With two anime features in the top 30 features in the U.S., these are heady times for otaku, who have been battling for public acceptance for anime (and the ability to see their favorite films on big screens with good sound) for years.  Cowboy Bebop:  The Movie opened strong on 19 screens in New York and Los Angeles last weekend, grossing $234,000, according to Box Office Mojo.  That puts its per screen average at $12,000+, second only to Good Thief, which opened on even fewer screens (9). 

 

Spirited Away grossed $1,034,000, off 41% from its $1,765,000 last week, on approximately the same number of screens (714).  That brings it to $8.9 million since it opened last year.  It was the #18 film for the weekend.