Japanese anime feature “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” triumphed at the North American box office, debuting in the top spot at $17.3 million and besting a much-anticipated biopic about Bruce Springsteen, industry estimates showed Sunday.

“Chainsaw Man,” from Sony and Crunchyroll, had already scored big successes in Japan and across Asia, noted analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

It tells the dark fantasy story of orphaned teenager Denji, who is killed by the yakuza but reborn by merging with his pet devil to become Chainsaw Man. While fighting devils, Denji develops a romantic interest in Reze, who works at a cafe.

“But it’s not just Asia. Anime is doing well everywhere now, including in Europe and Latin America. This is a worldwide phenomenon,” Gross said.

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