Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • 9 Story & Trustbridge Team Up for ‘Judy Moody,’ ‘Dasher’ Toon Adaptations

    9 Story & Trustbridge Team Up for ‘Judy Moody,’ ‘Dasher’ Toon Adaptations

    9 Story Media Group (Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) announced today it has entered into a co- development agreement with Trustbridge Entertainment (Maisy Mouse, The Circus Ship) on two best-selling children’s books from Candlewick Press. The partners plan to co-create new animated programs based on the Judy Moody book series and the holiday picture book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever.

    “We are so thrilled to be working with Trustbridge on these beloved book properties,” said Natalie Osborne, Chief Strategy Officer for 9 Story Media Group. “Partnering with Trustbridge furthers our
    strategy of joining forces with best-in-class partners to bring cherished characters and stories to global audiences.”

    Under the terms of the deal, 9 Story and Trustbridge will co-develop and co-produce the properties with animation by 9 Story’s Oscar-nominated studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story’s distribution division holds worldwide distribution rights (excluding China), and Trustbridge Entertainment maintains global merchandising and licensing rights.

    The Judy Moody book series was first published in 2000 and quickly became an international best-seller. Written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, the franchise includes the original Judy Moody series and three spin-off book series: Stink, Judy Moody and Stink and Judy Moody and Friends, along with a feature film released in 2011. To date, there are more than 43 million Judy Moody books in print worldwide, translated into 26 languages.

    Hitting the New York Times Best Seller list from 2019-2022, Dasher is a heartwarming holiday picture book from author/illustrator Matt Tavares about how it came to be that reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. A sequel, Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas, was released in fall 2023.

    “Judy Moody and Dasher are two preeminent titles, and we wanted a preeminent partner to help us bring these stories and characters to animated life. And we found that in 9 Story,” said Bob Higgins, President of Trustbridge Entertainment. “From storytelling to visual execution, they’ve proven to be exceptional, and we are lucky to be in such talented hands.”

  • Trailer: Disney+ Unmasks ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Final Season

    Trailer: Disney+ Unmasks ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Final Season

    Star Wars: The Bad Batch

    Disney+ has released the trailer and teaser poster for the final season of acclaimed Lucasfilm Animation series Star Wars: The Bad Batch, a spinoff from the Emmy Award-winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This third and final season of the critically acclaimed CG series will debut Wednesday, February 21 with the first three episodes; see below for episode release schedule.

    Synopsis: In the epic final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the Batch will have their limits tested in the fight to reunite with Omega as she faces challenges of her own inside a remote Imperial science lab. With the group fractured and facing threats from all directions, they will have to seek out unexpected allies, embark on dangerous missions, and muster everything they have learned to free themselves from the Empire.

    Star Wars: The Bad Batch features the voices of Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad!), Michelle Ang (Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462), Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), Noshir Dalal (It’s Pony) and Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws).

    The series is executive produced by Dave Filoni (Ahsoka, The Mandalorian), Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Brad Rau (Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance), Jennifer Corbett (Star Wars Resistance, NCIS) and Carrie Beck (Ahsoka, The Mandalorian), with Josh Rimes (Star Wars Resistance, Star Wars: Visions) as co-executive producer and Alex Spotswood (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) as senior producer. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer.

    The Bad Batch S3 Episode Schedule:

    • 2/21:  Episode 301 “Confined,” Episode 302 “Paths Unknown,” Episode 303 “Shadows of Tantiss” (debut)
    • 2/28:  Episode 304 “A Different Approach”
    • 3/6:    Episode 305 “The Return”
    • 3/13:  Episode 306 “Infiltration” & Episode 307 “Extraction”
    • 3/20:  Episode 308 “Bad Territory”
    • 3/27:  Episode 309 “The Harbinger”
    • 4/3:    Episode 310 “Identity Crisis” & Episode 311 “Point of No Return”
    • 4/10:  Episode 312 “Juggernaut”
    • 4/17:  Episode 313 “Into the Breach”
    • 4/24:  Episode 314 “Flash Strike”
    • 5/1:    Episode 315 “The Cavalry Has Arrived” (series finale)

  • Kartoon Studios Expands Content Slate, Appoints Industry Vet Gregg Goldin

    Kartoon Studios Expands Content Slate, Appoints Industry Vet Gregg Goldin

    Kartoon Studios announces a significant increase in content production and development planned for 2024 for the Company’s Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Networks and Mainframe Studios, as well as broadcast and streaming partners including Netflix, Disney Channel and others.

    The new year kicks off with a roster of properties in production and/or development, including Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders and three series for Frederator Networks: Land of Boggs; Chikn’ Nuggit, in partnership with BuzzFeed Animation Lab; and an adult animated comedy series in partnership with Wheelhouse DNA, starring internet sensation Adam W, who was named one of “The 20 Most Influential Creators” by Rolling Stone Magazine with over 50 million followers across his channels.

    “We have significantly streamlined our operations and have built a highly scalable infrastructure. With the increase in content production and other initiatives to be announced in early 2024 to drive revenue, we are well on our way to achieving our goal of sustained profitability,” commented Brian Parisi, CFO. “It should be noted that our streaming service Kartoon Channel! achieved break even in 2023, only three years after launch, and is expected to move to profitability in 2024, alongside Netflix. Kartoon Channel! continues to dominate the User Rankings in the Apple app store among all services delivering kids’ content.”

    Kartoon Channel Apple user ratings

    The Company has also appointed Gregg Goldin, former creative executive at DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network and MTV, to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Development & Production.

    Goldin joins Kartoon Studios with over 20 years of experience in animation and live-action content development and production, overseeing highly successful movies and series across multiple genres, including DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster franchises How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and Fast & Furious. In this new role, Goldin will be responsible for heading up development and production for both new and original IP to deliver to the marketplace. Goldin will report jointly to Kartoon Studios’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward and COO Michael Jaffa.

    “As we enter a significant phase of growth in our development and production pipeline this year, with productions in the works for our Kartoon Channel! and Frederator Networks, we are thrilled to welcome a creative executive with Gregg’s pedigree to drive our content business. He has managed the development of some of the industry’s most successful franchises while at DreamWorks and Cartoon Network, and he will be an invaluable asset as we continue to build our IP catalog for global distribution,” noted Heyward. “As Kartoon Channel achieved breakeven this last year, and drives to enhance profitability in 2024, Gregg will be pivotal in fueling the service with top tier content, as he did so successfully for DreamWorks Animation at Netflix.”

    Goldin commented, “Andy has made enormous contributions to the animation industry over the years, and I’m thrilled to work with him and the team at Kartoon Studios as we significantly ramp up over the next couple of years with new IP coming to market.”

    Goldin joins Kartoon Studios following a 10-year tenure at DreamWorks Animation, where he served as Vice President of Current Series, overseeing multiple series in production. In this capacity, he also generated and pitched show presentations to marketing, franchise partners, publishers, retail buyers and network/streamers, facilitating new series launches and providing opportunities for consumer product programs.

    Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Goldin guided the development and production of live-action and animated series and pilots at Cartoon Network, as well as a slate of original made-for-TV movies for seven years as Director of Development, Current & Original Series, including two Ben 10 live-action features and Scooby-Doo prequel movies. Previously, he served as Director of Development at MTV Films, contributing to the development and production of a robust slate of feature films, including Crossroads (Britney Spears), Jackass: The Movie, Save the Last Dance (Julia Stiles), Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) and Fighting Temptations (Beyoncé).

    kartoonstudios.com

  • Disney & Kugali Launch Pioneering Event Series ‘Iwájú’ Feb. 28

    Disney & Kugali Launch Pioneering Event Series ‘Iwájú’ Feb. 28

    Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first-of-its-kind collaboration with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali is ready to take to screens, as the all-new six-part event series Iwájú sets its streaming premiere exclusively on Disney+ on February 28 in the U.S. (Release timing and distribution platform information for select regions, including Nigeria, to be announced soon.)

    Synopsis: Iwájú is an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola, a young girl from the wealthy island, and her best friend, Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds.

    Kugali filmmakers — including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku — take viewers on a unique journey into the world of Iwájú, bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos.

    Iwájú © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
    Iwájú © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

    The series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen with a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson. Iwájú features the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.

    “Crafting the narrative of Iwájú has been a journey of creative alchemy, blending the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future,” said Adeola. “Collaborating with my Kugali co-founders and the visionary artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios has been nothing short of magical. The heartbeat of my hometown resonates through every scene, and I am thrilled for the world to experience this unique fusion of tradition and futurism.”

    Also debuting Feb. 28 on Disney+ is Iwájú: A Day Ahead, a documentary special filmed across three continents that shares the story of the founders of Kugali, who made their dream a reality. Created by the ABC News Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios team behind Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2, the documentary ‘shows anything is possible when talent meets opportunity.’ Iwájú: A Day Ahead is directed by Megan Harding and executive produced by Amy Astley and Beth Hoppe.

    Iwájú © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
    Iwájú © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
  • Kaboom Animation Festival Announces 2024 Official Selection

    Kaboom Animation Festival Announces 2024 Official Selection

    Organizers of the Kaboom Animation Festival have announced the Official Selection for the 2024, featuring a lineup of 178 films and VR works from around the globe. This edition offers visitors nine categories to explore, including International Shorts, Dutch Shorts, Commissioned Shorts, Shorts for Kids, Short Docs, VR Projects and the specially curated New Directions, Poetry in Motion and Bonkers Shorts sections.

    Kaboom will run April 5-14 in Amsterdam, Utrecht and online. The Netherlands festival is an Oscar-qualifying competition, with the winners of the International Short and Dutch Professional Short categories eligible for consideration for the Academy Awards short film race.

    In addition to the animated film contest, the event also offers visitors Kaboom Industry Days (April 9-10) at HKU in Utrecht, focusing on young talent on the first day, and dedicated to animation industry pros on the second. Tickets for Kaboom 2024 will go on sale March 8.

    The films competing in the International Shorts program are listed below; find the full lineup on the Kaboom website here.

    In alphabetical order:

    • 27 — Flóra Anna Buda (France, Hungary)
    • Aaaah! — Osman Cerfon (France)
    • Architect A — Jonghoon Lee (South Korea)
    • Beautiful Men — Nicolas Keppens (Belgium, The Netherlands, France)
    • Box Cutters — Naomi van Niekerk (France, The Netherlands, South Africa)
    • The Cactus — Ricardo Kump (Brazil)
    • Compound Eyes of Tropical — Zhan Zhang-Xu (Taiwan)
    • Cuddle — Margot Reumont (Belgium)
    • Dessert Dachshund — Betina Bozek (Poland)
    • Drijf — Levi Stoops (Belgium)
    • Electra — Daria Kashcheeva (Czech Republic, France, Slovakia)
    • Fox Tossing — Zénó Mira (Hungary)
    • Frozen Frog — Yiyang Sun (China)
    • The Garden of Heart — Oliver Hegyi (Hungary)
    • I’m Perfectly Fine — Dario van Vree (The Netherlands, Belgium)
    • Is Heaven Blue #2 — Menno de Nooijer, Paul de Nooijer (The Netherlands, Norway)
    • It’s Just a Whole — Bianca Scali (Germany)
    • A Kind of Testament — Stephen Vuillemin (France)
    • The Lovers — Carolina Sandvik (Sweden)
    • Martyr’s Guidebook — Maks Rzontkowski (Poland)
    • The Master of the Swamps — Sasha Svirksy (Germany)
    • Matta and Matto — Bianca Caderas, Kerstin Zemp (Switzerland)
    • Maurice’s Bar — Tzor Edery, Tom Prezman (France, Israel)
    • My Name Is Edgar and I Have a Cow — Filip Diviak (Czech Republic, Slovakia)
    • Noodles au Naturel — Matteo Salanave Piazza (France)
    • Nun or Never! — Heta Jäälinoja (Finland)
    • Our Love Is Immortal — Ender Yildizhan (Turkey)
    • Our Uniform — Yegane Moghaddam (Iran)
    • Peeing in the Wild — Emma Vandevelde (Belgium)
    • Peeping Mom — Francis Canitrot (France)
    • The Purple Season — Clémence Bouchereau (France)
    • Pushing Up Daisies — Chloé Farr (France)
    • Red Shoes — Diyala Muir (United Kingdom)
    • Republika — Antonia Begusic (Croatia)
    • Return — Lindong Chen (Japan)
    • Such Miracles Do Happen — Barbara Rupik (Poland)
    • Tomoyai — Masataka Kihara (Japan)
    • The Tree’s Home — Hyemi Kim (South Korea)
    • Wow — Faiyaz Jafri (Canada)
    • Yuck! — Loïc Espuche (France)
    • Zima — Tomek Popukul, Kasumi Ozeki (Poland)

    kaboomfestival.nl

  • Ellipse Animation Expands into Webtoon Production

    Ellipse Animation Expands into Webtoon Production

    French studio Ellipse Animation (The Adventures of Tintin, The Garfield Show, The Smurfs) is turning its 60-plus-years of production experience towards a new realm, announcing the company will be venturing into the local webtoon sector. Originating in South Korea and designed for screens, webtoon comics have become a worldwide phenomenon, while still largely produced in Asia. Ellipse will be basing its webtoon business at its studio in Angoulême, in southwest France, beginning this year.

    “Gen Z’s keen interest in webtoons is a planetary phenomenon,” said Ellipse Animation’s Managing Director, Caroline Audebert. “The market is anticipating strong demand by 2030, and Ellipse Animation — within the virtuous ecosystem of the Média-Participations group — wants to invest in this promising field.”

    The Média-Participations group, a European leader in publishing, media and entertainment, has already positioned itself on webtoons in several ways:

    • Comics outfit Dupuis has been creating webtoons with European and African authors since 2019, under the Webtoon Factory label.
    • Éditions Dargaud are currently developing new projects with author and publisher Maëva Poupard (a.k.a. Rutile), who is behind the success Colossale.
    • In March 2023, Média-Participations launched its webtoon platform ONO, managed by Ainara Ipas, with a selection of 300 series. ONO’s catalog consists of webtoons developed by Dupuis and Dargaud combined with the best of Asian series through a partnership with Kenaz, the largest independent Korean webtoon studio. The app has been downloaded more than 350,000 times.

    The group is now moving into a new phase with the creation of a webtoons production company within Ellipse Studio Angoulême, created to welcome talents, and especially the authors of tomorrow.

    Vertu de Saint-Cyr
    Vertu de Saint-Cyr ©Dargaud

    Ellipse Animation’s webtoon production in Angoulême is organized around two focal points. For one, the studio offers creative services as an executive producer serving the group’s publishers, ONO and other players in the sector — external publishers, producers, broadcasters, institutions, etc.

    “This involves setting up an industrial organization, where the division of is similar to that of animation, making it possible to adapt to the weekly publication required on applications,” said Arnaud Réguillet, Head of Ellipse Studio Angoulême.

    The studio will soon commence work on Rutile and animator/illustrator Yllogique’s series Vertu de Saint-Cyr, developed by Dargaud within a collection of four original French series for the ONO platform (ONO Originals) alongside Queen Cendrillon (by Pralinus and Helsenn), Zanni (Pralinus and Léa Rey-Mauzaize) and Magica Britannica (B. Rylia and Rann).

    In the mean time, Ellipse Animation is also looking to create original webtoons, both supported by creative talents from the very broad Angoulême studio ecosystem and by adapting animated films and series from its catalog to this format.

    The studio asserts that establishing a French webtoon sector in Angoulême will enable the development of new skills in France and sustainable jobs in the region, while supporting the natural hybridization of all the professions in the picture industry.

    “This new activity will allow us both to retain talents and to attract new ones. Webtoons are also major strategic assets for creating tomorrow’s transmedia IPs. The idea is to develop original titles with a global reach and adapt them in several formats, including animation, thanks to the different entities in the group,” explained Audebert.

    “The organization and professionalization of the sector also involves the training of artists, technicians and producers. It is the next step on which we are currently working hand in hand with the teams from ONO.”

    At the Angoulême Comic Book Festival (BD Angoulême; January 25-28; bdangouleme.com), Maëva Poupard, Ainara Ipas and Arnaud Reguillet will participate in a round table entitled “Rethinking the French webtoon, from production to adaptation.” The session will be held Friday, January 26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Espace Nouvelle Création, Amphithéâtre de l’ENJMIN on rue de Bordeaux. Entry is free with festival accreditation.

    ellipseanimation.com

  • Sony Pictures Classics Opens ‘The Peasants’ in L.A. Feb. 2

    Sony Pictures Classics Opens ‘The Peasants’ in L.A. Feb. 2

    The Peasants

    The Peasants, the new hand-painted animated feature from Loving Vincent filmmakers DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman, will make its U.S. public exhibition debut on February 2, screening at the Laemmle Royal on Santa Monica Boulevard in Las Angeles. The ambitious, laboriously crafted adaptation of the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Polish author Wladyslaw Reymont is produced by Breakthru Films and distributed Stateside by Sony Pictures Classics.

    Synopsis: The Peasants tells the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village — a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by pride in their land, adherence to colorful traditions and deep-rooted patriarchy. When Jagna finds herself caught between the conflicting desires of the village’s richest farmer, his eldest son, and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic collision course with the community around her.

    One of the 33 films qualified to compete for the Best Animated Feature prize at the 96th Oscars, The Peasants made its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival to an enthusiastic critical reception, and was also an official selection of the American Film Institute’s 2023 AFI Film Festival. Sony Pictures Classics acquired all rights to the film in North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Australia/New Zealand.

    Written and directed by DK and Hugh Welchman, The Peasants was hand-painted by an international team of artists who created oil painting based on live-action footage. The film stars Kamila Urzędowska as Jagna, Robert Gulaczyk as Antek and Mirosław Baka as Maciej. Cinematography was handled by Radosław Ładczuk, Kamil Polak and Szymon Kuriata, while the story is carried by a score by conceptual musician and hip-hop artist Łukasz Rostkowski (a.k.a. L.U.C), incorporating traditional Polish instruments, vocals and contemporary twists on the nation’s folk music.

  • Qai Qai Takes the Mic in New Music Collab with Republic Records & Invisible Universe

    Qai Qai Takes the Mic in New Music Collab with Republic Records & Invisible Universe

    Republic Records: Kids & Family announced today they have entered into a partnership with internet-first animation studio Invisible Universe to create an array of original music projects starring the studio’s breakout social media sensation, Qai Qai (pronounced “Kway-kway”) . Inspired by Serena Willams’ daughter Olympia’s favorite doll, the quick-witted character with an affinity for music and dance has won over more than 5 million followers.

    “Kids & Family is a natural extension of Republic Records and our goal always remains the same. It’s not about making ‘kids’ music, it’s about making great music accessible to all audiences. Qai Qai is a perfect example of this initiative,” commented Republic Records Founder & CEO Monte Lipman.

    The team up has resulted in a new original song, “Dancing on the Moon,” produced by Grammy nominated and multi-platinum selling music producer and songwriter Johnny Goldstein, who has worked with The Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, John Legend, 30 Seconds to Mars and Flo Rida. Twelve-year-old Broadway sensation Sydney Elise Russell (The Lion King, Frozen) provides the singing voice of Qai Qai. The tune comes alive in an official animated music video, which premiered online today (watch it below).

    “Olympia loved seeing Sydney Russell perform on Broadway in The Lion King and is so excited to listen to her sing as Qai Qai on the upcoming album,” said Williams. “Watching Invisible Universe and Republic Records: Kids & Family make this first song a reality has been amazing. Our family can’t wait to listen, sing along and dance to Qai Qai’s new music.”

    Republic Records: Kids & Family SVP Bree Bowles added, “The alliance between Qai Qai and Republic Records: Kids & Family felt seamless from the beginning. Music discovery via social media is undeniable and given that Qai Qai found her audience on TikTok, implementing a music strategy for the brand presents an exciting opportunity. Sydney’s showstopping voice brought the music vision to life, and we’ve been able to craft something that can be enjoyed by the whole family with the support of some incredible producers and songwriters.”

    Qai Qai was brought to life by Invisible Universe in partnership with Williams. The studio exploits a modern avenue to launch new animated brands by starting on social media, where the brands build audience and affinity, before they expand into other media. Qai Qai has built a loyal community of fans, with an engagement rate of 10% across social platforms, which the studio points out is more than double the typical engagement for top creators.

    “Music truly resonates with Qai Qai’s audience and we see huge engagement on content featuring Qai Qai dancing or singing,” noted Tricia Biggio, Co-Founder & CEO of Invisible Universe. “The collaboration with Republic Records: Kids & Family and Johnny Goldstein feels like a natural evolution for the franchise and a way to more deeply engage Qai Qai’s massive community of fans. Qai Qai has broken boundaries on social media for years now and I can’t wait to watch her win a Grammy someday!”

    Children and their guardians can find more Qai Qai content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

  • ‘Twilight Daycare,’ First Animated Series Produced Entirely in Roblox, Uploads New Eps. after Smashing Debut

    ‘Twilight Daycare,’ First Animated Series Produced Entirely in Roblox, Uploads New Eps. after Smashing Debut

    Animation studio Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) and metaverse game developer, publisher and strategist Gamefam have teamed up to produce a genre-defining, immersive, scripted comedy series based on the hit Roblox experience Twilight Daycare (over 2 billion lifetime visits) — marking the first-ever animated series produced fully in the platform.

    Debuting last July during an exclusive five-day in-game window, Twilight Daycare: The Show! centers on a first-of-its-kind interactive roleplay experience. engaging 1.6 million viewers. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to the premiere, WSS and Gamefam are releasing five additional episodes of the show, every other week starting today (Friday, January 19).

    Twilight Daycare: The Show! is filled with off-the-wall baby antics and follows three teenage caretakers Lani, Miles and Tee working at Twilight Daycare. Under the watchful eye of their overbearing boss, Ms. Magdelin, the three go head-to-head with a gaggle of scheming, pranking, goofball babies — leading to ridiculous situations, more than one mix-up and a lot of diaper changes. It’s all a storyworld extension of the craziness happening in real time on Twilight Daycare on Roblox, where community members have fun connecting and communicating, roleplaying as babies, toddlers or caretakers, feeding, changing diapers, playing with toys, learning and going on incredible excursions.

    Players, following the viewing of the first 11-minute episode “Baby B or Not to Be,” immersed themselves in the interactive, roleplaying what they had seen within the show and embarking on a hide-and-seek quest through Twilight Daycare to find a missing baby. Participants received exclusive virtual items as a reward. Engagement was strong with over 580,000 players watching the complete episode and 350,000 completing the entire quest which included watching the episode, finding Baby B in the daycare and returning to the cinema to find Baby B again.

    “Wind Sun Sky is always looking to find new mediums and technologies to tell compelling stories and build exciting brands such as Twilight Daycare. Our partnership with Gamefam allowed us to bring our creative storytelling expertise to the unique genre of Roblox roleplay games — creating an innovative immersive format that we believe will be a huge hit not just with the game’s fans — but with global audiences who appreciate fan-tailored ‘metaverse’ experiences,” said Wind Sun Sky CEO Catherine Winder.

    “At Gamefam, we believe the next mega franchises will be born from the metaverse. With Twilight Daycare, and in partnership with Wind Sun Sky, we’ve flipped the script by developing a crazy cast of characters and a fun storyline that will be enjoyed by millions both on Roblox and far beyond,” said Alli Guglielmino, Senior Vice President of Growth at Gamefam. “The fan reaction to the animated series exceeded expectations and we’ll continue to listen to the 600,000 daily Twilight Daycare users on what they want to see and do next.”

    WSS is pursuing development of more scripted content in Roblox, including the recently announced Creatures of Sonaria. In collaboration with Gamefam, WSS adapted the popular immersive experience into a rich narrative universe through a hybrid approach of traditional animated production techniques and game engine technologies to produce the content. Twilight Daycare: The Show! is the first series from a Roblox experience to be adapted into a narrative franchise by WSS, with more to come.

    Since its release in March 2021, Twilight Daycare has attracted more than 2 billion visits to date, 82,000 virtual merchandise purchases and an average engagement time of 12.3 minutes per session. With the animated series, massive social media presence, and successful toy product line, the franchise’s footprint has transitioned far beyond the metaverse and into many forms of entertainment.

    To start, players can view the next two episodes of Twilight Daycare: The Show! — “Three Caretakers and a Baby Boss” (ep. 2) and “Babies Got Talent” (ep. 3) — within Twilight Daycare for free on Roblox via most platforms and devices, including consoles, PCs, mobile, and tablets. Additional episodes will be made available throughout February and March 2024.

    windsunsky.com | gamefam.com

  • Crunchyroll & Aniplex Set Global Theatrical Dates for ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-‘

    Crunchyroll & Aniplex Set Global Theatrical Dates for ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-‘

    Crunchyroll has announced international theatrical dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-, bringing Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps back to the big screen in a global theatrical event starting on February 21.

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will allow fans to revisit the gripping finale of the Swordsmith Village Arc in theaters for the first time, while getting a sneak peek at the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc in one extra-sized blockbuster experience.

    The screening event will be distributed in North American theaters, including in IMAX and premium large formats (PLFs), starting on February 23 by Aniplex of America, Crunchyroll, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-,
    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-,

    Global theatrical release dates include:

    • February 21: Malta
    • February 22: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,  Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela
    • February 23: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
    • February 24: Estonia, France (note: two-day event screening), Switzerland (French-speaking), and select countries in French-speaking Africa
    • February 27: Austria, Germany, Switzerland (German-speaking)
    • Additional territories’ theatrical dates, including India, to be announced soon.

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko’s triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.

    As previously announced, fans will also have an opportunity to attend special advanced fan screenings as part of a global World Tour, including select cities in Crunchyroll/Sony Picture Entertainment territories. A list of these territories and dates follows; unless otherwise noted, ticket-on-sale dates to be announced soon. For a list of all participating cities worldwide, please visit this link.

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-
    ©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
    • February 10: New York City, New York | Regal Union Square
      • Special Guests: Natsuki Hanae, Hiro Shimono & producer Yuma Takahashi
    • February 13: Berlin, Germany | UCI Kinowelt Colosseum
    • February 17: Mexico City, Mexico | Location to be announced
      • Special Guests: Takahiro Sakurai, Kengo Kawanishi & producer Yuma Takahashi
    • February 19: São Paulo, Brazil | Cinemark El Dorado
    • February 24: Paris, France | UGC Normandie
      • Special Guests: Natsuki Hanae, producer Yuma Takahashi, featuring a musical performance by milet
    • February 25: London, United Kingdom | BFI IMAX
      • Special Guests: Natsuki Hanae & producer Yuma Takahashi
    • An India World Tour stop date/location will be announced soon.

    Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- is based on the manga series by Koyoharu Gotoge published under SHUEISHA’s JUMP COMICS, which consists of 23 volumes and over 150 million copies in publication. The animation production is by ufotable.

    The story begins when Tanjiro Kamado, a boy whose family is killed by a demon, joins the Demon Slayer Corps to turn his younger sister Nezuko back into a human after she is transformed into a demon. In April 2019, the television anime series Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- first premiered with the Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc, followed by the release of the feature film Mugen Train in October 2020, and the television series Mugen Train Arc and Entertainment District Arc from October 2021, and the Swordsmith Village Arc from April 2023.

    Hashira Training Arcis directed by Haruo Sotozaki from a screenplay by ufotable; Akira Matsushima is character designer and chief animation director. The episodes are produced by ufotable, featuring additional character design by Miyuki Sato, Yoko Kajiyama and Mika Kikuchi, art direction by Koji Eto and music by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina.

  • Trailer: ‘Clone High’ Season 2 Is Ready to Remake History Feb. 1

    Trailer: ‘Clone High’ Season 2 Is Ready to Remake History Feb. 1

    Clone High

    Max today announced that the full 10-episode second season of the Max Original animated series Clone High debuts Thursday, February 1 on the platform. To celebrate, the streamer dropped the official trailer and key art for the next chapter in the reanimated adult animated comedy cult fave from Chris Miller, Phil Lord and Bill Lawrence.

    Synopsis: A modern refresh of the hit series of the same name, Clone High follows a high school for clones of the greatest minds in history. Twenty years after the original experiment was put on ice, Joan, JFK, Abe and Cleo have been thawed out to resume school with their new clone classmates — all while navigating a new set of cultural norms and overly dramatic teen relationships.

    Returning stars include Will Forte (voice of Abe) and Nicole Sullivan (Joan), executive producers Phil Lord (Scudworth) and Chris Miller (JFK and Mr. B), Christa Miller (Candide Sampson), Ayo Edebiri (Harriet), Mitra Jouhari (Cleo), Vicci Martinez (Frida), Kelvin Yu (Confucius), Neil Casey (Topher Bus) and Donald Faison (George Washington Carver).

    As previously announced, Season 2 guest stars include Jermaine Fowler (Toussaint Louverture), Paul F. Tompkins (Prof. Hirsute), Stephen Root (Schneider Snorkelle), Jackée Harry (Jackée the Ripper), Hannah Simone (Lady Godiva), D’Arcy Carden (Mary), Randall Park (Frida’s Adopted Dad), Jameela Jamil (Mrs. C), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Sandra Sandria) and Richard Kind (Nostradamus).

    From MTV Entertainment Studios, Clone High executive producers include Lord and Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Lawrence (Ted Lasso), Erica Rivinoja (South Park), Erik Durbin (American Dad!), Judah Miller (Bupkis), ShadowMachine’s Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkley (BoJack Horseman) and Jeff Ingold (Ted Lasso).

    https://youtu.be/Z8jWF4Tt4vE?si=LljV6TOkTuvVQmb3

  • Peacock Sneak Peeks ‘In the Know’ with Mike Judge Character Clip

    Peacock Sneak Peeks ‘In the Know’ with Mike Judge Character Clip

    In The Know

    With the new stop-motion public radio sitcom In The Know due to bring liberalism-tinged workplace farce to screens on January 25, Peacock has debuted a new sneak peek clip featuring Sandy, the the out of touch culture critic voiced by co-creator Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-head, Silicon Valley, King of the Hill). In the snippet, Sandy reviews “hot new releases” like The Godfather and Boyhood.

    Along with Judge, the new series is created and executive produced by Zach Woods (Silicon Valley, The Office) and his writing partner, Brandon Gardner. Woods and Gardner also serve as showrunners. In The Know is animated by the stop-motion masters at ShadowMachine (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), produced by Universal Television.

    Synopsis: Lauren Caspian is NPR’s third most popular host. He’s a well-meaning, hypocritical nimrod, just like you and me. He’s also a stop motion puppet. Each episode follows the making of an episode of Lauren’s show In the Know, in which Lauren conducts in-depth interviews with real world human guests. Lauren collaborates with a diverse crew of NPR staff. They are also puppets and nimrods.

    In The Know
    Lauren Caspian (Zach Woods) interviewing Jonathan Van Ness [Peacock]

    Like Judge, Woods also voice stars as Lauren Caspian. The cast additionally features Caitlin Reilly (Loot, Hacks), Charlie Bushnell (Diary of a Future President, Percy Jackson and the Olympians), J. Smith-Cameron (Succession, Rectify) and Carl Tart (Grand Crew).

    Season 1 features live-action interview guests Kaia Gerber, Jonathan Van Ness, Ken Burns, Finn Wolfhard, Norah Jones, Tegan and Sara, Nicole Byer, Roxane Gay, Mike Tyson, Jorge Masvidal and Hugh Laurie.

    In The Know premieres on Peacock with all six half-hour episodes on Jan. 25. 

    In The Know
    J. Smith-Cameron as voice of Barb, Carl Tart as voice of Carl [Peacock]
  • Catya Plate’s Award-Winning Eco Short ‘Las Nogas’ Sets HollyShorts Screening Event

    Catya Plate’s Award-Winning Eco Short ‘Las Nogas’ Sets HollyShorts Screening Event

    Brooklyn-based artist and filmmaker Catya Plate is heading to Los Angeles to screen the highly anticipated third short from her award-winning environmental trilogy Las Nogas for a special screening event presented by the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts film festival.

    Plate will be joined by Misty Lee (voice of Alma) and Clarissa Jacobson (voice of Queen Bee) for a Q&A after the in-person screening. The film and discussion will take place on January 31 at 7 p.m. at the TLC Chinese 6 Theatres; tickets are on sale now.

    Following Meeting MacGuffin (2017) and Hanging by a Thread (2013), Las Nogas completes the eco-thriller stop-motion trilogy and feature film proof of concept crafted by Plate.

    Five-hundred years into the future, the Earth is a dry wasteland destroyed by humans. Doctor Alma, a fluffy, brilliant Vulkeet (a cross between a parakeet and vulture) who drives a Vespa, must cure the only creatures left who can save the world by bringing back the rain – the bizarre and loveable Homeys who have fallen ill with a mysterious sickness.

    In April 2023, Plate received a NYC Women’s Fund Grant Award from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) for Las Nogas. Since the film’s launch in the festival circuit in July, it has won the Green Planet Award at the Oscar-qualifying Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (World Premiere); Best Animated Film at Fano International Film Festival (Italy Premiere) and the Jury Prize for Best Short at the Green Film Festival of San Francisco.

    “The attention to detail and painstaking time it took to create this wonderful little short for our viewing pleasure is amazing, a gift with a message not to overlook or disregard, but watch carefully before it’s all over.”

    — Jason Wolos, SF Short Film Festival / SF Green Film Fest Programmer.

    Originally from Barcelona, Spain and raised in Germany, Plate came to New York through a Fulbright Scholarship for post-graduate studies at the School of Visual Arts. Her projects are in public and private collections like the Brooklyn Museum and New York Public Library/Print Collection. Articles and reviews of Plate’s films and exhibitions appeared in The New York Times, The Independent and others. In 2009 she created Clothespin Freak Productions to bring her visions and characters to life through award-winning stop-motion animation films.

    Tickets for the Las Nogas special screening are available through the HollyShorts Monthly FilmFreeway page.

    Films will go virtually live on bitpixtv.com on Thursday, February 1 at 12 midnight (after the in-person screening at the TLC Chinese 6 Theatres) and run through Sunday, February 4.

    catyaplate.com | hollyshorts.com

  • ‘Mickey Mouse Funhouse’ Opens Doors to Season 3 Next Month

    ‘Mickey Mouse Funhouse’ Opens Doors to Season 3 Next Month

    Mickey Mouse Funhouse

    The third season of the whimsical animated preschool series Micky Mouse Funhouse will premiere Friday, February 23 on Disney Junior (9:30 a.m. EST/PST) and Disney Channel (10:30 a.m. EST/PST) before rolling out onto Disney+ later this year.

    In the new season, Mickey, Minnie and their friends embark on more imaginative journeys through the magical doors of Funny the Funhouse (voiced by Harvey Guillén), returning them to places like the Enchanted Rainforest and the Old West and taking them to new locales like Movie Magic Land, as well as culturally rich locations like Armenia, Korea and India.

    Along their adventures, they make new friends and meet up with beloved Disney characters like Huey, Dewey and Louie. The new season also includes an epic camping trip special and sees Mickey and the gang celebrating an array of holidays, including Nochebuena, Chuseok, Arbor Day and Hanukkah.

    The recurring guest cast includes Jenifer Lewis as Wheezelene, John Stamos as Captain Salty Bones, Yvette Nicole Brown as Pepper Lemon and Mickey Guyton as Wanda the Wandrin’ Warbler.

    Geared to kids ages 2-7 and their families, Mickey Mouse Funhouse features Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse who leads the Sensational Six — Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto — on magical adventures to unique worlds that inspire imagination.

    Since its premiere in August 2021, the series has amassed nearly half a billion hours of viewing across linear, streaming and Disney Junior YouTube and consistently ranks as a top 10 monthly series on Disney Junior YouTube. In 2023, the series ranked among the Top 5 most watched series on Linear TV for preschoolers.

    Mickey Mouse Funhouse is produced by Disney Television Animation, part of Disney Branded Television, with Emmy- and Humanitas Award-winner Phil Weinstein as executive producer and supervising director. Thomas Hart is co-executive producer and supervising story editor, Mark Drop is story editor, Emmy winner Alan Bodner serves as art director, and Steve Walby is producer. Emmy nominee Beau Black is the series composer and co-writes the original songs with Loren Hoskins.

    Songs from the Mickey Mouse Funhouse soundtrack are included on the Disney Junior Hits playlist available on all streaming platforms. Additional extensions for the series include an assortment of children’s books, playsets, figures, apparel, plush, home décor and more.

  • Award-Winning Immigrant Tale ‘No Dogs or Italians Allowed’ Comes to MUBI in U.S. & U.K.

    Award-Winning Immigrant Tale ‘No Dogs or Italians Allowed’ Comes to MUBI in U.S. & U.K.

    One of the most critically esteemed European animated features of the last few years, Alain Ughetto’s stop-motion family biography No Dogs or Italians Allowed will be available to stream in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland via Mubi for one month (January 19 to February 19). The small screen release which will finally bring the Ughetto puppet family to the States is made possible by a partnership between My French Film Festival (MyFFF) and the streamer.

    Synopsis: The beginning of the 20th century — Ughettera, Northern Italy, the Ughetto family’s village. Living in the region having become very difficult, the Ughettos dream of a better life abroad. Legend has it that Luigi Ughetto crossed the Alps to start a new life in France, forever changing the destiny of his beloved family. His grandson now retraces their story.

    In this deeply personal and historical tale, Alain Ughetto uses stop-motion animation with a skillful blend of humor, sensitivity, and emotion to portray exile and his family history in No Dogs or Italians Allowed.

    César Award-winning French actress Ariane Ascaride (Marius and Jeanette, The Snows of Kilamonjaro) highlights the voice cast as Cesira, Alain Ughetto’s grandmother, while the director narrates.

    Completed in May 2022, the film had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, where it garnered critical and public acclaim before winning the Jury Prize for feature film and the GAN Foundation Prize. The film won more than 20 awards, including the Grand Prize at Bucheon International Animation Festival and the European Film Award for animated film in 2022, the feature films awards at Anima in Brussels and the Tokyo Anime Awards in 2023. The film is nominated for the Lumières Awards, presented by the international press in France — winners will be announced next Monday.

    No Dogs or Italians Allowed was released in French cinemas  by Gebeka Films in January 2023, surpassing 208,000 admissions and ranking fourth among French animated feature films at the 2023 box office. The movie also performed well in theaters in The Netherlands (25,000 admissions), Italy (55,000) and Switzerland (14,000).

    No Dogs or Italians Allowed

    With the 14th edition of My French Film Festival, the first worldwide online festival entirely dedicated to Francophone films, the Ughetto’s film will be accessible to internet users all over the world through MyFrenchFilmFestival.com, and on over 80 VOD partner platforms.

    Produced by Alexandre Cornu and Les Films du Tambour de Soie in Marseille for €3.7 million ($4M USD), No Dogs or Italians Allowed  is a European co-production between Vivement Lundi! (based in Rennes, France), Foliascope (Valence, France),  Nadasdy Film (Geneva, Switzerland), Graffiti Film (Turin, Italy), Lux Fugit Film (Brussels, Belgium) and Ocidental Filmes (Lisbon, Portugal).

    The co-production team won the Cartoon Tribute award for Best European production at Cartoon Movie 2023. Ughetto and Les Films du Tambour de Soie will present a new project at the next Cartoon Movie in March: Rose and the Marmots.

  • Trailer: Nick’s ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Adds Alessia Cara, Jason Alexander & Isabela Merced to Guest List

    Trailer: Nick’s ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Adds Alessia Cara, Jason Alexander & Isabela Merced to Guest List

    Nickelodeon today revealed the line-up of guest stars for the highly original new animated comedy Rock Paper Scissors, plus the all-new trailer and key art. The 2D show debuts Monday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The series will also premiere in several Nickelodeon international markets beginning in February 2024.

    Already nominated for an Annie Award, Rock Paper Scissors will guest star Grammy Award winner Alessia Cara (The Willoughbys) as the famous pop star Lolly; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) as the greatest fart joke comedian of all tim,  Jonathan FartJoke; Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) as the trio’s hulking vehicle The Susan — a hybrid of bicycle, hot rod and hot-air balloon; and Carla Gugino (Spy Kids) as The Birthday Cop.

    Additional voices joining the series include Lauren Ash (Superstore) as Paper’s action movie star sister, Sandpaper; J.P. Karliak (New Looney Tunes, TrollsTopia) as The Convenient News Reporter; Eugene Cordero (Star Trek: Lower Decks) as Putty; Diedrich Bader (The Drew Carey Show) as Chad BrockChad; and Ray Chase (Good Night World, Jujutsu Kaisen) as Logan of The Rat Bros.

    “Rock Paper Scissors started as an idea in Nickelodeon’s Intergalactic Shorts Program and quickly formed into a hilarious buddy comedy about the big and small hijinks of roommates Rock, Paper and Scissors, and the colorful characters in their world,” said Kari Kim, Vice President of Animation Development. “At its core, the original animated series is about the power and joy of friendship.”

    Rock Paper Scissors

    As previously announced, the series stars Ron Funches (Trolls, Trolls Band Together) as Rock, the member of the trio with the biggest heart and moral compass; Thomas Lennon (Zoey 102, 17 Again, Reno 911!) as Paper, the wannabe intellectual who dreams of being a famous inventor; and Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko’s Modern Life, Reno 911!) as Scissors, who acts overly confident and always wants to be cool. Reinventing the classic childhood game, Rock Paper Scissors follows the ridiculous action as these three best friends hilariously compete over everything.

    The series also stars Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live) as Pencil, the trio’s incredibly smart neighbor down the hall, and Eddie Pepitone (The Muppets, Old School) as Lou, the angry landlord who is also a garbage can.

    In the half-hour premiere episode, “Scissors Gets a Job,” Scissors tries to become a janitor after he runs out of money but discovers that the job involves way more skill than he initially thought. Meanwhile, Rock and Paper try to motivate Scissors in an unusual way. Episodes will continue to rollout weekdays at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

    Ahead of the premiere, and after Nickelodeon’s Super Bowl telecast on Sunday, February 11, at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET, fans can watch a sneak peek of “The Fart Joke Debate,” where Rock, Scissors and Pencil set out to find a fart joke that will make Paper laugh after they discover his dislike for them, and “The First Lou Episode,” where the trio attempts to get their landlord to lower their rent by trying to help him achieve his impossible dream.

    Viewers can catch more of Rock, Paper & Scissors’ antics on the Nicktoons YouTube channel, where they can find shorts, clips and now full episodes, including “The Birthday Police” and “Paper’s Big Lie.” There will also be a special, “Lights, Camera, Rock, Paper, Scissors!,” where the trio give an exclusive look at their show, airing on Monday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

    Originally launched in 2019 as a short, Rock Paper Scissors was greenlit for series from Nickelodeon’s Intergalactic Shorts Program. Created by Robot Chicken alums Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman, the series is produced by Nickelodeon Animation. Stegina and Lehrman serve as executive producers along with Conrad Vernon (Sausage Party) and Bob Boyle (The Fairly OddParents). Development is overseen by Nickelodeon Animation’s Kari Kim, VP of Animation Development and Daniel Wineman, VP of Original Animation Development. The series is overseen by Executive in Charge, Jason Oliveri.

  • New Anime ‘Ninja Kamui’ Debuts Feb. 10 on Toonami

    New Anime ‘Ninja Kamui’ Debuts Feb. 10 on Toonami

    A former ninja clan member swears vengeance upon a mysterious shadow organization that killed his wife and son in the new series Ninja Kamui, premiering Saturday, February 10 at midnight ET/PT on Adult Swim’s famed action/anime programming block Toonami.

    New episodes of Ninja Kamui will be available the next day on Max.

    An explosive story of revenge, Ninja Kamui follows a former ninja clan member who is haunted by the brutal murders of his family. Meanwhile, an FBI agent and his rookie partner also work to investigate the murders and uncover a vast global conspiracy.

    The series comes from God of High School and Jujutsu Kaisen director Sunghoo Park, whose anime feature Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is Japan’s 14th highest-grossing Japanese-produced film in history.

    “Ninja Kamui is a gripping action series about a hero hell-bent on payback. The ninja of old Japan has been reimagined for the near future,” said Park. “I hope fans will enjoy the intense fight scenes and the human drama with unique characters.”

    Ninja Kamui features original character designs by Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai) and a new song from Japanese band coldrain. It is produced by E&H production (MONSTERS 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation) and Sola Entertainment (Lord of The Rings: War of The Rohirrim, Blade Runner: Black Lotus).

    A videogame adaptation entitled Ninja Kamui: Shinobi Origins will also arrive in spring 2024.

  • Watch: Cartoon Hangover’s ‘Bravest Warriors’ Returns for Season 4

    Watch: Cartoon Hangover’s ‘Bravest Warriors’ Returns for Season 4

    Ready for more excitement than a big bowl of sugar peas!? Cartoon Hangover, creator of Bee and PuppyCat, unveils the eagerly awaited Season 4 release of Bravest Warriors, created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time). This season marks an exciting milestone for the Frederator-produced series, as every episode becomes available for the first time for free, streaming in the U.S. exclusively on Cartoon Hangover’s YouTube channel.

    With the first episode of Season 4 available now (watch below), subsequent episodes will begin rolling out weekly starting January 26.

    About S4: Fans can look forward to diving deeper into the cosmic escapades of Chris, Beth, Danny, Wallow, and Catbug as they navigate thrilling challenges across the vast reaches of space.

    Following the success of its previous seasons, Bravest Warriors Season 4 promises an exhilarating continuation of the intergalactic adventures that fans have come to cherish. Known for its unique blend of humor, heart and imagination, the series has captivated audiences with its charming characters and whimsical storytelling.

    “We’re incredibly excited to bring Bravest Warriors Season 4 to our dedicated fanbase and new viewers alike,” said Todd Steinmen, President of Toon Media Networks. “The decision to make this season available on YouTube free of a paywall underscores our commitment to offering quality content to our audience while fostering a sense of community around these fantastic stories.”

    The new season of Bravest Warriors on the Cartoon Hangover YouTube channel aligns with the network’s and Frederator’s expanding animation lineup, joining Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space (Netflix) and Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (Max).

  • MOVE Summit Returns to Celebrate Animation & VFX in Edinburgh Next Month

    MOVE Summit Returns to Celebrate Animation & VFX in Edinburgh Next Month

    An international coalition of animation and VFX creatives, industry leaders, students and educators will gather once again in Edinburgh, Scotland from February 21-23 for MOVE Summit — celebrating ‘the joy of making things move.’

    From home base at the historic Pleasance Courtyard, the event will offer three days of talks, workshops, creative reviews, screenings, tech demos, an exhibition and recruitment fair, networking and business development.

    The line-up of esteemed speakers for 2024 include Jane Wu (Blue Eye Samurai), James Williams (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Illumination), Emilie Bach (Julián, Cartoon Saloon), Troy Quane (Nimona, Netflix), Torsten Schrank (Klaus) and Nathan Jurevicius (Scarygirl), with more to be announced.

    In the evenings, gathered professionals and up and comers will move off site for MOVE Late gatherings, such as the popular Drink & Draw.

    Building on the success enjoyed at previous editions, the Summit will also feature the Business @ MOVE strand, a dedicated industry program which brings independent studios and producers together with commissioners, broadcasters, agencies and industry bodies to explore mutually beneficial opportunities and production practices.

    MOVE Summit 2024 is sponsored by Screen Scotland, Interference Pattern, ScreenSkills Animation, Eyebolls and HeeHaw.

    Learn more and purchase tickets to MOVE Summit 2024 through movesummit.co.uk.

    MOVE Summit 2023 – 1min from Move Summit on Vimeo.

  • Columbia Debuts Centennial Logo with ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ Re-Release

    Columbia Debuts Centennial Logo with ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ Re-Release

    As Columbia Pictures celebrates its 100-year legacy, critically acclaimed and box office smash hit film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be re-released in theaters on January 19, with the studio’s animated centennial logo making its theatrical debut. Exclusively in IMAX and premium large formats, the re-release will hit 400 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

    The animated logo incorporates the eight iterations of the Columbia Pictures female form, who began as an image of a woman Roman soldier holding a shield in her left hand and a stick of wheat in her right hand to become the “Lady with the Torch” known to Hollywood history.

    Named among AFI Awards 2023 top 10 best films of the year, winner of the Critics Choice Award, Hollywood Critics Association Astra Award and National Board of Review Honor for Best Animated Film, and nominated for multiple others including Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards, Annie Awards, VES Awards and People’s Choice Awards, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse joins Columbia Pictures’ rich history and continues the course of award-winning and trailblazing films.

    Since making its theatrical debut in June 2023, in its first weekend of release the Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation film opened to $120.65 million in North America — the best-ever opening for a Sony Pictures Animation film — and went on to generate $381.31 million, making it the third-highest-grossing film in 2023, domestically. Globally, the film stands at $690.61 million, making it Sony Pictures Animation’s highest grossing film of all time.

    From humble beginnings with brothers Harry and Jack Cohn and Joe Brandt, Columbia Pictures established itself as an elite studio after Frank Capra’s 1934 classic It Happened One Night swept the Oscars. Entertaining audiences and creating cultural impact for ten decades, Columbia Pictures has produced the highest number of Academy Award Best Pictures wins, including From Here to Eternity, On the Waterfront, Lawrence of Arabia, Kramer Vs Kramer, Ghandhi and The Last Emperor.

    For updates on Columbia Pictures’ 100th Anniversary celebrations, visit columbiapictures100.com.