ok so if you've been watching anime twitter mourn for months because Japan got this one and we didn't, the wait is finally almost over. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment just confirmed the U.S. release date for one of the biggest anime films of 2026, and they dropped a new look at it while they were at it, which feels intentional. Like they knew we were starving.

The movie opened in Japan earlier this year and did exactly what everyone expected it to do, which is print money and break local records while the rest of us sat here dodging spoilers with varying levels of success. Personally I lasted about eleven days. No regrets, some regrets.

Per ComicBook.com, Crunchyroll is bringing it stateside in partnership with Sony Pictures, and the rollout will include both subtitled and English dubbed screenings. So the dub people and the sub people can finally stop fighting in my mentions and just be wrong in two separate theaters instead.

The new look they released is short, more of a tease than a full trailer, but it's doing its job. The animation is the kind where you can immediately tell the studio went feral on certain sequences and you will absolutely be hearing about which specific cut broke the internet the weekend it drops. It always happens. There's always one cut. I already have a screenshot saved that I'm not spoiling for anyone.

What I'll say without ruining anything: if you've been following this franchise, the hype is legitimate and not just algorithm noise. This is one of those releases where the theatrical experience is genuinely part of it. Big screen, big sound, a room full of people losing it at the same moment. That's the whole reason I still go to theaters, and my grandma Elizabeth used to say the same thing about concerts, so apparently it's genetic.

Tickets aren't on sale yet as far as I can tell, but based on how this summer has gone, when they do go live you should not sleep on it. Have we learned nothing from the ticket madness of the last few months? Buy early. Set the alarm. Befriend someone who works at a theater if you have to.

I'll drop exact theater and IMAX details as soon as they're confirmed, and yes, I'll be there opening weekend. Subbed, sorry not sorry. Come fight me about it in the comments or don't, I'll be busy.