Japanese studio Toei Animation (Dragon Ball Z) has announced its latest project: a CG-animated English-language film titled Hypergalactic (pictured).

Hypergalactic follows a teen girl and her younger brother on a quest to find their missing parents with help from the forgotten protector of Earth. Artist and game designer Naoto Oshima co-created this original IP with producer Joseph Chou (Ghost in the Shell). Oshima is best known for his work as one of the creators of the iconic SEGA property Sonic the Hedgehog. 

The project marks Toei’s most “ambitious” feature to date. The family-friendly film was directed by David N. Weiss (Shrek 2, The Smurfs), and its English voice cast includes Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect), Elsie Fisher (Despicable Me) and Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Zootopia).

Now in post-production, Hypergalactic is targeting global appeal by combining “a Japanese anime aesthetic and a Western approach to storytelling,” Toei producer Yoshi Ikezawa noted in a release. 

Parisian sales agent Charades is repping the project worldwide. Charades and Toei Animation advisor Kevin Iwashina will present the film at the European Film Market, which runs from February 15 to 21 in Berlin.

Toei has been generating a strong track record at the global box office with its features, including sports-centric The First Slam Dunk (US$279 million) and action-fantasy One Piece Film: Red (US$246.7 million). Both 2022 releases rank among the highest-grossing Japanese movies of all time.