Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • ‘Electra’ Wins Oscar-Qualifying TIFF Short Film Prize

    ‘Electra’ Wins Oscar-Qualifying TIFF Short Film Prize

    Czech director Daria Kashcheeva could make her second run at the Best Animated Short Film Academy Awards race in under five years, as her latest work Electra snagged the Oscar-qualifying Best Short Film award at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival this weekend. Following her Academy Award-nominated, stop-motion student short Daughter (2019), Electra pulls inspiration from Greek mythology to explore a young woman’s relationships with her parents, her body and her sexuality.

    As Kashcheeva explained when announcing the film’s Cannes premiere, “I was inspired to structure the narrative this way by psychotherapy. During sessions, clients revolve around their memories of traumatic experiences. They jump from the past to the present, the images and memories change. By combining the pixilation animation technique together with live-action scenes, I was able to illustrate this narrative mosaic.” The film utilizes both pixilation-animated live actors and life-sized, “Barbie”-like puppets.

    The TIFF jury stated on its honored selection:

    “Singular and accomplished, this sickly sweet nightmare of a film packs a mighty final punch. Visceral and infinitely textured, it leads us down a contorted rabbit hole with thematic and visual prowess. With great pleasure, the jury presents the Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film to Electra, directed by Daria Kashcheeva. Electra resonates with under-the-skin discomfort long after the film is over.”

    Following its debut at Cannes, Electra screened in competition at Annecy this summer. The film is produced by Zuzana Křivková and Martin Vandas from Czechia’s MAUR film and co-produced with FAMU, Artichoke (Slovakia) and Papy3D (France); Miyu is handling international distribution.

    Daughter was selected for dozens of film and animation festivals, winning prizes at Annecy (Cristal for Best Graduation Film), Sundance (Short Film Jury Prize), Palm Springs ShortFest (Best Student Animation), Stuttgart (Student Award), Hiroshima (Grand Prix) and others.

     

    Also incorporating animated elements is this year’s TIFF winner for the Share Her Journey Award for best film by a woman: Shé (Snake), from Chinese-American director and animator Renee Zhan. Making its world premiere at Toronto, the “live-action/stop-motion hybrid horror” centers on a tightly wound violinist in a prestigious London youth orchestra, whose inner monsters take external form under the pressure of a promising new talent challenging her for her place.

    Jury’s statement:

    “For this film’s incredibly original and surreal creativity, which is matched with beautiful acting, the jury is thrilled to give the Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award to Renee Zhan for Shé (Snake). It’s not common to be bewitched by grotesque creatures in a film but here they captured the hearts of the audience thanks to their humor and charm.”

    The Houston-based director is a familiar name at TIFF, where her previous animated shorts Reneepoptosis (2018), O Black Hole! (2020) and Soft Animals (2021) have also screened in competition. Zhan has previously won awards from Sundance, Locarno (Reneepoptosis); SXSW, The British Animation Awards (O Black Hole!); Slamdance (Hold Me [Ca Caw Ca Caw], 2017) and others.

    image
    The Boy and the Heron (Studio Ghibli) gif c/o Daily Flicks

    In the 47th People’s Choice Awards at the festival, celebrated Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki‘s not-quite-final film The Boy and the Heron was recognized with the second runner-up prize for TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Award.

    The feature film made its international premiere at the festival, and will open in U.S. theaters through GKIDS on December 8.

    Find the full winners announcements for TIFF 2023 at tiff.net. 

  • Superprod Looks to Score with Magical Soccer Saga ‘Heroic Football’

    Superprod Looks to Score with Magical Soccer Saga ‘Heroic Football’

    Paris-based Superprod Animation is ready to hit the pitch with its latest toon team member, Heroic Football. Set in a world where soccer and magic reign supreme, this 26 x 22′ series marks the group’s first attempt at an animated series for tweens and up; kids eight and over. The project’s trailer and full details will debut at Cartoon Forum 2023 in Toulouse on September 20.

    ”Each project we undertake is a chance to delve into fresh realms. With Heroic Football, we aim at captivating a more mature audience, fusing soccer’s exhilaration with the enchantment of storytelling, molding this property into a true saga,” explained Superprod Group founders Jérémie Fajner and Clément Clavet.

    On Pangéa, a land of legends populated by creatures borrowed from the “Heroic Fantasy” realm and infused with magical runes, soccer isn’t just a sport; it’s the world’s only salvation. An unlikely team of five players, brought together against all odds, embark on a covert mission: to win Heroic Football matches and secure the enigmatic Dark Rune before time runs out.

    Writer Guillaume Mautalent, who has contributed to over 300 episodes of hit series such as Miraculous Ladybug, Galactik Football and The Mysterious Cities of Gold, pens the project, co-created with Sébastien Oursel. Series director is Antoine Charreyron, who helmed the first two seasons of Batwheels, produced at Superprod Animation for Warner Bros. Animation, as well as the movie The Prodigies and hit series Galactik Football. The show’s design is boosted by Florent Auguy, who has worked on video games and films including Sony Pictures Animaton’s Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

    The Heroic Football pilot was created entirely on the new FLOW pipeline, powered by Pixar’s USD technology and fully developed by the Superprod Animation team.

    superprod.net/en/superprod-animation

  • Lingokids Announces First Long-Form Series ‘Adventures with Baby Bot’

    Lingokids Announces First Long-Form Series ‘Adventures with Baby Bot’

    Children’s learning app Lingokids is launching first long-form animated series, Lingokids: Adventures with Baby Bot. The app’s lineup of colorful original characters has already helped Lingokids achieve category-leading viewership on YouTube, with more than 2.5 million subscribers and 1.5 billion views in total.

    The 52 x 11′ preschool comedy series centers on the the everyday adventures of Baby Bot, the most beloved character in the Lingokids universe.

    Baby Bot is a homemade robot with a little heart, the product of his friends Billy the engineer and Cowy, the fun-loving artist who draws her favorite things over Billy’s blueprints. By utility standards, Baby Bot is an imperfect robot, but he has the heart and curiosity of a preschooler. His seemingly limitless energy and quest for understanding lead to lots of fun and confusion. Through the after-school adventures of Baby Bot, Cowy, Billy and the rest of the gang, young viewers will be presented with some classic life lessons, and above all, it will endlessly spark their imagination and tickle their funny bone.

    The series’ creative team includes creator and director Guillermo García Carsí (Pocoyo), head writer Amy Keating Rogers (Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic) and executive producer Tom van Waveren (Angelo Rules, Supa Team 4).

    “We are thrilled to introduce Lingokids: Adventures with Baby Bot to the world,” said Carsí. “This series embodies Lingokids’ dedication to providing the most fun and engaging content for kids. Baby Bot’s journey to understand relationships and emotions is sure to resonate with young audiences and parents alike.”

    Carsí and the Lingokids team will be attending Cartoon Forum next week to introduce potential partners to the new series.

    The Lingokids portfolio includes the Lingokids app, used by more than 70 million families, as well as Lingokids Studios, Lingokids Podcasts and Lingokids Music Publishing. The app has won awards for Best Original Learning App 2022 and 2023 from Kidscreen and Best Educational App 2023 from Good Housekeeping’s Parenting Awards.

    Lingokids.com

  • The September Must-Have List: Ladybug, Labor Wars and the Latest Disc Releases

    The September Must-Have List: Ladybug, Labor Wars and the Latest Disc Releases

     

    The Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation’s Golden Age

    As the animation and broader entertainment industries increasingly join the re-emerging workers’ rights movement, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of labor organization in Toon Town. Author Jake S. Friedman takes readers back to 1941, when one of Walt Disney’s leading animators, Art Babbitt, led a strike that divided the studio’s employees and nearly toppled the House of Mouse. The Disney Revolt brings the story to life in fascinating detail with research gleaned from previously lost records, including transcripts of conversations among insiders. Struggling artists! Iconic picket signs! Mafia ties! — It’s a real life film noir guest starring Mickey Mouse. [Chicago Review Press | HC $30, PB $20]

     

    Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir 1

    ZAG’s teen Parisian superheros pop on the page in the new manga-style adaptation. Written by Koma Warita (Free Life Fantasy Online: Immortal Princess), illustrated by Riku Tsuchida. [Kodansha | $11]

     

     

     

     

    Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures (2nd Edition)

    An undisputed classic of the animator’s training library from one of the Disney studio’s greatest artists and mentors, edited by Don Hahn. [CRC Press | HC $150]

    Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition): Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

    Pixar co-founder and longtime president Ed Catmull updates and expands his 2014 best-seller on creative leadership with all that the has learned in the last nine extremely eventful years. [Random House | HC $32]

     

     

    Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

    The latest chapter in Sony’s spooky family comedy franchise sees Dracula confronting a terrifying fate — being human! — when Van Helsing’s “Monsterfication Ray” goes awry, transforming Johnny into a beautiful beastie and zapping Drac’s vampire powers. Special features include the mini movie Monster Pets, making-of featurette, filmmaker commentary and more. [Sony | BD $35, DVD $30]

     

    Ranking of Kings: Season 1, Part 2

    With Kage at his side, Bojii continues his quest to prove his royal mettle and face his fiercest enemy yet: his father. The four-disc set includes previews, textless opening and closing songs. The Limited Edition comes beautifully boxed with a full-color booklet, four art cards and a Kage patch! [Crunchyroll | LE BD $90, BD $70]

     

    Smiling Friends: The Complete First Season

    Get your jollies with Adult Swim’s delightful Aussie import, following the adventures of Pim and Charlie (voiced by series co-creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel) — two Smiling Friends co. employees determined to turn your frown upside down! [Warner | BD $30, DVD $25]

     

     

     

    Gay Purr-ee

    Judy Garland and Robert Goulet voice a pair of star-crossed cats in this 1962 animated musical from director Abe Levitow, making its Blu-ray debut. [Warner Archive Collection | $23]

    Junk Head

    The award-winning 2021 stop-motion sci-fi feature from Japanese director Takehide Hori, based on his short of the same name, is set in a distant future where mankind faces extinction due to infertility [Synergetic Dist. | $23]

    The Life of Budori Gusuko

    Another new-to-Blu-ray score this month is Gisaburou Sugii’s adaptation of the Japanese children’s novel, animated by Tezuka Prod.: Once upon a time, when he lived in the forest with his parents and younger sister, Budori Gusuko’s life was wonderful. Then the weather began to change… [Sentai Filmworks | $25]

     

     

  • Romantic Anime ‘Sasaki and Miyano’ Continues with New OVA on Crunchyroll

    Romantic Anime ‘Sasaki and Miyano’ Continues with New OVA on Crunchyroll

    The heartfelt tale of 2022 schoolboy romance Sasaki and Miyano will continue to make fans swoon this month, with a new original video animation (OVA), Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation. Debuting on Crunchyroll on September 28, the movie picks up after the events of the series, as the duo navigate a new stage in their relationship. The OVA is also accompanied by a new short, Hirano and Kagiura.

    Based on the manga by Shō Harusono, the anime centers on the blooming relationship between petite first-year student and self-described fudanshi (a male fan of yaoi, the “boys’ love” manga usually aimed at women) and his tall, forthright upperclassman friend Sasaki. Ever watchful for yaoi tropes to appear in his daily life, Miyano’s fandom world becomes reality with Sasaki.

    In the movie, Sasaki and Miyano are now committed to each other, and must juggle their new romantic status as Saski prepares to graduate from high school.

    Graduation is directed by series director Shinji Ishihira (Fairy Tail, Log Horizon) from an original story by manga writer Yuji Kaku (Ayashimon, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku) with character design by Maki Fujii and music by Kana Shibue. The OVA is produced by Studio Deen.

    The original Japanese voice cast features:

    • Soma Saito as Yoshikazu Miyano
    • Yusuke Shirai as Shumei Sasaki
    • Mitsuhiro Ichiki as Gonzaburo Tashiro
    • Nobunaga Shimazaki as Akira Kagiura
    • Ryohei Arai as Tasuku Kuresawa
    • Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Taiga Hirano
    • Yuki Ono as Jiro Ogasawara
    • Yūma Uchida as Masato Hanzawa

  • 28 Animation, Game & Comics Projects Head to Weird Market

    28 Animation, Game & Comics Projects Head to Weird Market

    Following the announcement of the short film selections for its WFest film festival, the 15th edition of Weird Market has selected a total of 170 projects for its official catalog. This International Animation, Video Games and New Media Market will include 19 feature films, 43 short films, 18 series, 37 video games, 24 web
    series, six transmedia projects, nine comics and 14 board games in the works — of which 28 will be presented during the event.

    “Animation is experiencing a brilliant moment, both industrially and financially, as well as artistically and creatively. In these 15 years, Weird Market has positioned itself as a showcase for future trends, a place to learn about the works that will be the talk of the town in the coming months and years,” says José Luis Farias, director of the event.

    Decorado
    Decorado

    The Cultural Center La Beneficència will host the screening sessions for five animated feature films will be on the table, including productions of such outstanding filmmakers as Galician artist Alberto Vázquez, winner of four Goya Awards and creator of Unicorn Wars and Birdboy and the Forgotten Children. He is now working on his new film, Decorado, which is based on one of his short films of the same name.

    Other titles to be presented in Valencia include The Granny Pirate by Álex Cervantes and Anthony Christov, with screenplay by Josep Gatell (Operation Shrimp, Tadeo Jones 3) and Philip LaZebnik (Pocahontas, Mulan, The Prince of Egypt); Western Dragons by Jose Manuel Muñoz Pardo; and Pinkooland by Luis Usón, who is both a director and a top visual effects specialist, having worked on films such as Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune and Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile.

    This section is completed by Nacho La Casa’s Like, a Spanish-Peruvian co-production. In parallel to this project, he is currently working on the pre-production of Norberto, a 3D animation feature film in international co-production with Argentina. He is also producing Superklaus, a co-production with Canada to be released in Christmas 2023.

    In addition to WFest, Weird Market reserves a special section for projects for animated short films, with 10 titles including  Anaglyph (Anaglifo) by Valle Comba, The Locksmith by Mauro Luis and Juan Torres, A Clearing in the Forest by Gonzalo Rute, The Body of Christ by Bea Lema, M.E.O.W. by Álvaro León and María Ruisánchez, and the Portuguese-Italian co-production The Last Sock by Carolina Batista.

    This section also includes Changelings by Goya award winner Abraham López Guerrero (Blue & Malone Impossible Cases), Cornelius by Marc Torices and Krish Cembe, Caretakers by Daniela Cuenca, an Ecuadorian filmmaker based in Spain, and Funnie Fantasies: “Some Like It Choo-Choo” by Pablo Río, who is also vying in the WFest competition with his most recent work, La gran cita de Conej.

    As with the short films, there will be room for series, with four productions and co-productions countries represented: Spain, Portugal, Mozambique, Ireland and Finland. These are DIBUS by Adrián Andújar and José Antonio Vaca, The Informals by João Roxo and João Graça, Sky Plaza by José Garnelo and Taste Buddies by Veronica Lassenius.

    The 2023 edition also includes presentations for web series, such as Saturday Sabadete by Alex Rey, a time-travel adventure to the Spain of the 1980s; and the transmedia project Is There a Corpse in the House? by Miguel Medrano Malo and Lucía Sampedro.

    Weird Market and WFest will be held September 26-30 in Valencia, Spain. Visit weirdmarket.es/en for more information.

    Taste Buddies
  • Watch: ‘Big Mouth’ S7 Teaser Drops with Premiere Date, Guest Star List

    Watch: ‘Big Mouth’ S7 Teaser Drops with Premiere Date, Guest Star List

    Season 7 of Netflix adult comedy toon Big Mouth is just around the corner, and the just-released date announcement teaser is promising the sexiest star-studded batch of hormonal misadventures yet! Featuring S7 guest star Megan Thee Stallion, the spot reveals the 10 x 30′ new episodes will get things steamy on the streamer on October 20.

    Alongside the show’s official Hot Girl Coach, guest stars for S7 include Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave, Black Panther), Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Invincible), Padma Lakshmi (Taste the Nation), Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Turning Red) and Emmy and Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Pose). The season will also feature an original song from Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana, Encanto).

    But that’s not all! Also making voice appearances will be Rosie Perez, Brian Tyree Henry, Zach Galifianakis, Randall Park, Chloe Fineman, Beck Bennett, Zach Woods, Mark Duplass, Thandiwe Newton, Paul Scheer, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Jon Daly and Andy Daly!

    Synopsis: Season 7of Emmy Award-winning Big Mouth follows the now teenage students of Bridgeton middle school as they make their way to high school. Change is the only constant as our characters are faced with a new school, new friends, new adversaries, and new Hormone Monsters.

    This will mark the show’s penultimate season, as Big Mouth is due to finally reach its climax in Season 8.

    Big Mouth S7 is executive produced by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin. The regular series cast includes Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Andrew Rannells and Jordan Peele.

  • Lion Forge and Penguin Pact for Slate of Kids’ Film and TV Projects

    Lion Forge and Penguin Pact for Slate of Kids’ Film and TV Projects

    Lion Forge Entertainment and Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, have partnered to develop film and TV projects based on popular children’s books published by the label. Under terms of the deal, Lion Forge retains rights to develop and adapt a multi-title slate of PYR books as animated and/or live-action properties. The initial slate includes Wannabe Farms (Penguin Workshop, ages 8-12), North Pole Ninjas
    (Penguin Workshop, ages 3-7), Monster Juice (Grosset & Dunlap, ages 8-12) and The Pathfinders Society (Viking, ages 8-12).

    “Lion Forge is the perfect partner to bring some of Penguin’s most exciting properties to screens worldwide,” said Jen Loja, President, Penguin Young Readers. “With their expertise in engaging diverse audiences with unique yet universal stories, we couldn’t be more excited to see how these projects develop.”

    The projects will be shepherded by Lion Forge Entertainment President & Chief Content Officer Stephanie Sperber, who brokered the deal. Projects that go into production will be produced by Lion Forge Founder & CEO David Steward II, along with Sperber, Francesco Sedita from Penguin Young Readers and media consultant Rich Korson.

    “The creative team at Penguin Young Readers are as passionate about storytelling and world-building as we are at Lion Forge,” said Sperber. “Their publishing list aligns perfectly with the content we bring to market and we are eager to develop these books for kids and family audiences globally.”

    Steward added, “Each book we’re developing with Penguin offers something different to audiences but all share heart, humor and sense of discovery that we love to highlight at Lion Forge Entertainment. We look forward to working with these talented authors to bring their stories to the screen.”

     

    About the Books:

    Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Brian McCann‘s (Late Night with Conan O’Brien) Wannabe Farms, is an insanely funny, rhyming collection of stories that asks the question: What do farmyard animals really want to do with their lives?

    On Wannabe Farms, the animals like to wonder and dream, plot and scheme, and definitely not act how they’re supposed to. In rhyming verse, McCann shows readers what happens when cows
    want to drive, pigs dream of being sophisticates, and sheep take their hairstyles into their own hands (well, hooves). What emerges is a delightful, hysterical romp through the farmyard, as animals discover the place where dreams meet their limits, and the power of adjusted expectations.

     

    North Pole Ninjas by Tyler Knott Gregson (Chasers of the Light, All The Words are Yours, Wildly into the Dark) follows a yuletide call-to-arms to save the spirit of Christmas, with special missions to help anyone get back on the nice list.

    The North Pole Ninjas are Santa‘s team of special elves, selected for their ability to perform top-secret missions that are all about helping, giving, caring, and listening. Anyone receiving this book is called upon to help carry out those missions with a bit of stealth and an open heart. The gorgeously illustrated picture book retells the legend of the North Pole Ninjas for new recruits, and includes 50 secret tasks to stealthily help others before the Holiday.

     

    Intergenerational connection gets a spooky twist in the Monster Juice book series, written by M.D. Payne.

    When Chris signs up to volunteer at a retirement home, he has no idea that its residents are monsters! But it turns out that the elderly monsters are actually in danger, and they need Chris’s help to fight back. This offbeat middle-grade series is full of gross-out humor, horror and adventure.

     

     

    Described as “A fun mystery in the mode of The Goonies or Stranger Things, with appealing artwork that glows and brings the book alive” (Jeff Smith, creator of New York Times bestseller and award winner Bone), Francesco Sedita and Prescott Seraydarian’s The Pathfinders Society is a summer camp thriller for tweens.

    Summer camp becomes a whole lot more interesting when five curious kids accept a mysterious challenge: work together as a team to uncover a series of strange clues, reveal a secret path, and follow its twists and turns to a legendary treasure hidden in a creepy castle that seems to warp time itself.

     

    As a mission-driven entertainment company, Lion Forge Entertainment focuses on diverse storytellers and amplifying under-represented voices by creating content that is both authentic and appealing to a broad audience. Having recently expanded its production slate to include live action as well as animation, the company develops and produces content targeting the kids & family and YA audiences, building on the success of earlier Lion Forge Animation projects including the Oscar-winning Hair Love, and the upcoming Iyanu animated series for Cartoon Network and Max.

    The deal with Penguin Young Readers continues a busy summer for Lion Forge Entertainment, which recently closed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon Animation and set a strategic global content partnership with advertising giant Dentsu. Through the deal with Nickelodeon Animation, which covers animated series and features, Nickelodeon has a first look at all Lion Forge kids and family IP across series, features, short-form and digital content, while bringing select Nickelodeon and Paramount IP to Lion Forge to develop and produce. Meanwhile, the Dentsu partnership aligns Dentsu’s brand clients and network of agencies with Lion Forge, which serves as a specialized entertainment resource to create brand-friendly content across feature films, TV series, shorts and digital content aimed at kids and families, as well as adult audiences.

  • Apple TV+ Kicks Off Fall Kids’ Slate with Spooky Adventure ‘Curses!’

    Apple TV+ Kicks Off Fall Kids’ Slate with Spooky Adventure ‘Curses!’

    Apple TV+ today announced a fun-filled autumn slate of all-new kids and family programming, featuring both CG and stop-motion animation offerings, including brand new series CURSES!, Season 2 of Interrupting Chicken  and a new Shape Island Halloween special.

    Premiering just in time for Halloween on Friday, October 27, CURSES! is a brand-new, CG-animated, spooky adventure-comedy series for kids from DreamWorks Animation.

    When a generations-long family curse turns Alex Vanderhouven to stone, it’s up to his two kids, Pandora and Russ, and his wife Sky, to return artifacts stolen by their ancestors to their rightful homes to finally lift the curse for good.

    The voice cast features Emmy nominee Gabrielle Nevaeh (Monster High) as Pandora, Andre Robinson (The Loud House) as Russ, Emmy nominee Lyric Lewis (Waffles + Mochi) as Sky, SAG Award winner Reid Scott (Veep) as Alex, Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death) as Stanley, James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Larry, Emmy winner Rhea Perlman (Barbie) as Margie, Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun) as Georgia Snitker and Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) as Cornelius.

    The series is created and executive produced by Jim Cooper (DreamWorks Dragons) and Jeff Dixon (The Hurricane Heist). Writer/director John Krasinski (A Quiet Place Parts I & II) also serves as executive producer and Allyson Seeger (A Quiet Place Parts I & II) as co-executive producer. Leo Riley (Guardians of the Galaxy, Tron: Uprising) is supervising producer, with Chris Copeland (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) and Justin Copeland (Wonder Woman: Bloodlines) serving as creative consultants. Riley also directs. Animation services provided by CGCG and House of Cool.

    Interrupting Chicken

    Returning for a second season on Friday, September 29, the animated preschool series, Interrupting Chicken — based on the 2011 Caldecott Honor-winning book series written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein — will continue introducing children to the joy of creative writing, starting with a young little chicken named Piper who has a habit of interrupting story time!

    Every time Piper hears a story, she can’t help but jump in, ask questions and let her imagination run wild as she tries to fill in details, guess what happens next or insert herself in the middle of the action to help save the day. In addition to seeing the return of beloved characters like The Big Bad Wolf and Captain Claw for Season 2, watch Piper help Cinderella get to the ball, surf with a sea monster, and build a Royal Rollercoaster with the King, among other adventures!

    Interrupting Chicken was developed by Emmy Award winner Ron Holsey, who serves as executive producer alongside Stein, Loris Kramer Lunsford and Clint Eland. Produced in partnership with Mercury Filmworks, the series stars three-time Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us, American Fiction) as Papa and Juliet Donenfeld “Pete the Cat, Gabby’s Dollhouse) as Piper. This season welcomes guest stars including multi-Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean, who also performs an original song, Paula Poundstone (Inside Out) and more.

    Shape Island – Creepy Cave Crawl

    Shape Island, the acclaimed stop-motion series for kids and families based on the internationally bestselling trilogy of Shapes picture books written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, is back on October 20 with an all-new Halloween special titled “Creepy Cave Crawl.”

    In the standalone special, after Triangle pranks them, Circle and Square celebrate Halloween on their own with all treats and no tricks. The series takes place on a charming island and invites viewers to join serious Square, intrepid Circle and tricky Triangle on their silly adventures as they dig up some fun, search for answers and build on their friendship — all while learning how to navigate each other’s differences. Shape Island shows kids that friendship can take many shapes.

    The series features the voices of Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), and Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted). Shape Island was co-created by Barnett and Klassen, who serve as executive producers alongside Bix Pix Entertainment’s Emmy Award winners Kelli Bixler and Drew Hodges. Ryan Pequin serves as co-executive producer and head writer.

  • New ‘Dora the Explorer’ Short Screens with ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’

    New ‘Dora the Explorer’ Short Screens with ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’

    Nickelodeon’s groundbreaking Latina heroine Dora is making her big screen animated debut with the launch of the all-new short film Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, screening exclusively in theaters with PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Pictures), beginning Friday, September 29.

    Simultaneously, Paramount Pictures announced that the super-powered pups will attempt to break a Guinness World Record with a special canine-friendly screening of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie: The film will screen in Los Angeles at the Autry Museum at Griffith Park, with pups over the age of one and their companions encouraged to attend to help break the GWR for “most dogs attending a film screening.” For more information on the event and to register your furry friend, please visit the event page here.

    “We are very excited to be a partner for the PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie screening and to help kids understand the importance of adopting,” said Brittany Thorn, Executive Director, Best Friends Animal Society in L.A. “Educating children and their families on the importance of adoption will help us reach our goal of taking the country no-kill by 2025 and saving countless pets lives.”

    In Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, Dora (Diana Zermeño) and Boots (Asher Spence) embark on an incredible adventure to the land of alebrijes, the most magical and colorful creatures in the rainforest. There, they must band together against Swiper (Marc Weiner) to save the beloved alebrijes and their Copal Tree Celebration.

    The short film also features Anairis Quiñones as Luna Arcoiris, Danny Burstein as Sol and Kate del Castillo as Ale. Following the debut of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, additional Dora content will also be available across Nickelodeon platforms, Paramount+ and Noggin.

    The short will reintroduce the character to a new generation of viewers ahead of the launch of Dora, the all-new CG-animated preschool series set to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in spring 2024 in the U.S. Internationally, Dora will stream day-and-date on Paramount+ and air on Nickelodeon channels in all markets where available.

    Joining the cast of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures in the new Dora series are additional voice actors, including Anairis Quiñones as Map and The Fiesta Trio’s armadillo, Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela, Danny Burstein as Grumpy Old Troll as well as The Fiesta Trio’s frog and marmoset, Katarina Sky as Backpack, Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico, Tandi Fomukong as Isa, Quintún Muñoz as Benny and Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken.

    Dora and the Fantastical Creatures is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank. William Mata is directing from a screenplay by Alejandro Bien-Willner and a story by Bien-Willner and Sean Gill. Production is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Global Animated Series, Nickelodeon. Miriam Ritchie and Marielle Kaar serve as Nickelodeon’s Executives in Charge of Production for the short. Dora the Explorer is created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner.

  • ‘Harley Quinn’ Spin-Off ‘Kite Man: Hell Yeah!’ Ready to Soar with New Teaser

    ‘Harley Quinn’ Spin-Off ‘Kite Man: Hell Yeah!’ Ready to Soar with New Teaser

    Max has released the first official teaser for the upcoming adult animated series Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, debuting in 2024. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the new series is a spin-off of the Max Original animated series Harley Quinn, which concluded its fourth season today with all episodes available to watch on the streamer.

    Logline: Kite Man and Golden Glider take their relationship to the next level by opening a bar in the shadow of Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. Nobody said serving cold ones to the most dangerous rogues outside of Arkham Asylum would be easy, but sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and how to hide a body.

    Matt Oberg stars as Kite Man alongside Stephanie Hsu as Golden Glider, James Adomian as Bane, Natasia Demetriou as Malice, Janelle James as Queen of Fables, Jonathan Banks as Noonan, Keith David as Darkseid, Michael Imperioli as Joe/Moe Dubelz, Rory Scovel as Gus the Goon, Lance Reddick as Lex Luthor and Judith Light as Helen Villigan.

    Executive producers are Dean Lorey, Justin Halpern, Patrick Shumacker, Kaley Cuoco and Sam Register. The series is produced by Delicious Non-Sequitur, Lorey Stories and Yes, Norman Productions in association with Warner Bros. Animation, based on the characters from DC.

  • The BroZone Are Back in Town in ‘Trolls Band Together’ Official Trailer

    The BroZone Are Back in Town in ‘Trolls Band Together’ Official Trailer

    Wedding bells are ringing, music is in the air, clouds are vomiting glitter rainbows — it must be nearly time for the new Trolls Band Together to bring the DreamWorks franchise’s joyous blend of color, hot jams and celebratory silliness to theaters! The official trailer for the third movie dropped today, introducing Branch’s long-lost brother/former band mate and sneak peeking some psychedelic animated homages laced into the sparkling CG.

    Trolls Band Together arrives in theaters November 17.

    Synopsis: After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Golden Globe nominated electropop sensation Troye Sivan), John Dory (Eric André; Sing 2), Spruce (Grammy winner Daveed Diggs; Hamilton) and Clay (Grammy winner Kid Cudi; Don’t Look Up). BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since.

    But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains — Velvet (Emmy winner Amy Schumer; Trainwreck) and Veneer (Grammy winner and Tony nominee Andrew Rannells; The Book of Mormon) — Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

    The returning cast also includes Zooey Deschanel as Bridget, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Gristle, Icona Pop duo Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt as Satin and Chenille, Anderson.paak as Prince D, Ron Funches as Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond and Kenan Thompson as Tiny Diamond. Continuing the Trolls tradition, the threequel brings in even more music and comedy stars as new characters, including Camila Cabello as Viva, Zosia Mamet as Crimp and RuPaul Charles as Miss Maxine.

    Walt Dohrn returns to direct with co-director Tim Heitz (head of story on Trolls World Tour) and Gina Shay returning as producer.

    dreamworks.com/movies/trolls-band-together

  • Watch Next Sets Off on Meowgical Adventure ‘Dungeons & Kittens’

    Watch Next Sets Off on Meowgical Adventure ‘Dungeons & Kittens’

    Paris-based animation producer-distributor Watch Next Media (Nate Is Late, Hello Kitty: Superstyle) announced today it is developing a new feline fantasy adventure, Dungeons & Kittens, with the support of France Télévisions. The 13 x 22′, 2D-animated series is aimed at children ages six and up, and will be accompanied by its very own D&D-style tabletop RPG.

    Created by Clément De Ruyter and Mélanie Duval, Dungeons & Kittens takes viewers into a fantastical universe, filled with “meowgic,” danger and secrets, drawing inspiration from role-playing game tropes while tailoring them to a child’s perspective.

    Follow the adventures of four kittens — Fib, Precious, Suds and Ruffles — who have been banished from the Kingdom of Cats. In search of a treasure that will be their ticket home, they find themselves plunged into a dark and mysterious world, where each step presents its own set of challenges. Faced with countless dangers, they will need to show cunning and bravery, but most importantly, learn to work together.

    Dungeons & Kittens
    Dungeons & Kittens

    In parallel to the series’ development, De Ruyter has created a Dungeons & Kittens table-top role-playing game. Successfully funded through crowdfunding, this playful extension of the series’ universe has already received praise from the French-language gaming website Plateau Marmots.

    “After several successfully completed series, Watch Next has decided to develop an epic saga to accompany the rise of its broadcasting partners’ non-linear platforms and to allow its teams to showcase their talent in a new format and genre,” notes Philippe Alessandri, Founder & CEO of Watch Next. “With its unique aesthetic and endearing characters, Dungeons and Kittens has the qualities to capture the hearts of an entire generation of children — and their parents’, too!”

    The trailer and all the details for Dungeons & Kittens will be presented during Cartoon Forum 2023.

    watchnextmedia.com

  • Marvel VFX Workers Swing Historic, Unanimous Vote to Unionize with IATSE

    Marvel VFX Workers Swing Historic, Unanimous Vote to Unionize with IATSE

    Marvel Studios visual effects workers unanimously voted in favor of unionizing with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board, the union announced Wednesday. This marks the first time in the industry’s half-century history that a unit of solely VFX workers has unionized with IATSE.

    The workers filed for this election August 7, and votes were cast by mail between August 21 and September 11. The count was held Tuesday, September 12. When the final National Labor Relations Board election votes were counted, all votes were in favor of unionizing with IATSE, with zero against.

    “It was so emotional hearing the yeses and knowing we were fighting for what we deserve,” commented Marvel assistant VFX coordinator Anna George, who watched the live count via Zoom. “What a powerful moment!”

    Mark Patch, VFX Organizer for IATSE, said, “Today, VFX workers at Marvel Studios spoke with a unanimous, collective voice, demanding fair pay for the hours they work, healthcare, a safe and sustainable working environment and respect for the work they do. There could be no stronger statement highlighting the overwhelming need for us to continue our work and bring union protections and standards to all VFX workers across the industry. And there could be no stronger example of the courage and solidarity of these workers than each and every one of them declaring ‘union YES!’”

    via GIPHY

    While positions like production designers/art directors, camera operators, sound, editors, hair & makeup artists, costumes/wardrobe, script supervisors, grips, lighting, props, paint and others have historically been represented by IATSE in movies and TV, VFX workers historically have not. While this unit only includes Marvel’s in-house VFX team for now, VFX staffers at sibling studio Walt Disney Pictures have already begun voting in their NLRB election, with the results expected on October 2.

    “I grew up dreaming of working on Marvel films, so when I started my first job at Marvel, I felt like I couldn’t complain about the unpaid overtime, the lack of meal breaks, and the incredible pressure put on VFX teams to meet deadlines because I was just supposed to be grateful to be here at all,” said VFX coordinator Sarah Kazuko Chow. “But the reality is that every worker deserves rights, and joining IATSE means we don’t have to choose between the job we love and having identities outside of our work.”

    IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb explained, “Today’s count demonstrates the unprecedented demand for unionization across new sectors of the entertainment industry is very real. To these VFX workers, I congratulate you on your historic victory. Your bravery, determination, and unity are a beacon for workers not just in VFX, not just in entertainment, but workers in every industry across this country and beyond. You will enter negotiations with Marvel and Disney with the full backing and support of our 170,000 strong alliance. Your fight is our fight.”

    The next step for the Marvel VFX union is to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with the employer to draft a contract addressing the needs of the represented workers. Union contracts, also known as collective bargaining agreements (CBA’s), generally outline terms and conditions of employment, including wages, hours and working conditions. Both the union and the employer are obligated to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on these terms. As of this writing, no negotiation dates have yet been scheduled.

    Anticipating a wave of organization in the industry, IATSE invites interested client-side and vendor-side VFX workers to reach out through VFXunion.org.

     

    The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast  and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

    IATSE also encompasses The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839), which represents animation artists and production workers.

    iatse.net

  • Netflix Announces Animated Lineup for DROP 01 with Event Trailer

    Netflix Announces Animated Lineup for DROP 01 with Event Trailer

    Netflix is gearing up for its first-ever DROP 01 virtual showcase, which over 90 minutes will debut sneak peeks and updates for eagerly awaited genre animated series — anchored by the digital premiere of Episodes 1-3 of Castlevania: Nocturne. The event kicks off on September 27 at 9 a.m. PST.

    Between each episode of the three-part advance Castlevania: Nocturne screening, showcase viewers will be treated to reveals from upcoming animated series including Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Sonic Prime Chapter 3, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, Blue Eye Samurai, Pluto, Masters of the Universe: Revolution, and more.

    Viewers will also be provided with a QR code to access a shop with branded products from Castlevania: Nocturne and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.

    Official DROP 01 Partners include: Konami (Castlevania: Nocturne); Sonic the Hedgehog/Sega, WildBrain (Sonic Prime Chapter 3); Ubisoft (Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix); UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off); Studio M2 (Pluto); and Mattel (Masters of the Universe: Revolution), plus Capcom, Crystal Dynamics and Legendary.

    The global livestream event will be broadcast on Wednesday, September 27 at 9 a.m. PST / 12 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. BST via Netflix Twitch (sign up in advance of DROP 01 for interactive viewing and co-streaming). You can also catch DROP 01 on TUDUM.com/Drop01 and the following official YouTube channels for Netflix, NetflixBrasil, NetflixIndiaOfficial, NetflixJP and NetflixAnime.

  • ‘Krapopolis’ Pantheon Welcomes Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Daveed Diggs & More Guest Stars (New Clip)

    ‘Krapopolis’ Pantheon Welcomes Ben Stiller, Susan Sarandon, Daveed Diggs & More Guest Stars (New Clip)

    Ahead of its broadcast debut at the end of the month, FOX has revealed the divine secrets of Krapopolis‘ Season 1 guest stars. The series will launch on FOX on Sunday, September 24 with a two-episode preview following the live NFL Doubleheader (8-9 p.m. ET/5-6 p.m. PT).

    Diving into the melting chytrai of the show’s bubbling stifado of gods, monsters and mortals will be:

    • Ben Stiller as Prometheus (check him out in the new clip below!)
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Joel McHale
    • Dave Franco
    • Yvette Nicole Brown
    • Will Forte
    • Jane Lynch
    • Daveed Diggs
    • Steve Buscemi
    • Stephanie Beatriz
    • David Cross
    • Keith David
    • Chris Hardwick
    • Tim Meadows
    • Bobby Moynihan
    • Jim Rash
    • Rob Riggle
    • Tim Robinson
    • Michael Urie
    • Alanna Ubach
    • and Amber Stevens West

    Set in mythical ancient Greece, Krapopolis tells the story of a dysfunctional family of humans, gods and monsters trying to run one of the world’s first cities, while also trying their best to not kill each other in the process. The series features the voices of Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) as Tyrannis, the narcissistic King of Krapopolis; Emmy Award-winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) as Tyrannis’ mother, the powerful goddess Delira; Matt Berry (What We Do in The Shadows) as his father, Shlub, a mantitaur (half centaur [horse + human], half manticore [lion + human + scorpion]) who is “the life of the orgy”; Pam Murphy (Mapleworth Murders) as his cyclops sister, Stupendous; and Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel) as half-brother Hippocampus, the wet mess son of Shlub and a mermaid.

    Krapopolis is owned by FOX Entertainment and produced by FOX’s Bento Box Entertainment. Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community) is creator and executive producer. Steve Levy is executive producer. Jordan Young is executive producer and showrunner (Season 1). Alex Rubens is executive producer and showrunner (Seasons 2 & 3).

  • DreamWorks’ ‘Fright Krewe’ Scares Up Official Trailer, Cast List & Release Date

    DreamWorks’ ‘Fright Krewe’ Scares Up Official Trailer, Cast List & Release Date

    Fright Krewe

    DreamWorks Animation is gearing up for Halloween with the official trailer and more details of its horror series Fright Krewe, created by Eli Roth (Hostel film franchise, Hemlock Grove) and James Frey (American Gothic, Queen & Slim, Alpha Betas). The supernatural 10-episode tale will begin October 2 on Hulu and Peacock.

    Logline: An ancient prophecy and a Voodoo Queen put misfit teens in charge of saving New Orleans from the biggest demonic threat it’s faced in almost two centuries. But, honestly? Saving the world might be easier than becoming friends.

    The series will star Sydney Mikayla as the voice of Soleil, Tim Johnson Jr. as Maybe, Grace Lu as Missy, Chester Rushing as Stanley, Terrence Little Gardenhigh as Pat and Jacques Colimon as Belial.

    Fright Krewe will also rely on a recurring cast including Vanessa Hudgens as Madison, Josh Richards as Nelson,  X Mayo as Alma, Rob Paulsen as Lou Garou, David Kaye as Mayor Furst, JoNell Kennedy as Marie Laveau and Judy Le Claire, Melanie Laurent as Fiona Bunrady, Chris Jai Alex as Otis Bunrady, Reggie Watkins as Paulie, Cherise Boothe as Ayida Weddo and Ayizan, Keston John as Papa Legba and Ogoun, Grey Delisle as Judith Le Claire and Krizia Bajos as Luciana Rodriguez.

    Roth and Frey are executive producers alongside Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco; co-executive producers are Oscar-nominated animator Shane Acker (9, Crusoe) and Mitchell Smith.

  • Gigglebug Launches Adult Animation Label ‘In Stitches’ with Original Comedy ‘Soap’

    Gigglebug Launches Adult Animation Label ‘In Stitches’ with Original Comedy ‘Soap’

    Helsinki-based kids’ animation studio Gigglebug Entertainment is launching a new sub-label dedicated to the creation of adult animated content, branded In Stitches.

    The new banner will focus on developing ‘bold, offbeat and experimental comedy content from contemporary voices,’ led by Gigglebug’s management team, including Anttu Harlin (CEO & Co-Founder), Joonas Utti (Creative Director & Co-Founder) and Beth Parker (Managing Director). The label will tap into the talent across Gigglebug’s 100 in-house artists and designers and will look to develop their previously unpitched adult-targeted concepts.

    The first project being developed by In Stitches is Soap, a 20 x 22’ workplace comedy from the point of view of a bar of hotel soap, who just wants a clean getaway. The concept was originated as part of Gigglebug’s Idea Lab — an internal pitching and co-creation session — and is based on an original idea by Sasil Leirana, a 2D animator at Gigglebug.

    Soap will be written by The Amazing World of Gumball writers Tobi Wilson and Paul Rice. The project is being produced by Harlin and Utti, with Elliott Palmer (CBBC, Nickelodeon, Big Thinkers) on board as Development Executive. In Stitches will be presenting the project to the international market at MIPCOM.

    Logline: When affairs unravel marriages, a drug deal blows up (literally) or a serial killer repaints the walls red, who is there to clean up the mess? Soap. Meet Suds and her pals, the cleaning products in Room 833 of The Tufnell, a large high-end hotel, who are always cleaning up behind the scenes.

    “We have an amazing pool of talent under our roof and browsing their personal portfolios continues to blow our mind — they have so many fresh, daring and hilarious ideas that we’re eager to develop, alongside our family-focused work,” says Harlin. “In Stitches is still very much in keeping with Gigglebug’s DNA, as it’s also driven by the desire to spread joy, but it will enable us to bring boundary-pushing and more risky content for adult audiences, which encourages them to have a laugh at the bare, naked and surreal truth of being alive.

    “Soap perfectly encapsulates our vision for the banner, and we are excited to have the remarkably talented Tobi and Paul bringing their comedic genius to the project — as well as for our animation team to flex their creative muscles in a new genre.”

    gigglebugentertainment.com

  • GKIDS Dates ‘Blue Giant’ Anime Jazz Drama for October (Official Trailer)

    GKIDS Dates ‘Blue Giant’ Anime Jazz Drama for October (Official Trailer)

    GKIDS continues its 15th anniversary year with another intriguing anime import, announcing today it will bring Blue Giant to select theaters nationwide for event showings on October 8 & 9 only. The film is directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100, Death Parade, DECA-DENCE, Detective Conan: The Black Iron Submarine).

    Tickets are on sale now at BlueGiantMovie.com. Prior to its theatrical release, the film will have a special North American premiere on October 6 at Japan Society in New York City, featuring a Q&A with composer Hiromi Uehara — ticket are available now on their website.

    Synopsis: Dai Miyamoto’s life is turned upside down the day he discovers jazz. A former high school basketball player, Dai picks up a saxophone and begins practicing day and night, determined to become one of the greatest of all time. He leaves his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, but soon finds the life of a professional musician is not for the faint of heart. His passion eventually wins over the cocky but talented pianist Yukinori, and after Dai convinces his friend Shunji to learn the drums, they launch a new jazz trio whose rough sound contains a raw energy that quickly wins attention from local audiences. But what does it take to truly be great?

    Blue Giant is adapted from the manga of the same name, written by manga artist Shinichi Ishizuka. The series won the Japan Media Arts Festival Award and the Shogakukan Manga Award, and was nominated for the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize and as “Comic of the Year” at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. NUMBER 8, the editor of the original manga, joined the film production to write the script.

    Virtuoso pianist Uehara composed the in-story original music played by Miyamoto and his jazz trio JASS, and additionally plays for the character Yukinori Sawabe. Drummer Shun Ishikawa, of the global hit band Millennium Parade, and saxophonist Tomoaki Baba join Hiromi Uehara in playing for the characters Shunji Tamada and Dai Miyamoto, respectively.

    Blue Giant opened domestically in Japan on February 17, and earned over 1 billion yen (approx. $7.5 million) at the Japanese box office throughout its run in Japanese theaters. The film previously played as a sneak preview screening at the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

  • Warner Bros. Japan Brings ‘Fist of the North Star’ Back for More Anime Action

    Warner Bros. Japan Brings ‘Fist of the North Star’ Back for More Anime Action

    Warner Bros. Japan LLC has announced that production is currently underway on Fist of the North Star: Hakuto no Ken, an all-new anime adaptation of the action manga series which has sold over 100 million copies. The news was announced on September 13 in Japan, where it is an official Fist of the North Star Day, in celebration of the post-apocalyptic property’s 40th anniversary.

    This new anime series will faithfully realize on screen the world created by writer Buronson and artist Tetsuo Hara, with all-new casts and creative leads using latest animation technology. A release date and broadcast/streaming partners are to be announced.

    Kenshiro’s martial arts mastery of Hokuto Shinken will destroy the thugs that dominate a world filled with violence! 

    “A work from 40 years ago will be reborn as an animated work. I took a step back from animation at the time, since it is a little different from manga. Now, animation and movie technology has evolved tremendously. How will that cook-up Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken?” Buronson observed. “Moreover, the principle of new anime production is to depict the original work with great care. I am so looking forward to it. My work, which has been loved by many fans over the past 40 years will make a comeback as an anime. I look forward to enjoy it with everyone.”

    “I am grateful for a new anime project. While serializing the manga series, I would never have dreamed of Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken to have its 40th anniversary and also to be recreated as an anime,” said Hara. “Time has passed! I was happy to hear that voice actors are reading the original manga as if to listen to characters’ voices and to visualize how they will act them out. I am very much looking forward to seeing how the manga that I put my heart and soul into 40 years ago will be reincarnated by the production staff, who are full of love for the original work, and how they will be brought to life!”

    Logline:  In 199x, world was engulfed in the blaze of nuclear war. With the Ocean drying up and Earth torn asunder, all life seems to be lost but humans survived stubbornly. 

    However, what dominated the post-apocalyptic world was a seer violence. The remaining humanity was split in two groups: those who kill and take whatever they can and those who are exploited.  

    When all hope seemed lost for the weak, a man in ragged cloth appears.  He is Kenshiro, the rightful successor of the Hokuto Shinken martial arts with seven studs-like scars in a shape of the Big Dipper. His journey to becoming a legendary savior begins!

    A prior anime adaptation of Fist of the North Star, produced by Toei Animation and directed by Toyoo Ashida, aired from 1984 to 1988 in two parts (109 episodes + 43 episodes) — both available to stream on Crunchyroll or buy on digital via Prime Video. A loosely adapted live-action film of the same name was released in Japan and the U.S. in 1995/1996, directed by Tony Randel and starring English actor/champion kickboxer Gary Daniels.