Disney Branded Television has opened the doors to Lunella’s secret lab with the reveal of the official trailer for Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur! It was also announced that fans can catch some Moon Girl Magic on Disney+, where the first six episodes will be available to stream starting February 15, following the Disney Channel premiere on February 10.
Further, DBTV revealed that previously announced guest starsJennifer Hudson and Daveed Diggs will be providing the voices of featured Season 1 supervillains Mane and Rat King, respectively.
The trailer is accompanied by new key art as well as a pre-save link for the energetic comic-book adaptation’s soundtrack, created by series executive music director and three-time Grammy Award winner Raphael Saadiq. Pre-save to Spotify or Apple Music here (streaming February 10).
Synopsis:Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (a.k.a. Moon Girl) and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo work together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.
The series stars Diamond White as Lunella/Moon Girl; Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; Alfre Woodard as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella’s best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony Williams as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops; and series executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Season one guest cast includes Gideon Adlon, Pamela Adlon, Anna Akana, Ian Alexander, Alison Brie, May Calamawy, Andy Cohen, Wilson Cruz, Daveed Diggs, Asia Kate Dillon, Luis Guzmán, Maya Hawke, Jennifer Hudson, Dr. Mae Jemison, Josh Keaton, June Diane Raphael, Paul Scheer, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Cobie Smulders, Wesley Snipes and Tajinae Turner. Recurring stars include Omid Abtahi, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Michael Cimino, Indya Moore and Craig Robinson.
From Disney Television Animation, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is executive produced by Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland’s Cinema Gypsy Productions (black-ish, grown-ish) and Emmy Award winner Steve Loter (Kim Possible). Emmy winner Rodney Clouden (Futurama) is supervising producer, Jeffrey M. Howard (Planes) and Emmy winner Kate Kondell (The Pirate Fairy) are co-producers and story editors, and Pilar Flynn (Elena of Avalor) is producer.
During Disney Branded Television‘s Winter Television Critics Association press conference, the studio announced its plans to deepen its relationship with superstar kids’ show creator Dan Povenmire as well as Season 2 renewals of new and upcoming preschool animation hits.
Dan Povenmire (Disney Channel/Craig Sjodin)
Dan Povenmire, co-creator and executive producer of the global mega-hit Phineas and Ferb, has entered into a new overall deal with Disney Branded Television which includes production of 40 all-new episodes ofPhineas and Ferb, a second season renewal of the animated superhero series Hamster & Gretel and the development of live-action projects.
Povenmire commented, “It has been the greatest pleasure of my career to see how an entire generation of kids and parents have embraced the characters and the humor of Phineas and Ferb. I’m eagerly looking forward to diving back into the show for them and for a whole new generation.”
Phineas and Ferb is a five-time Emmy Award-winner and the most successful animated series for Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 in Disney Television Animation history. Launched in 2008, the series follows two resourceful stepbrothers who conquer boredom and make every day of summer vacation count, often to the chagrin of their sister Candace. Since its premiere, Hamster & Gretel ties as the #1 cable series among Kids age 6-11 delivery.
“Dan is renowned for his ability to create universally beloved stories and characters with both heart and humor,” said DBTV President Ayo Davis, who made the announcement. “We couldn’t be happier to continue our collaboration with him and bring back the iconic Phineas and Ferb in a big way.”
Phineas and Ferb
Povenmire created and executive-produced the Disney+ animated adventure movie Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe, for which he also was supervising director, and Disney Channel’s animated series Milo Murphy’s Law, which earned three Emmy nominations. His most recent creation, Hamster & Gretel, receives a second season order, and he will continue as its executive producer.
Over his career, Povenmire’s series have received 14 Emmy nominations in multiple categories, including Voiceover and Songwriting. Phineas and Ferb accounts for 10 of those nominations and five Emmy Award wins. He wrote and co-wrote some 500 songs for Phineas and Ferb, Milo Murphy’s Law and Hamster & Gretel, many of which have become Gen Z favorites and continue to trend on TikTok and other social media platforms where he has built a worldwide fan base and is known to reprise his popular Phineas and Ferb character, Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz.
With over 25 years of experience in directing, storyboarding and writing, Povenmire has worked on multiple critically acclaimed animated series, including Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Rocko’s Modern Life and Hey Arnold! He was born in California and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He studied cinema at the University of Southern California.
Firebuds
On the heels of a record-breaking year where Disney Junior ranked as 2022’s #1 TV Network among Kids 2-5 overall and retained its standing as the #1 Preschool Network for the last 10 years (every year since its launch), Disney Branded Television has ordered second seasons of its newest animated series Firebuds and SuperKitties, as well as an early Season 2 renewal for upcoming series Pupstruction.
“Firebuds, SuperKitties and Pupstruction all encompass what Disney Junior does best,” said Davis. “Each of these series embrace signature Disney qualities of imagination, adventure and heart, with music you can sing along to, and fun, energetic characters that embody positivity, optimism and the power of teamwork.”
Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Craig Gerber (Elena of Avalor, Sofia the First), Firebuds follows a group of friends, all children of first responders, who embark on adventures to help their community and learn what it truly means to be a hero. Each episode is comprised of two 11-minute stories that showcase the importance of teamwork, helping fellow citizens and volunteerism. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.
Firebuds premiered in September 2022 and has quickly become a fan favorite. Launch to date, the series is Disney Junior’s #1 series with Kids and Girls 2-5, as well as a Top 5 Cable series with Kids 2-5 and #1 with Girls 2-5. Extensions include a soundtrack from Walt Disney Records, storybooks from Disney Publishing and a toy line from Spin Master launching in summer 2023.
SuperKitties
SuperKitties is an adorable and action-packed new series about four fierce and furry superhero kittens — Ginny, Sparks, Buddy and Bitsy — who are on a mission to make their town of Kittydale a more caring and “pawesome” place. Defeating villains and imparting important messages of kindness, empathy, friendship, resilience and problem-solving, the series is created and executive produced by Emmy winner Paula Rosenthal (Peter Rabbit). Emmy-winning producer, director and storyboard artist Kirk Van Wormer (Transformers: Prime) is co-executive producer. Produced by Sony Pictures Television – Kids in association with Disney Junior.
SuperKitties debuted this week (Jan. 11) and is off to an impressive start, with the series’ theme song racking up over 500,000 views on Disney Junior YouTube since it was released three weeks ago. The digital soundtrack for the series, Disney Junior Music: SuperKitties, was released by Walt Disney Records in conjunction with the series premiere on Jan. 11.
In addition to airing on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, some episodes of both Firebuds and Superkitties are available to stream on Disney+.
Pupstruction
Pupstruction is a vibrant new series about the first all-dog construction company, Pupstruction. The series centers on Phinny, an innovative young corgi, who along with the rest of the Pupstruction crew ― including spontaneous sheepdog, Luna; adventurous rottweiler, Roxy; and lovable mastiff, Tank — pours his mud, sweat, drool and plenty of heart into keeping his beloved town of Petsburg in tip-top shape. Debuting Summer 2023.
The series is created and executive produced by Travis Braun (T.O.T.S.). Victor Cook (T.O.T.S.) also serves as executive producer. Emmy winner Robyn Brown (Muppet Babies) is co-producer/story editor on S1 and will serve as co-executive producer/story editor on S2. Pupstruction is produced by Titmouse in association with Disney Junior.
GKIDS announced release dates and debuted a new trailer for Unicorn Wars, the latest genre-bending animated feature for adults from Goya Award and Annecy Cristal-winning director Alberto Vásquez (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children). The technicolor horror-comedy described as “Bambi meets Apocalypse Now” will be released theatrically in select markets nationwide, and will also be available on demand from March 10.
Synopsis: For ages, teddy bears have been locked in an ancestral war against their sworn enemy, the unicorns, with the promise that victory will complete the prophecy and usher in a new era. Aggressive, confident teddy bear Bluet and his sensitive, withdrawn brother Tubby could not be more different. As the rigors and humiliation of teddy bear bootcamp turn to the psychedelic horrors of a combat tour in the Magic Forest, their complicated history and increasingly strained relationship will come to determine the fate of the entire war.
Vázquez is the director, writer and art director of Unicorn Wars, which is executive produced by Chelo Loureiro, Iván Miñambres and Nicolas Schmerkin with music by Joseba Beristain. The film is produced by Abano Producións, Uniko, Unicorn Wars Aie (Spain), Autour de Minuit and Schmuby Productions (France), in the Spanish language.
Featured in competition at the 2022 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and an official selection at BFI London, Animation is Film and Fantastic Fest, Unicorn Wars marks the next collaboration between GKIDS and Vázquez, following the studio’s local distribution of the Goya-winning feature Birdboy: The Forgotten Children and short film Decorado.
A new documentary following the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in comics is due to premiere on PBS’s Emmy-winning anthology series Independent Lens this month — featuring interviews with Alison Bechdel (Fun Home, Dykes to Watch Out For) and other pioneers of underground comix exploring queer lives and identities. Described by critics as both entertaining and informative, No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comicsis a deep dive into this history, directed by Peabody Award winner Vivian Kleimen (Color Adjustment).
No Straight Lines takes viewers from the 1970s — when the LGBTQ+ experience was absent from pop culture — through the careers of five trailblazing cartoonists who depicted everything from the AIDS crisis to “coming out” to same-sex marriage. The film captures the beginnings of queer comics, from underground art form to social movement and, finally, the mainstream acceptance of queer characters and their stories in comic books, newspaper strips and graphic novels.
Synopsis: When Alison Bechdel received a coveted MacArthur Award for her best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home, it heralded the acceptance of LGBTQ+ comics in American culture. From DIY underground comix scene to mainstream acceptance, meet five smart and funny queer comic book artists whose uncensored commentary left no topic untouched and explored art as a tool for social change.
No Straight Lines features interviews with five queer comic book artists: Bechdel, Jennifer Camper (Rude Girls and Dangerous Women), Howard Cruse (WENDEL, Stuck Rubber Baby), Rupert Kinnard (B.B. and the Diva, Cathartic Comics) and Mary Wings (Come Out Comix). These vanguard artists use comics as a tool for social change and queer acceptance, showcasing the everyday pursuits of love, sex and community through a humorous and artful lens, and pushing a marginalized scene into the mainstream.
“No Straight Lines is the story of a DIY art form — often considered junk food for kids — that over the past 50 years has been used by queer artists as a powerful medium to represent our lives,” said Kleiman. “More than a chronology of milestone events, I wanted to create an intergenerational story of our emergence from rejection to acceptance, and help LGBTQI youth feel safe.”
In the documentary, artist interviews and their work, are interwoven with stories of landmark moments in LGBTQ+ history —from the Stonewall Riots to the AIDS epidemic and more. Together, these elements tell the story of how the queer comics scene shed light on the experiences of generations in a previously underrepresented community.
Kleiman directed and produced the documentary. Also serving as producer is Justin Hall, who edited the Lamdba Award-winning, Eisner-nominated book No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics and created the comics True Travel Tales and Hard to Swallow.
No Straight Lines premieres on PBS on January 23 at 10 p.m. ET (check local listings) and will be available to stream via the PBS Video app.
Crunchyroll announced theatrical release dates for English-speaking territories and Mexico, as well as new details including a new poster and trailer for its upcoming film That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond.The popular fantasy adventure arrives in theaters on:
January 18 in the United Kingdom and Ireland
January 19 in Australia
January 20 in the United States and Canada
January 26 in Mexico
Additional 2023 dates in the Middle East and additional territories in Europe to be announced soon.
Tickets for North America are now on sale at slime-movie.com. The film will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles as well as dubbed in English.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond is based on the best-selling light novel, written by Fuse and illustrated by Mitz Vah, and the popular fantasy-adventure anime series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. The series follows Mikami Satoru, an average 37-year old who dies and is reincarnated as the most unremarkable creature imaginable — a slime. Initially, things are pretty grim. He’s blind, deaf and weak. But by combining his two special abilities, “Predator” and “Great Sage,” the newly named Rimuru Tempest will use his blobby powers to gain both friends and foes alike in a diverse new world.
The stand-alone story of Scarlet Bond takes place following the ending of Season 2 of the anime series, currently streaming on Crunchyroll.com. More details about the film will be revealed in the coming months.
Synopsis: A long-running conspiracy is swirling over a mysterious power wielded by the Queen in Raja, a small country west of Tempest. When a slime who evolved into a Demon Lord named Rimuru Tempest crosses paths with Hiiro, a survivor of the Ogre race, an incredible adventure packed with new characters begins. The power of bonds will be put to the test!
Scarlet Bond debuted in Japan on November 25, 2022.
The Pinkfong Company, the S. Korea-based entertainment company behind Baby Shark, has appointed Disney+ animation director David Levy as its first Head of Studio at Pinkfong USA, the subsidiary of The Pinkfong Company. Levy brings more than 20 years of experience in animation and development to his new post.
In his role, Levy will spearhead the development and production of original IP, working across short-form and long-form content while overseeing creative in Pinkfong USA’s co-productions. Reporting to Marina Lee, Chief Content Officer at Pinkfong USA, Levy will work closely with creative, franchise and channel operations teams behind Baby Shark Dance, the world’s most-viewed video in the history of YouTube.
Under Levy’s leadership, the Los Angeles-based studio will focus on expanding Pinkfong’s overall portfolio, with a brand new IP slated to debut this year.
“We are investing aggressively into the next phase of growth, leveraging our YouTube channels to incubate new brands,” said Lee. “We are thrilled to have David’s creativity and leadership as we expand on our original portfolio and explore the new frontiers.”
“Pinkfong and Baby Shark are among the most iconic and beloved franchises born out of new media,” Levy noted. “YouTube is where the majority of kids discover new content today and Pinkfong has a powerful presence there. Pinkfong’s ability to create and distribute original IP on their own robust channels and also with outside streamers and broadcasters is a winning combination. I’m so excited to join the team and look forward to building great things together.”
Levy’s newly created role is the latest in the company’s IP expansion. Following the global success of Baby Shark, the company has sought to expand its kids and family IP business, diversifying its content portfolio through new properties including its latest hit Bebefinn. The series reached 3 million YouTube subscribers in less than nine months and made the Top 10 Kids on Netflix in nine countries.
Prior to Levy joining, the company also tapped the former Warner Bros. Animation producer Justin Becker as Creative Executive at Pinkfong USA.
As Director of Animation for Disney+, Levy led the development and production of original short-form series for Lucasfilm, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and YouTube Kids. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Levy kicked off his professional career at Nick Jr.’s Blue’s Clues, where he began in storyboards and grew to become a director over the show’s long run. He also directed a number of world-renowned shows, including Sesame’s Word on the Street, and is the author of Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive and other best-selling books on the animation industry.
Crunchyroll has announced the English voice casting for the character of Vash the Stampede in the rebooted sci-fi space western TRIGUN STAMPEDE, with the lead role going to Johnny Yong Bosch — the actor who originally voiced Vash the Stampede in the 1998 Trigun series. The English dub will debut weekly on Saturdays starting January 21, following the Japanese language simulcast, which also airs new episodes every Saturday and premiered January 7.
“Voicing Vash the Stampede in the original Trigun series is a role that literally launched my voice over career and I am extremely excited to voice him again in this all-new anime adaptation from Orange. I look forward to going on this adventure with fans once more and hope new audiences enjoy the journey as well.”
Bosch shared his excitement in a video shared to Crunchyroll’s Twitter account:
We’re excited to welcome @johnnyyongbosch back as the English voice of Vash. Get ready for the dub premiere of TRIGUN STAMPEDE on January 21.
Before Trigun, Bosch got his start as Adam Park, the Black Ranger, Green Zeo & Green Turbo, on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He continued his anime journey providing English dubbing as Kaneda in Akira, Renton in Eureka Seven, Kiba in Wolf’s Rain, Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach, Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass, Sasori in Naruto, Artemis in Sailor Moon, Giyu in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Lio in Promare, and many, many more.
Jeremy Inman will serve as the ADR director on the English dub; a fellow voice actor who has also ADR directed other anime series such as Golden Kamuy, Saga of Tanya the Evil, DECA-DENCE, ID: Invaded, and more.
“Trigun is anime royalty and I can’t wait to work with Johnny Yong Bosch in bringing it back to life with this new and fresh take, promising old fans the same gun-slinging action while bringing in new fans as well with amazing animation, characters and story,” said Inman.
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, best known for voicing Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Kirito in Sword Art Online, voices Vash the Stampede in the Japanese language version of TRIGUN STAMPEDE.
Synopsis: Vash the Stampede’s a joyful gunslinging pacifist, so why does he have a $$6 million bounty on his head? That’s what’s puzzling rookie reporter Meryl Stryfe and her jaded veteran partner when looking into the vigilante only to find someone who hates blood. But their investigation turns out to uncover something heinous—his evil twin brother, Millions Knives.
Both TRIGUN STAMPEDE and Trigun are based on the manga written and illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow. The new series is produced by Orange (BEASTARS: Land of the Lustrous), directed by Kenji Muto from an original story by Takehiko Okishi with series composition by Shin Okashima, Tatsuro Inamoto & Yoshihisa Ueda; original character design by Kouji Tajima (GANTZ:0); and music composed by Tatsuya Kato (Revue Starlight).
The NAACP today announced the nominees for the 54th NAACP Image Awards (naacpimageawards.net), celebrating the achievements of Black artists and creators across film, television and streaming. The winners will be celebrated on Saturday, February 25 starting at 8 p.m. PT, broadcasting live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on BET. Final voting closes on Friday, February 10.
This year’s nomination list includes recognition for a number of animation and hybrid titles across several categories, including animated features, shorts, series and voice-over performance.
As NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson commented in an earlier announcement, “Throughout the past year, we’ve witnessed Black artists showcasing our history and uplifting values of progressive change, while redefining genres and bringing our stories to the forefront of entertainment in so many innovative ways.
“Black voices are necessary to continually inspire audiences around the world. We’re proud to once again provide a platform that both elevates and celebrates these voices through the 54th NAACP Image Awards.”
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Billy Porter – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Chris Bridges – Karma’s World (Netflix)
Cree Summer – Rugrats (Nickelodeon)
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Outstanding Children’s Program
Family Reunion (Netflix)
Raising Dion (Netflix)
Raven’s Home (Disney+)
Tab Time (YouTube Originals)
Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (Netflix)
PGA animated feature nominees (top, L-R): Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Turning Red, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, (bottom) Minions: The Rise of Gru and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
The film and television nominees for the 34th Annual Producers Guild Awards (producersguild.org) were also announced by the Producers Guild of America today. Animation is celebrated in its own feature film category, as well as in the kids’ series race. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 25 at The Beverly Hilton.
Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
Apple TV+ today unveiled the launch date and cast for Jane, a new 10-episode mission-driven series for kids and families inspired by the work of Dr. Jane Goodall. From Emmy Award winner J.J. Johnson (Dino Dana, Endlings, Ghostwriter), Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Jane Goodall Institute, Jane premieres globally on Friday, April 14 on Apple TV+ — just in time for Earth Day (April 22)!
Ava Louise Murchison (Reacher) stars as Jane Garcia, a nine-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her powerful imagination, Jane takes her best friends David, played by Mason Blomberg (Shameless), and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”
The cast also includes Tamara Almeida (Secrets at the Inn), Dan Abramovici (Wayne), newcomer Jazz Allen and Sam Marra (Stumptown).
“I’m excited about this opportunity and relationship with Apple and Sinking Ship. The program Jane spreads a message of hope and reminds children that the environment is something that we all have to be concerned about while also inspiring them and their parents to make a difference,” said Dr. Jane Goodall.
From Sinking Ship Entertainment, Jane is a live action/CGI blended series, created by company partner J.J. Johnson who executive produced alongside Christin Simms, Blair Powers, Matt Bishop and the Jane Goodall Institute’s Andria Teather.
Jane marks the second Apple Original series produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment, joining Daytime Emmy Award-winning series Ghostwriter.
Two pint-size interstellar stowaways get caught up in their dad’s quest to clean up the galaxy in the new Netflix animated family series My Dad the Bounty Hunter. The official trailer and a new constellation of images from the sci-fi comedy-adventure were released this morning, as the platform prepares for launch on February 9 with 10 x 22-minute episodes.
Synopsis: Hoping to finally get some quality time with their dad, (voiced by Laz Alonso), close-knit siblings Lisa (Priah Ferguson) and Sean (JeCobi Swain) stow away on his latest work trip. Little do they know Dad’s been keeping a secret from them — he’s actually the toughest bounty hunter in the galaxy, Sabo Brok!
Launched into the surprise space adventure of a lifetime, Lisa and Sean discover that their seemingly average dad’s job is anything but boring. Dodging dangerous aliens, robots and laser fights galore, family bonding time becomes much more than they bargained for as they try to help their dad in pursuit of his toughest fugitive yet. With his kids along for the ride, Dad must show up for them when they need it most — and they’d better make it home before Mom (Yvonne Orji) finds out!
Created and executive produced by Everett Downing Jr. (Oscar-winning Hair Love) and Patrick Harpin (Hotel Transylvania2 & 3), My Dad the Bounty Hunter also features the voices of Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) as robotic assistant KRS, Leslie Uggams (Empire), Rob Riggle as Glorlox the alien, Oscar-winning writer/actor/producer Jim Rash (Harley Quinn), Maddie Taylor as Torga, Everette Downing as Bogdog, Kari Wahlgren as Lootbat and Jamie Chung (Big Hero 6) as Dad’s top bounty, Vax.
Read more about My Dad the Bounty Hunter in the March ’23 issue of Animation Magazine, available Feb. 9.
A new modern retelling of Chinese mythology will bring more warring deities, magic-boosted action and imaginative other worlds to the big screen when GKIDS releases New Gods: Yang Jian in theaters nationwide starting Friday, January 20.
Ahead of the film’s arrival in the States, Animation Magazine is unveiling a special behind-the-scenes clip that explores how the filmmakers and animators brought the concept of an all-consuming magical scroll to life. In the movie, the Taiji Scroll is posited as the only thing that can stop disgraced god Yang Jian, as it has the power to “erase” those trapped within it from existence.
As director Zhao shares in the video, creating a 3D world reminiscent of traditional ink wash paintings was the film’s greatest creative challenge. The team conceived the visualization of the scroll’s power as “like a drop of ink falling into water and dissolving into nothingness.” Cutting edge CG technology and painstaking artistry came together to make this artistic vision a reality.
A follow up to 2021’s smash hit New Gods: Nezha Reborn from Light Chaser Animation (White Snake), Yang Jian is directed by Ji Zhao and features and English dub cast including Andrew Louis, Christine Lin, Parry Shen, Luke Naphat Sath and James Sie.
Synopsis: Thirteen years after Yang Jian (known to some as Erlang Shen) imprisoned his sister beneath a mountain, the once powerful god now scrapes by as a penniless bounty hunter. When a mysterious woman hires him for a new job, Yang Jian soon finds himself chasing down a familiar figure. He must stop Chenxiang, his long-lost nephew, who is in search of the magical lotus lantern that will free his mother, even if it will bring catastrophe.
As Yang Jian confronts the actions of his past, he must face a host of dangerous vigilantes seeking the same treasure with the power to alter the balance of their worlds.
Read all about the making of New Gods: Yang Jian in Animation Magazine‘s feature story here.
The SXSW Film & TV Festival made its initial 2023 lineup program announcement today, including 10 animated shorts in competition and spotlight presentations of promising VFX showcases Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Opening Night film) and Evil Dead Rise. The film, TV and XR event runs concurrently with the SXSW Conference, Music and Comedy Festivals in Austin, Texas from March 10-18.
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” said Claudette Godfrey, SXSW VP Film & TV. “It’s an amazing collection of films, TV series and XR experiences that promise to inspire, entertain and challenge our audiences. We’re also proud to open with Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a raucous and engaging fantasy adventure, and look forward to welcoming everyone to Austin in March for what promises to be an unforgettable event.”
Animated Shorts Competition
A Tiny Man
A Tiny Man (France) | Aude David, Mikaël Gaudin
With a delicately penciled animation style, A Tiny Man tells a moral tale of nefarious schemes gone awry. As a husband faces the consequences of his actions, he perhaps begins to realize that maybe size does in fact matter.
Ashkasha
Ashkasha (Argentina, Spain) | Lara Maltz
Ashkasha is a living being guided by curiosity. This causes her to lose her head and get trapped in the depths, where she is submerged on a discovery journey. (U.S. Premiere)
Beyond the Fringe
Beyond The Fringe (Spain) | Han Tang, Costanza Baj
A story about a little paper figure’s journey of finding the strength to leave its home, the notebook where it was born, to explore the great world beyond. (World Premiere)
Christopher at Sea
Christopher at Sea (France, U.K., U.S.) | Tom CJ Brown
Christopher sets out on a transatlantic ocean voyage, and a chance moonlit encounter sets him on a private journey of solitude and obsession in this queer romantic thriller.
The Debutante
The Debutante (U.K.) | Elizabeth Hobbs
A spirited young woman persuades a hyena from London Zoo to take her place at a dinner dance being held in her honor.
Ice Merchants
Ice Merchants (Portugal) | João Gonzalez
Every day, a father and his son jump with a parachute from their vertiginous cold house, attached to a cliff, to go to the village on the ground far away where they sell the ice they produce daily.
Remove Hind Legs Before Consumption
Remove Hind Legs Before Consumption (Switzerland) | Lukas Wind, Finn Meisner, Leslie Herzig
In an insect food farm, one lucky cricket survives its certain death. (International Premiere)
Sandwich Cat
Sandwich Cat (Spain) | David Fidalgo
David lives alone with his kitty, Sandwich Cat. It seemed like an ordinary day, but an unexpected visit will lead him to a crucial reflection to humanity. (International Premiere)
Spring Roll Dream
Spring Roll Dream (U.K.) | Mai Vu
Linh is a Vietnamese single mother who’s successfully forged a life for herself and her son in America. But she is confronted with the past and culture she left behind and the question of where it belongs in her family’s new life.
Sprout
Sprout (U.S.) | Zora Kovac
After an agoraphobic scientist accidentally creates a baby-like plant creature, their connection threatens to upend his reclusive way of life. (World Premiere)
In the Midnight Shorts Competition fans of outrageous genre flicks can catch the World Premiere of Pussy Love, a Filmakademie Baden Wuerttemberg Animationinstitut graduate short by German animator Linda Krauss that promises to make Fritz the Cat look like Hello Kitty. Stylish animation also pops up in the Music Video Competition with Arlo McKinley – “Stealing Dark from the Night Sky” (directed by Matt Reynolds) and Mac Miller – “Colors and Shapes” (dir. Sam Mason).
The XR Experience programming, comprising Competition, Spotlight and Special Events screenings, features an array of innovative, immersive adventures, from a VR K-pop concert to an exploration of transgender body dysphoria an exploration of the life cycle of mushrooms. Some notable titles include Jiabao Li’s Once a Glacier, Martine Asselin & Annick Daigneault’s Lou, the “Bullet Hell” VR game Yukifrom Kako, German Heller’s cartoony Eggscapechallenge, illustrative Shib the Metaverse and the World Premiere of Jailbirds – The Eye of the Artist.
See the lineup announced so far at sxsw.com/festivals/film and check back for further programming sections in early February.
Since 2007, pixiv has built a creation platform, with over 80 million users and more than 3 billion page views monthly — billed as the world’s largest. The Japan-based company’s mission is to build an online community that supports creators with creator platforms, services and products.
Now pixiv, Media Do International, Inc. and Clover Press are partnering to bring this community into print with two art books, Artists in Taiwan and Artists in Korea, just launched on Kickstarter. These deluxe books showcase over 150 talented creators — just a small fraction of the artists actively engaged on pixiv.
The Kickstarter page for these titles isnow live and has already surpassed its $10,000 starter goal.
Artist in Korea – illustration by Anmi
Artists in Taiwan features 83 artists in Taiwan, with a cover by VOFAN, an illustrator regarded for masterful use of intense light and shadow. Artists in Korea features 78 artists in Korea, with a cover by Tiv, an illustrator known for capturing poetic expression and emotional moments. Between both volumes, the books collect the work of Say HANa, I READING, LOIZA, B.c.N.y., modare, Anmi, zipcy, Gearous, DSmile, Canking, and many more.
“The ‘Artists in’ series was produced to bring work by artists from different regions to a larger global audience,” said pixiv SVP of Creator’s Platform Department Takahiko Kato. “With the massive impact and influence of anime art, there has been a huge wave of emerging artists who showcase their work on pixiv, and we want to share it with fans around the world. These incredible artbooks give fans a way to cherish a collection of amazing illustrations that can be proudly displayed on their bookshelf.”
Artist in Korea -illustration by EB+
Artists in Taiwan – illustration by Sibyl
Artists in Taiwan – illustration by VOFAN
The art books are the latest initiative in pixiv’s mission to create opportunities for creators around the world to interact and work beyond barriers such as distance and language. These include Drawfest, an online drawing festival presented by pixiv and Wacom, launched in 2021 and welcoming global artists including Mika Pikazo, Heikala, Loish, Zeronis and Guweiz through livestreaming workshops and lectures. More than 10,000 creators attended Drawfest simultaneously in Japanese and English to learn and improve their skills in a multi-artist live event.
With the mission of “creating a fun environment for anyone who enjoys creative activities,” pixiv operates creation-posting platform pixiv.net, fan community service FANBOX, C2C marketplace BOOTH, 3D character maker VRoid and other creator communities and services.
Artists in Korea – illustration by cuteg
The project is being managed by Media Do International, a San Diego-based publishing and content solutions provider, that focuses on licensing, distribution, content development and technology. MD-i is owned by Tokyo-based Media Do Co., Ltd., a leader in the global publishing business and the top distributor of ebooks in Japan.
The books will be published by Clover Press, a San Diego-based boutique publisher, whose eclectic releases include books by Matt Bors, Kevin Eastman, Stewart Kenneth Moore, Dean Mullaney, Steve Niles, Gabriel Rodriguez, John K. Snyder III, Timothy Truman, Aron Wiesenfeld and Craig Yoe.
Artists in Taiwan – illustration by Hiten
“The art of manga and manhwa creation continues to become mainstream on a worldwide basis,” said Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz. “Both these books feature absolutely gorgeous artwork. We hope they introduce readers to more international artists and a new online community dedicated to art and illustration.”
After a two year hiatus, Scotland’s MOVE Summit animation and visual effects gathering is back — bringing together international creatives, industry leaders, students and educators to Edinburgh on February 22-24 to celebrate Scotland’s commercial animation & VFX sectors.
Returning to the historic Pleasance Courtyard in the capital, MOVE Summit 2023 will offer three days of inspiringtalks, workshops, creative reviews, screenings, an exhibition/recruitment fair, tech demos, networking and business development all focused on the latest and greatest in the international animation and VFX industries. The fun continues after hours with regular Drink & Draw and MOVE Late evening events.
MOVE Summit 2020
“The magic of MOVE is in the celebration of each other’s creativity, artistry and technical accomplishments. It’s a great opportunity to hear from world-class studios and discover how the latest projects were made, get insights into how creative challenges were overcome, learn new tricks and tips and see some unique works-in-progress.”
Organizers are assembling a lineup featuring speakers from international studios, including Netflix and Cartoon Saloon, alongside U.K. and Scottish studios such as Aardman and Wild Child Animation. More guests and participating studios will be announced soon.
MOVE Summit 2020
Day one will be dedicated to Emerging Talents (students), with the two following days dedicated to industry professionals.
Building on previous year’s success, the Summit will also be hosting the Business at MOVE strand, which is a dedicated business program that brings together independent studios and producers with agencies and industry bodies to explore mutually beneficial opportunities.
MOVE Summit 2020
As part of its mission to make the MOVE Summit as accessible as possible, 10 bursaries are on offer to those for whom the cost of attending the 2023 event is a barrier. The bursary includes a full access ticket and travel up to £150. Priority will be given to those working in or seeking work in the animation industry, and who are currently un/underemployed and experiencing financial hardship.
Co-founded by Interference Pattern Director Tom Bryant (Oscar winner, The Lost Thing 2011), MOVE Summit has grown year on year to sold out audiences. The inaugural event in 2017 was attended by 240 delegates over the course of one day. In 2018 the audience doubled to 480, over two days, three venues, with four times the content. MOVE 2020 was the biggest yet, taking over the entire Pleasance Courtyard with around 1,000 delegates and speakers over three days.
Genius Brands International announced today the creation of Genius Networks (GN), consolidating Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Network and Ameba TV under the new banner. Concurrently, Genius Brands has promoted Todd Steinman to spearhead the newly created business unit as President, Genius Networks.
Genius Networks encompasses a broad digital content offering across the media landscape, including ad-free subscription VOD (SVOD), ad-supported VOD (AVOD), free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels and a network of leading animation creators on the biggest digital platforms in the world (YouTube, Meta, TikTok), averaging over 1 billion views per month.
Genius Brands launched Kartoon Channel! in 2020, and it has ranked as the top customer reviewed Apple App Store children’s streaming app ever since. In 2022, the Company acquired Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media, which brought Frederator Network to the Genius Brands’ family. Additionally Genius Brands acquired Ameba TV, a pioneering children’s Prime Video Channel and SVOD service.
“Consolidating our consumer platforms under Todd’s proven leadership, gives us the ability to grow our brands globally, increase revenue and maximize profits more quickly, as he has done in his previous roles with the Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers and WPP,” stated Genius Brands’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward. “There are an expanding number of opportunities to take advantage of, requiring a singular vision to achieve our ambitious goals, and Todd has an impeccable track record for developing and implementing profitable digital entertainment businesses. As we continue to grow, he will be focused on monetizing our brands and content in innovative ways to further propel Genius Brands as the global leader in children’s entertainment.”
Todd Steinman, a veteran digital media and entertainment executive, joined Genius Brands last year as Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer for Kartoon Channel!. Prior to Genius Brands, he served as Vice President in the Direct to Consumer division at The Walt Disney Company, which included Disney+ during its launch. He helped create solutions to leverage Disney’s portfolio of network brands, including Disney, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, Freeform, FX and Nat Geo, while setting strategy for revenue teams.
Previously, Steinman co-founded the digital media agency, M80, which provided digital media strategy, social media management and analytics to Fortune 500 companies. When M80 was acquired by WPP, Steinman stayed on to lead the NBCUniversal business where he negotiated multi-million-dollar media deals with Google/YouTube, Amazon, Disney, Twitter, Snapchat, Spotify and others, while managing an annual budget north of $1 billion.
“I’m thrilled to take the reins of the newly created Genius Networks and lead operations, content, monetization and distribution to further accelerate the Company’s consumer facing goals,” commented Steinman. “We have a very talented, innovative and committed team, and given the current breadth of our brands on a multitude of platforms, we are positioned to drive growth and enhance profitability for each of our brands. Growth must go hand in hand with profitability, and that will be my focus.”
Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for categories including outstanding achievement in television during 2022.
FOX has the most toon contenders again this year, combining three nods for 13-time winner The Simpsonswith another nod for Bob’s Burgers (one previous win, 11 nominations) for four of the six slots. Last year’s winner, Tuca & Bertie, is back with another episode penned by series creator Lisa Hanawalt. The list is rounded out with first time nominee Undone.
Winners will be honored at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards (the 75th annual) ceremony on Sunday, March 5. Visit wgaeast.org/award/2023 for more information.
Tuca & Bertie – “The Pain Garden”
Undone “Rectify”
Bob’s Burgers – “To Bob, or Not to Bob”
ANIMATION
– “Girls Just Shauna Have Fun” (The Simpsons), Written by Jeff -Westbrook; Fox
– “The Pain Garden” (Tuca & Bertie), Written by Lisa Hanawalt; Adult Swim
– “Pixelated and Afraid” (The Simpsons), Written by John Frink; Fox
– “Rectify” (Undone), Written by Elijah Aron & Patrick Metcalf; Prime Video
– “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” (The Simpsons), Written by Loni Steele Sosthand; Fox
– “To Bob, or Not To Bob” (Bob’s Burgers), Written by Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin & Wendy Molyneux; Fox
The Simpsons – “Girls Just Shauna Have Fun”
The Simpsons – “Pixelated and Afraid”
The Simpsons – “The Sound of Bleeding Gums”
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media and broadcast news. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit www.wgaeast.org.
Can’t a girl catch a break? From the look of things at the kick-off of Legion of Super-Heroes, not even a Supergirl can…
Kara Zor-el is coping with the destruction of her home planet, an armed standoff with Solomon Grundy and learning how to fit in on Earth — and that’s just the beginning of her time traveling adventure in the latest DC Universe Movie. Today, new images from Legion of Super-Heroes have been released to get fans primed for the February 7 4K, Blu-ray and Digital release, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Synopsis: Welcome to the 31st century and the Legion Academy, where a new generation hones their powers with hopes of joining the Legion of Super-Heroes. Devastated by tragedy, Supergirl struggles to adjust to her new life on Earth. Taking her cousin Superman’s advice, Supergirl leaves their space-time to attend the Academy. There, she quickly makes new friends, as well as a new enemy with old ties: Brainiac 5. But a nefarious plot lurks in the shadows — the mysterious group known as the Dark Circle seeks a powerful weapon held in the Academy’s vault. Find out if the budding heroes can rise to the challenge!
Striking that classic pose, Kara/Supergirl is voiced by Meg Donnelly, best known for her role as Taylor Otto on the American Housewife and as Mary Campbell in The Winchesters.
Kara and her mother Alura react to the beginning of the end of Krypton in an opening scene from Legion of Super-Heroes. Popular voiceover actress Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect franchise) provides the voice of Alura.
Grundy’s got a gun!. The monstrous Solomon Grundy is armed with high-tech artillery as he wreaks havoc on Metropolis — until Supergirl arrives on the scene. Grundy is voiced by Darin De Paul (Mortal Kombat Legends franchise).
Kara/Supergirl’s primary comfort on Earth is her cousin, Superman. The two Kryptonians have a heart-to-heart rooftop chat in a touching scene in Legion of Super-Heroes. Darren Criss (Glee, The Assassination of Gianni Versace) reprises his role as Superman.
Season 2 of the anime historical drama Vinland Sagahas weighed anchor on Crunchyroll, available to stream now. Based on the award-winning Viking manga epic written by Makoto Yukimara published by Kodansha, the series originally aired on Japan’s NHK in 2019.
S2 Synopsis:
A new millennium begins in the southern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. After the death of his longtime enemy, Askeladd, Thorfinn lost his purpose in life. He was bought by the landowner Ketil as a “slave” and engaged in land reclamation work on his farm. Thorfinn meets a young man there, Einar, who was also a slave like him. The encounter with Einar led Thorfinn to face the sins he had committed and begin to find meaning in life. Meanwhile, Canute, who became the King of England, attempted to extend his territory for the establishment of “the promised land.”
This is “The Story of a True Warrior (Saga).” “The story of Atonement and Salvation (Saga)” that lies beyond the prologue.
Vinland Saga is directed by Shuhei Yabuta, with series composition by Hiroshi Seko, character design by Takahiko Abiru and music by Yutaka Yamada. MAPPA performed the animation production.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) announced that two generous donors will support new endeavors to advance its recently inaugurated Movement Lab, a cross-disciplinary center for the creative study of movement. The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation will fund two fellows in the lab, and RISD parent Cheryl Henson (P. ’24), President of the Jim Henson Foundation and daughter of the internationally celebrated puppeteer (1936-90), will provide support for a visiting puppeteer to teach at RISD.
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, cofounded by RISD alum Delle Maxwell (’74, Textile Design) and Pat Hanrahan, supports individual scientists, teachers, conservationists and creators “whose diverse perspectives enable us to discover new things about ourselves and our world.”
The foundation’s gift, in combination with funds from Hanrahan’s Turing Award winnings, will support two annual teaching fellowships in the Movement Lab for post-graduate artists and scholars. Collectively, these funds will prioritize diversifying the next generation of artists and designers and help to increase equitable curricula at the school.
Speaking about bringing puppetry to the Movement Lab, dedicated advocate of the art form Cheryl Henson says, “Movement and gesture are integral to puppetry. Bringing an inanimate object to life is achieved by imitating the subtle movements that we recognize as those of a living being. The effects of breath and gravity on a body, enhanced by the myriad emotions conveyed through gesture, tell us who a character is and why we should care. It is exciting to think about what RISD students might create in this playful art form during Wintersession courses led by a professional puppeteer.”
The Jim Henson Foundation supports innovative contemporary puppet theater. Cheryl’s father Jim Henson received an Athena Award from RISD in 1982 for his creation of The Muppets and was awarded a posthumous honorary doctor of fine arts in 1991; his daughter Heather Henson earned a BFA from RISD in 1995.
The Movement Lab arose from RISD’s unique approach to animation education. Based in the Film/Animation/Video (FAV) department, it is a multidisciplinary research space for students, faculty and visiting artists. Three new Wintersession courses, developed by the Movement Lab fellows and the visiting puppeteer, will be open to students in all disciplines beginning in January 2024.
“Movement crosses every boundary and provides unique insights across cultures, races, ethnicities, species, continents, landforms and even simply between two people trying to understand each other,” says FAV Department Head Amy Kravitz.
Fellows will focus on their independent creative research projects, which may include animation, filmmaking, immersive arts, performance, game arts, dance, puppetry, robotics or kinetic sculpture, among other things. Kravitz says she hopes the fellows will invent previously unimagined fields of movement study.
The five-year rotating visiting puppeteer will help students develop a foundational understanding of puppetry, a multicultural art form with roots in Asia, Europe and Africa that engages a range of disciplines, including performance, sculpture, textiles and illustration.
“Movement is a language that connects everything and everyone in conscious and unconscious ways,” says Associate Professor Max Porter (’03, FAV). “The fact that we move is universal. However, how and why we move is specific to each individual.”
Future research might explore such questions as: How are gestures incorporated, even unconsciously, by social groups? Do people adapt the rhythms of breathing when they are together, or mimic each other’s gestures? How does visualized movement affect the bodies of people who are unable to move?
In addition to undergraduate courses, Movement Lab programming will support postgraduate work that explores movement at the intersection of language, identity, cultures, ecosystems and/or peoples. The new programming will address FAV’s ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in art, design and computing, on campus and beyond.
RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”) is a creative community founded in 1877 in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, the school enrolls 2,620 students from 59 countries, engaged in 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and supported by a worldwide network of over 31,000 alumni.
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has shared the news that longtime employee and “animation champion” Hélène Tanguay died on January 7. In honor of her career legacy and marking the relationships she built with artists through the years, the NFB’s Oscar shortlisted animated short film The Flying Sailor has been dedicated to Tanguay.
“Hélène Tanguay was an outstanding and unwavering ambassador for animated films. Everywhere she went, she left her mark, always with a human touch. Both professionally and privately, she tirelessly travelled the world presenting and viewing films. She forged relationships and helped build an active community of animation enthusiasts,” said Julie Roy, NFB’s Director General, Creation, Distribution & Marketing, and Chief Programming Officer.
“Her sense of humor, generosity, countless anecdotes, extensive understanding of the field and immense knowledge of animated film made Hélène an extraordinary individual. She was driven by one desire: to spread the word about these artists and their work.”
Tanguay joined the NFB’s Festivals unit in 1970 at just 17 years old. In 1979, she further enmeshed herself in the animation scene when she was elected to the board of directors of ASIFA Canada, where she also served as the Canadian delegate to the ASIFA International Council for six years. In 1984, Tanguay was named Marketing Manager for the NFB’s English Program Animation Studio in Montreal.
Tanguay retired from the NFB in 2007, after almost 40 years of distinguished service in bringing the work of NFB creators to an ever-wider audience through her impassioned work and warm presence at festivals around the globe. However, she remained deeply engaged with the animation world — and with the countless artists and artisans who loved her.
“Though filmmakers and producers generally get the attention, today we want to shine a spotlight on someone who dedicated her career to promoting creators, whom she so fervently respected and admired,” Roy added. “To this extended family, she bequeaths her unconditional love of animated film, for which we are eternally grateful.”
Across social media, Tanguay is being remembered by both the Canadian and international animation communities. The Annecy festival, which Tanguay attended every year from 1975 to 2008 (serving on the short film jury that year), described her as “the finest ambassador the NFB ever had. She was charming, funny, playful, colorful, and strong willed. She loved animation, films, directors, Annecy and other festivals, and in return she too was much loved and appreciated worldwide.”
#Tribute😔
It is with deep sadness that the #annecyfestival has learned of the death of Hélène Tanguay, involved in the animation industry for over 37 years and present at the Festival since 1975.
The team joins her family in paying tribute to her memory.https://t.co/4nCHhWdHbApic.twitter.com/BvI8hYPU4A
The Ottawa International Animation Festival, which hosted Tanguay as its Honorary President in 2007, noted that she “touched the lives of many with her humor and delight. Her impact on the animation community will not be forgotten.” You can see some photos of fond memories with Tanguay at OIAF in this Twitter thread shared in memory of pioneering NFB pinscreen animator Jacques Drouin‘s passing in 2021 — one of the many celebrated creators Tanguay supported throughout her career.
A longtime champion of the #OIAF and Honourary President in 2007, Hélène Tanguay touched the lives of many with her humour and delight. Her impact on the animation community will not be forgotten.
Disney Branded Television has opened the doors to Lunella’s secret lab with the reveal of the official trailer for Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur! It was also announced that fans can catch some Moon Girl Magic on Disney+, where the first six episodes will be available to stream starting February 15, following the Disney Channel premiere on February 10.
