Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • A Bouquet of New Anime Blooms in Crunchyroll Spring Season

    A Bouquet of New Anime Blooms in Crunchyroll Spring Season

    The seeds have been sown for the largest programming slate in Crunchyroll’s history as 50 new and returning titles are slated to stream in the Spring 2022 season. This bounty of anime will complement Crunchyroll’s existing library of more than 40,000 episodes and 16,000 hours available, which was recently expanded through the transition of Funimation’s exclusive catalog titles to the Crunchyroll platform.

    Exciting new simulcasts from Japan (subtitled and dubbed) will include SPY x FAMILY, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Ultra Romantic-, Skeleton Knight in Another World, Date A Live IV, The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie and The Dawn of the Witch, among many, many more! Additional series will be announced soon and updates can be found at Crunchyroll News as they are made.

    Simulcasts on Crunchyroll continuing from the Winter 2022 anime season are One Piece, Cue!, BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai, Digimon Ghost Game, Case Closed (Detective Conan), Requiem of the Rose King and more.

    The Spring 2022 anime season is already underway on Crunchyroll, with Season 3 of Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These. And fans will be treated to the first two episodes of Estab Life: Great Escape starting Wednesday, March 23, airing ahead of Japan’s TV broadcast.

    Funimation will continue to add new episodes of current series, but all new series will air exclusively on Crunchyroll.

    Crunchyroll

    Crunchyroll Spring 2022 Anime Season

    Now Available:

    • Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Season 3 (Production I.G) — As Yang is ordered to appear before the Free Planet Alliance, he’s shaken by the corruption he discovers. Meanwhile, Marshal Reinhardt uncovers disloyalty under his command as an upstart admiral launches a vicious offensive to retake the Iserlohn Fortress. Struggling to make strides in this never-ending bloody war, these two finally see their true enemy lies not from without — but from within!

    March 23:

    • Estab Life: Great Escape (Polygon Pictures) — When the world’s population shrinks, the Supernatural Renovation Project splits up Tokyo. Divided by towering walls, cyborgs, beast folk and magical beings are segregated into clusters and monitored by artificial intelligence. Some adjust to their new lives, but many suffer in silence, unaware secret help is available. Have no hope and desperate to escape? The Nigashiyan Extractors will find you! (Official Trailer)

    April 1:

    • Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It r=1-sinθ (Zero-G) — Basking in the sun’s rays, Himuro and Yukimura embrace and share a tender kiss. But was it perfect? Rushing back to the lab for the results, they meet the seductive Fujiwara and her handsome partner, Chris, who’ve performed passionate analysis in love’s pursuit. But is this new couple competition, or can they reveal some insight into their studies? One thing is for sure — more research is needed! (Official Trailer)
    • Mahjong Soul Pon☆ (Scooter Films) — Straight from the online game Mahjong Soul comes Mahjong Soul Pon. The new comical mini-anime adaptation of the game in which the one-of-a-kind Mahjong players dream big and go for a Thirteen Orphans. The Mahjong Soul Shrine is holding truly extrava-kan-t festivities centering around Ichihime! Are you ready to play the game fair and square? Maybe you can draw more Mahjong soul! (Official Trailer)

    April 2:

    • Fanfare of Adolescence (Lay-duce) — At the all-boys Horse Racing School, entrance is incredibly difficult, with only one of every 10 to 20 applicants being accepted. Here students need to not only be book smart, but athletic and in peak physique. Three new students — a popular idol, another from a remote island, and one from England unsure of his path — come to this elite school to pursue their dreams of becoming a jockey. (Official Trailer)
    • LOVE ALL PLAY (Nippon Animation and OLM) — Ryo Mizushima dreams of being the best badminton player in the world. But despite his natural athleticism and skill — he’s only been able to get so far without a reliable coach. However, everything changes when his talent gets him scouted by one of the most prestigious high school badminton teams. Now, with a pro coach and an elite team to back him up — it’s finally time for Ryo’s journey to soar. (Official Trailer)
    • BUILD-DIVIDE -#FFFFFF- CODE WHITE (Liden Films) — Three years have passed since Teruto’s battle and Neo Kyoto is in ruins. Now people are rounded up by KUGE, the King’s servants, stealing their magical power, all for their leader to survive. Former King, Kikka, finds herself now on the run from the guards too. Helpless with no Build-Divide deck, she finds help in another. Together they embark on a battle for the one they seek to see again. (Official Trailer)

    April 3:

    • Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Final Season (SHAFT) — Few people know the truth: the world is safe thanks to the Magical Girls who are forced to slay Witches. Even though these girls are putting their lives on the line for a wish, rumors say they can be saved in Kamihama City. That’s where Iroha Tamaki is headed in search of answers. She can’t remember the wish she made to Kyubey, but a shadowy figure haunts her dreams. (Official Trailer)
    • Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games Is Tough for Mobs (ENGI) — One office worker uses their otome game smarts after being reincarnated into a series they’ve played before! (Official Trailer)

    Crunchyroll

    April 5:

    • Tomodachi Game (Okuruto Noboru) — High school student Katagiri Yuichi, who values friendship above all else, enjoys a fulfilling life with his close friends Sawaragi Shiho, Mikasa Tenji, Shibe Makoto, and Kokorogi Yutori. However, after a particular incident, they’re dragged into a debt repayment game. (Official Trailer)

    April 6:

    • The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 (DR Movie) — 20-year-old Naofumi Iwatani goes from 2nd class citizen to 2nd class hero when he’s summoned to the videogame-like kingdom of Melromarc. (Official Trailer)
    • The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody (Silver Link) — The most powerful Demon Lord in history, Varvatos, felt that he had accomplished everything he could as a king. Because he was so alone due to how powerful he was, he longed for a much simpler life. A few millennia later, he is reborn as the villager, Ard Meteor. But in the future where he was reborn, magical civilization had declined and magic itself had become weaker. (Official Trailer)

    April 7:

    • Skeleton Knight in Another World (Studio Kai) — When Arc wakes up, he discovers that he has been transported to another world in the body of the character he was playing in an MMO. Looking like a suit of armor on the outside and a skeleton on the inside, he is the Skeleton Knight. If his identity is discovered, he could be mistaken for a monster and become a target! (Official Trailer)
    • The Dawn of the Witch (Tezuka Productions) — Seville is a student at a magic academy who has no memories of anything from before he joined the school. This is the story of how a young man, a boy who is no one special, and his companions, who all hold wounds in their hearts, set out and end up finding themselves. (Official Trailer)

    April 8:

    • Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Ultra Romantic- (A-1 Pictures) — Shuchiin Academy: an elite school where the most gifted students flock to. It is also where its Student Council brought together Vice President Kaguya Shinomiya and President Miyuki Shirogane. While everyone expected a speedy courtship and agreed that the two geniuses would make the perfect couple, the pair, it seems, has too much pride to confess their true feelings for one another! The two remain fully committed in devising a highly cerebral strategy in this cunning war of love… Will they take their relationship to the next level by the final day of Shuchiin Academy’s culture festival!? (Official Trailer)
    • Date A Live IV (Geek Toys) — With multiple Spirits now living with him, Shido’s juggling act of giving ladies attention is never-ending. On top of that, more Spirits arrive for him to put the charm on. As he seals more and more, with his intentions unknown to them, will he be able to keep this up or will it lead to one big, giant spatial quake? (Official Trailer)
    • Dance Dance Danseur (MAPPA) — Second-year junior high school student Junpei was fascinated by ballet as a boy but gave up on dancing after his father’s death, thinking that he had to act more manly. However, one day, a beautiful transfer student named Miyako appears before him. (Official Trailer)
    • Love After World Domination (Project No.9) — One spring day, a young, innocent couple sits side by side in a field. Their names are Fudo Aikawa and Desumi Magahara… but they are actually “Red Gelato,” the leader of the heroic fighting force Gelato 5, and “Reaper Princess,” a combat force member of the secret evil organization Gekko! These two are supposed to be enemies, so the public can’t know that they’re dating no matter what. All they can do is see each other secretly between fights. This spring day is just another day of them happily enjoying their time together while the fierce flames of a violent battle blaze right next to them!! This is a story of a hero of justice and an evil warrior trying to be lovey-dovey without being seen! (Official Trailer)

    Crunchyroll

    April 9:

    • SPY x FAMILY (WIT Studio and Cloverworks) — World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet — pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath! (Official Trailer)
    • Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie (Doga Kobo) — The ultimate “heartthrob girlfriend” appears! Naturally unlucky high school student Izumi’s girlfriend is his classmate Shikimori. She’s a pretty, cute, and loving girlfriend, but when Izumi’s in trouble… she transforms into a super cool “heartthrob girlfriend!” (Official Trailer)
    • In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki (CloverWorks) — Deep in the mountains in the middle of nowhere lives a group of kunoichi called Akane Class. These kunoichi work hard together to improve their own skills, and they all live by an unbreakable rule: “Contact with men is strictly forbidden.” But everything takes an unexpected turn when Tsubaki, leader of one of the groups, starts experiencing strange feelings whenever the subject of men comes up. (Official Trailer)
    • Aoashi (Production I.G) — Ashito Aoi is a middle schooler who lives in Ehime, and the ace of an unremarkable soccer club. The day that they lost the final tournament of middle school, Ashito runs along the ocean in frustration, before running into a man who had been watching his game. That man is Tatsuya Fukuda, the coach of the high-school-aged Youth team of a leading J-League team, “Tokyo City Esperion FC.” (Official Trailer)

    April 10:

    • Don’t Hurt Me, My Healer! (Jumondou) — The misadventures of a knight and a healer begin in this new fantasy comedy series! (Official Trailer)

    April 11:

    • Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 3 (Ajiado) — After becoming a blue priestess apprentice, Main continues doing everything to protect her loved ones. With some nobles targeting her because of her magic, she becomes the adopted daughter of Karstedt. She’s assigned a personal knight, which would mean leaving her family. Will Main be able to protect everyone while pursuing her goal of creating a letterpress, with danger lurking around? (Official Trailer)

    April 23:

    • A Couple of Cuckoos (Shin-Ei Animation) — 16-year-old super-studier Nagi Umino, second-year student at the Meguro River Academy high school, was switched at birth. On his way to a dinner to meet his birth parents, he accidentally meets the brash, outspoken, Erika Amano, who is determined to make Nagi her fake boyfriend as she never wants to actually marry. (Official Trailer)

    Coming Soon:

    • Sony Music AnimeSongs ONLINE 2022 (Sony Music Entertainment Japan) Listen to 14 of the top artists from Sony Music Entertainment Japan sing popular songs from your favorite anime!

    Continuing Simulcasts:

    • One Piece (Toei Animation)
    • BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS (Pierrot / TV TOKYO)
    • Requiem of the Rose King (J.C.Staff / Bandai Namco Arts)
    • CUE! (Yumeta Company and Graphinica / Pony Canyon)
    • Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (Toei Animation)
    • Case Closed (Detective Conan) (TMS Entertainment)
    • Digimon Ghost Game (Toei Animation)
    • Shenmue the Animation (Telecom Animation Film)
    • Delicious Party Pretty Cure (Toei Animation)

    Schedule subject to change. More titles will be added soon, follow Crunchyroll News for updates.

  • Trailer: ‘The Croods: Family Tree’ S2 Is Ready to Rock

    Trailer: ‘The Croods: Family Tree’ S2 Is Ready to Rock

    Join the Croods and Bettermans on all new adventures when new episodes of DreamWorks The Croods: Family Tree arrive on Hulu and Peacock April 5! The sophomore season trailer debuted today, offering a preview of the prehistoric mayhem waiting in seven new episodes. Watch it below!

    The Croods: Family Tree
    The Croods: Family Tree

    In Season 2, Grug, Eep and Sandy enjoy a Crood-ific Daddy Daughter Day while Thunk, bored with the window-TV viewing options, creates a bit of real life drama. Even Gran rocks the boat when she declares it’s time to choose a new Thunder Sisters’ Queen! Meanwhile, pushed to their limits and ready to relax, the parents set out on separate staycations. But with the kids in charge, only prehistoric time will tell if the treehouse will still be left standing.

    Inspired by the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation film The Croods: A New Age, The Croods: Family Tree continues the ever-evolving story of the Croods and the Bettermans as they learn to live together on the most idyllic farm in prehistory. The journey from sparring rivals to unlikely friends is fraught with hilarious misadventures as the two families slowly overcome their differences to turn a tree house divided into a tree home united.

    The Croods: Family Tree
    The Croods: Family Tree

    From executive producers Mark Banker (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants) and Todd Grimes (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants), the series stars Kelly Marie Tran (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Dawn, Amy Landecker (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) as Ugga, Kiff VandenHeuvel as Grug, Ally Dixon as Eep, AJ Locascio as Thunk, Artemis Pebdani as Gran, Dee Bradley Baker as Sandy, Darin Brooks as Guy, Matthew Waterson as Phil and Amy Rosoff as Hope.

    The Croods: Family Tree

     

  • Hype Takes Aim at Theaters with ‘Taina and the Blue Arrow’

    Hype Takes Aim at Theaters with ‘Taina and the Blue Arrow’

    Award-winning Brazilian studio Hype Animation has kicked off production on its first animated feature, Tainá e a Flecha Azul (“Taina and the Blue Arrow”), based on the Quirino Award-winning television series Taina and the Amazon’s Guardians (2018). Virginia Limberger is the project’s producer and Alê Camargo is the director.

    Tainá e a Flecha Azul is produced by Sincrocine, with Hype serving as the animation studio and co-producing with Tietê Produções and Claro. Theatrical release is expected for 2023.

    “This is a big challenge for Hype Animation. We brought to the table all of our expertise built in 20 years of work in the industry,” says Gabriel Garcia, Hype’s CEO. “Our main goal now is to best translate all the elements — from the environment to the character’s nuances — that made the TV show such a hit in Latin America to the big screen.”

    Taina and the Amazon's Guardians
    Taina and the Amazon’s Guardians (courtesy Cinocrine, Hype & ViacomCBS)

    The feature serves as a prequel for the preschool animated series, which was based on a live-action trilogy. The movie’s plot will follow young Indigenous girl Tainá as she trains to be Guardian of the Amazon with the wise Master Aí. She sees her destiny in jeopardy when she loses the ancestral Blue Arrow which guides the Guardians. In the search to recover this treasure, Tainá meets Catu, Pepe and Suri, and together they must stop a great evil from burning down the forest.

    Tainá e a Flecha Azul is being produced with financing from RioFilme and Fuji Brazil; Paris Filmes is on board as distributor. The original story was conceived by screenwriter Gustavo Colombo and Rafael Campos Rocha. The key creative team also includes production designer Camila Carrossine and original songwriter Cezar Brandão. Marcela Baptista is executive producer.

    Taina and the Amazon's Guardians
    Taina and the Amazon’s Guardians (courtesy Cinocrine, Hype & ViacomCBS)

    Taina and the Amazon’s Guardians airs on Nickelodeon LatAm, and already has more than 630 million minutes watched, plus more than 20 million on the show’s YouTube channel. The brand’s original universe also has karaoke clips, songs on Spotify and is under negotiation for licensed products. The feature prequel was conceived before the series production.

    Hype Animation’s recent works also include Guitar & Drum (2019), co-produced with Punkrobot. The studio is part of Latin America’s largest animation collective, Los Amigos, which produces Angry Birds Bubble Trouble (2020). Hype also produced the 2015 series Dino Adventures. The company’s productions have participated in over 100 festival in 35 countries and aired on major outlets including Discovery Kids, Disney, Nickelodeon and Netflix.

    hype.cg

     

  • All Hail ‘King Tweety’! All-New Animated Movie Flies Home June 14

    All Hail ‘King Tweety’! All-New Animated Movie Flies Home June 14

    If you tawt you taw all there was to tee about Looney Tunes‘ Tweety Bird, you better tink again! The cute widdle canary learns he’s a royal descendant and next in line to the throne in King Tweety, a brand-new, full-length animated family film arriving on Digital and DVD ($14.99 SRP US/$19.99 SRP CAN) on June 14 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The release includes three bonus classic Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries cartoons.

    Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, King Tweety is a fun-packed and music-filled comedy adventure, which finds our fledgeling royal jet-setting to the Canary Islands. When the queen of this island paradise disappears, Tweety unexpectedly becomes next in line for the crown. His Little Highness’ entourage includes motorbike daredevil Granny and sly Sylvester, whose allegiance is tested when he uncovers a sinister plot to eliminate Tweety for good! Feathers and fur will fly in this tale that proves royalty — and loyalty — can come in many shapes and sizes.

    King Tweety features the voice talents of Eric Bauza as Sylvester/Tweety/Larry Bird/the Handsome Stewart; Flula Borg as Harold/Singing Fish/Enthusiastic Crowd Goer; Carlease Burke as Queen Honk/Candice the Crane; Jon Daly as Diego; Regi Davis as Rodrigo the Dog/Charlie Bird Parker/an Owl; Dana DeLorenzo as Izza; Riki Lindhome as Beep Beep; Candi Milo as Granny/Green Bean/Lady Bird Johnson; Maya Lynne Robinson as Officer Gnutz/Dancer; Niccole Thurman as Aoogah/Melaney Blank and Mark Whitten as Officer Siedes/John Foray.

    King Tweety
    King Tweety

    King Tweety is executive produced by Sam Register. The film was produced and directed by Careen Ingle. Story by Erik Adolphson and teleplay by Careen Ingle.

    Bonus episodes of Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries:

    • Something Fishy Around Here
    • The Maltese Canary
    • The Cat Who Knew Too Much

    King Tweety

  • April Animation Highlights: Disney TV & Streaming

    April Animation Highlights: Disney TV & Streaming

    Television and streaming viewers can embrace the changing season with some fun spring debuts of new episodes and series across Disney’s various video outlets.

    Scrat Tales
    Scrat Tales

    In addition to more episode premieres for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Disney+ viewers can tune in for the all-new Ice Age shorts Scrat Tales, premiering this month. Plus, Marvel fans will get more Moon Knight as new episodes roll out Wednesdays, and the intimate new draw-along series Sketchbook premieres later in April.

    Wednesday, April 6

    • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder “Home School” — Penny inadvertently gets her homeless teacher, Ms. Hill, fired. To right her wrong, Penny starts a fundraiser. Zoey turns to Uncle Bobby to learn the ways of the funk.

    Wednesday, April 13

    • Scrat Tales Season 1 Premiere (All Episodes Streaming) — This series of six all-new animated shorts starring Scrat, the hapless saber-toothed squirrel of the “Ice Age” adventures, who experiences the ups and downs of fatherhood, as he and the adorable, mischievous Baby Scrat, alternately bond with each other and battle for ownership of the highly treasured Acorn.
    • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder “Raging Bully” — LaCienega feels threatened by her ugly-duckling-turned-beautiful-swan cousin, LaBrea, as her quinceañera approaches. Sunset’s sister, Melrose, goads her into making poor choices.

    Wednesday, April 20

    • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder “Old Towne Road” (Season 1 Finale) — When Trudy tracks Suga Mama’s family to Oklahoma, the Prouds head to the family rodeo, where Suga Mama’s painful history will be revealed. Oscar discovers he’s a natural cowboy.
    Madagascar: A Little Wild
    Madagascar: A Little Wild

    Hulu highlights include new installments of DreamWorks Animation series Madagascar: A Little Wild and The Croods: Family Tree, plus the animated feature Monster Family 2. The Keith Knight comedy Woke also returns for S2 this month.

    Friday, April 1

    • Additions: Shrek, Shrek 2 (available until April 30)
    • Last Chance: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior, Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai, Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions

    Monday, April 4

    • Madagascar: A Little Wild Complete Season 7 (Hulu Original) — New York’s favorite Habitat crew, Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria continue to have each other’s backs as they follow their dreams, no matter the size! Marty finally has a chance to become a Junior Ranger Zebra. Melman is chosen to perform an original song for his favorite animal country star, if only he can overcome some serious stage fright. Gloria finally gets a taste of the attention she’s always craved as the Habitat’s first-ever radio show host. Alex tries his paw at cooking, hoping to become a big time celebrity chef. And the whole gang helps Ant’ney convince his mom that he’s mature enough to build a nest of his own!

    Tuesday, April 5

    • The Croods: Family Tree Complete Season 2 (Hulu Original) — Grug, Eep and Sandy enjoy a Crood-ific Daddy Daughter Day while Thunk, bored with the window-TV viewing options, creates a bit of real life drama. Even Gran rocks the boat when she declares it’s time to choose a new Thunder Sisters’ Queen! Meanwhile, pushed to their limits and ready to relax, the parents set out on separate staycations. But with the kids in charge, only prehistoric time will tell if the treehouse will still be left standing.
    • Monster Family 2: Nobody’s Perfect — To free Baba Yaga and Renfield from the clutches of Monster Hunter Mila Starr, the Wishbone Family once more transforms into a Vampire, Frankenstein’s Monster, a Mummy and a Werewolf. Aided and abetted by their three pet bats, our Monster Family zooms around the world again to save their friends, make new monstrous acquaintances and finally come to the realization that ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ — even those with flaws can find happiness. Starring Emily Watson, Jason Isaacs, Nick Frost, Jessica Brown Findlay, Catherine Tate, Ethan Rouse and Emily Carey.

    Saturday, April 30

    • Last chance: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Shrek, Shrek 2
    Alice's Wonderland Bakery
    Alice’s Wonderland Bakery

    On Disney’s linear channels, fans will have a hoot with new episodes of The Owl House and hop along on more Amphibia Adventures, while youngsters can soak up the color and music of Alice’s Wonderland Bakery and Mickey Mouse Funhouse — all while keeping an ear open for special guest voices like Whoopi Goldberg, Ana Gasteyer and Jason Ritter.

    Friday, April 1

    • 10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/4:00-4:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Alice’s Wonderland Bakery “Potato Potahto” — Alice and Fergie both think they make the best potato dish until they realize their recipes are the same. “Hattie’s Inside-Out Cake”
    • “Hattie’s Inside-Out Cake”— When Alice and Fergie try to help by remaking Hattie’s “inside-out cake,” they learn an important lesson about not judging a book by its cover after witnessing how beautiful the cake is on the inside.

    Saturday, April 2

    • 9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | The Owl House “Any Sport in a Storm” — Hunter goes undercover at Hexside for his most important mission yet. Meanwhile, Willow is determined to succeed at an exciting new sport.
    • 9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | Amphibia “Sasha’s Angels” — A team of Resistance fighters gets captured by ruthless marauders.
    • “Olm Town Road” — Anne and her friends search for the ancient city of Proteus.

    Friday, April 8

    • 8:30-9:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/12:00-12:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Mickey Mouse Funhouse “Ducks Inn Trouble!” — The gang travels to Majestica for a delicious pancake breakfast and discovers a problem when they arrive.
    • “Polka Dots and Don’ts” — Minnie needs to find something special to wear to Funny’s party. Grammy-nominated country singer Mickey Guyton recurs as Wanda Warbler.
    • 10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/4:00-4:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Alice’s Wonderland Bakery “Easy Breezy” — Alice saves the day when the Queen misses a crucial step in her recipe.
    • “Walk the Jabberwok” — The Queen and Rosa ask Alice to care for their pet Jabbie while they go on a trip.

    Saturday, April 9

    • 9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | The Owl House “Reaching Out” — Amity wants to prove herself to her father, and Luz thinks she’s found the perfect way to do it: Underground Witch Duels.
    • 9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | Amphibia “Mother of Olms” — Anne and the crew meet with Mother Olm, the keeper of ancient prophecies. Whoopi Goldberg guest stars as Mother Olm.
    • “Grime’s Pupil” — Due to dire circumstances, Grime is forced to train an apprentice. Aisling Bea (This Way Up) returns as the voice of Captain Beatrix.

    Friday, April 15

    • 10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/4:00-4:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Alice’s Wonderland Bakery “Roamin’ Holiday” — Rosa visits new sights in Wonderland to add to her mural. Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live) guest stars as Kiki the caterpillar.
    • “The Proof is in the Pudding” — The Queen puts jumbleberries on trial in the palace courtroom.

    Saturday, April 16

    • 9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | The Owl House “Them’s the Breaks, Kid” — Eda tells a story from her teen years: the day she met Raine Whispers.
    • 9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | Amphibia “The Root of Evil” — Anne and the Plantars get stuck in a strange village of plant lovers.
    • “The Core & the King” — King Andrias confronts the demons of his past. Jason Ritter (Raising Dion) guest stars as Barrel.

    Saturday, April 23

    • 9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | The Owl House “Hollow Mind” — A magical mishap transports Luz and Hunter into a new mindscape … and this one is a twisted nightmare.
    • 9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | Amphibia “Newts in Tights” — While on a recon mission, Anne and Sprig confront an old mentor. Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit) guest stars as Joio Potato.
    • “Fight or Flight” — Anne tries to rescue an old friend from one of King Andrias’ robot camps.

    Friday, April 29

    • 8:30-9:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/12:00-12:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Mickey Mouse Funhouse “The Mighty Goof!” — Funny takes the gang to Sportstopia to play baseball with Pete’s team.
    • “Playtime in Crayon World” — Mickey, Minnie and friends can’t agree on what game to play.

    10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/4:00-4:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior | Alice’s Wonderland Bakery “A Royally Mad Tea Party” — Alice helps the Queen and Dad Hatter make up after an argument ends their tea party.

    • “Jojo’s Bye-Bye Party” — Alice helps Fergie plan a surprise party for Jojo.

    Saturday, April 30

    • 9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | The Owl House “Edge of the World” — King’s quest to uncover his past leads to shocking revelations and horrifying truths.
    • 9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel | Amphibia “The Three Armies” — Anne and Sasha must convince the frogs, newts and toads to work together. Whoopi Goldberg returns as the voice of Mother Olm.
    • “The Beginning of the End” — The final battle begins.
  • Watch: ‘Animators Against War’ Compilations Bring Russian Creatives Together in Protest

    Watch: ‘Animators Against War’ Compilations Bring Russian Creatives Together in Protest

    A network of more than 100 Russian artists and animators, together with musicians and sound designers, are creating an ongoing collaborative project to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Animators Against War is a series of 3′ 30″ compilations comprising five- to 10-second clips, each made by a different animation artist in a diverse array of styles.

    Per the Animators Against War YouTube channel: “We believe peaceful methods are the only answer in resolving any conflicts between countries. Everything that is happening right now in Ukraine is a horrible tragedy. There is no way to justify this terror the war has brought to peaceful Ukrainian people on our behalf. We urge to stop all the military action against Ukraine immediately! We demand Peace! We demand respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine! We demand respect for human life in every country of the world!”

    Five compilations have been release so far. Check out the first one below and visit the Animators Against War YouTube channel to subscribe and see all the videos.

  • News Bytes: TAG Rallies in Burbank, Alleged Disney Art Theft, Recent Passings & More

    This Sunday, hundreds of members and supporters of The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (animationguild.org), gathered in Burbank, Calif. to rally in support of TAG’s new contract demands from the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers. Following talk delays caused by COVID-19 and an unprecedented 12 days of negotiations, TAG continues to push for a #NewDeal4Animation. Speakers included reps from IATSE, TAG and the Negotiations Committee.

    The Guild is asking AMPTP for a contract that provides more equitable compensation to animation employees, compared to live-action workers. Some of the key items include improved terms for those working on animated “new media” projects, including online streaming and other experimental platforms; appropriate pay and benefits for animation writers, both staff and short-term; and streamlining the classification of storyboard artists. For now, progress on these discussions is under media blackout, but COVID production hold ups and increased demand for animated content should lend weight to TAG’s position.

    John Korty Twice Upon a Time
    John Korty’s feature film Twice Upon a Time was distributed by Warner Bros. in 1983

    Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker/documentarian/animator John Korty died March 9 at his home in Point Reyes Station, Calif., at age 85. Korty’s passing was reported by the Marin Independent Journal. His notable works include the award-winning documentary feature Who Are the DeBolts?, docu short Breaking the Habit, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and Go Ask Alice. He is survived by his wife Jane Silvia; children Jonathan, David and Gabriel Korty; and siblings Doug and Nancy Korty.

    Born in Lafayette, Indiana, Korty started out as an animator for TV commercials while still studying at Antioch College in Ohio, developing a blended style of cut-out, mixed media and experimental imaging methods which he used throughout his career. In the 1970s and ’80s, his San Francisco studio Korty Films produced animated shorts that appeared in Sesame Street and The Electric Company, including the science themed “Thelma Thumb” segments, using his “Lumage” backlit cut-out technique. He directed the surrealist fantasy-comedy feature Twice Upon a Time (with Charles Swenson, produced by George Lucas) in 1983, but did not return to animation until the early 2000s when he created the “Brock and Throck” webtoons.

    Akira Takarada
    Akira Takarada at the Japan premiere of Godzilla (2014)

    Toho Studios announced the passing of actor and voice actor Akira Takarada, best known for starring in the original 1950s Godzilla films. Born April 29, 1934 in Chongjin, Korea during Japanese imperial control, the prolific performer died March 14 at age 87 of unnamed causes.

    Takarada’s extensive credits also include some notable dubbing work, including providing the Japanese voice of Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin — reprised for the Kingdom Hearts videogames and a ride at Tokyo Disney — as well as Ragitan in The Great Mouse Detective and Bendu in Star Wars Rebels. He worked continuously through to recent years, including filming cameo appearances in the newer Godzilla films and voicing Jafar for Kingdom Hearts Re: coded.

    tiki drummers
    The Disney World 50 tiki drummer (left) and Andrew Martin’s fan-art sculpt (right); images provided by Andrew Martin

    The latest allegation of Disney using the work of someone outside the studio without credit has emerged online, with Canadian artist Andrew Martin (Monstercaesar) claiming that his fan-art sculpture of one of the drumming crocodiles from theme park attraction The Enchanted Tiki Room was used to create a piece of commemorative merchandise for Disney World’s 50th anniversary — with a $125 price tag.

    2006 tiki drummer
    Disneyland 50th tiki drummer replica from 2006, cast by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily from the original mold by Rolly Crump. (Photo: Potter & Potter Auctions)

    As Mashable reports, Martin originally created the sculpt during a seven-hour livestream in 2018 and posted the design online for other fans to 3D print the figure. This year, the entertainment giant started selling the “exact same” design as a music box on a DisneyWorld 50 platform. Side-by-sides show the two sculpts share some very specific details and imperfections which do not seem to be present in the replica created for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary (2006). The music box has reportedly been removed from Disney’s online shop, but park visitors say it is still available in Disney World stores.

    My Neighbor Totoro
    My Neighbor Totoro

    Capping the final months of its opening exhibition on the living legend of Japanese animation, the Academy Museum will be presenting Hayao Miyazaki Encores: Screenings of seven key films directed by the Studio Ghibli co-founder, running in English-subtitled 35mm prints (most newly-struck by the Academy Film Archive) from April 1 through May 27. The lineup, programmed by Bernardo Rondeau, includes:

    • April 1 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
    • April 8 Castle in the Sky
    • April 15 My Neighbor Totoro
    • April 29 Princess Mononoke
    • May 6 Spirited Away
    • May 13 Howl’s Moving Castle
    • May 27 Ponyo

    Reading Rainbow Live

    Harold Moss and his company FlickerLab were recently tapped to create the animated intro for the new, interactive Reading Rainbow Live, based on the beloved PBS show. The team wanted to honor the ’80s/’90s classic as they worked to create an animated open for the show’s next chapter, while creating something unique and suited to its new, live format. Like its predecessor, the new intro celebrates the infinite worlds to be found between the pages of books, and the endless adventures to be had there.

    “Reading Rainbow was one of the all-time great educational tv shows. Not only does it live on in the hearts of generations of kids who came up with it, but the show remains an absolute gold standard for anyone making meaningful learning content for kids,” said Moss. “I was privileged to learn the art of making such media at the feet of some of the people behind the original show, so it’s just an incredible honor to be part of this reboot, bringing a wonderful participatory and live twist to the project. We’re on the edge of our seats, along with a whole lot of fans, to see this first, in what we expect will be many years’ worth of new Reading Rainbow shows, and I look forward to being part of that journey to come.”

  • Animafest Presents Grand Competition Selection for 50th Anniversary Fest

    Animafest Presents Grand Competition Selection for 50th Anniversary Fest

    Out of 1,800 submitted films from 91 countries from across the world, World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb has narrowed down the official selection for the Grand Competition – Short Film, Student Film Competition and Croatian Film Competition categories of the 2022 edition.

    Animafest’s artistic director Daniel Šuljić, Margit Antauer and Vesna Meštrić composed the selection committee for Short Film and Croatian Film, while Kata Gugić and Hrvoje Selec selected the Student Films.

    10 Days of Lovid
    10 Days of Lovid by Laura Martinovic

    Almost 900 films were submitted for the Grand Competition – Short Film category alone and 47 of them were selected to be presented at the festival. From 780 student submissions, 42 films were selected for the Student Film Competition, while the Croatian Film Competition will feature 18 films.

    In the announcement, it was noted that “Animafest Zagreb strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine.” While films created in Russia have not been barred from the program, the Festival Council has decided not to credit Russia as a country of production. “We support Russian artists whose films have been selected for the competition and who have publicly condemned the aggression,” the statement asserts.

    Grand Competition – Short Film

    • 10 Days of Lovid, Laura Martinovic (Minya Film i animacija | Croatia/Netherlands)
    • 98 kg., Izabela Plucinska (LAS SZTUKI | Poland)
    • Amazon Woman, Anna Vasof (Austria)
    • Bestia, Hugo Covarrubias (Trebol 3, Maleza Estudio | Chile)
    • Beware of Trains, Emma Calder (Pearly Oyster Prod. | U.K.)
    • Blind Spot, Lotfi Achour (A.P.A. | Tunisia / France)
    • Cockroaches, Adel Khan Farooq (Mikrofilm | Norway)
    • The Days That (Never) Were, Pedro Rivero, Kevin Iglesias Rodriguez (Abrakam, Amania Films, Media Attack, ECPV | Spain)
    • Dies Irae, Maru (Australia)
    • Fortress, Zalesky’s (Media Design | Poland)
    • The Garbage Man, Laura Goncalves (BAP Animation Studio | Portugal)
    • Garrano, David Doutel, Vasco Sá (BAP, Art Shot | Portugal / Lithuania)
    Garrano
    Garrano by David Doutel & Vasco Sá
    • Happily Ever After, Philip Mulloy (Spectre Design | U.K.)
    • Holy Holocaust, Osi Wald, Noa Berman-Herzberg (Israel)
    • Hotel Kalura, Sophie Koko Gate (U.K.)
    • House of Existence, Yumi Joung (Match Cut | South Korea)
    • Hysteresis, Robert Seidel (Studio Robert Seidel | Germany)
    • Impossible Figures and Other Stories I, Marta Pajek (Animoon, NFB | Poland / Canada)
    • Letter to a Pig, Tal Kantor (Miyu Prod., The Hive Studio | France / Israel)
    Letter to a Pig
    Letter to a Pig by Tal Kantor
    • The Loach, Xi Chen, Xu An (Congrong Film | China)
    • A Long Protracted Scene of an Accident, Lars Henrik Andersson (Viltone Studios | Sweden)
    • Lucky Man, Claudy Luyet (Studio GDS, Luyet | Switzerland)
    • Miracasas, Raphaelle Stolz, Augusto Zanovello (Nadasdy Film | Switzerland / France)
    • Mr. Xifro’s Morning, Marc Riba, Anna Solanas (I+G Stop Motion | Spain)
    • Naughty, Emma Degoutte, Flora Molinie (Easy Tiger | France)
    • The Night Watch, Julien Regnard (Autour de Minuit | France / Belgium)
    • Not My Bread, Andrey Bakhurin (Gamma-Film)
    • Open One’s Mouth, Akane Murata (CALF | Japan)
    • Our 2, Yungsung Song (Japan / Italy)
    • Pachyderme, Stephanie Clement (TNZPV Prod., Folimage | France)
    • Passenger, Juan Pablo Zaramella (JPZtudio | Argentina)
    • Psychographic, Branko Farac (Ustanova Zagreb Film | Croatia)
    • Salute to the Sun, Darko Masnec (Studio u sumi | Croatia)
    • Sensor Ship, Jina Yoon (Canada / U.S. / South Korea)
    • Shadow of Paradise, Sahar al-Sawaf, Thomas Heman (Shadow Medium | U.S.)
    • Skinned, Joachim Herisse (Komadoli Studio | France)
    • Somebody Ask Us, Daniel Bird (Wit & Wisdom | Czech Rep.)
    • Stain, Shiva Sadegh Asadi (Iran)
    • Steakhouse, Špela Čadež (Finta FIlm, Fabian&Fred, RTV Slovenia, Miyu | Slovenia / Germany / France)
    Steakhouse
    Steakhouse by Špela Čadež
    • Sugar Show, Liana Makaryan (Studio Ptchela)
    • Swallow the Universe, Nieto (Autour de Minuit | France)
    • Terra Incognita, Adrian Dexter, Pernille Kjaer (Ikki Films | France / Denmark)
    • They Dance with Their Heads, Thomas Corriveau (Canada)
    • Thing, Malte Stein (Germany)
    • The Turtle Syndrome, Samuel Cantin (NFB | Canada)
    • Where the Winds Die, Pejman Alipour (Documentary and Experimental Film Center | Iran)

    Click over to see the full Student Film and Croatian Film competition selections.

    The selection results for the Grand Competition – Feature Film, Films for Children Competition, VR Animation Competition and World Panorama, as well as the details of the rest of the festival program will be announced soon.

    World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb will take place June 6-11. animafest.hr

     

  • Nickelodeon Re-Ups ‘The Patrick Star Show’ for Season 2

    Nickelodeon Re-Ups ‘The Patrick Star Show’ for Season 2

    Nickelodeon has ordered a second 26-episode season of its original animated series The Patrick Star Show, which follows a younger Patrick Star living at home with his family, where he hosts his own variety show for the neighborhood from his television-turned-bedroom. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, new episodes of The Patrick Star Show season one will continue to premiere on Nickelodeon.

    “This next season of The Patrick Star Show will embark upon even more imaginative, colorful and hilarious adventures, diving deeper into the Star family’s daily life and escapades,” said Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Animation for Big Kids. “For over 20 years, the beloved Patrick Star has provided humor to fans around the world, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.”

    The second spinoff of the number-one animated series SpongeBob SquarePants tells brand-new stories about one of the most beloved best friends in TV history that is set to be the wildest ride yet. The family sitcom stars Patrick and the rest of his family as they are constantly disrupted by Patrick’s wild whims and surreal imagination.

    The Patrick Star Show stars Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Tom Wilson (Cecil Star), Cree Summer (Bunny Star), Jill Talley (Squidina Star) and Dana Snyder (GrandPat), who will continue to bring these characters to life. Cast members from the original SpongeBob series will continue to populate Patrick’s world.

    SpongeBob SquarePants veterans Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller are executive producers of the series. The Patrick Star Show is developed for television by Spinelli, with production overseen by Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon. Jennie Monica is Vice President of Production, Nickelodeon.

    The renewal for The Patrick Star Show continues to expand Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of hit properties, which already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, Star Trek: Prodigy, The Smurfs partnership, and the Transformers: EarthSpark and Monster High co-productions.

    Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has been most-watched kids’ animated series, and is the most widely distributed property in ViacomCBS Networks International history, seen in more than 170 countries and territories, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every month. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank.

  • Global Event Updates: ‘Encanto’ Wins PGA, ‘Tuca & Bertie’ Wins WGA, CMA Aids KEPYR for Ukraine, APD Selections & More

    Global Event Updates: ‘Encanto’ Wins PGA, ‘Tuca & Bertie’ Wins WGA, CMA Aids KEPYR for Ukraine, APD Selections & More

    The Producers Guild of America (PGA) hosted the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards on the evening of Saturday, March 19, at the Fairmont Century Plaza. The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures went to Yvett Merino, p.g.a. and Clark Spencer, p.g.a. for Disney’s Encanto. Announced on March 14, the winner of the Outstanding Children’s Program prize was Disney+ special Muppets Haunted Mansion

    The evening recognized influential film producers and entertainment icons with special honors including George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy (Milestone Award); Rita Moreno (Stanley Kramer Award); Mary Parent (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures); Greg Berlanti (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television); and Issa Rae (Visionary Award). Dan Lin was the first-ever recipient of the Vance Van Petten Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.

    Tuca & Bertie "Planteau"
    Tuca & Bertie “Planteau”

    Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) announced the winners of the 2022 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in writing for film, television, new media, news, radio/audio and promotional categories during a joint, virtual ceremony on Sunday, March 20.

    Tuca & Bertie episode “Planteau,” written by series creator Lisa Hanawalt, won the Animation award. The Adult Swim series beat out an otherwise all-FOX toon lineup of episodes from Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and The Simpsons. See the complete list of nominees and winners here.

    Crafting Hope

    The Children’s Media Association (CMA) has planned a special virtual panel in aid of KEPYR‘s emergency fundraising efforts for Ukraine. Dubbed “Crafting HOPE in Times of Conflict and War”, the Zoom session will address how the industry can create meaningful projects that encourage open dialogue and change. All donations ($20 suggested) go to KEPYR to support UNICEF’s work with young Ukrainian refugees.

    Speakers include Cinzia Angelini (writer/director of Mila), Grant Moran (Founder of KEPYR) and Kathy Mullen (Artistic Director/Co-founder, No Strings Productions). The session will be held March 24 at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST.

    Sign up for this special CMA session here.

    Sisters' Tale
    At APD, Turkish writer-director Nazli Eda Noyan will be introducing the concept for the film Sisters’ Tale, which tells a contemporary women’s story about universal family relationships and mental health. © girl saw the sea prod.

    The jury has selected 35 projects from 15 countries to take part in this year’s Animation Production Days (APD). The curated business platform will take place May 4-6 as a hybrid event where, in pre-planned one-to-one meetings, the producers will present their selected projects to potential co-production and financing partners. APD is a joint venture of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) and the FMX – Film & Media Exchange.

    Five outstanding projects have been selected from 20 submissions for the APD Talent Programme, which gives up-and-coming producers and creatives the opportunity to discuss their ideas with experienced industry experts, establish contacts and find partners for their projects. Thanks to the APD’s cooperation with the European training program Animation Sans Frontières, the series project Dark, Dark Woods by Emile Gignoux has qualified for participation in the Talent Programme this year.

    An overview of all the selected projects can be found at animationproductiondays.de/en/projects-2022.

    The Wolf House
    GLAS will present a screening of Berlinale premiere stop-motion feature The Wolf House (Chile) and Q&A with director Cristobal Leon in this year’s online festival.

    Berkeley, Calif.’s GLAS 2022 festival of indie animation has announced key programming ahead of its all-online 7th edition April 6-10. The lineup includes five short film Competition collections, the Family Competition, U.S. Competition and two International Showcase sets. Find the full program and film selections at festival.glasanimation.com. Highlights also include:

    • Justin Tomchuk’s surrealist animated feature Interface
    • La Casa Lobo (The Wolf House ) screening and director Q&A
    • Talk + Q&A with Cesar-winning animator Lucrèce Andrea
    • Retrospectives + Q&As for Takeshi Murata and Tomek Popakul
    • Live webinars on How to Get the Gig and How to Pitch Your Project

    Cartoon Next 2022 speakers

    Cartoon Next has revealed the industry experts who will discuss the future of animation at in Marseille, France April 12-15. Register at cartoon-media.eu by March 25 to appear in the event catalog.

    Speakers include: Japhet Asher (Polarity Reversal, U.K.), Jean-René Aucouturier (M6/Gulli, France), Lucile Canault (France Télévisions, France), Pascal Charrue (Fortiche Production, France), Sophie Cheynet (CNC, France), Arnaud Delord (Fortiche Production, France), Bernd Diemer (Improbable, Game Lab, Germany/U.K.), Luce Grosjean (Miyu, France), Patricia Hidalgo (BBC, U.K.), Suzanne Kelly (RTE, Ireland), Telidja Klai (VRT, Belgium), Jerome Mazandarani (Anime Expert, EMEA), Luca Milano (Rai & EBU, Italy), Marina Narishkin (Millimages, France), Sébastien Onomo (Special Touch Studio, France), Katalin Radóczy (AMC Networks International CE, Eastern Europe), Maura Regan (President of Licensing International, U.S.), Orion Ross (Disney, EMEA), Andrea Ryder (Ameet, Denmark), Anna Shchur (Zeptolab, Spain), Celeste Surugue (Hachette, France) and Sebastian Wehner (Wonderz, Wolkenlenker, Germany).

    Turning Red

    The Walt Disney Family Museum will present a Zoom Webinar going Behind the Scenes of Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red next month, offering an inside look at the making the studios’ transformational latest film. Participants include production designer Rona Liu, visual effects supervisor Danielle Feinberg and animation supervisors Patty Kihm and Aaron Hartline. The panel will take place Wed., April 27 at 5:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are $5 for Museum members, $8 for non members, available here.

    Character designs by Stephen Silver
    Character designs by Stephen Silver

    Calls for submissions, tickets, dates & more:

    • MOMOKIN has opened applications for the StopMoLab in Łódź, Poland: a nine month intensive with animation pros. Deadline: March 27, 2022. stopmo.pl
    • Through April 3, the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival is presenting exclusive online programming, including two short film programs (Celebrating Black Stories and Hola NYICFF). nyicff.org
    • Celsys (Clip Studio Paint) has opened its 31st International Illustration Contest, inviting submissions from around the world on the theme “Holiday.” Artists can enter over Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #cspcontest31 by midnight GMT on April 6 to try for the $2K USD grand prize. clipstudio.net/en/cspcontest31
    • Animation Skillnet (Ireland) is launching the Mindset, Caricature and Character Design online workshop with Stephen Silver on Saturday, April 23 at 3 p.m. (3-6 p.m.; €30). animationskillnet.ie
    • Encanto star Jessica Darrow (Luisa) will hold an autograph and selfie session at MegaCon Orlando in Florida on Saturday-Sunday May 21 & 22. Passes are on sale now. megaconorlando.com
    • Save the date for the 6th Annual WIA World Summit, taking place live and in-person in Annecy. The day-long symposium will tackle the theme Gender Justice: A Global Call for Inclusion in Animation. STD: June 13, 2022.
    Celsys contest
    Illustration: SamDoesArts
  • That’s the Spirit! ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ Hits Theaters with $2.9M Preview Night

    That’s the Spirit! ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ Hits Theaters with $2.9M Preview Night

    The highly-anticipated dark fantasy film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 premieres in theaters nationwide today (Friday, March 18), but Crunchyroll is already on a roll with its latest big screen anime release: Preview screenings across 2,003 locations (including 158 IMAX) Thursday night have already totted up $2.88 million in ticket sales. The North American run is expected to hit $10M for the anime prequel, which has grossed over $100M in Japan.

    Crunchyroll hosted special advance fan screenings of the film Thursday in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, New York and San Francisco. Hosted at AMC The Grove 14, the L.A. fan event featured English voice actors Kaiji Tang (Satoru Gojo), Lex Lang (Suguru Geto), Allegra Clark (Maki Zen’in) and Xander Mobus (Toge Inumaki). Other stars and social media personalities like Jake Choi (Single Parents) attended as well and interacted with fans.

    Jujutsu screening
    Voice actors Lex Lang, Kaiji Tang, Allegra Clark and Xander Mobus attend the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 LA preview screening at AMC The Grove 14 on March 16. [photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Crunchyroll]
    Jujutsu Kaisen 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, a nervous high school student, who enrolls in the mysterious Tokyo Jujutsu High School under the guidance of Satoru Gojo after being haunted by the curse of his childhood friend. The film is based on the manga of the same name (JUMP COMICS / Shueisha), a prequel to the smash hit supernatural adventure series from Gege Akutami.

    Available in both English dub and subtitled, the movie expands to 2,336 theaters today, including select U.S. based IMAX theaters. Tickets are on sale in the United States and Canada; more info at crunchyrollmovienight.com.

    Jujutsu Kaisen 0 will continue its international rollout with engagements in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this weekend. The pic is currently screening in France and will arrive in Germany and Latin America soon.

    [Additional sources: Deadline]

  • Toei Hack Delays ‘Dragon Ball Super’ Sequel, Multiple Series

    Toei Hack Delays ‘Dragon Ball Super’ Sequel, Multiple Series

    Japan’s Toei Animation announced Friday that the highly anticipated feature film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will not make its domestic April 22 release date due to a hack of the company’s network this month. Super Hero, which is a toon-shaded CGI entry in the famous Dragon Ball franchise, was announced during the Goku Day celebrations in May 2021 and slated for a North American release this summer.

    Following up from box office hit Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the new film focuses on Gohan and Piccolo, as a large collection of super heroes assembles for an epic, action-packed battle. Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama wrote the story and dialogue and also provided new designs for the characters — including some brand-new faces.

    Tetsuro Kodama is directing the 21st Dragon Ball movie, with Nobuhito Sue as art director, Chikashi Kubota as animation director, Jae Hoon Jung as CG director and music by composer Naoki Satō.

    Toei announced on March 11 that an unauthorized third party had accessed the company’s network, which led to a partial shutdown. As the studio continues to investigate, delays related to the hack will also hit the broadcast schedules for popular anime series on Japanese channels:

    • TV Asahi was unable to air Delicious Party Precure episode 6 on March 13, and will be airing Hugtto! Precure Futari wa Precure All Stars Memories in three parts Sundays instead of new episodes.
    • Fuji TV is airing reruns and recap episodes of One Piece and Digimon Ghost Game from March 20.
    • TV Tokyo will not have new episodes of Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai through April 2.

    Dragon Ball debuted in 1984 as a manga by Toriyama, published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump and quickly becoming a top-ranked title throughout its 10 1/2 years of publication. To date, the manga has sold over 260 million copies sold worldwide. The franchise has expanded to include TV animation, movies, games and merchandising. The 2018 feature film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, set a worldwide box-office record of over $120 million.

    Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

    [Source: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Official via Anime News Network]

     

  • ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ to Debut at Annecy Festival

    ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ to Debut at Annecy Festival

    Gizmo and the mischievous Mogwai are ready to wreak more havoc as Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is unleashed at Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The first episode of the animated prequel series of the popular film franchise will have its world premiere at the Grande Salle de Bonlieu. Date and time of the screening will be announced at a later time.

    Executive producers Tze Chun and Brendan Hay, along with Joe Dante, director of the Gremlins films and consulting producer for the series, will be in attendance to participate in a post-screening Q&A discussion covering the making of the highly anticipated series coming soon to HBO Max.

    Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai travels back to 1920s Shanghai to reveal the story of how 10-year-old Sam Wing (future shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 movie) met the young Mogwai called Gizmo. Along with a teenage street thief named Elle, Sam and Gizmo take a perilous journey through the Chinese countryside, encountering — and sometimes battling — colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore. On their quest to return Gizmo to his family and uncover a legendary treasure, they are pursued by a power-hungry industrialist and his growing army of evil Gremlins.

    The series is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation. Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, Presidents of Amblin Television, are executive producers. EP Chun also serves as showrunner; Dan Krall is supervising producer.

     

  • NSW Jobs Program Backs Flying Bark Expansion

    The Government of New South Wales, Australia, has committed to supporting the expansion of local studio Flying Bark Productions in a bid to boost the local animation and effects industry. Part of the Jobs Plus Program, this move will help create 150 new full-time jobs at the production house’s Sydney-based facilities.

    Investing in the expansion of Flying Bark — the company behind indie animated feature 100% Wolf and animation provider for Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon) and Marvel’s What If…? (Disney+) — will also buoy another 63 indirect jobs by June 2024.

    The Jobs Plus Program is part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery strategy, in which the Post, Digital & Visual Effects sector is well positioned to contribute.

    “PDV is thriving in NSW and late last year we expanded our sector rebate to include the digital games industry to drive even more opportunities for companies to locate in the state,” said Stuart Ayres, Minister for Enterprise, Investment & Trade. “Investing in the expansion of leading production companies, such as Flying Bark, through Jobs Plus supports our home-grown talent pool and will ensure the NSW industry maintains its competitive edge in drawing international business opportunities that rely on transferable digital skills.”

    The Jobs Plus payroll tax relief, training and infrastructure rebate support has assisted the Flying Bark’s multi-million dollar expansion of its high-tech Alexandria facility, adding a new floor to increase capacity and support extensive training for new recruits. The company’s CEO Barbara Stephen said the support was a welcome addition to the NSW Government’s 10 percent rebate of qualifying expenditure on PDV work.

    Flying Bark Ayres MP
    The Hon. Stuart Ayres, MP tours Flying Bark Productions with CEO Barbara Stephen.

    “The NSW Government has been instrumental in supporting the expansion of our industry, with the competitive PDV rebate a contributing factor in the exponential growth of our company over the past few years, along with the unprecedented demand for premium animation,” Stephen explained. “This demand and COVID-19 has caused our local talent pool to be stretched, so the Jobs Plus Program could not have come at a better time as we commit to a further 150 full-time jobs over the next three years, with a focus on entry-level positions.”

    The Jobs Plus Program, delivered through Investment NSW, provides eligible companies with support, including payroll tax relief, streamlined planning approval and subsidized training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidized government spaces and accommodation.

    Australian businesses that employ 20 or more staff and international companies with at least 80 employees looking to create a minimum of 30 jobs before June 2024 are eligible to apply for Jobs Plus. For eligibility requirements and more information, visit nsw.gov.au.

  • Iconic Events, Anime Expo Serve ‘The Prince of Tennis’ for AX Cinema Nights

    Iconic Events, Anime Expo Serve ‘The Prince of Tennis’ for AX Cinema Nights

    Iconic Events Releasing, a distribution company specializing in special engagement theatrical events, is playing doubles with Anime Expo to present the first-ever AX Cinema Nights featuring a new full-length anime film adventure Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide>. Screenings will take place beginning May 12 at theaters nationwide. On-sale dates and theaters will be announced soon.

    AX Anime Expo Cinema Nights is an in-person movie event series celebrating the best new and classic anime films by bringing them to theaters across North America. Leveraging the brand power of Anime Expo, the largest Japanese culture event in North America, AX Cinema Nights will bring passionate fans together for immersive and unforgettable community experiences.

    “Over the course of Anime Expo’s 31-year history, one of the greatest lessons we’ve learned is that anime has an incredible gift for bringing people together,” said Ray Chiang, CEO of Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). “That’s why we’re so thrilled to team up with Iconic Events and Eleven Arts to kick off AX Anime Expo Cinema Nights with Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide> and create even more opportunities for anime fans nationwide to grow their communities and share their love of the artform with friends both new and old.”

    “Eleven Arts is very excited to be a part of this partnership with Iconic Events Releasing and Anime Expo’s AX Cinema Nights to bring forth a new theatrical experience for anime fans to enjoy,” said Ko Mori, CEO and President of Eleven Arts. “We are honored to kickstart this experience with Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide>, a title from such an iconic franchise.”

    Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide> is a new feature film about tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen and is based on the acclaimed manga series, The Prince of Tennis, and its sequel, The New Prince of Tennis, written and illustrated by renowned manga author, Takeshi Konomi. The franchise’s first-ever CG film and features an all-new story that takes place between the original manga series’ timeline and its sequel. Creator Takeshi Konomi personally supervised the film’s production and wrote the music and lyrics for all the featured songs.

    Synopsis: Inspired by his tennis champion father, Ryoma is determined to take his game to the next level and train in the U.S. But in the middle of an intense tennis battle to save his classmate Sakuno from dangerous villains, they somehow find themselves transported to the past, just as Ryoma’s father is about to face his final championship match at the U.S. Open — when he was mysteriously forced to retire. The innovative 3D digital animation brings the magnificent and colorful world of The Prince of Tennis to life on the big screen in this captivating film.

    Over 60 million copies of The Prince of Tennis manga have been sold since the series debuted in 1999 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. The sequel rekindled the series in 2009 in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine. Over the past 20+ years, the blockbuster franchise has spawned a hit anime series, animated feature films, live action films, stage plays, radio shows, music collaborations and video games.

    “Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis <Decide> is a quintessential and beloved property among anime and manga fans. We are excited to join with Anime Expo and Eleven Arts to present this exciting film to American audiences as part of AX Cinema Nights, and to expand our anime theatrical programming and continue the collaboration with Anime Expo,” said Steve Bunnell, CEO of Iconic Events Releasing.

    Ryoma

  • People on the Move: Leadership Shifts at Lion Forge, Guru; Rich Moore Inks Skydance Deal & More

    David Steward II’s Lion Forge Animation (lionforgeanimation.com), producer of Academy Award-winning short Hair Love), is expanding its leadership team as the company, known for championing diversity, authenticity and underrepresented communities, continues to scale production and development activity. In the past two and a half years, the company has established content partnerships with Imagine Kids + Family, BRON and Bento Box; delivered multiple productions, most recently for Disney; and scaled its IP portfolio.

    Saxton Moore
    Saxton Moore

    Two-time Emmy-award winning animation director and creative visionary Saxton Moore has been promoted to Vice President of Production for Lion Forge Animation, after joining and serving as Executive Creative Director for the last year. Moore has worked with notable animation and entertainment companies throughout his career, including Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, FUSEtv and A+E, and brings over 20-years of experience to the role.

    Neely Shamam
    Neely Shamam

    Neely Shamam has been hired to serve as the studio’s Vice President of Development. Shamam is an experienced creative executive with over 15 years of developing, producing, and programming quality content for an array of platforms and networks. Shamam has worked in creative leadership roles at Disney and Maker Studios, Zone TV, and Ficto.

    In addition, the company is adding several director- and producer-level talent to further enhance its production and development capabilities. Carl Reed, Lion Forge Animation’s Chief Creative Officer, will be shifting his focus to providing executive producer services and focusing his work with Lion Forge Animation on several key projects.

    Babita Jassal
    Babita Jassal

    In line with the studio’s continued growth, Toronto-based children’s content producer Guru Studio (gurustudio.com) announced the expansion of its People & Culture department with the promotion of Babita Jassal to Vice President of People and Culture. Reporting to Lauren Leinburd SVP Business Affairs and General Counsel, Jassal will now lead the studio-wide people and talent strategy, including learning and development, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce planning and total rewards.

    Jassal joined Guru Studio last year, and brings 20 years of human resources experience that includes senior positions at companies such as Warner Bros., Telus and Rogers, where her focus was on building strong company culture and driving strategic corporate initiatives and best practices.

    In addition, to support Jody Jessop in her role as Head of Recruitment and Community Engagement, Hetal Shah also joins the company as Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist. Shah joins Guru with over a decade of animation and VFX recruitment experience at studios such as Tendril Studio, Mr. X and most recently, Tangent Animation.

    Rich Moore
    Rich Moore

    Oscar-winning Disney filmmaker Rich Moore (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet) has signed a multi-year exclusive overall deal with Skydance Animation to create, develop and produce original animated features for the studio, which will debut its first movies Luck (August 5) and Spellbound on Apple TV+.

    In addition to bringing Oscar winner Zootopia and nominated Ralph pics to the big screen, over his 10 years at Disney, Moore was tapped to sit on the Disney Story Trust and assist creative leadership on hits like Tangled, Frozen and Moana. Prior, he was one of three original directors on FOX’s The Simpsons, earning his first Primetime Emmy for “Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment.”

    Isla Fisher
    Isla Fisher

    Isla Fisher has joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ live-action/CGI hybrid comedy Strays, starring alongside Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte and Randall Park. Directed by Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) and written by Dan Perrault (American Vandal), the movie follows an abandoned dog (Ferrell) who teams up with other strays, including one portrayed by Foxx, to get revenge on his former owner (Forte).

    It has not yet been announced who or what Fisher’s character will be. Currently starring in the Peacock series Wolf Like Me, the actress’ animation credits include Back to the Outback, Rise of the Guardians, Rango and Horton Hears A Who!

    Harvey Guillén
    Harvey Guillén

    In other casting news, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish canine companion Harvey Guillén has signed on to the cast of Harley Quinn Season 3 on HBO Max. He will reportedly be voicing Nightwing, the heroic mantle Dick Grayson/Robin takes up after moving on from Batman in the DC comics. A Season 3 release date has not yet been set. Guillén is also in talks for a role in the upcoming live-action Blue Beetle movie, due out August 18, 2023.

    [Additional sources: Deadline]

     

  • Quirino Nominees: ‘Ainbo,’ ‘Bob Spit,’ My Uncle José’ & ‘Valentina’ Vie for Best Ibero-American Feature

    Quirino Nominees: ‘Ainbo,’ ‘Bob Spit,’ My Uncle José’ & ‘Valentina’ Vie for Best Ibero-American Feature

    The Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards have announced the finalists for its fifth edition. A total of 19 works from 12 countries will compete in nine categories. The winners of the awards, created to promote and value animation in the Ibero-American region, will be revealed at a ceremony in La Laguna, Tenerife on May 14.

    With six works each, Brazil, Chile and Mexico are the most represented countries among the finalists, closely followed by Spain with five candidates. Among the finalists there are also works from Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Portugal and, for the first time, from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

    Quirino nominations announcement
    Quirino nominations event. Top L-R: Pablo Conde (ICEX),Elisa Rodríguez (ICAA) and José Luis Farias (Premios Quirino). Bottom L-R: Laura Castro (Cabildo de Tenerife), Enrique Ojeda (Casa de América) and David Pérez (Turismo de Tenerife).

    Among the finalists are works that have been selected and awarded at international festivals such as Annecy and received recognition from the Oscars. The Brazilian feature Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People and the Chilean short film Bestia received the most nominations (four each), followed by the Mexican series Frankelda’s Book of Spooks and the Peruvian feature film Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon, with three and two nominations, respectively.

    An international jury made up of Sebastian Debertin (KiKA, Germany), Magdiela Hermida Duhamel (LatinX in Animation, United States), Zofia Jaroszuk (Animoon, Poland), Kenneth Ladekjær (Sun Creature Studio, Denmark) and Hernán La Greca (creative director and content developer, United States) will be in charge of choosing the winners in each of the categories.

    Quirino Awards 2022

    2022 Quirino Award nominees:

    Feature Film

    • Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon | Directed by Jose Zelada & Richard Claus | Tunche Films, Cool Beans (Peru, Netherlands)
    • Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People | Directed by Cesar Cabral | Coala Filmes, Cup Filmes (Brazil)
    • My Uncle José | Directed by Ducca Rios | Origem Produtora De Conteúdo (Brazil)
    • Valentina | Directed by Chelo Loureiro | Abano, Antaruxa, Gatoverde, Sparkle Animation (Spain, Portugal)

    Series

    • Two Little Birds – Season 1 | Directed by Alfredo Soderguit & Alejo Schettini | Palermo Estudio, Can Can Club, Señal Colombia (Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia)
    • Frankelda’s Book of Spooks – Season 1 | Directed by Roy Ambriz & Arturo Ambriz | Cinema Fantasma (Mexico)
    • Zander – Season 1 | Directed by Enrique Ortega | Tres Tercios Producciones, Señal Colombia. With the support of TVN. Financed by CNTV (Chile, Colombia)

    Short Film

    • Bestia | Directed by Hugo Covarrubias | Trebol 3 Producciones, Maleza Estudio (Chile)
    • Leopoldo from the Bar | Directed by Diego Porral | Joaquín Garralda (Spain)
    • Tio | Directed by Juan Medina | Outik Animation (Mexico)

    School Short Film

    • Abril | Directed by Sofia Caponnetto & Eliana Fernández | Universidad Ort Uruguay
    • Crimson Tears | Directed by Íñigo Álvarez & Antonio García Tardón | U-Tad Centro Universitario de Tecnología y Arte Digital (Spain)
    • Flies Only Live One Day | Directed by Mauro Luis López | Master en Animación UPV (Spain)

    Commissioned Film

    • #BinaryGenderNorm: Girls | Directed by Bernardita Ojeda & Cristián Freire | Pájaro (Chile)
    • Day of the Dead | Directed by Paulo Garcia | Zombie Studio (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina)
    • Las Mariposas: How Three Sisters Defied a Dictator | Directed by Tomás Pichardo | TEDed (Dominican Republic)

    Animation for Video Game

    • Arrog | Developed by Hermanos Magia, Leap Game Studios (Peru)
    • Greak: Memories of Azur | Developed by Navegante Entertainment (Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela)
    • Narita Boy | Developed by Studio Koba (Spain)

    Best Visual Development

    • Bestia | Directed by Hugo Covarrubias | Trebol 3 Producciones, Maleza Estudio (Chile)
    • Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People | Directed by Cesar Cabral | Coala Filmes, Cup Filmes (Brazil)
    • Frankelda’s Book of Spooks – Season 1 | Directed by Roy Ambriz & Arturo Ambriz | Cinema Fantasma (Mexico)

    Best Animation Design

    • Bestia | Directed by Hugo Covarrubias | Trebol 3 Producciones, Maleza Estudio (Chile)
    • Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People | Directed by Cesar Cabral | Coala Filmes, Cup Filmes (Brazil)
    • Frankelda’s Book of Spooks – Season 1 | Directed by Roy Ambriz & Arturo Ambriz | Cinema Fantasma (Mexico)

    Best Sound Design & Original Music

    • Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon | Directed by Jose Zelada & Richard Claus | Tunche Films, Cool Beans (Peru, Netherlands)
    • Bestia | Directed by Hugo Covarrubias | Trebol 3 Producciones, Maleza Estudio (Chile)
    • Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People | Directed by Cesar Cabral | Coala Filmes, Cup Filmes (Brazil)

    premiosquirino.org

     

     

  • Comedy Central Presents ‘South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert’ with Trey & Matt, Primus and Ween

    Comedy Central Presents ‘South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert’ with Trey & Matt, Primus and Ween

    Comedy Central’s renowned franchise South Park will mark a quarter century since its series premiere (August 13, 1997) this summer with South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert at the iconic Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on Wednesday, August 10.

    With South Park creators Trey Parker & Matt Stone and headline bands Primus and Ween, the Denver concert will feature fan-favorite tunes from the show’s catalog.

    “We’re so excited to go home and play at Red Rocks, a place that’s been known for hosting the most legendary Artists and Musicians. Until now,” said Stone and Parker.

    “Thanks to the brilliant minds of Matt and Trey, for the past 25 years, multiple generations of fans have grown up enchanted by the outlandishly funny and subversive world of ‘South Park,’” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios. “A concert at the iconic Red Rocks to mark this milestone is the perfect way to celebrate, thank the fans and pay tribute to the quintessential artists, such as Primus and Ween, and the many others featured throughout the show’s run.”

    South Park concert poster

    Co-creators Parker and Stone are executive producers of South Park (SouthPark.CC.com), along with Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are producers. Christopher Brion is the creative director of South Park Digital Studios.

    MTV Entertainment Studios’ expansive deal with Parker and Stone includes extending South Park on Comedy Central through 2027 and taking cable’s longest-running scripted series through an unprecedented 30th season. In addition to the series extension, the new deal includes 14 original made-for-streaming events exclusively for Paramount+, including last year’s South Park: Post COVID and South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID. The series has earned five Emmy Awards, to date, and a George Foster Peabody Award.

    Fans can register to purchase tickets to the anniversary concert at SouthParkatRedRocks.com.

  • Milkshake! Commissions ‘MixMups’ to Advance Disability Representation

    Milkshake! Commissions ‘MixMups’ to Advance Disability Representation

    Channel 5’s children’s strand, Milkshake! today announced that it will be the broadcast home of MixMups, a groundbreaking preschool series featuring disabled lead characters, made by a team with lived experience of disability.

    Developed and produced with support from the U.K. Government funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI, and in collaboration with Raydar Media, the 52 x 10′ stop-motion series for three- to five-year olds shines a light on different preschool play styles and the joy of mixing up objects and ideas to create stories.

    The show’s premise is inspired by all children’s love of “mixing” and combining items as a way of playing, exploring and discovering, and centers on three loveable friends, the MixMups: Neat and tidy Pockets, creative and inventive Giggle and boisterous and physical Spin, along with their lovable assistance pets, Roller Guinea and Yapette the guide dog, all live in a wheelchair-accessible Helter-Skelter house in Mixington Valley.

    Each episode sees the friends use their magical wooden spoon and mixing box to ‘Mix up the Magic’ of play and transport themselves on a host of comical adventures. Through their young, imaginative minds they embrace a variety of ways to play, entertain each other and embark upon day-to-day problem-solving challenges with the help of the trunky-beaked Lucky Loover Bird. Core themes include the joy of individuality, imagination, friendship and flexible thinking.

    MixMups

    “We couldn’t be more thrilled that the wonderful MixMups, a show that celebrates individuality and the distinct play styles and personalities that preschoolers have, is joining the Milkshake! line-up. It’s vital to us that our young audiences and their families see themselves reflected in our storytelling, so our cast of MixMups all have very different characters, and when they come together, magical things happen,” said Louise Bucknole, VP Children’s Programming, Paramount UK and Ireland.

    “It is also our first commission which from its very genesis, has been entirely inspired and created with the experiences of disabled children in mind. Working with Rebecca and a core production team that has lived experience of disability, we are confident we can bring a level of authenticity, understanding and commitment to the show, unlike any other. We can’t wait for fans of Milkshake! to fall in love with the MixMups just as we have.”

    Now entering production, Milkshake! will premiere MixMups in March 2023.

    Rebecca Atkinson
    Rebecca Atkinson

    MixMups was created by Rebecca Atkinson, the founder of the viral #ToyLikeMe campaign which called for more diversity in children’s industries. The series will be produced by award-winning Manchester-based animation house Mackinnon & Saunders (Postman Pat, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, Twirly Woos). The project initially received development support from the YACF and converted to a broadcaster commission with Milkshake! last year.

    “I am over the moon that MixMups will be joining Milkshake! It was my dream to create a compelling show that draws on my own experiences as a disabled person to create lovable characters and stories and really ‘mix’ up what disability representation looks like,” said Atkinson. “As a child I loved mixing up potions, food, cake mix, paint, even toys in the bath! I hope that MixMups will inspire a generation of preschoolers to reach for the nearest wooden spoon and ‘mix up the magic’ of play, too.”

    The commission was brokered by Raydar Media on behalf of MixMups Entertainment Limited, a joint venture between Toy Like Me, Mackinnon & Saunders and Raydar Media. A global licensing and merchandising program helmed by Raydar Media will roll out in 2023.

     

  • Toonami Celebrates 25th Anniversary with More ‘FLCL’ & New Original Series

    Toonami Celebrates 25th Anniversary with More ‘FLCL’ & New Original Series

    Adult Swim celebrates the 25th anniversary of Toonami today (Thursday, March 17)! The programming block first aired on Cartoon Network in 1997 and introduced anime to a generation of fans in the United States. Since then, Toonami has evolved into the top young adult network’s late-night destination for anime and action fans every Saturday night.

    In celebration of the anniversary, Adult Swim has ordered the pick-up of two new seasons of fan-favorite series FLCL — FLCL: Grunge and FLCL: Shoegaze — which are currently in production, and greenlit the original series, Housing Complex C, coming later this year.

    Housing Complex C
    Housing Complex C

    “I can’t believe that somehow, against all odds, our little cartoon block has survived for 25 years on television,” said Jason DeMarco, Creative Director of Toonami and SVP Action & Anime for WarnerMedia. “We’ve made it this far with support from our fans and our network, and we are truly grateful for both. Here’s to more adventures to come.”

    Housing Complex C centers on Kimi, who lives in a small, low-cost housing complex located in the seaside town of Kurosaki where trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes, and horrific incidents begin to occur… Is an ancient evil stalking the residents of Housing Complex C? The series is directed by Yuji Nara with script and original concept by amphibian. The animation studio is Akatsuki (Hinamatsuri, Tribe Nine).

    FLCL Grunge
    FLCL: Grunge

    FLCL: Grunge is directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo (After School Midnighters), animated by MontBlanc Pictures, and FLCL: Shoegaze is directed by Yutaka Uemura (FLCL: Alternative, Saga of Tanya the Evil) and animated by Production I.G and NUT. Both FLCL series and Housing Complex C are all executive produced by DeMarco and produced by Maki Terashima-Furuta (Production I.G USA).

    Long-time animated Toonami: Countdown hosts TOM (Steve Blum) and SARA (Dana Swanson) are at the center of Adult Swim’s Toonami celebration. Their characters are featured in Cosmo Samurai Part 2, a four-part anime short, as well as The Return, an all-new two-part special with custom CGI TOM and SARA storytelling piece premiering Saturday, March 19, and concluding Saturday, March 26.

    FLCL: Shoegaze
    FLCL: Shoegaze

    Adult Swim continues to be a pioneer in the anime space by featuring both action programming and English language anime premieres. The network is also known for co-producing original anime productions such as Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Fena: Pirate Princess, Shenmue the Animation and upcoming horror series Uzumaki.

    As part of the anniversary festivities, classic Toonami interstitials and specials will be showcased on air, online and on Adult Swim’s social platforms that look back at key moments in Toonami’s rich past.