Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Hulu Trailers ‘Solar Opposites’ S4 Featuring Dan Stevens as Korvo

    Hulu Trailers ‘Solar Opposites’ S4 Featuring Dan Stevens as Korvo

    Whatever doesn’t kill you … make you family.

    A new era is about to dawn on the animated Earth of Hulu’s Solar Opposites, which will drop all 11 episodes from its fourth season on August 14.

    As previously revealed, the voice of no-nonsense extraterrestrial conservative Korvo is being provided by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, The Sea Beast, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) for Seasons 4 & 5, stepping in for show creator Justin Roiland.

    Synopsis: Solar Opposites centers around a team of four aliens who are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Stevens) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) only see the pollution, crass consumerism and human frailty while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love TV, junk food and fun stuff.

    The series also features Tiffany Haddish as the ship’s AI, Aisha.

    Created by Roiland and Mike McMahan, Solar Opposites is executive produced by McMahan and Josh Bycel. The series is produced by 20th Television Animation.

  • Nickelodeon Snaps Up Original 1987 ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Toon

    Nickelodeon Snaps Up Original 1987 ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Toon

    In advance of the Paramount Pictures release of the brand-new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem theatrical film, exclusively in theaters on August 2, Nickelodeon announced the acquisition of the original Fred Wolf Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series (193 x 22′ episodes, 1987-1996). The news was shared during today’s panel for the upcoming feature film at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

    Under the deal, Nickelodeon has acquired global rights to the storied series, which follows the adventures of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo as they battle Shredder, Krang and other villains and criminals. The series is slated to debut digitally later this month in the U.S., followed by Nickelodeon branded channels and digital platforms internationally.

    Considered one of the most popular kids’ franchises, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. It first debuted as a successful comic-book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series and later spawned numerous blockbuster theatrical releases. The property is a global consumer products powerhouse, with toys, apparel, video games, DVDs and more generating billions of dollars at retail.

    Nickelodeon brought the franchise to life again in 2012 with the CG-animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and then reimagined the Heroes in a Half-Shell with the 2D-animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2019.

    This summer,  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon lets the cowabunga bros back out of the sewer in a new big screen adventure. The movie follows the Turtles as they set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts after years of being sheltered from the human world. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

    Nickelodeon Movies and award-winning Point Grey Productions’ Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver are producing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which is directed by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Gravity Falls, Disenchantment). The film marks Nickelodeon’s first-ever CG-animated theatrical production, in partnership with Ramsey Naito and Jason McConnell, who are overseeing production for Nickelodeon. For Point Grey, Lukas Williams is co-producing and Josh Fagen is overseeing as an executive producer. Paramount Pictures will handle worldwide distribution.

  • SDCC: Pokémon Sneak Peeks ‘Horizons,’ ‘Ultimate Journeys’ Conclusion

    SDCC: Pokémon Sneak Peeks ‘Horizons,’ ‘Ultimate Journeys’ Conclusion

    During its first-ever Comic-Con International panel today, The Pokémon Company International unveiled new details and behind-the-scenes insights for the all-new Pokémon Horizons: The Series and the upcoming finale of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series in a discussion celebrating the legacy and future of the Pokémon animated series. The panel also provided fans a unique behind-the-scenes look into how the company delivers animated content from Japan to fans around the world.

    For the first time since the show’s Japanese premiere, The Pokémon Company International screened the first 11 minutes of Pokémon Horizons: The Series dubbed in English as a special surprise for panel attendees. A new trailer for the highly anticipated series was also featured during the panel.

    Fans were also treated to a never-before-seen look at the animation development process of Pokémon Horizons: The Series in a behind-the-scenes video showing how the production team in Japan works on the series. The panel also offered unique insights on the localization process of key characters such as dual protagonists Liko and Roy — and their respective partner Pokémon Sprigatito and Fuecoco — as well as the Rising Volt Tacklers, led by Friede and Captain Pikachu, and the antagonist group known as the Explorers, including Amethio and his partner Pokémon Ceruledge.

    “We are incredibly grateful to the fans who joined us for our first Comic-Con International panel, and it was an absolute joy to connect with members of the Pokémon community who have contributed to making Pokémon animation the success that it is today, while providing a closer look at what’s to come for the series,” said Taito Okiura, VP of Marketing for The Pokémon Company International.

    “As we gear up for the upcoming release of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, we remain passionate about delivering animated content with captivating stories and lovable characters that appeal to fans across the globe and look forward to sharing more soon.”

    Outside of new details for Pokémon Horizons: The Series, The Pokémon Company International announced that fans in the U.S. and Latin America can look forward to Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master, a collection of special episodes that will conclude Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, when it launches on Netflix on September 8.

    These nostalgic episodes will bring back fan-favorite Pokémon and characters, such as Misty and Brock, while providing a glimpse at what the future may hold for Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu in this final chapter of their 25-season journey. A new trailer for Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master as well as production artwork were also debuted during the panel.

    All images courtesy of The Pokémon Company International.

  • Holy Krap! FOX Drops ‘Krapopolis’ Trailer at Comic-Con

    Holy Krap! FOX Drops ‘Krapopolis’ Trailer at Comic-Con

    FOX has brought its dysfunctional animated pantheon down from Olympus, debuting a brand-new trailer for Krapopolis today ahead of a special screening at San Diego Comic-Con. Attendees can line up for first-come, first-served seating outside Room 5AB of the San Diego Convention Center for the show tonight (Thursday, July 20) from 8-9 p.m.

    Created and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty), Krapopolis is an animated comedy set in mythical ancient Greece. The series will debut on FOX with a two-episode preview event on Sunday, September 24, immediately following the FOX NFL Doubleheader (8-9 p.m. ET/5-6 p.m. PT, live).

    Featuring the voices of Emmy Award-winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones), Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), Matt Berry (What We Do in The Shadows), Pam Murphy (Mapleworth Murders) and Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel), the series centers on a flawed family of humans, gods, and monsters attempting to guide humanity out of the savage wilderness and into a new lifestyle experiment they’re calling “civilization.”

    Ayoade voices Tyrannis, the mortal son of a goddess. He’s the self-involved, narcissistic King of Krapopolis trying to make do in a city that lives up to its name. Waddingham plays Deliria, Tyrannis’ mother, goddess of self-destruction and questionable choices. Deliria is as petty as she is powerful, and only seems interested in defending civilization if it means she’ll get more worshipers out of it than her frenemies up on Mt. Olympus. Berry is Shlub, Tyrannis’ father, a mantitaur (half centaur [horse + human], half manticore [lion + human + scorpion]). He’s the self-described life of the orgy. A true pleasure seeker who thinks that everyone should just chill out and, if they need him for anything, he’ll be down at the bar. Murphy voices Stupendous, Tyrannis’ half-sister, daughter of Deliria and a cyclops. Trussell plays Hippocampus, Tyrannis’ half-brother, offspring of Shlub and a mermaid, and, obviously, a hot mess, biologically speaking.

    Krapopolis is owned by FOX Entertainment and produced by FOX’s Bento Box Entertainment. Dan Harmon 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).

  • WildBrain Completes Acquisition of House of Cool

    WildBrain Completes Acquisition of House of Cool

    Kids’ and family entertainment company WildBrain Ltd. (wildbrain.com) has closed its previously announced acquisition of House of Cool, a pre-production company serving the global animation industry. The acquisition significantly expands and enhances WildBrain’s’s pre-production capabilities for premium animated series, specials and features.

    Under the agreement, WildBrain has acquired full ownership of House of Cool for consideration of $15.5 million CAD, with $10.25 million CAD through the issuance of 4,479,406 WildBrain shares and the remainder in cash (subject to a customary working capital adjustment). Additionally, there is a potential earn-out of up to $6 million CAD based on collection of certain tax credits earned by House of Cool up to closing.

    House of Cool executives and co-founders Wes Lui and Ricardo Curtis have joined the WildBrain Studios senior management team in the newly created roles of Co-General Managers of House of Cool.

    “We’re delighted to close our acquisition of House of Cool and to officially welcome Wes, Ricardo and their talented team to WildBrain,” said Josh Scherba, President & CEO of WildBRain. “House of Cool is recognized as one of the very best pre-production houses in the global animation industry, and this highly complementary acquisition meaningfully broadens and deepens WildBrain’s capabilities for both our own and partner productions.”

    Lui and Curtis commented, “We’re incredibly excited to conclude the acquisition process and to have officially joined forces with the brilliant team at WildBrain. There are great opportunities ahead, as we continue to offer our clients world-class pre-production services, while also collaborating with WildBrain on their extensive catalogue of content and the creation of exciting new IP. Our combined strengths make us a potent creative force in the animation industry.”

    Toronto-based House of Cool is a highly regarded industry leader in pre-production, an essential early planning stage in the life of a feature or series during which the story is developed and creative choices are made to establish the look, feel, style and pacing of a project, creating the blueprint for the launch of full production. The House of Cool brand will be maintained as a distinct identity under the WildBrain banner.

    Founded in 2004, House of Cool has worked with top studios, platforms and IP owners across the industry on animated features and series for kids and families as well as other demographics. They have worked on over 20 theatrical films, which have grossed over US $6.23 billion, providing a variety of pre-production services — including storyboarding; conceptual and visual development; character, environment and prop design; and the creation of animatic test videos.

    The studio’s past feature projects include Despicable Me for Illumination; The Magician’s Elephant for Netflix; The Angry Birds franchise for Rovio and Sony Pictures Animation; and The Peanuts Movie, Ferdinand and the Ice Age and Rio franchises for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. Notable series include What if…? for Marvel Studios; Gravity Falls for Disney; and Trollhunters, Maya and the Three and Dragons: Race to the Edge for DreamWorks and Netflix.

     

  • ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Score Gets Vinyl Album Treatment

    ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Score Gets Vinyl Album Treatment

    Nickelodeon and Republic Records: Kids & Family announced the long-awaited release of Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series) on digital and vinyl. The album, featuring an updated and re-recorded score from the first season of the series, is now available to pre-order and will be released in November, with the first single, “Aang Becomes Ocean,” releasing on Friday, July 28.

    Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman, who composed the music for the award-winning animated Nickelodeon series, has expanded his original compositions and employed a full orchestra for Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series). The original album artwork was created by Bryan Konietzko, co-creator and art director of Avatar: The Last Airbender and co-Chief Creative Officer of Avatar Studios.

    Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is co-created by Konietzko and Michael DiMartino. The series ran for three seasons (61 episodes), from February 2005 to July 2008 and was honored with a Peabody Award and Primetime Emmy, along with multiple Annie Awards and Genesis Awards. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred Year War to restore balance to the Four Nations.

    Pre-save Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series) to Spotify or Apple Music here.

  • Adult Swim Greenlights New Shinichirō Watanabe Anime ‘Lazarus’

    Adult Swim Greenlights New Shinichirō Watanabe Anime ‘Lazarus’

    Adult Swim announced today it is currently in production with acclaimed director Shinichirō Watanabe for a new Toonami original anime series, Lazarus. Celebrated for his influential body of work that includes Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids on the Slope, Lazarus marks Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.

    Produced by anime studio MAPPA, Lazarus will feature high-octane action with sequences designed by Chad Stahelski, stuntman and director of the John Wick film franchise, and brought to the screen by Watanabe. Lazarus will also feature a score by a collection of noted jazz and electronic artists, including jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington (West Coast Get Down); producer, DJ & musician Floating Points (Floating Points Ensemble); and producer, DJ & musician Bonobo.

    Shinichirō Watanabe

    “As I embark on this creative journey, I can’t help but feel that this project will serve as a culmination of my career so far,” said Watanabe. “I hope you enjoy it.”

    “Shinichirō Watanabe is simply one of the greatest living artists, and it’s a dream come true to be able to collaborate with him on a new original series,” said Jason DeMarco, SVP, Head of Anime and Action Series at Adult Swim. “Like all of his work, Lazarus is packed with big ideas, incredible characters and a ton of heart. We can’t wait for anime fans to see this world.”

    Synopsis: The year is 2052 — an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous … and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.

    Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned — this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world — and coming soon.

    As a response to this threat, a special task force of 5 agents is gathered from across the world to save humanity from Skinner’s plan. This group is called “Lazarus.” Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?

    Fans attending the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego this year will hear from Watanabe himself at the “Toonami on the Green” event on Saturday, July 22 at 5:15 p.m. Free for those 18+ to attend, reservations are currently sold out, but fans are encouraged to join the standby line for the chance to get a first-look at “Lazarus” alongside other forthcoming Toonami original series. For more details, visit AdultSwimFestival.com.

  • Nelvana Offers First Look at Original Short ‘Jelly’ (Exclusive)

    Nelvana Offers First Look at Original Short ‘Jelly’ (Exclusive)

     

    Corus Entertainment’s children’s content division Nelvana today announced the studio has produced its second original short film, entitled Jelly.

    Animation Magazine debuts the first-look imagery unveiled  this morning, ahead of the 13-minute film’s World Premiere at the 27th Fantasia International Film Festival (July 20-Aug. 9 in Montreal).

    Created and directed by Emmy Award-winning director Robin Budd (Beetlejuice, Hotel Transylvania: The Series), who also wrote the short with Dale Schott, Jelly is a 2D animated short film exploring the universal reality that life is too precious to be unhappy at work and encourages the pursuit of one’s true passion.

    “Building on the critical acclaim received on our short film The Most Magnificent Thing, Jelly reinforces Nelvana’s position as a creative powerhouse,” said Athena Georgaklis, Vice President of Nelvana Studios. “We’ve been fortunate to have Robin Budd as a long-standing collaborator, having worked together on successful projects such as the Beetlejuice TV series to Ruby Gloom, and Hotel Transylvania: The Series. His expertise and artistic vision have been instrumental in bringing Jelly, his first original short, to life. With Jelly, we have expanded our team’s creative and storytelling abilities, while also pushing the boundaries of our technical capabilities.”

    Jelly takes audiences on a journey through a modern dilemma intertwined with a captivating fairy tale. Should the hero character, Molly, pursue the passion of expressive art, or tread a factory job painting mannequin faces? She cannot decide, but a liquid spirit soon helps make the choice easy. Molly is someone who just has to express herself, even when her cold-as-ice Big Bad Boss Lady is wicked, oppressive, and just plain mean. That creative gift just has to get out. It must! No matter what the repercussions. In our hero’s case, it is a tiny but growing puddle of goo that helps transform Molly into a force to be reckoned with. Join Jelly, as she ignites Molly’s inner mojo, helping her discover that fortune does indeed favor the brave.

    “Creating this original short film has been a dream come true. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with Nelvana, and their dedication to pushing artistic boundaries has allowed us to create something truly special,” said creator/director Budd. “This film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of animation, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us on this extraordinary adventure that we’ve all experienced at some point in life.”

    With the art direction led by Jelena Sisic, the film features a film-noir concept to highlight the mundane and oppressive world that plagues its protagonist, followed by a bright and colorful world once she unites with Jelly and realizes her creative potential. The film features music from Grammy Award winner Daniel Lanois’ expansive catalog, providing depth and intrigue to Molly and her world.

    “Similar to music, the struggle for creative inspiration is a universal concept,” said Lanois. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Robin Budd and the Nelvana team to select music from my catalogue that will not only help enhance Jelly’s unique animation, but resonate with international audiences as they sympathize with Molly’s creative journey.”

    The project’s producers are Laurie Handforth and Marilyn McAuley, with Pam Westman and Athena Georgaklis as executive producers.

    Jelly will premiere at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada as part of their Circo Animato programming, an annual showcase of amazing animated short films from around the world. Ticketing and more information available at fantasiafestival.com.

    Entertaining kids for over 50 years, Nelvana is a world-leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content — a catalog which airs on Corus Entertainment’s kids channels in Canada and in over 180 countries around the world, winning more than 70 major international program awards including Emmys and Canadian Screen Awards. Learn more at nelvana.com.

    All images of Jelly courtesy of Nelvana.

  • ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ Continues with New Episodes August 2

    ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ Continues with New Episodes August 2

    Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Season 1 continues the Force-fueled fun this summer: Six all-new episodes will debut on Disney+ and Disney Junior beginning August 2, with more to come later this year. In total, Season 1 will be a 25-episode run.

    Set during The High Republic era, the Lucasfilm animated series aimed at preschoolers follows Jedi Younglings as they study the ways of the Force and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi. The series was recently nominated for a 2023 Television Critics Association Award and was awarded a Common Sense Seal from Common Sense Media, which acknowledges outstanding media that families can enjoy together.

    (L-R): Nash Durango, RJ-83 and Kai Brightstar in ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’. © 2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    The first seven episodes from the series, which premiered May 4 (Star Wars Day), saw the Younglings train with Master Yoda and Master Zia at the Jedi temple on Tenoo, meet pilot and fast friend Nash Durango, and clash with pirate Taborr Val Dorn. The six new episodes will follow the Younglings as they continue to hone their Force abilities and go on adventures across the galaxy.

    “We’ve been thrilled to see a whole new generation fall in love with the Star Wars galaxy through Young Jedi Adventures,” says James Waugh, series executive producer and SVP, Franchise Content & Strategy at Lucasfilm. “We hope to continue delighting younglings, Jedi padawans and the fans of all ages who have declared themselves #NubsNation, with these new episodes.”

    Produced by Lucasfilm in collaboration with Wild Canary for Disney+ and Disney Junior, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures is executive produced by Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. Michael Olson (Puppy Dog Pals) is showrunner and executive producer, Elliot M. Bour (Elena of Avalor) is supervising director and co-producer, Jeannine Hodson (Puppy Dog Pals) is producer and Lamont Magee (Black Lightning) is consulting producer.

    The series stars Jamaal Avery, Jr. as Kai Brightstar, Juliet Donenfeld as Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs, Emma Berman as Nash Durango, Trey Murphy as Taborr, Jonathan Lipow as RJ-83, Nasim Pedrad as Master Zia Zanna and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.

    Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures © 2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Extensions for Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures include multiple books such as Leveled Readers, Little Golden Books, Coloring & Activity formats, and more, plus an assortment of playsets, figures, apparel, plush and more from Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, and more. A selection of items are now available at major retailers, including ShopDisney.

  • ‘Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be’ Arrives on VOD July 28

    ‘Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be’ Arrives on VOD July 28

    Santa Monica, Calif.-based media company Buffalo 8 announced today that the French animated feature Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be will arrive on video on demand platforms next Friday, July 28. Inspired by the bestselling children’s books Le Petit Nicolas and the lives of their creators, the 2D picture took home the Annecy Cristal for best feature film in 2022.

    Synopsis: Somewhere between Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Jean-Jacques Sempé and René Goscinny lean over a large white sheet of paper and bring to life a mischievous and endearing boy, Little Nicholas. From schoolyard games and fights to summer camp prank and camaraderie, Nicholas lives a merry and enriching childhood. As the adventures of Nicholas and his friends unfold, the boy makes his way into his creators’ workshop and light-heartedly questions them. Sempé and Goscinny will recount the story of their friendship, career, and reveal a childhood filled with hopes and dreams.

    The labor-of-love film several years in the making was directed by Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre, and featured an accomplished voice cast: René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé are portrayed by award-winning actors Alain Chabat (Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra) and Laurent Lafitte (The Takedown, Elle).

    The film was co-written by Anne Goscinny, René Goscinny’s daughter, with Michel Fessler and Massoubre (I Lost My Body). Producers are Aton Soumache (The Little Prince, Miraculous) and Lilian Eche (White Fang, The Room) fo ON Classica and Bibidul Productions. The film’s score was composed by Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Ludovic Bource (The Artist, Escape from Planet Earth).

    First appearing in 1959 in the Sud-Quest Dimanche newspaper, more than 222 Le Petit Nicolas stories were published and later created into books. These have since sold more than 15 million copies, and have been translated into 40 languages.

    Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be will be available through Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play/YouTube, Vubiquity, Redbox, Charter/Spectrum, Comcast/Xfinity and Cox starting July 28.

  • Crunchyroll Sets Multi-Language Dub Debuts for ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ S2

    Crunchyroll Sets Multi-Language Dub Debuts for ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ S2

    Crunchyroll is set to launch multiple dubs for the long-awaited JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2 in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Castilian Spanish and Russian, which will begin rolling out later this July. (Additional dub languages coming to Crunchyroll will also include French and German, with their premiere dates to be announced at a later time.):

    • July 20 at 1:30 p.m. PDT — English
    • July 27 — Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian
    • August 3 — Italian
    • August 10 — Castilian Spanish

    Streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll, JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2 began simulcasting on July 6 with new subtitled episodes arriving every week after its broadcast in Japan that same day. S2 will be told over two consecutive cours, with the first part of the story recounting Gojo’s and Geto’s past in the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc.

    “Fans have been eagerly waiting for the return of this incredible series, and we’re thrilled that Crunchyroll will be the exclusive home to Season 2 of JUJUTSU KAISEN,” said Asa Suehira, Crunchyroll’s Chief Content Officer.

    The English-language voice cast was also confirmed:

    • Kaiji Tang as Satoru Gojo
    • Lex Lang as Suguru Geto
    • Nicolas Roye as Toji Fushiguro
    • Ryan Bartley as Shoko Ieiri
    • Reba Buhr as Riko Amanai

    Suzy Goldish is ADR director for the English-language dub.

    Synopsis: This is the innocent spring that the two strongest lost forever. Itadori Yuji took Ryomen Sukuna into his own body in June 2018. Okkotsu Yuta freed Orimoto Rika from her curse in December 2017. And now it’s spring 2006. Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, two peerless jujutsu sorcerers from Jujutsu High, have been given two missions by Tengen, an immortal known as the cornerstone of the jujutsu community.

    One mission is the escorting and erasure of the “Star Plasma Vessel,” Amanai Riko, the girl chosen as the best match to merge with Tengen. So, the two of them set out on their escort mission in order to keep the jujutsu community going, but an assassin calling himself Fushiguro interferes in an attempt to assassinate the Star Plasma Vessel. The pasts of Gojo and Geto, the ones who would later be known as the most powerful jujutsu sorcerer and the most evil curse user, are about to be revealed…

    The second season is animated by MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan Final Season, Hell’s Paradise) and directed by Shota Goshozono. The screenplay and series composition is written by Hiroshi Seko (Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan Final Season, Mob Psycho 100).

    Additional credits include character design by Sayaka Koiso (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers) and Tadashi Hiramatsu (Yuri!!! on Ice), art direction by Junichi Higashi (Cowboy Bebop); cinematography by Teppei Ito (Chainsaw Man), editing by Keisuke Yanagi (Tokyo Ghoul) and music composed by Yoshimasa Terui (Jujutsu Kaisen). The opening and ending theme music for the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc are performed by Tatsuya Kitani and Soushi Sakiyama, respectively.

    The series is produced by TOHO Animation and based on the best-selling manga of the same title written and illustrated by Gege Akutami.

    crunchyroll.com/jujutsu-kaisen

  • Sanrio Brings ‘Kuromi’s Pretty Journey’ to English-Language YT Channel

    Sanrio Brings ‘Kuromi’s Pretty Journey’ to English-Language YT Channel

    Sanrio has announced Kuromi’s Pretty Journey — new short-form animated series starring girly-goth bunny Kuromi as the main character — will debut the on the official Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube channel on June 27. The series will introduce new friends, including her big sister Romina who will be making her debut.

    Launched earlier this year in Japan, the series is part of Sanrio’s “One World, Connecting Smiles” drive to bring new dimensions to Sanrio’s core characters in the digital space while encouraging inclusivity and positive connections across online platforms.

    Kuromi’s Pretty Journey

    In Kuromi’s Pretty Journey, Kuromi travels around the world in search of her big sister Romina. The story begins with Kuromi receiving a photo of Romina in the mail who went missing when Kuromi was a little girl. After learning that Romina lives in the human world, she sets off with her sidekick Baku on a journey to find her. Throughout her journey, she gains companions, but also brushes up against evil organizations.

    The series is produced by Qzil.la / IMAGICA DIGITALSCAPE. The 21-episode English-speaking version will be released beginning with three episodes on Thursday, June 27, and one per week thereafter every Tuesday.

    Ranked the third most popular character in the annual global Sanrio Character Ranking Awards in 2022, Kuromi is a mischievous go-getter and multigenerational fan-favorite amongst “Kuromies” ranging from 10 to 25 years old. She is a star character in the Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures YouTube animation series. Kuromi was originally developed for Sanrio’s TV animation series Onegai My Melody, where she was introduced as the rival of My Melody. Released in 2005, the series ran for four years and is now gaining popularity among Gen Z fans.

    Ahead of Kuromi’s Halloween birthday celebration, Sanrio will kick off their annual #KUROMIFYTHEWORLDWEEK in October with exciting activities including social media and YouTube content, product launches and global events and promotions. #KUROMIFYTHEWORLD is the initiative to spread awareness of Kuromi’s message of “Let’s dream without fear!” and is aimed at increasing the number of Kuromies determined to become the best version of themselves. To learn more, visit sanrio.com and follow @kuromi_project on Instagram.

  • Doc Needs All the Help He Can Get in New ‘Venture Bros.’ Movie Clip

    Doc Needs All the Help He Can Get in New ‘Venture Bros.’ Movie Clip

    The big unveiling of The Ventures Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart is almost here, with the movie due to debut on Digital this Friday, July 21, followed by a Blu-ray release on Tuesday, July 25. But for today, fans have been treated to a new first-look clip channeling big tech mogul energy (plus a couple fresh stills).

    Dr. Venture (voiced by James Urbaniak) prepares to unveil his groundbreaking creation, the HelperPod, only it hasn’t been invented yet…

    Film Synopsis: Doc’s latest invention will either bankrupt Team Venture or launch them to new heights, as Hank searches for himself, Dean searches for Hank, The Monarch searches for answers, and a mysterious woman from their pasts threatens to bring their entire world crashing down on them.

    Returning in their original series roles alongsideUrbaniak (The Fabelmans) are Patrick Warburton (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Brock Samson, Michael Sinterniklaas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Dean Venture, Chris McCulloch (Superjail!) as Hank Venture and Doc Hammer as Dr. Mrs. The Monarch.

    Dr. Venture (James Urbaniak), Billy Quizboy (Doc Hammer), Pete White and Pirate Captain (Chris McCulloch) look over VenTek’s newest product, the Helper Pod. [c/o Adult Swim]
    Also featured in the voice cast are Nina Arianda (Being the Ricardos) as Mantilla, Clancy Brown (John Wick: Chapter 4) as Red Death, John Hodgman (Up Here) as Snoopy, Hal Lublin (Welcome to Night Vale) as Clayton, Jane Lynch (Glee) as Bobbi St. Simone, Charles Parnell (Top Gun: Maverick) as Jefferson Twilight, Jay Pharoah (Spinning Gold) as Nuno Blood, Steven Rattazzi (New Amsterdam) as Dr. Orpheus, JK Simmons (Whiplash) as Ben and Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Hunger Force) as The Alchemist.

    From Adult Swim, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment and Titmouse, series creators Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick wrote and executive produced The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart, and Publick directed. Executive producers also include Chris Prynoski (The Legend of Vox Machina), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), Antonio Canobbio (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth). Animation by Titmouse.

  • Squeeze Powers Up ‘Invincible’ Game Cinematic, ‘Sonic Superstars’ Shares Opening Animation

    Squeeze Powers Up ‘Invincible’ Game Cinematic, ‘Sonic Superstars’ Shares Opening Animation

    Inspired by Skybound Entertainment’s comic-book series (2003 – 2018) and the Prime Video hit animated series (2021), the bloody, splintered world of Invincible is coming to mobile gaming with Ubisoft. Titled Invincible: Guarding the Globe, the idle squad RPG features a brand-new story line players follow through multi-battle action, character collection and super-powered visuals as they join the Global Defense Agency to unravel the mystery of a deadly clone army (and … stolen burger meat?) alongside Cecil Stedman.

    Joining in on this heroic mission is Quebec City- and Montreal-based animation house Squeeze, which was tapped to animated the game’s cinematic trailer, honoring the franchise’s origins in a preview that packs a punch. “The cinematic merges 3D characters and 2D environments. It was a real challenge to ensure that these compositions harmonized, while respecting the aesthetics of the series in terms of both lighting and colors,” says director Jonathan Simard.

    The studio is known for award-winning work in 3D animation and games, working across original productions as well as partnering with the likes of Marvel, Universal, Illumination and Warner Bros. Discovery. Deborah Kerr, Marketing Manager, Ubisoft Barcelona Mobile, commented, “We had very high expectations when we started working with Squeeze — yet they still managed to blow us away! They went above and beyond with the animation and were a true joy and inspiration to work alongside. Not only is the team immensely talented, they’re dedicated to ensuring the shared vision of the project is achieved.”

    Find more information about Invincible: Guarding the Globe and register for notifications here.

     

    In other fun video game news, publisher SEGA and developer Arzest have released the opening animation for Sonic Superstars — the latest title inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog which promises to bring “New Thrills. Classic feels.” to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and PC this fall.

    Adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in this all-new take on classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platforming. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose and harness all-new Emerald powers to move and attack in dynamic new ways. Navigate gorgeous, never-before-seen environments solo or with up to three other players and stop Dr. Eggman, Fang and a mysterious new adversary from converting the islands’ giant animals into Badniks before it’s too late!

    The game refreshes the classic 2D Sonic sidescrolling action with fully 3D graphics, new powers and abilities, new settings and — for the first time in a Sonic game — the option to play through the entire campaign with up to three other players with drop-in and drop-out four-player local cooperative play.

    The opening animation features music by Tee Lopes and Jun Senoue. Follow Sonic the Hedgehog on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok for the latest updates.

  • Details Revealed for New ‘TMNT,’ ‘Minions’ Experiences

    Details Revealed for New ‘TMNT,’ ‘Minions’ Experiences

    Fans will be able to discover whole new levels of Minion mischief and tubular Turtle power this summer, as new attractions and experiences based on Illumination’s Minions and the soon-to-debut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem open to the public.

    Universal Orlando Resort debuts the first-of-its-kind blaster game attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, as well as the expansive new Minion Land on Illumination Ave. at Universal Studios Florida. Created in partnership between the visionary teams at Universal Creative and Illumination, the new experiences will invite guests of all ages to step into the beloved world of the Minions franchise like never before as they blast their way to supervillain stardom, savor flavorful fare courtesy of the Minions, meet some of their favorite characters and so much more.

    Located at the entrance to Minion Land, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast blends immersive sets, interactive game-based technology, custom animation and an original storyline to create a one-of-a-kind blaster attraction where guests can put their villainous skills to the ultimate test.

    Upon entering the attraction, guests will immediately be transported to Villain-Con — the largest convention for villains around the globe — where the headlining event is a challenge to see who has what it takes to become the newest member of the notorious supervillain group, the Vicious 6, featured in the hit film, Minions: The Rise of Gru. As guests make their way through the convention, they’ll venture through the trade show floor, stocked with the latest gadgets, vehicles and fashion to pull off the most heinous schemes, before picking up an “E-Liminator X” blaster to compete against their friends, loved ones and fellow guests to prove how bad they really are.

    Throughout the competition, guests will use their blaster — equipped with Freeze Rays, Banana Bombs, Explosive Nunchucks and more — to cause as much mayhem and destruction as possible to earn points. As they wind and glide through the experience aboard a moving pathway, they’ll encounter each member of the Vicious 6, voiced by the original cast from the film, in a setting inspired by their character, including:

    • Belle Bottom (voiced by Taraji P. Henson), the cool, confident leader of the Vicious 6, in a groovy disco
    • Stronghold (voiced by Danny Trejo) — named after his giant iron hands — in a museum filled with tons of fragile and priceless art just waiting to be destroyed
    • Nun-Chuck (voiced by Lucy Lawless), a fierce warrior with prized nun-chucks who will travel aboard her flying organ as she challenges guests to create musical mayhem
    • Jean Clawed (voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme) — outfitted with a giant mechanical lobster claw — in an evil, underwater lair filled with hidden loot and robotic sea creatures
    • Svengeance (voiced by Dolph Lundgren), the roller-skating champion with spiked skates, in a floating roller derby filled with blimps, jumbo-trons and speed-skating robots

    Villain-Con Minion Blast will also be the first Universal Orlando attraction to feature a connected gameplay experience via The Official Universal Orlando Resort App. By syncing their blaster to the app with just a tap, contenders can take their game to an entirely new level and track their scores, embark on special missions within the attraction, unlock evil perks and extra powerful blasts to help them gain more points and earn digital collectibles. The more guests play and the higher they score, the more perks and bragging rights they’ll earn. Plus, this digital experience connects to the visitor’s Universal Guest Account within the Universal Orlando app — unlocking a deeper connection that enhances their in-park experience and sets the stage for even more digital-to-physical world benefits.

    In addition to enjoying Minion Land’s Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction and new Villain-Con Minion Blast, guests can fuel up with a unique dining experience at Illumination’s Minion Cafe,  a new eatery run by the Minions featuring inventive, family-friendly fare; Bake My Day, a retail location and bakery featuring a unique selection of Minion-themed sweet treats; Pop-A-Nana, a kiosk featuring banana-flavored popcorn; and Freeze Ray Pops, a walk-up window serving colorful frozen treats. Guests can also stop by the outdoor Illumination Theater façade to meet, greet and interact with beloved characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes from the Despicable Me franchise, and Rosita, Gunter and Johnny from Sing.

     

    Celebrating the upcoming Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies release, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Experience is a family-friendly, immersive experience that invites guests to explore the Turtles’ underground home. Fans in N.Y.C. and L.A. can see what life is like inside their lair and train with their favorite half-shell heroes before the movies hits theaters on August 2.

    The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Experiences will run Sunday, July 23 – Tuesday, August 1 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. local time. Submit your RSVP now at tmntexperience.com.

    Locations:

    • New York: 415 West 14th Street NY, NY, 10014
    • Los Angeles: 1247 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA, 90401

    At the end of the Turtles experience, fans will be able to visit the official “Sewer Shop”, with an interactive product showcase featuring a robust selection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and TMNT classic toys, apparel, accessories, entertainment and home décor, all available in the Amazon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles store.

    On offer are dozens of Amazon exclusives including the Mutant Mayhem Leonardo Plush Toy with Action and 20+ Sounds from Mattel (available for preorder) and the Classic Cohort Collection action figures including Foot Soldier, Mutagen Man, Leatherhead, Wingnut and Screwloose from Playmates. Fans can also shop the TMNT store for a variety of exciting apparel options for both kids and adults such as the Peace Love and Pizza t-shirt, a new excusive design from Amazon Essentials and Merch on Demand. The Sewer Shop product showcase will include shoppable QR codes that make it easy to order items directly from Amazon.

  • Good News for U.K. Animation!

    Good News for U.K. Animation!

    Animated film production in the U.K. is readying for an incentivized boost as the government reveals plans for increased tax relief, set to take effect from January 1, 2024. The measure aims to support local businesses in innovation and grow the national economy in general. Draft legislation for a simplified Research and Development (R&D) Scheme was also revealed.

    Per the U.K. Government, the country’s creative industry has grown at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade, making it an important sector for the Chancellor’s plan to grow the economy.

    The new tax changes are expected to be worth £5 million each year to business and come alongside the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, which was uplifted at budget from 33.33% to 39%. This also follows the Creative Industries Sector Vision published last month, which set an ambition to grow the creative industries by an extra £50 billion by 2030.

    “We want the U.K. to be the best place to start and grow a business and while we have the lowest corporation tax rate in the G7, we are not complacent,” commented Financial Secretary to the Treasury Victoria Atkins. “The changes we are making are about backing business to innovate and grow the U.K. economy, creating good jobs across the country.”

    This measure is part of 23 tax announcements published as part of the government’s ‘Legislation Day’, where draft legislation for an upcoming Finance Bill is published, as well as technical tax documents and consultations mostly from measures announced at the Spring Budget. (Read the Finance Bill ministerial statement here.)

    Also published today is the proposed design for a simplified R&D scheme, which would be born out of a merger from two previous schemes, as well as draft legislation also published to cement a further new £500 million per year scheme to support 20,000 R&D intensive SMEs.

    A final decision will be made in the Autumn on whether to merge the Research and Development Expenditure Credit and Small Medium Enterprise relief schemes to form a new scheme. A merged scheme would simplify the system, by creating a single set of qualifying rules, and giving clarity on how much could be claimed before claims are made.

     

    Six animations from previous YAY UK competitions

    In other recent industry news out of the U.K., aspiring filmmakers should be aware that the Young Animator of the Year U.K. Competition has launched for Summer 2023. The competition invites talented animators aged 11-18 to showcase their stop-motion, 2D or 3D animation skills. Winning films will be announced and premiered at a special awards ceremony in November at Manchester Animation Festival. Run by ScreenSkills, ACCESS: VFX, 3Dami and NextGen Skills Academy, YAY UK encourages young people to pursue creative skills to set them up to have successful creative careers.

    The winning films in the 3D, 2D and stop motion categories will be announced and premiered at the U.K.’s largest animation event, Manchester Animation Festival. The ceremony will invite industry professionals to watch the films alongside the young animators — an opportunity which has given these young animators a leg up. Winners of previous years have gone on to work at major studios including ILM, The Mill, Blue Zoo, MPC and DNEG. Last year, YAY UK winner Nishaan Singh impressed judges with his striking 3D short film and went on to appear in the BBC’s Great British Menu final Banquet. Winners will also be invited to tour behind the scenes of the world-famous Aardman Animations in Bristol and Blue Zoo Animation Studio in London.

    Young animators can submit their short films through younganimator.uk. All entrants must live in the U.K., be between 11 to 18 years old and entries must be made by the individual or with a team of animators aged 18 or under.

     

     

    And speaking of ACCESS: VFX (accessvfx.org), London-based media & entertainment creative software developer Foundry (foundry.com) announced it will continue its commitment to the e-mentorship program for a fourth consecutive year. ACCESS: VFX is a global non-profit focused on driving inclusion and diversity in the VFX, animation and games industries.

    The e-mentoring program was created in 2019 and began with 100 mentees looking for routes into the industry. Today, the initiative has partnered over 2,293 budding creatives aged 13 to 65 with dedicated mentors working in these industries — an increase of 155% in global sign ups since 2021. The program has a global reach that matches mentors and mentees in the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and recently expanded to mainland Europe with the support of new sponsor, Netflix. Its rapid growth in the number of engaged mentees and mentors from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures is working to help broaden diversity and inclusivity across the industry.

    The program helps those entering, or re-entering the creative industries, allowing mentees to forge valuable connections and support from industry professionals into a vast range of roles. The most desired roles being a 3D animator (32%), 2D animator (18%) and a compositor (16%).

    ACCESS: VFX has added brand-new updates to the program for 2023 that includes a useful Q&A feature through Prospela. Users fill out their details and can choose to sign up as a mentor or to ask the VFX community a question. The new feature means that those looking for one-off advice from professionals can quickly seek the answers to their questions without becoming a part of the program.

  • CLU’s Animation Career Training Program Celebrates 3rd Batch of Grads, Multiple Honors & Screenings

    CLU’s Animation Career Training Program Celebrates 3rd Batch of Grads, Multiple Honors & Screenings

    The CLU Career Training Program in Torrance, California — an initiative of The Center for Learning Unlimited — is toasting the third graduating class of its animation career training program for neurodiverse adults. Alongside commencement, CLU announces film festival (and other) honors, plus a robust project slate for its affiliated animation studio Brainstorm Productions, now in its second year of full-time operation.

    An original, animated, half-hour special consisting of all original short films is currently in the works at Brainstorm, on track for a streaming debut in time for World Autism Month (April) 2024.

    The CLU class of 2023 includes Christian Pech, Bryan Ramirez, Leo Romero, Brandon Williams and Bobby Toresdahl. After graduation exercises, the emergent alums will be employees of CLU Transitions, DBA Brainstorm Productions, which supports brick-and-mortar facilities on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance.

    In the last year, Brainstorm has completed a kid-lit inspired multimedia package, comprising two animated short films, for author and director Linda Malik. The resulting animation Willow’s Tale – the adventures of a little black cat with a big imagination — is on the international film festival circuit, set to screen in the 2023 Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival on July 26. Willow’s Tale also is one of only 10 official selections in the 2023 NY Cat Film Festival, lauded by New York Times in an October 2022 spread.

    “Our long and successful collaboration with Brainstorm Productions has resulted in two short animations and one book, with more exciting projects to come,” says Malik. “On behalf of all little black cats, we are grateful.”

    LA Shorts Fest director Robert Arentz comments, “We are excited to welcome this talented crew into LA Shorts International Fest 2023. Their Willow work jumps off the screen. It will be a treat for audiences to share this joy in the theater.”

    In addition, Brainstorm Productions has embarked on meaningful partnerships with top karaoke manufacturer The Singing Machine Company and its Social Impact Officer Genna Rosenberg of GennComm, musical non-profit Rock Autism and children’s book authors Jane Kusch (The Secret Life of Sheba) and Lisa Jacovsky (Rascal Cat Brothers, Purrrfect as I Am), respectively. In-production projects include an animated music video from composers/creators Tim and Vickie Myers, plus a graphic novel (Tierra de Libertad or Land of Freedom) by Latina filmmaker, writer, producer and La Femme Film Fest founder Leslie LaPage.

    “CLU and Brainstorm Productions continue to amaze!” says recently instated Brainstorm senior staffer, animator and Grilled Cheese Media co-founder Bob Harper. “I look forward to joining forces with these inventive artists.”

    The studio’s enthusiastic cabinet also includes advisory board members Walter Santucci and Kathleen Davison; CLU and Brainstorm founder/executive director Virginia Erxleben, EdD, BCET; animation program coordinator Sylvia Owens; and entertainment industry consultant Marlene Sharp of Pink Poodle Productions.

    “Brainstorm is a catapult for these unconventional content creators. We hope to engage with the entertainment industry on many fronts to provide meaningful employment inside an underserved community,” says Erxleben. “Our students are too talented not to contribute to their chosen field! Let’s change the narrative from 80% unemployment to 80% employment within the neurodiverse population. Brainstorm Productions is a big step in that direction.”

    CLU is home to a swiftly growing animation career training program for adults on the autism spectrum. As CLU’s sister creative and digital arts studio, Brainstorm Productions offers paid workplace experience for CLU animation alumni. Brainstorm has a distinct mission: To be that bridge between school enrollment and paid roles. Brainstorm Productions proudly presents compensated job opportunities for those with CLU animation diplomas. Learn more at cflu.org .

  • ‘Rick and Morty’ S1-6 Head to Box Set, Oni Press Previews Manga Vol. 1

    ‘Rick and Morty’ S1-6 Head to Box Set, Oni Press Previews Manga Vol. 1

    From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, fans of one of Adult Swim’s top hits will have something to get schwifty at the end of summer, when the multiverse comes home in the epic, 1,342-minute Rick and Morty: The Complete Season 1-6 on Blu-ray and DVD on September 12.

    The set includes all 61 episodes from six seasons of the award-winning series as well as copious special features, curated from legacy bonus content — audio commentary, deleted scenes, “Inside the Episode” segments, numerous featurettes, animatic sketches and more. For a limited time, fans who purchase the set will also receive an exclusive Rick and Morty poster.

    Rick and Morty is the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning half-hour animated comedy series on Adult Swim that follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick Sanchez is living with his daughter Beth’s family and constantly bringing her, his son-in-law Jerry, granddaughter Summer, and grandson Morty into intergalactic escapades.

    Debuting in 112 countries in 38 languages, Rick and Morty has captured substantial international viewership. The series has ranked as one of the top series for Max, both domestically and globally. Lifetime to date, Rick and Morty has been viewed over 10 billion times globally, across linear, digital and streaming.

    Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6 will be available on Blu-ray (SRP $129.99 U.S. / $119.99 Canada) and DVD (SRP $114.99 U.S. / $99.99 Can.) to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-orders are open now.

     

    In other wub-a-lub-a-dub-dub drops, Oni Press today unveiled — in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and Adult Swim — a new preview from their upcoming Rick and Morty graphic novel, Rick and Morty: The Manga Vol. 1 – Get in the Robot, Morty!, arriving in stores on November 1.

    Spawned from the ‘anime-addled minds’ of writer Alissa M. Sallah (Weeaboo) and artist JeyOdin (Hammer, Miles Away), Get in the Robot, Morty! is the first in a new series of manga-styled Rick and Morty adventures and essential reading for longtime readers and manga mega-fans alike … if they can handle the multiversal thrill ride.

    Synopsis: Rick and Morty face a foe unlike any they’ve seen before. Well, it’s basically Jerry, but he’s huge, fast, vicious and … naked? Rick has the perfect solution: a giant mech fighting robot, perfectly designed and calibrated to take on the Jiant horde — but it needs a puny, socially isolated, 14-year-old pilot. Oh, we’ve got one! Summer, Morty, and his charming new friend Rowan navigate this violent post-apocalyptic world, where they still have to go to high school and Rick seems oddly invested in upgrading the mech with stylish new features.

  • ‘Migration’ Trailer Previews Illumination’s Avian Misadventure

    ‘Migration’ Trailer Previews Illumination’s Avian Misadventure

    This holiday season, blockbuster animation studio Illumination (Minions, Despicable Me, Sing, The Secret Life of Pets) invites audiences to take flight into the unknown on a feathered family vacation in the new original comedy, Migration.

    Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Benjamin Renner (Ernest & Celestine, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales) from a screenplay by Mike White, the Emmy winning creator of The White Lotus and screenwriter of School of Rock, the film features a top-flight comedic cast and is due to land in theaters on December 22 through Universal Pictures.

    Synopsis: The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids — teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen — the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.

    As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other — and themselves — than they ever imagined.

    The voice cast is led by Oscar and Emmy nominee Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Eternals) as anxious Mallard dad Mack and Emmy nominee Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect franchises) as Pam, the Mallards’ daring, quick-witted matriarch. Caspar Jennings plays Dax, the Mallards’ confident and restless son, and, in her feature film debut, Tresi Gazal plays Gwen, the family’s innocent and lovable daughter.

    Golden Globe winner Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) voices the scrappy leader of a New York City pigeon gang; Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Carol Kane (The Princess Bride) plays Erin the heron, the first friend that the Mallards make on their journey; Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Lion King) voices a homesick Jamaican parrot locked away in a Manhattan restaurant; and BAFTA winner David Mitchell (Peep Show) plays the yogic leader of a mysterious duck farm. Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) co-stars as Mack’s curmudgeonly, adventure-averse Uncle Dan.

    Produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, Migration is co-directed by Guylo Homsy (head of layout and cinematography for Sing and Sing 2), edited by Christian Gazal (Happy Feet, Peter Rabbit) and the production designer is Colin Stimpson (The Secret Life of Pets 2).

    migration.movie

  • Demente Teams Up with Edward James Olmos, Michael Olmos & Mike Montijo for Latin Super Hero Series ‘Pachuko Boy 2055’

    Demente Teams Up with Edward James Olmos, Michael Olmos & Mike Montijo for Latin Super Hero Series ‘Pachuko Boy 2055’

    Comic-Con attendees will be introduced to a futuristic super hero inspired by retro counterculture with the launch of Pachuko Boy 2055. The concept is created by Oscar-nominated actor Edward James Olmos (Founder & Board Chairman of LatinX in Animation), his son Michael Olmos and Mike Montijo (Founder of Laka Laka Entertainment). To bring the story to life, Carlos Gaxiola, Angel Ibarra A. and Ruben Perez of Guadalajara, Mexico-based Demente Animation Studio developed the look of the animated series.

    “Demente Animation Studio has always been attracted to Latin projects, especially being able to make more content for us and our people,” says Gaxiola. “With Pachuko Boy, we loved the direction the creators took with the show. It’s all about storytelling and they did a phenomenal job. For me, Pachuko Boy is made special by his background, which was created and inspired by the Latino culture of the ’40s, where people were proud of their Mexican roots. We believed we captured this. I think people will love Pachuko Boy because they have never seen anything like it.”

    Michael Olmos adds, “It’s been a great journey for me and Edward working with Mike Montijo on this project. We’re excited to bring Pachuko Boy 2055 to the world. Mike’s passion and energy is inspiring and we look forward to a beautiful, creative friendship.”

    The hero takes his name from the jazz/swing era offshoot among Chicanos and Mexican-Americans, whose zoot-suit rocking devotees, pachucos, rebelled against expectations that they Anglo-Americanize their culture and language.

    Margaret Loesch has been involved in the world of Pachuko Boy since the beginning with Montijo. Ever a pioneer in the entertainment industry, Loesch at one time was the President & CEO of Marvel Productions, ran Fox Kids and was responsible for putting the X-Men animated series and Power Rangers on TV, among many others. She has also served as President of the Jim Henson Television Group.

    “I’ve always been attracted to Pachuko Boy because I felt the Latino audience was very underserved,” notes Loesch. “I believe it’s very important to understand the Latino perspective and I think Michael does this well. I was also very impressed with Michael’s storytelling and his love and affection for his family, which is brought out through Pachuko Boy. This new angle has never been done before, it’s very relatable, and I think audiences from all different backgrounds will love this show.”

    The team will debut Pachuko Boy 2055 at the San Diego Comic-Con, where attendees can visit them at booth #3915 and receive a copy signed by the creator.

    Demente Animation Studio has previously provided animation services for projects including the 2D feature film Night of the Animated Dead (Warner Bros.), Hello Kitty and Friends Mini Tales (Mattel) and Animal Mechanicals (WildBrain). The team is currently working on supernatural comedy-adventure series The Go-Go Brothers (created by Montijo and Steve Skrovan), the series adaptation of Mike Bauman’s Venom Wars of the Desert Realm (with Baboon Animation) and Legend of Luchasatsu, starring Último Dragón and featuring designs by Urban Aztec (with Masked Republic).

    Demente Animation Studio | Laka Laka Entertainment