $50 million globally. And earlier in 2021, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train became the first anime title in decades to reach number one at the U.S. box office, eventually grossing more than $500 million globally.
In Japan, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will get a theatrical release on June 11. In other territories, the film will begin being hitting theaters in August. Subtitled and dubbed versions will be available depending on territory. Crunchyroll is handling North American distribution, and partnering with its parent company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, on global.
“For more than 30 years, the Dragon Ball franchise has delighted fans around the globe who have followed the world’s greatest warriors who defend Earth from forces of evil,” said Rahul Purini, president of Crunchyroll. “We’re thrilled to partner with Toei Animation to bring fans the latest chapter of Dragon Ball Super to the legion of super fans eager to continue the adventure and to grow the anime audiences who are discovering it for the first time.”