Digital Magazine – Sony made a surprising yet thrilling appearance at CinemaCon, with Adrian Smith, Sony’s domestic distribution chief, introducing Crunchyroll’s inaugural presentation at the prestigious Las Vegas event. Smith proudly highlighted the impressive achievements of Crunchyroll, expressing Sony’s excitement for the future of this beloved anime streaming service.

Crunchyroll’s New Acquisitions and Releases

During the presentation, Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll’s SVP of Global Commerce, unveiled an array of exciting new acquisitions, theatrical release dates, and teasers for upcoming anime features. Among the newly acquired films for North America and select international markets are:

  • Blue Lock The Movie – Episode Nagi: A highly anticipated addition to the sports anime genre.
  • Overlord – The Sacred Kingdom: An isekai adventure that continues the popular Overlord series.
  • HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle: Set to release on May 31 in North America, this film is eagerly awaited by fans of the franchise.

Spy x Family Code: White

One of the standout moments of the presentation was the sneak peek at Spy x Family Code: White. Berger showcased 10 minutes of footage from this first film installment of the beloved television series. Set to hit North American cinemas on April 19, this movie promises to deliver the same charm and excitement that has captivated audiences worldwide.

The Global Phenomenon of Anime

Berger took the opportunity to educate the audience on the massive global popularity of anime, describing it as “truly a lifestyle.” He highlighted that anime boasts one billion fans worldwide and generated an impressive $14 billion last year. The industry is projected to reach a staggering $37 billion at the global box office this year, underscoring its significant cultural and economic impact.

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle: A Box Office Hit

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle has already proven to be a major success in Japan, grossing over $60 million since its release on March 29. This makes it the biggest local title of the year so far. The film follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, who joins Karasuno High’s volleyball club to emulate his idol, the “Little Giant.” Alongside his former middle school rival, Tobio Kageyama, Hinata must navigate their clashing styles to face their ultimate rivals, Nekoma High, in the epic “Dumpster Battle.”

Directed and written by Susumu Mitsunaka, with the original story by Haruichi Furudate, this Production I.G. film promises to be a thrilling continuation of the beloved series.

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom

Another exciting announcement was the upcoming release of Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom. This marks the first theatrical film from the popular Overlord franchise, based on the light novels by Kugane Maruyama. Directed by Naoyuki Ito and produced by Madhouse, the film continues the saga of Momonga, a regular salaryman who finds himself trapped in his favorite video game. Specific release dates are yet to be announced, but fans are eagerly anticipating this new adventure.

International Release Dates for HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle

Crunchyroll has also announced the international release dates for HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle, ensuring that fans around the world can enjoy the highly anticipated film. Here are the scheduled dates:

  • May 30: Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru
  • May 31: Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
  • June 7: Turkey
  • June 12: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland (French-speaking)
  • June 25: Austria, Germany
  • June 27: Switzerland (German-speaking)

Conclusion

Sony’s presence at CinemaCon, highlighted by Crunchyroll’s exciting announcements, underscores the growing influence and popularity of anime. With new films, release dates, and exclusive previews, anime fans have much to look forward to in the coming months.

Source : Deadline.com

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