Press Releases

Culver City, CA (April 28, 2020) -- Funimation, the leading global anime content provider and a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television (SPT), has teamed up with Bigscreen, the leading virtual reality software platform, to program an ongoing slate of popular anime films from My Hero Academia: Two Heroes to Attack on Titan and more for Bigscreen’s massive virtual reality audience. The virtual anime movie theater launches with over 30 movies with additional new releases and popular titles added throughout the year. To kick off the launch, Funimation and Bigscreen have programmed special weekend screenings of films starting May 1 with fan favorite Your Name.

“Anime has never been more popular and we’re pleased to be working with Bigscreen to bring new releases and classics to their audience,” said Colin Decker, General Manager of Funimation. “Anime has always been built around community and shared experiences. Enabling fans to connect through the magic of VR is a natural expression of our commitment to connect fans with the art and culture of Anime through innovative experiences.”  

The special live film screenings that begin May 1 are a chance for viewers around the country to co-view the movie in virtual reality. Bigscreen supports infinite concurrent viewers to watch live together in groups of up to 8 people per theater room. The films are broadcast live on a pay-per-view basis at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern) and cost $3.99.

In addition to live events, Bigscreen also has an on-demand movie catalog of hundreds of 2D & 3D movies. After the virtual theatrical screening, films will become available on-demand (VOD). For the full list of upcoming screenings and showtimes, visit bigscreenvr.com/events.

“We are excited to partner with Funimation to host anime film screenings in VR,” said Darshan Shankar, CEO and Founder of Bigscreen. “Our unique platform enables people to hang out with anime fans from around the world and watch their favorite anime together.” 

In Bigscreen's virtual world, users can customize personal avatars, hang out in a virtual lobby, and voice chat with other movie fans. Movies are streamed on screens inside virtual cinemas, providing a social movie watching experience. Users can enjoy films alone or invite up to seven friends to join them in a theater. 

Bigscreen can be downloaded for free from bigscreenvr.com and runs on the Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, HTC Vive, Valve Index, all SteamVR headsets, and all Microsoft Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

Upcoming Anime Events on Bigscreen: (Live movie events begin 6PM PST/ 9PM ET)

• May 1: Your Name
• May 8: My Hero Academia: Two Heroes
• May 15: Akira
• May 21: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
•  May 29: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
• June 5: Sword of the Stranger
• June 12: I Am A Hero

Anime Movies Available for VOD on Bigscreen: 

• Your Name 
• Planetarian: Storyteller of the Stars 
• The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Movie 
• The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 
• Steins Gate Movie 
• Strike Witches Movie 
• Fairy Tail Dragon Cry Movie 
• Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess 
• Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie 
• Akira 
• Attack on Titan Part 1 
• Attack on Titan Part 2 
• Shin Godzilla 
• I Am A Hero 
• Parasyte Part 1 
• Parasyte Part 2 
• My Hero Academia: Two Heroes 
• Boy and the Beast
• Triguns Badland Rumble
• Death Note: Light Up the New World
• Death Note
• Death Note: The Last Name
• Psycho-Pass: The Movie 
• Eden of the East: Air Communication 
• Eden of the East: King of Eden 
• Eden of the East: Paradise Lost 
• Assassination Classroom The Movie: 365 Days' Time
• Garo: Divine Flame
• Black Butler:  Book of the Atlantic
• Sword of the Stranger
• The School Idol Movie: Over the Rainbow

About Bigscreen
Bigscreen is a leading virtual reality software platform with 1.5+ Million users. In Bigscreen’s virtual world, users can hangout and watch movies, TV and sports with friends in virtual movie theater environments. Users can customize their avatars, and voice chat with friends. Founded in 2014 by chief executive Darshan Shankar, Bigscreen is headquartered in San Francisco, California and has raised $14 Million in venture capital funding from True Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.

About Funimation
Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is the go-to destination for extraordinary anime. By combining its integrated in-house studios along with its technology and distribution partnerships, Funimation leads the industry with its omnichannel approach to offering anime to fans – from streaming and home entertainment, to theatrical distribution and broadcast television. The company's next generation streaming service provides subscribers with instant access to their favorite sub and dub shows in ad-free HD on the widest array of devices and platforms—from smartphones and tablets to TVs and gaming consoles. For more information about Funimation, visit funimation.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Contact:
Jennifer St. Clair
jennifer.stclair@funimation.com