You Can Watch Anime Movies Theater Again (Sort Of)

Many people miss going to the movie theater. Heading to your local cineplex, getting some popcorn, and watching the latest blockbuster isn't really possible right now, considering the current pandemic. However, Funimation is teaming with Bigscreen, a virtual reality company, to bring going to the movies back into your life.

Obviously, you won't be able to physically visit the theater, but you can hang out in a virtual reality theater to watch some anime with like-minded people. Funimation and Bigscreen will offer live movie screenings in the virtual environment, which you can see in the video below.

The virtual movie theater will launch with over 30 movies, kicking things off on May 1 with Your Name. The virtual experience for live viewing will cost $4 and begin at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET, and Bigscreen supports an infinite concurrent viewership--watching live.

Additionally, there is an on-demand catalog of 2D and 3D movies to watch--and after the virtual screening of the live films, they will be available on-demand. The Bigscreen site will have additional news about upcoming releases.

"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."

On Bigscreen, you can customize personal avatars and hang out in a virtually lobby, using voice chat. Users can also watch a movie with seven of their friends as well. Bigscreen is a free download and runs on Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, HTC Vive, Valve Index, all SteamVR headsets, and all Microsoft Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

Below, you'll find all the info about upcoming releases for live events and VOD.

And speaking of things you should be watching, consider listening to GameSpot's weekly TV series and movies-focused podcast, You Should Be Watching. With new episodes premiering every Wednesday, you can watch a video version of the podcast over on GameSpot Universe or listen to audio versions on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.

Upcoming Anime Events on Bigscreen: (Live movie events begin 6 PM PT/ 9 PM 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