Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO topped the U.S. box office in its opening weekend, shattering expectations by summoning an impressive $21 million in North American ticket sales.

The anime film is being distributed in North America by Crunchyroll, which specializes in anime film and television. “We’re absolutely thrilled that ‘Dragon Ball’ fans could come together to experience and enjoy this amazing film in theaters,” Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll’s senior VP of global commerce, said in a statement. “Crunchyroll thanks all of the fans, whether or not you are a ‘super’ fan or a newcomer, and we hope they come back again and again.”

Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO follows two warriors, Piccolo and Gohan, as they face down an attack by a pair of ultimate Androids that call themselves “Super Heroes” and combat the schemes of the villainous Red Ribbon Army.

The film is also a big hit among critics, garnering a 92% Tomatometer score in Rotten Tomatoes, with a glorious critical consensus: “Blending beautifully animated action with fresh character development, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO is everything fans of the franchise will be looking for.”

The New York Times called the film “exquisitely gratifying,” while Los Angeles Times wrote the movie “is a must see for fans that salutes one of the series’ best relationships.”

Variety raved that the film “mostly finds a sweet spot between fan service and narrative heft,” as The Guardian endorsed that “SUPER HERO’s eye candy animation is mesmeric.”

Finally, Den of Geek hailed “Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO is a celebration of what’s made Dragon Ball great for more than 35 years, but it also leaves the franchise in a place that’s more liberated than ever before.”

Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO opens exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines starting this August 31.

Watch the film’s trailer below:

About Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO

Distributor: This is the first truly globally-distributed theatrical release for Crunchyroll and is distributed in North America by Crunchyroll. Internationally, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Synopsis: 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”. They 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!

Official Description: The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball’s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.

The Dragon Ball phenomena began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” – becoming a top ranked title throughout its 10 and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s popularity has continued to grow with an astonishing record of 260 million copies sold worldwide and counting. And with Dragon Ball’s ever-increasing popularity, it has expanded beyond manga to include TV animation, movies, games and merchandising. Now 38 years after the launch of the original manga, Dragon Ball continues to evolve and will reach new heights starting with this new large-scale movie.

In Philippine cinemas August 31, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #DragonBallSuperSuperHero

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”