Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • VIZ Launches Manga Simulpub Service in NorAm

    VIZ Launches Manga Simulpub Service in NorAm

    Today, VIZ Media launched a brand new digital manga service, VIZ Manga, where for the first time ever titles from Japan’s esteemed publishing houses and legendary manga creators  are available to read in English upon release in Japan. This new development will allow fans to keep abreast of the latest chapters of all their favorites without delay.

    The partnership marks the first time Shogakukan manga have ever been available to legally read upon simul-publication, furthering the fight against piracy and ensuring fans have access to the official source material. Additionally, as part of the new service, subscribers on the VIZ Manga app will have access to more than 10,000+ chapters of both Shogakukan and Shueisha manga.

    Fueled by the success of the Shonen Jump digital service, VIZ Manga will exponentially expand VIZ Media’s digital offering: With over 25,000+ chapters collectively available through the VIZ Manga and Shonen Jump apps for iOS and Android, plus further expansion in the works, VIZ Media covers the largest portion of the digital manga market in North America, with more territories to come.

    Features of the new platform include a subscription service that will bring together the most sought after manga into a richly-designed, convenient, and curated experience.

    Mao
    Mao © 2019 Rumiko Takahashi / Shogakukan

    The simulpub catalog will launch with 15 titles, and the three most recent chapters of each series will be available for free. Content will include the latest releases from Eisner and Harvey Awards Hall of Famer Rumiko Takahashi, Mao; renowned creator Haro Aso, ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead; the sequel to the international smash hit Inuyasha, Yashahime: Princess Half Demon, from Takashi Shiina; plus, bestselling titles from newcomers, including Tomohito Oda’s Komi Can’t Communicate.

    With this new offering, VIZ Media aims to meet the needs of the broader manga fan community across a variety of interests. The expansive library comprises a diverse and inspiring range of storytelling — including shoujo/romance, fantasy, action, horror, slice-of-life, LGBTQ+, mystery/thriller, drama, supernatural and comedy/humor.

    “With this new development, VIZ Media builds on its history of innovation and experimentation,” said Ken Sasaki, Chief Executive Officer, VIZ Media. “We want our world-class creators to reach as wide an audience as possible while reinforcing that manga should be read from the official source.”

    Brad Woods, Chief Operating Officer, VIZ Media, commented, “With a desire to always disrupt the status quo and bring innovative ideas to market, this new development in content, and creation of the simulpub offering is something we’re excited to offer fans. We are also proud to support the work of our creators and partner publishers.”

    VIZ Manga will launch with 15 new titles, available in English simulpub for the very first time, offering subscribers over 10,000 chapters to choose from for just $1.99. The service  will also feature curated recommendation from VIZ editors, and an immersive digital manga reading experience with artwork and typography optimized for viewing on Android and iOS devices.

    The VIZ Manga library includes celebrated creators, including…

    • Rumiko Takahashi — Titles including: Inuyasha, Ranma 1⁄2, Mermaid Saga (+)
    • Junji Ito — GYO, Uzumaki (+)
    • Yuu Watase — Fushigi Yûgi, Absolute Boyfriend (+)
    • Inio Asano — Goodnight Punpun, What a Wonderful World (+)
    • Taiyō Matsumoto — Sunny, Tekkonkinkreet, Ping Pong (+)
    • Gosho Aoyama — Case Closed
    • Ai Yazawa — Nana
    • Arina Tanemura — Full Moon, The Gentlemen’s Alliance † (+)
    • Plus, dozens more critically acclaimed titles

    The previously Shonen Jump digital service already boasts over 1 billion chapters read since launch, with an average 35 million monthly reads from users perusing its 40+ English-language simulpub series (15,000+ chapters available to subscribers).

    Learn how to access VIZ Manga at viz.com.

  • Kids’ Entertainment Veteran Mevelyn Noriega Launches Wonderworld.Fun

    Kids’ Entertainment Veteran Mevelyn Noriega Launches Wonderworld.Fun

    Established children’s entertainment executive Mevelyn J. Noriega today announced the official launch of Wonderworld.Fun LLC, a new production and distribution company specializing in premium, cutting-edge animation content. Established and under the direction of Noriega, who will serve as CEO, the label aims to push the boundaries of storytelling and animation technology.

    Operating out of Los Angeles, the new company will work in partnership with Deepak Nayar’s production company Kintop Pictures, VFX and animation studio ReDefine (part of the DNEG Group) and Namit Malhotra’s production company Prime Focus Studios (upcoming Garfield and Animal Friends movies), to create, produce and distribute innovative, high-quality animated content for a global inclusive audience. Wonderworld.Fun will also seek to produce and distribute third-party developed and owned IPs with strong international appeal.

    Funded by Kintop Pictures and Prime Focus Studios, Wonderworld.Fun will unveil three new comedy, action-adventure series for kids & family audiences that reflect a fresh and dynamic approach to the art of animation, as well as the company’s vision. All three shows are currently in production with animation and production studios Number9VFX, Number 9 Greece and ReDefine Originals.

    With more than 30 years of experience and an extensive career in theatrical and TV distribution, Noriega brings considerable knowledge and skill regarding the complexities of global distribution and production to the new venture, coupled with extensive experience in financing and development. She worked for many years for multi-award-winning animation studio Splash Entertainment, departing the company as President of Distribution. Prior to that, Noriega worked with Mark Damon’s Vision Pictures and then at Kushner Locke as Vice President of Sales Administration in the film sector.

    “Our mission is to create animation that is representative of everyone. We want to tell stories that reflect the diversity of our world and that celebrate the richness of different cultures, music and backgrounds,” commented Noriega. “Animation is an incredibly powerful art form, and we believe that it has the ability to bring people together. We are excited to harness that power and look forward to also furthering our collaborations and friendships with creatives and executives through this new production and distribution company, Wonderworld.Fun.”

    Nayar of Kintop Pictures added, “This venture marks an exciting new chapter for us all and I am thrilled to be a part of this strategic partnership. Animation is a great medium for creativity and storytelling and with Mevelyn at the helm, Wonderworld.Fun will be a dynamic and innovative force in children’s entertainment offering exceptional content which will travel the world.”

  • Rosario Dawson, Tony Revolori to Star in ‘Ghosts of Ruin’ Series from Battle Island

    Rosario Dawson, Tony Revolori to Star in ‘Ghosts of Ruin’ Series from Battle Island

    L.A. based innovative content studio Battle Island announced today that Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian) and Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel) will co-star in the upcoming animated western/sci-fi series Ghosts of Ruin. In partnership with Gala Film, the film and television division of Web3 outfit Gala, the series will also feature an original score composed by Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music collective.

    The gritty, dystopian animated series is set to make its debut in August 2023, with its first look delivered through Gala Film to the Ghosts of Ruin community and a wider release to follow on major streaming platforms.

    “We are beyond excited to reveal Ghosts of Ruin to the world and work alongside our partners Gala Film and Bleeding Fingers Music on this project,” said series executive producer Katie Stippec. “With Rosario Dawson and Tony Revolori joining the cast, we’re extremely humbled and grateful and can’t wait to share it with audiences worldwide.”

    Sarah Buxton, CEO of Gala Film, commented, “It was important for us to support this project. We believe in the genre, the team’s approach and the series is a perfect melding of timely storytelling with top-tier artistic talent. Our capabilities in Web3, along with our latest platform technology, will provide a more rewarding experience for the creators and the anime fans through digital ownership, rewards and immersive opportunities.”

    Tony Revolori began acting when he was two years old. He is known for playing Zero Moustafa in Wes Anderson’s critically acclaimed film The Grand Budapest Hotel, Flash Thompson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man trilogy, Jason Carvey in Scream VI and Tobe in M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant.

    Rosario Dawson is an actress, designer, philanthropist and producer. She has starred in a wide spectrum of feature films, including Sin City, Rent and Grindhouse, as well as premiere series such as Ashoka and The Mandalorian. Also an outspoken activist for various causes, Dawson co-founded Voto Latino to encourage Latinos to register and vote.

    Ghosts of Ruin (Gala Film/Battle Island)
    Ghosts of Ruin (Gala Film/Battle Island)

    Set in the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, Ghosts of Ruin is a described as a genre-bending animated series where virtual reality has evolved into Neural Reality, creating a world where video games have been synced directly into players’ minds and are indistinguishable from real life. The series follows a group of gamers on their journey into the world’s first neural reality battle royale tournament game called “Ruin.” However, a rogue program emerges to turn their paradise into a living nightmare.

    Revolori will voice Lee, the series protagonist — a small-time gamer, and streamer who finds himself in the tournament after a last-minute vacancy. Dawson will voice Prism, a standoffish pro gamer with one goal: to be the world’s undisputed champion.

    “Rosario Dawson and Tony Revolori are such talented creatives and their dynamic performances will bring depth and authenticity to the complex characters of our dystopian sci-fi-world,” said showrunner Michael Ryan. “Partnering with Gala Film and Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music, Ghosts of Ruin will truly be a unique and immersive experience that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats as the series explores the insidious intrigue of a near-future world.”

    Ghosts of Ruin is produced and developed by Battle Island. The studio’s debut animated series is created by PJ Accetturo and Ryan Ramsey, with executive producers Michael Ramey and Emmy Award nominee Katie Stippec, and written by showrunner and Emmy Award winner Michael Ryan.

    Learn more and gain early access to the series’ limited release at film.gala.com.

  • Mattel’s Purple Dino Returns in CG ‘Barney’s World’ on Cartoonito

    Mattel’s Purple Dino Returns in CG ‘Barney’s World’ on Cartoonito

    Warner Bros. Discovery announced today it has picked up the new CG-animated series Barney’s World for Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and streaming on Max. The series, announced earlier this year as part of Mattel’s Barney franchise relaunch, will revamp the friendly dinosaur for modern audiences.

    Co-produced by Mattel Television and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, Barney’s World will debut globally in 2024.

    “Barney’s World perfectly exemplifies our ‘best in animation’ approach. It strikes the right nostalgia chord for today’s parents and introduces this iconic dinosaur to a new generation of preschoolers,” said Michael Ouweleen, President, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery Family & Boomerang.

    ©2023 Mattel ©2023 Lyons Partnership,, L.P.

    With all the heart and comfort of the original iconic dinosaur, Barney’s World is modernized with dynamic characters and music-filled storylines that highlight themes of love, community and encouragement. Set in a local playground, Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves and others.

    “Having grown up watching the original series, many of today’s parents have fond memories of laughing, singing and learning with Barney and his friends,” said Fred Soulie, senior VP & General Manager, Mattel Television. “We are proud to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery to reimagine this famed brand and bring a fresh and modern version of Barney to a global audience of families.”

    Barney’s World will be executive produced by Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy and Pam Westman for Nelvana.

  • ‘South Park Season 21-25’ Box Set Comes Home in July

    ‘South Park Season 21-25’ Box Set Comes Home in July

    Oh, gee whiz, fellers! Cable’s longest-running scripted series returns to home entertainment shelves this summer with the Butters-tastic new South Park: Seasons 21-25 Collection on Blu-ray and DVD, available July 18 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

    Synopsis: Over 35 classic episodes from Seasons 21 through 25 of South Park have been packed into this one kick-ass Collector’s Edition! The residents of everyone’s favorite little mountain town contend with the vaping epidemic, the Underbelly of Social Media, and the return of ManBearPig! So join Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny as they take on COVID-19, tackle the consequences of immigration, and correct a long-held misconception about one of their classmates. For them, it’s all part of growing up in South Park!

    This collection will contain bonus features that include audio commentaries from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, deleted scenes and concept art.

    The Peabody- and Emmy-winning series voice stars Parker and Stone along with Mona Marshall (Blue Exorcist), April Stewart (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and Jessica Makinson (Maron). New episodes air Wednesday nights on Comedy Central.

  • E.D. Films’ 10-Year Project ‘Return to Hairy Hill’ to Premiere at Montreal Animation Summit

    E.D. Films’ 10-Year Project ‘Return to Hairy Hill’ to Premiere at Montreal Animation Summit

    After nearly a decade in development, E.D. Films’ ambitious, experimental animated short film Return to Hairy Hill (a.k.a. Retour à Hairy Hill) will make its debut this week at Montreal’s Sommets du cinéma d’animation (Animation Film Summit). Featuring several first-of-their-kind techniques — including the studio’s proprietary 2D to 3D pipeline — the short will be featured in the official competition alongside the best Canadian animated films, screening at the Cinémathèque Québécoise from May 9-14.

    Written and directed by E.D. Films co-founder Daniel Gies (Giant Bear), Return to Hairy Hill utilizes several experimental techniques developed in-house by the multidisciplinary studio, beginning with its industry-leading PSD to 3D plugin that converts 2D Photoshop drawings into stylized 3D content. The film also relied on a new VR puppet system, a new animation export tool for game engines and more. Those tools were combined with hand-drawn ink illustrations, digital paintings, paper puppet models, hand-drawn animation, traditional keyframe animation and more. The result leverages CG tools to create a stop-motion impression in the character performances.

    Return to Hairy Hill
    Production corkboard (E.D. Films)

    “When we originally started planning out Return to Hairy Hill more than 10 years ago, we intended to make a film that was essentially 2.5D puppet animation, but we found that the format wasn’t able to convey the level of emotion we wanted,” said Gies. “We decided to utilize a more traditional 3D approach. Being a small team with very little 3D production experience, we knew that if we were going to utilize our strengths as 2D storytellers we would need to develop new tools and techniques to pull off such an ambitious project. The effort was very much worth it, and our small team was able to create a new type of 3D world that has a unique beauty and feel.”

    Return to Hairy Hill is loosely based on a tragic, true family story passed down by Gies’ grandmother. Growing up in an isolated region of Canada known as “Hairy Hill,” she and her siblings were abandoned by their parents at a young age. Determined to keep the family together, she attempted to care for the others, but eventually local authorities discovered their plight. Before the children were split up, to be placed with other families in distant towns, his grandmother promised her siblings that she would find a way to reunite the family. Sadly, the circumstances of her life had other plans and they would never all be together again.

    Gies was determined to capture the emotional essence of that story, highlighting a profound sense of loss and isolation while holding onto a glimmer of hope and eventual acceptance.

    Return to Hairy Hill
    Return to Hairy Hill

    To find the right balance between aesthetic and emotion, the team began experimenting in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. Using UE’s pre-visualization and real-time rendering tools, E.D. Films — one of the first animation studios to receive an Epic MegaGrant — was able to define the look of the project. The film’s fabrication needs also led to the creation of Scene Track by E.D. Films, an open source tool that allows users to record and export animation data within game engines. From there, the team pivoted to Autodesk’s Maya, where they could import hand-drawn illustrations to create the background environments and try out different camera angles.

    Gies also experimented with several looks for the characters, creating both physical paper puppets and CG counterparts for each iteration. For the siblings, he elected to remove the faces entirely — referencing both indigenous doll-making practices in the area, and the fact that the protagonist can no longer recollect what they look like. Instead, she remembers their personalities, which are reflected by animalistic touches like the timidness of the youngest sister embodied by a rabbit, the independence of the brother translated as a fox and the cautious trepidation of another sister, presented as a deer. The design of the bird-like mother was meant to show that she was a creature trapped between two worlds.

    With memory playing a major role in the film, Gies and the team at Montreal’s Audio Coara decided to use tape machines and old tape recordings to convey the feeling of a memory degrading over time. Sound designer Tyler Fitzmaurice traveled to six different remote cabins and recorded the sounds of nature, including animals in the wild, water flowing, trees creaking in the wind … The audio team then experimented with several types of physical paper to capture the sounds of sheets bending, which gave the animated puppets a unique noise.

    The final theatrical cut of Return to Hairy Hill will make its debut at the Sommets du cinéma d’animation in Montreal. Founded in 2002 to celebrate animation cinema in all formats, the festival launched an international competition in 2011 to award the best animated projects around the world. In 2022, it shifted focus to honor the growing community of animation filmmakers located in Canada.

    Return to Hairy Hill

    Following completion of the project, E.D. Films created a tutorial for artists on how to use the studio’s PSD to 3D plugin, which can be accessed for free here.

    edfilms.net

  • Official Trailer: ‘Clone High’ Thaws Out on Max May 23

    Official Trailer: ‘Clone High’ Thaws Out on Max May 23

    Fans of the cult hit toon Clone High will be introduced to new/old faces and once more walk the halls of that hallowed institution of shadowy schemes when the rebooted series premieres Tuesday, May 23 on Max. The official trailer for the Max Original series dropped today, promising hormonal drama, confusing feelings, way too much tonguing and surprising plot twists for everyone’s favorite robot-butler-vice principal!

    Following the premiere, Max will roll out two new episodes of Clone High each Thursday from June 1 through June 22.

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

    https://youtu.be/ETyP-G73iZ0

    Returning stars include Will Forte as Abe and Nicole Sullivan as Joan; executive producers Phil Lord as Scudworth and Chris Miller as JFK and Mr. B; Christa Miller voicing Candide Sampson; Donald Faison as George Washington Carver; and Judah Miller as Scangrade.

    New voice actors joining the cast include Ayo Edebiri as Harriet; Mitra Jouhari as Cleo; Vicci Martinez as Frida; Kelvin Yu as Confucius; Neil Casey as Topher Bus; Jana Schmieding as Sacagawea; Sam Richardson as Wesley; Mo Gaffney as Ms. Grumbles; Al Madrigal as Frederico; Danny Pudi as Dr. Neelankavil; Emily Maya Mills as Ethel Merman; Michael Bolton as Michael Bolton, Mandy Moore as Mandy Moore, Ian Ziering as Ian Ziering; Steve Kerr as Steve Kerr; and Jeffrey Muller, Kyle Lau, Dannah Phirman and Danielle Schneider.

    From MTV Entertainment Studios, Clone High executive producers include Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Afterparty, 21 Jump Street), Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Scrubs), Erica Rivinoja (South Park, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, Last Man on Earth), Erik Durbin (Last Man on Earth, American Dad!, Don’t Trust the B in Apt. 23), Judah Miller (Bupkis, Crashing), ShadowMachine’s Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkley (Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, BoJack Horseman, Final Space), and Jeff Ingold (Ted Lasso, Shrinking).

    Pick up the May ’23 issue of Animation Magazine, wherein you can find all the cafeteria gossip on the new Clone High.

  • Animafest Grand Competition Spotlights Literary Influences & Artificial Intelligence

    Animafest Grand Competition Spotlights Literary Influences & Artificial Intelligence

    Animafest 2023 has unveiled the core of its annual Zagreb animation festival, the Oscar-qualifying Grand Competition Short Film, which this year will screen 42 works from 34 production countries. These were selected from nearly 900 submissions reviewed by the selection committee of Daniel Šuljić, Margit Antauer and Marina Kožul. Croatia is represented by four firms in the official selection: Family Portrait by Lea Vidaković, The Following Season by Natko Stipaničev, Y by Matea Kovač and Eeva by Lucija Mrzljak & Morten Tšinakov.

    Organizers note that this year’s Grand Competition reflects the tension between tradition and modernity, with an exceptional number of shorts inspired by literary classics and those crafted in monochrome techniques, as well as explorations in AI technology — such as in Laen Sanches’ PLSTC (France) and The Following Season — and films that address the issues and anxieties faced by today’s youth, like Florentina González’s apocalyptic Zoomer comedy The World’s After (France) or Inés Sedan’s surreal dive into online dating, Love Me True (France). Stories based on real events are also well represented, such as Sofia Melnyk’s Mariupol: A Hundred Nights, inspired by a young Ukrainian child’s experience living through the Russian invasion.

    A Kind of Testament

    Another noted trend is the intersection of form and content, and address of the medium of animation and film in general through the eye candy of A Kind of Testament (Stephen Vuillemin, France), the Muybridge stop-motion of Chamber of Shadows (Seyoung Ok, Korea) or the story of a young painter’s entrance exam in The Garden of Heart (Olivér Hegyi, Hungary).

    Social issues under the lens include the environment (Volker Schlecht’s story about American biologist Karen Lips, The Waiting [Germany]), women’s experiences (Xie Li’s staticky, absurdist metaphor for marital oppression in Fragile Love [China]), the superficiality of modern life, intrusion of the intimate home sphere (Varya Yakoleva’s Oneluv), racial violence (Cannes selected, Oscar shortlisted It’s Nice in Here by Robert-Jonathan Koeyers, Netherlands) and historical-cultural spotlights on China (Mao’s Mango Cult by Kayu Leung), Taiwan (Compound Eyes of Tropical by Zhan Zhang Xu), Iran (No. 28 by Zahra Salarnia) and Russia (Sasha Svirsky’s The Master of the Swamp).

    Compound Eyes of Tropical
    Compound Eyes of Tropical

    Films about family life and childhood experiences are once again well represented, typified by Ethan Barrett’s childishly crayon-animated autobiographical piece Rosemary AD (After Dad), as well as the application of classical techniques such as the pencil, charcoal and sand animation of Susanne Jirkuff, ALIMO and Naomi Van Niekerk. The committee noted that unlike in previous, post-pandemic years, filmmakers seem to be coming out of their solipsistic introspections to look outward once more.

    Animafest 2023 will welcome notable names from the global animation scene: Canadian filmmakers Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis, winners of the Animafest Grand Prix, Cannes Palme d’Or and Annecy Cristal, return with their third Oscar-nominated short, The Flying Sailor; while Japanese auteur Atsushi Wada brings Ikimono-san: Turtle and British artist Stephen Irwin delivers a hybrid media allegory about parental anxiety in World to Roam. Another of this year’s Oscar-nominated shorts in the competition is João Gonzalez’s Ice Merchants. And Elizabeth Hobbs’ dreamy ink and paper collage approach to early 20th century feminism, The Debutante, will be an attractive title, fresh off its shortlisting for the Academy Awards and nomination for the European Film Awards.

    Attendees will also get to experience on screen the animated reminiscences of The Marrons Glacés (Delphine Hermans & Michel Vandam, Belgium), the stop-motion tale of an alienated ballet dancer in Dog Apartment (Priit Tender, Estonia) and the tender rescue stories of Teacups (Alec Green, Finbar
    Watson, Australia/Ireland) — recounting the surreal interactions one man had over the years with the hundreds of suicidal individuals contemplating jumping from the cliff by his house, voice starring Hugo Weaving.

    Dog Apartment

    Inventive techniques bring to life Santiago Dabove’s horror story Cactus (Ricardo Kump, Brazil) in collage, Will Self’s hallucinatory addiction drama Scale (Joseph Pierce, France/U.K./Belgium/Czechia) in rotoscopy, the traumatic memory of Almost Forgotten (Dimitri Mihajlović & Miguel Lima, Portugal) in inkjet-inspired painting and the unmissable visual experience of experimental artist Shunsaku Hayashi’s Our Pain (Hong Kong), blending painting, drawing, clay and rotoscopy.

    Of course, moments of levity can also be found in the lineup, with the committee pointing out Alex Ray’s Fonorama (Spain), a satirical sci-fi multiverse lampooning telecom marketing, smartphone obsession and other cliches in a fictional New York peppered with winks for cinephiles. Toeing the line are the harrowing but witty Parallel (Sam Orti, Spain) and La Pursé (Gabriel Nóbrega & Lucas René, Brazil), which showcase the effective use of stop-motion to create worlds of animated horror.

    Animafest will be held in Zagreb, Croatia from June 5-10. Registration and more information available at animafest.hr.

    Eeva
    Eeva
  • The Splat Is Back in New Nickelodeon Brand Campaign

    The Splat Is Back in New Nickelodeon Brand Campaign

    An old, gooey friend is returning to screens as Nickelodeon announced today a brand campaign and new identity that reimagines its classic Splat logo with a modern feel. Of course, the campaign also spotlights the network’s popular characters as well as its iconic blob.

    Following today’s launch in the U.S. the rebrand will rollout internationally in the UK in July, followed by Latin America and additional markets through 2023.

    The “Portal to Fun” launch campaign features five mixed-media brand films that depict the Splat as a gateway to surprising experiences, each featuring Easter eggs Nick kids of all ages will love.

    The hero commercial, “Quartet,” which launches today across Nick’s linear, digital and social platforms as well as select media partners, features a new take on the brand’s classic mnemonic and demonstrates for kids just what can happen when you enter the splat! This campaign continues throughout the summer, as Nickelodeon brings “Portal to Fun” experiences to schools around the country.

    Additionally, a new lineup of network IDs featuring Nick’s recognizable IP will debut throughout 2023. To highlight the brand’s commitment to introducing its audience to new and exciting animation, Nick enlisted six animation houses across the U.S. and internationally that used the new brand work to demonstrate Nick’s ‘energy and sensibility’ through the lens of characters  such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol, Blue’s Clues, Baby Shark, The Loud House and Monster High — punctuated with Nickelodeon Slime.

  • Sherman Bros. Long-Awaited Dino Musical ‘Inkas the Ramferinkas’ in the Works

    Sherman Bros. Long-Awaited Dino Musical ‘Inkas the Ramferinkas’ in the Works

    Family audiences can look forward to a new animated adventure through prehistory with the news that Inkas the Ramferinkas, the story of a perky bird-like dinosaur whose mismatched wings cause him to fly in a unique way, is being adapted into an animated feature. The story was inspired by the music of the Sherman Brothers, known for their work on Disney classics The Jungle Book (1967) and Mary Poppins (1964).

    Sherman Theatrical Entertainment has teamed up with independent film producer Niels Juul (The Irishman) to bring the animated musical to screens. Inkas will feature songs written by the Sherman Brothers, and has the bittersweet distinction of being the first and last full musical created by songwriting duo Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who passed away in 2012. The screenplay is written by the Sherman Brothers and by Robert’s son, Robbie Sherman.

    According to Robbie Sherman’s website, the story centers on Inkas, the zig-zag flying “weather bird” for the Lush Green Valley where he lives with his giant vegetarian Apatosaur and Brontosaur friends. One day, Inkas finds a lost baby Anklysaur — but a change in his special medallion warns of danger approaching in the form of a pack of ferocious-looking carnivorous dinosaurs heading their way.

    Among the Sherman Brothers’ best known compositions are the double Oscar-winning score and original song “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins (1964) and the pop culture touchstone song “It’s a Small World (After All)” for the classic Disneyland ride. Over their shared career, the Shermans earned nine Oscar nominations, two Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Their animation credits also include Disney’s The Sword in the Stone (1963), The Aristocats (1970) tune “Scales and Arpeggios,” several Winnie the Pooh movies, including Honey Tree, Blustery Day and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too; Hanna-Barbera’s Charlotte’s Web (1979); and Bill Melendez’s Snoopy Come Home (1972).

    Richard Sherman recently composed the main title theme to Disney Legend Andreas Deja’s new animated short, Mushka, which had a sold-out premiere screening at the 2023 Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.

    [Source: Variety]

  • ‘Bossy Bear’ Celebrates Children’s Day, AAPI Heritage in Song

    ‘Bossy Bear’ Celebrates Children’s Day, AAPI Heritage in Song

    To mark the Korean celebration of Children’s Day as well as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United State, Nickelodeon’s delightful transpacific toon Bossy Bear has released a technicolor music video. The Nick Jr. Music tune explains 어린이날 (pronounced “eorininal”) — “Kid’s Day when kids play their own way!”

    Created by the husband and wife team behind the hit UglyDolls franchise, David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, Bossy Bear features the voices of Jayden Ham as Bossy, Jaba Keh as Turtle, Claudia Choi as Bossy’s Mom and Gran-Grean, Shaun Baer as Bossy’s Dad, Viva Lee as Bissy, Bossy’s older sister, and Beahlen Deacon as her bestie, Ginger. Real-life couple Lance Bass and Michael Turchin are recurring guest stars for Season 1.

    The show is produced by Nickelodeon Animation, Imagine Kids+Family and Renegade Animation.

    Bossy Bear premiered in March on Nickelodeon. Brand-new episodes will roll out Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. ET/PT all through May. Bossy and pals will make their international debuts on Nick Jr. channels around the world later this year.

  • Boat Rocker’s ‘Danger Mouse’ Gets Royal Treatment in MurWalls Deal

    Boat Rocker’s ‘Danger Mouse’ Gets Royal Treatment in MurWalls Deal

    Global independent entertainment company Boat Rocker has today announced a deal with U.K. street art company MurWalls for a range of products for classic British comic-strip royalty Danger Mouse and Count Duckula.

    MurWalls have signed up to produce their trademark large scale murals of the iconic rodent secret agent, Danger Mouse, and one of his most nefarious adversaries, Count Duckula, along with limited-edition comic strips and merchandise based on the mural artwork and comic-strip illustrations. The products will be widely available on their website and on-line retailers.

    The illustrations of the animated pair are created by Alan Case, one of the artists who worked on the Danger Mouse and Count Duckula TV series.

    Boat Rocker and MurWalls are crowning the deal with a special celebratory artwork created by MurWalls featuring Danger Mouse in full Coronation garb, watched by his admiring sidekick, Penfold. MurWalls intends to post the artwork on their Instagram channel (@MurWalls) to add to the celebrations around the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

    Originally produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television, Danger Mouse ran on ITV from 1981 to 1992. Licensed to thrill a 21st-century audience, the iconic animation blasted back to TV screens with a gadget-packed, gag-laden makeover on CBBC in September 2015. An instant ratings and critical success, it is now in its third series.

    One of Danger Mouse’s original and most popular villains, Count Duckula enjoyed a successful TV spin-off of his own, running for four seasons from 1988 to 1993.

    MurWalls is a street art company known for their striking large murals of sporting and music stars as well as popular animation brands such as Care Bears, Transformers and The Amazing Maurice. They notably produced a mural of Queen Elizabeth II for Gainsborough Primary School in East London as a tribute to the monarch following her death last year.

    boatrocker.com | murwalls.com

  • A 20-Year Saga Continues in ‘The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is Born’

    A 20-Year Saga Continues in ‘The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is Born’

    The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is BornThe latest entry in the film franchise begun with Richard Rich’s 1994 hit The Swan Princess will take fans back in time to see how the enchanting story began in The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is Born. The CG-animated, 83-minute family pic will be available to own on Digital and DVD on May 23, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

    Synopsis: Travel back to the beginning of a 20-year Swan Princess journey to see how it all began! Before becoming queen, Uberta lived a humble life with her husband Maximillian when she is suddenly thrust into royalty. Through triumph and tragedy, she learns the lessons needed to become a beloved Queen, all while raising the next generation of rulers. When it’s time for Uberta to pass the royal scepter to Odette and Derek, rival Queen Wixom has plans of her own to ruin the kingdom’s greatest coronation.

    The Swan Princess: A Fairy Tale Is Born features the voices of franchise stars Nina Herzog and Yuri Lowenthal. The new pic is directed once again by Rich, reconnecting with original screenplay writer and story collaborator Brian Nissen. Producers are Rich, Seldon O. Young and Jared F. Brown.

  • Hand-Drawn Cult Hits ‘Nova Seed’ & ‘Empress of Darkness’ Hit Screens with Momo Films

    Hand-Drawn Cult Hits ‘Nova Seed’ & ‘Empress of Darkness’ Hit Screens with Momo Films

     

    Boutique Canadian film distributor Momo Films (momofilms.com) announced the acquisition of the “mad genius” masterworks by indie animation filmmaker Nick DiLiberto: Nova Seed and Empress of Darkness. both action-packed, monster-riddled features were created in hand-drawn 2D animation by DiLiberto, who served as director, producer, character designer and voice actor under his Gorgon Pictures banner.

    Empress of Darkness will have its North American Premiere on Wednesday, May 10, in a double-feature event screening of both pics at the Revue Cinema in Toronto.

     

    Nova Seed (2016) is an award-winning, post-apocalyptic, animated sci-fi epic, created as a solo effort by DiLiberto out of 60,000 drawings over the course of four years.

    In an age of men and beasts, centuries of war have left nothing more than a dying planet for conquest. Habitable lands have become scares, and mutants and half-men wander the world. Civilization has crumbled and the survival of the human race is uncertain. In an attempt to seize control of the planet, the evil Mad Doctor Mindskull lays plans to acquire the Nova Seed and harness the earth’s very life essence to create the Ultimate Super Weapon. With nowhere left to turn, a fading humanity places it’s last hopes of defeating Doctor Mindskull in a genetically modified NAC (Neo-Animal Combatant).

     

    Empress of Darkness (2020) also took DiLiberto four years to complete. The frenetic action-adventure is vividly packed with monsters and gore, backed by an electric synth score that matches intensity with the hand-drawn visuals.

    Follow Alpha as he is chased and ruthlessly hunted down by Graxus’s Evil Horde who will stop at nothing until his existence is put out from this world. Leaving a trail of blood at every turn there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide in this gut-wrenching, spine-tingling, blood-drenched fantasy adventure!

     

    Born and raised in Canada, Nick DiLiberto channeled his lifelong passion for drawing and filmmaking into his studies at Sheridan College, graduating with Honors from the Classical Animation Program. After honing his skills in the video game industry, working his way up to lead animator, DiLiberto relocated to Japan to work as an animation director. Through his self-owned studio Gorgon Pictures Inc., DiLibertino has produced, directed and animated the fully hand-drawn 2D feature films now distributed by Momo.

     

    Momo Films specializes in bringing quality Japanese films to Canadian theaters. The shingle has also acquired rights to the Japan-India co-produced animated epic Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992), directed by Yugo Sako, Kouichi Sasaki and Ram Mohan. Momo is distributing the 4K digitally remastered English dub version, which has screened at Sitges and Animation Is Film, and won Best Animation Feature at the Santa Clarita International Film Festival in 2020.

    The film follows the journey of the Hindu god Rama, his brother Lakshmana and the monkey warrior Hanuman as they battle powerful demons and face difficult challenges in order to save Rama’s wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana and restore peace to the world.

  • Immerse Yourself in Annecy’s VR Competition Selection

    Immerse Yourself in Annecy’s VR Competition Selection

    The esteemed Annecy International Animation Film Festival has finished off its Official Selection announcements with the list of animated experiences visitors can encounter in the VR Works competition. The selection committee, composed of Gala Frecon and Yves Nougarède, have chosen seven stand-out pieces for the category this year.

    “This year, we invite you to discover seven immersive works among the 91 submitted from 26 different countries. Six nationalities are represented in this selection,” Frecon and Nougarède commented.

    “The program will showcase experimental virtual reality with these ambitious, empirical and musical works, which will share the lineup with films addressing crucial and challenging issues. These topics will involve struggles, abortion rights and the pursuit of idealism. You will embark on a journey at the nexus of the virtual and imaginary, while witnessing the impact of these works on the real world.”

    The VR Works will be available to explore from June 12 to 16, in the Salle de Création in Bonlieu. Admission is free but a reservation is required.

    From the Main Square
    From the Main Square

    VR Works Official Selection

    • Black Hole Museum + Body Browser | Directed by Wen-Chi Su | Taiwan
      • Conceived by new media artist and choreographer Su Wen-Chi, this film is an experimental VR project on how to imagine and perceive the abstract gravity in astronomy with dance, sound and light.
    • From the Main Square | Directed by Pedro Harres | Germany
      • A compact illustration of social disruption. A civilization blossoms, with all its contradictions, only to become a danger to itself.
    I Took a Lethal Dose of Herbs
    I Took a Lethal Dose of Herbs
    • I Took a Lethal Dose of Herbs | Directed by Yvette Granata | U.S.A.
      • A VR film about postpartum psychosis and DIY abortion told through the hallucinatory experience of a former anti-abortion activist. Based on a true story from an anonymous woman posting on Reddit.
    • Immortelle | Directed by Line Katcho | Canada
      • A cathartic and dynamic 6DOF trip into the mind of an artist in turmoil. In this immersive artwork with light interaction, viewers travel through different scenes and seasons that show both the soft and fiery sides of a fighter spirit.
    Red Tail
    Red Tail
    • Red Tail | Directed by Fish Wang | Taiwan
      • A boy is chasing a mysterious red tail through magical places, uncovering secrets that remind him of his own memories and sadness. What lies ahead on his journey and where will it take him?
    • Shadow | Directed by David Adler & Ole Bornedal | Denmark, Unite Kingdom
      • You are the second wave of British bombers headed to Copenhagen to bomb the Gestapo’s headquarters. But as you approach the city, you realize something isn’t right.
    • Sol-Air | Directed by Mihai Grecu | France
      • Aaron, a military drone pilot, recalls an air mission to monitor an oil field. During a flight, his drone encounters a magnificent eagle guided by its breeder Azad, who lives in the desert.

    You can find the full Annecy Festival competition program as well as special screening events, MIFA highlights and more at annecyfestival.com. 

  • Great Wolf Entertainment & Kidoodle.TV Form Content Pack

    Great Wolf Entertainment & Kidoodle.TV Form Content Pack

    On the tail of their first animated film launch, The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure, Great Wolf Entertainment is working with Kidoodle.TV to showcase its new animated series, Adventures of the Great Wolf Pack.  The 22-minute animated adventures will debut exclusively on Kidoodle.TV, and be featured alongside the previously released 44-minute film.

    The new animated content features Great Wolf Lodge’s five famed woodland animals — Wiley Wolf, Violet Wolf, Oliver Raccoon, Sammy Squirrel and Brinley Bear — who have been charming guests of the family resort for over two decades. Great Wolf is expanding into more entertainment verticals with its woodland characters, allowing families to interact with the characters and their whimsical adventures — before, during or after their visit to the resort.

    “We had such an incredible response to The Great Wolf Pack film that expanding distribution and making it more widely available was a natural next step,” said Brooke Patterson, Chief Marketing Officer for Great Wolf Resorts. “Kidoodle.TV is a leader in providing safe, parent-approved, appropriate content for children under 12, and we’re very excited to share the next adventures of the Great Wolf Pack on their platform, offering families both inside and outside of our resort a chance to connect with our characters and their stories.”

    Brenda Bisner, CCO for A Parent Media Co. Inc. (owners of Kidoodle.TV), noted, “Working with the Great Wolf Lodge to bring their much-loved family-friendly content to a wider audience is a fantastic example of our Safe Streaming™ promise to the millions of homes we serve. These beloved characters can now extend out of the resorts and into homes, making this a huge win for children and families,”

    Adventures of the Great Wolf Pack follows the Great Wolf Pack, an unlikely crew of friends who must unite to save the world. In each episode, The Pack embarks on epic adventures to whimsical realms, lending a helping paw wherever it’s needed. The first four 22-minute episodes set to debut on Kidoodle.TV include:

    • “Hungry Hungry Horror Hamsters” – An adorably scary gang of hamsters ask The Pack for help after being robbed of their winter seeds by the Booki Birds — only to discover there’s a much bigger foe they must confront.
    • “Dig It” – The Pack’s world is turned upside down when they’re called to help a city of Glow Bats and a town of Meermoles find a way to live side-by-side in peace. That is if they can keep Oliver from accidentally destroying everything!
    • “Snow Problem” – The Pack is summoned to a winter wonder world where they must help a kingdom of royal snow-bunnies find a way to stop mysterious avalanches from burying their home! Could the legendary Big Paw have something to do with this snowy problem?
    • “A Spoonful of Wicked” – When an angry fairy-witch starts turning everything to stone, the Pack begins a race against time to stop her and find a way to reverse the wicked spell before everything becomes frozen in time forever!

    The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure feature film and the new animated series are executive produced by Julia Pistor (The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, The Rugrats movie franchise) and Kent Redeker(Doc McStuffins, Spirit Rangers) and directed by Chris Bailey (Alvin and the Chipmunks, Kim Possible, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 3D), who led an award-winning team of artists from L.A.-based animation studio Six Point Harness (Tig Notaro: Drawn, Waffles + Mochi).

    The Kidoodle.tv deal was brokered by Cookbook Media. The platform can be found in 100s of millions of households globally through myriad devices.

  • Studio 100 Film Teases New Pic ‘North’ for Cannes Market

    Studio 100 Film Teases New Pic ‘North’ for Cannes Market

    Germany’s Studio 100 Film is adding a new project to its animated feature slate: North. Produced by PictoryLand, the Norwegian CGI film is currently in pre-production with delivery planned for Q4 2024, just in time  for the holiday season. Studio 100 Film will cover all worldwide film sales except for the Scandinavian territories and will introduce the project, showing the first teaser as well as character and location designs, at this year’s Marché du Film in Cannes (May 16-24).

    Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” the 85-minute family adventure follows a young girl named Gerda on a dangerous mission to save her best friend Kai from the Snow Queen’s icy grip. North is directed by Bente Lohne and produced by Haakon Gundersen (Flight of the Navigator, Free Jimmy).

    Young Gerda sets off into the great unknown in search of her friend Kai, who has mysteriously vanished. On her journey, Gerda makes friends with people, birds, beasts and a kind witch, unaware that a hostile, unseen enemy, the Snow Queen and her devil apprentice, Luiz, are watching her. The evil queen keeps Kai prisoner in her ice palace way up north in Finnmark, Norway. Together, Gerda and Kai escape from her clutches, arriving back home just in time for the happiest winter holiday ever.

    ‘North’ – rope bridge design (StoyrLand)

    Joining the production as a consulting producer is Academy Award winner and Pixar co-founder Ralph Guggenheim (Toy Story). “There is a long tradition in animation of taking classic stories from the past and re-telling them in new ways for a new generation,” notes Guggenheim. “North takes its inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’ as a contemporary adventure for family audiences everywhere. I am thrilled to be working with PictoryLand and Studio 100 on this exciting new project!”

    Thorsten Wegener, Head of Business Operations, Studio 100 Films, adds, “We feel extremely inspired to add North to our slate and introduce audiences to the magical world of Gerda and the Snow Queen. The film’s heartwarming story, stunning animation and talented cast and crew make it a must-see for families during the holiday season in 2024 and beyond.”

    The project’s team of talented animators, composers and sound designers aims to bring not only the natural wonder of Norwegian landscapes to the big screen, but also a vision of the Snow Queen’s magical realm. “We are excited to partner with Studio 100 Film to bring North to audiences worldwide,” says producer Haakon Gundersen. “The film’s themes of love, friendship, and perseverance are timeless, and we can’t wait to share Gerda’s journey with the world.”

    studio100film.com

  • Toonz Feature Film Inks Six-Picture Deal with Gold Valley Films ahead of Cannes

    Toonz Feature Film Inks Six-Picture Deal with Gold Valley Films ahead of Cannes

    Ariel Veneziano, President of Toonz Feature Film Division, and Allen Tsang, Head of International at Gold Valley Films, today announced a co-production and co-financing deal for six animated pictures over the course of the next three years. Additionally, the two companies will join forces across their entire slate for sales and distribution of their pictures starting at the upcoming Cannes Market.

    The deal includes previously announced projects Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk and Little Emma, as well as several movies to be announced shortly.

    Pierre the PIgeon Hawk

    Currently in Production, Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk stars acclaimed singer, songwriter and rapper will.i.am playing the titular character; Golden Globe recipient, Primetime Emmy Award and two-time Screen Actors Guild Awards recipient, Jennifer Coolidge; Luis Guzmán (Oz, Narcos, Carlito’s Way); Academy Award recipient for Best Supporting Actor for Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson; rapper and actor Snoop Dogg; along with Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel, both comedians, television personality, actor and producer.

    To find out where he belongs, a mixed-breed Pigeon-Hawk sets out on a quest of self-discovery. While embracing the things that make him different, he finds the courage to change the world he lives in.

    Set for a 2024 delivery, the film is directed by John D. Eraklis and Tara Whitaker, written by Ciaran Crampton and Jay Dowski, produced by Toonz Media Group and Telegael.

    Little Emma
    Little Emma

    Little Emma is a co-production between Toonz and Gold Valley Films China, currently in post-production. The film is directed by Leo (Lewis) Liao (Ella and the Little Sorcerer, Mulan: Princess Warrior) and written by Alyce Tzue (Soar, Steps). The movie is voiced by Natalie Grace (T-Rex Ranch) as Emma; Broadway / recording artist and entertainer Travis Cloer as Edward; Bar Topaz as Newton; Niko Gerentes (Death by Dying) as Sancho, Mr. White and Bear; and Amy Margolis (Law and Order, House) as Mrs. Whit.

    Emma, a miniature human girl adopted by animal parents, yearns to find the truth about her human roots. But when she discovers a hidden island full of tiny humans, it’s not the fairy tale she hoped for. Will she risk all she’s ever known to uncover secrets from her past?

     

    Toonz is already involved in other animated feature film productions, including The Canterville Ghost, which an adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic of the same name. The animated theatrical feature is being co-produced by Toonz along with Robert Chandler’s Space Age Films (whose The Amazing Maurice was selected at the Sundance Film Festival) and Los Angeles-based Align Pictures U.S. Inc. The feature will be distributed globally by the American film distributors Cinema Management Group (CMG).

    “This is a terrific match between two prolific animation studios. The joined expertise and resources will result in ideal flow of films, in terms of quality and volume for our distribution arm,” said Veneziano for Toonz.

    Gold Valley Films, established in 2013 by Roger (Qing) Chen and Adam (Hao Qiang) Qiu, has produced eight independent animated features; such as Ella and the Little Sorcerer, Mulan: Princess Warrior, Cinderella and the Secret Prince and The Academy of Magic.

    “We are excited to launch our new partnership at the 2023 Cannes Market. I strongly believe that both companies, with their international perspectives, complement each other’s strengths, and will be delivering more exciting animated films to a global audience in the future,” said Chen.

    P Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group, added, “We are delighted with the way Toonz Feature Film Division is evolving since its launch in Belin in 2023. I am glad to see such wonderful partnership between Toonz and Gold Valley Films and how much progress we have made together in a short period of time.”

    toonz.co | goldvalleyfilms.com

  • ‘Digman!’ Hunts for the Holy Grail in Tonight’s Episode (Exclusive Clip)

    ‘Digman!’ Hunts for the Holy Grail in Tonight’s Episode (Exclusive Clip)

    Move over, Indy — there’s a new top ‘archy’ dog in town. Well, not a dog … nominally, a man. A man and a slow loris. So, basically a dog, philosophically speaking.

    Anyway, that man is Rip Digman, the beer-gutted star-adventurer of Comedy Central’s newest original primetime comedy toon Digman!, voiced by Andy Samberg. The series premiered in March and airs new episodes Wednesday nights at 10/9C. And if you’re as savvy a mystery solver as ol’ Rip, you know what that means: A brand-new quest for a super-old artifact begins tonight!

    Our friends at Comedy Central have offered up a sneak peek clip at Episode 7, which will see Digman set out on the hunt for the legendary Holy Grail — in the name of love! But he may end up with an even more unexpected prize…

    Created by Samberg (Palm Springs) and showrunner Neil Campbell (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), the half-hour animated series is set in a world where archaeologists are massive celebrities and the coolest people on the planet. Joining Samberg on the regular cast roster are Mitra Jouhari (Three Busy Debras), Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave), Dale Soules (Orange Is the New Black), Guz Khan (Our Flag Means Death), Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Tim Meadows (The Goldbergs).

    Season 1 features guest appearances by Clancy Brown, Andy Daly, Cole Escola, Harvey Guillén, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Marc Evan Jackson, Rachel Kaly, Kerri Kenney, Lauren Lapkus, Jane Lynch, Mike Mitchell, Kyle Mooney, Claudia O’Doherty, Lennon Parham, Daniel Radcliffe, Maya Rudolph, Paul Rust, Jason Schwartzman, Carl Tart, Joe Lo Truglio and Edgar Wright.

    The series is produced by CBS Studios alongside Ali Bell and The Lonely Island’s Party Over Here shingle, with animation by Titmouse.

     

  • Nelvana and Polygon Pictures Team Up in Quest for Next Animated Hit

    Nelvana and Polygon Pictures Team Up in Quest for Next Animated Hit

    Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana announced today a development deal with Japan’s Polygon Pictures to deliver Japanese-originated animated content for kids. The new development collaboration leverages Polygon’s position and reputation in the Japanese market with Nelvana’s track record of partnering to bring Japanese animation hits  — such as Bakugan, Beyblade and Cardcaptor Sakura — to global audiences.

    Assisting Nelvana and Polygon with this new venture is veteran animation expert Rika Sasaki, who has developed expertise in managing Japanese IP for global export through her previous roles at d-rights Inc., ADK Emotion and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions.

    “Nelvana has enjoyed tremendous success over the years working with several notable Japanese content companies on such brands as Bakugan, Beyblade and Cardcaptor Sakura, and we are excited to team up with Polygon Pictures to uncover the next big global hit,” said Colin Bohm, EVP Content and Corporate Strategy, Corus Entertainment. “We’ve long admired Polygon Pictures, a truly innovative and creative studio, and we couldn’t be happier to be working together.”

    Operating for over 50 years, Nelvana produces and distributes a slate of a award-winning and globally recognized kids’ animation and live-action brands. The studio’s content airs on Corus kids’ channels in Canada and in more than 180 countries worldwide. Its 5,000-plus episode library has won more than 70 international awards, including Emmys and Canadian Screen Awards.

    The collaboration will focus on Japanese properties aimed at younger audiences, drawing inspiration from both existing legacy content and creating new perspectives such as lifestyle, publishing and design.

    “Over the past 10 plus years, Doug Murphy, President and CEO of Corus Entertainment, Colin, and I have had many impassioned discussions about how we can synergize our strengths, to create global hits out of properties originating from Japan” said Shuzo Shiota, President of Polygon Pictures. “With the help of Rika, I believe the time is finally ripe to achieve this goal. I am beyond excited at the prospect of what this partnership will bring.”

    Founded in July 1983, Polygon Pictures is one of the largest digital animation studios in Japan. Including its subsidiary studios in Malaysia and India, the company employs more than 300 creators from around the world. Noteworthy productions include Knights of Sidonia, multiple Transformers series, Star Wars Resistance, Stillwater, Pingu in the City, and more.

    nelvana.com | ppi.co.jp