'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' Opens At #1 At The US Box Office

Dragon Ball is one of the biggest anime franchises there is. Nearly 40 years since it first hit Japanese screens it's still delighting fans the world over. And arguably, it's bigger than ever.

The latest instalment Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero opened in cinemas in the United States, Canada, The UK, Ireland and several other territories on August 18. It's been pulling in some impressive numbers, enough to shoot to the top spot in the US box-office chart. It took more than an estimated $20.1 million- enough to fend off the Idris Elba vs a Lion movie Beast.

In its opening weekend alone, Super Hero has taken enough to rank the sixth highest earning anime feature in US box office history. Don't be surprised if it climbs higher.

The film is the first in the franchise that is mostly animated in 3D CG, and sees the return of Goku's old foes The Red Ribbon Army. It's directed by Tetsuro Kodama, with heavy involvement from original creator Akira Toriyama.

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!

This marks the widest theatrical release yet from Crunchyroll hitting more than 4,000 screens in more than 3100 locations in North America alone. It's also playing in premium formats including IMAX, DBox and 4DX. The film is available in both English dubbed and subtitled formats.

"We’re absolutely thrilled that Dragon Ball fans could come together to experience and enjoy this amazing film in theatres," Mitchel Berger, Senior Vice President of Global Commerce said. "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."