Crunchyroll Acquires Select Global Theatrical Rights and Announces North American Date for Anime Soccer Spin-off, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, at Cinemacon

CRUNCHYROLL ACQUIRES SELECT GLOBAL THEATRICAL RIGHTS AND ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN DATE FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ANIME SOCCER SPIN-OFF, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, AT CINEMACON

BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, a new story focusing on the fan-favorite character Nagi Seishiro, is the first film in the action-packed sports anime BLUE LOCK series

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment set to bring the film to theaters in North America on June 28, 2024

Culver City, California (April 9, 2023) – Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, announced today at CinemaCon that it has acquired the North American and select international theatrical rights in EMEA and Latin America for the highly anticipated soccer anime film BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will bring the sports thriller to theaters in North America beginning on June 28, 2024. The film will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles as well as dubbed in English. International dates to be announced.

The first film from the hit anime sports franchise, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- serves as a side story to the series, following high schooler Nagi Seishiro as he discovers his hidden talent for soccer. The first season of BLUE LOCK is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Official Film Synopsis:
“That's a hassle.” That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro's favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi's hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. What awaits him there is an encounter with the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi's dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he's never known.

A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him....now, striker Nagi Seishiro's incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.

Credits: Directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa. Original story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro. Manga by Kōta Sannomiya. Character Design by Yūsuke Nomura. Composition and Screenplay by Taku Kishimoto. Music by Jun Murayama. Produced by Eightbit.

About BLUE LOCK:
BLUE LOCK follows the dreams of 300 high school students who aim to become an absolute ace striker and lead the Japan's Men's National Team to win the next World Cup tournament. However, if they are eliminated from the BLUELOCK training program they will never be able to play for the national team and their career is finished. Only one whose ego and skill triumphs over all will emerge on top. Based on the award-winning manga of the same name written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, illustrated by Yūsuke Nomura and serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine with over 30 million copies in circulation, the anime debuted in October 2022 and was one of the most popular series during its simulcast season.

About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.

Films distributed and marketed by Crunchyroll – domestically and internationally – have a proven track record of both box office and critical success. Not only have Crunchyroll films seen box office success, but have also been recognized with numerous awards accolades and been accepted and screened at international film festivals around the globe.