With Tuesday’s premiere of the all-new Netflix series Waffles + Mochi, kids and families will delight to a world of culinary discoveries, featuring a wide range of animation from L.A.-based studio Six Point Harness, ranging from character flourishes to full-frame animated segments that help bring to life the adventure and fun of its title characters.
A team of about 30 animators and artists at Six Point Harness worked with acclaimed Higher Ground Productions to produce hundreds of animated shots, enhancements and segments for the series, which features Michelle Obama as a grocery store owner who helps puppets Waffles and Mochi learn about the wide and wondrous world of food and nutrition.
Six Point Harness’s work on the series includes partially animating the main character Mochi (performed by Russ Walko), as well as enhancing many of the colorful scenes – shot on location around the globe – with eye-popping animated designs. Additionally, Waffles + Mochi features standalone animated segments that help enhance and amplify the discoveries the characters and a star-studded lineup of guests make each episode.
“To capture the different flavors of the places Waffles and Mochi visit, Higher Ground wanted us to capture different flavors of animation,” says Musa Brooker, creative director at Six Point Harness, who directed the animation on the series. “The varied styles of animation viewers will see in the show reflect the varied styles of food and nutrition found around the world, and it’s been a great joy to work on a project designed to broaden both the minds and palates of young viewers.”
The animated segments created by Six Point Harness for Waffles + Mochi include creating the “Taste Buds,” who live at “Taste Bud Towers” inside Mochi’s mouth – which is also animated. The series also incorporates full-frame animated segments that feature a wide variety of animation styles and techniques, all overseen by Brooker, whose animation career has encompassed both stop-motion and 2D animation.
Brooker also worked closely with the Waffles + Mochi’s producers and writers, including series creators Erika Thormahlen and Jeremy Konner, to develop the visual styles, animated imagery and food-related characters seen in the series.
Six Point Harness’s work on Waffles + Mochi adds to its impressive lineup of award-winning projects, which have recently included the Oscar-winning animated short Hair Love; animation for Cosmos: Possible Worlds and the acclaimed Season 2 of Adult Swim’s Lazor Wulf; Amazon’s Guava Island; and animated sequences for such series as HBO’s Backstories, AMC’s Dietland and ABC’s Black-ish.
Mindy Kaling has joined the cast of Disney+’s highly anticipated animated series Monsters At Work, taking on a new role in the Disney-Pixar universe after performing in Inside Out and Wreck-It Ralph.
Additionally, Bonnie Hunt will reprise her role as Ms. Flint, who was formerly in charge of training new Scarers at Monsters, Inc., but will now manage the department responsible for recruiting and training the funniest monsters to become Jokesters. Monsters At Work will begin streaming Friday, July 2, exclusively on Disney+.
Ben Feldman stars as the voice of Tylor Tuskmon in the series, which introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorites, including Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, who will again be voiced by renowned actors Billy Crystal and John Goodman. Starring alongside Feldman and Kaling as part of the MIFT crew is Henry Winkler (Happy Days) as Fritz, the scatterbrained boss; Lucas Neff (Raising Hope) as Duncan, an opportunistic plumber; and Alanna Ubach (Coco) as Cutter, the officious rule follower. New character images were released today.
Monsters At Work takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates 10 times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Inc., and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in. After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.
L-R: Tylor (Ben Feldman), Fritz (Henry Winkler), Duncan (Lucas Neff) & Cutter (Alanna Ubach), Monsters At Work
In addition to Crystal, Goodman and Hunt, returning cast members from the original movies include John Ratzenberger as Yeti and Tylor’s dad, Bernard, Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae and Bob Peterson as Roze, twin sister to his original Monsters, Inc. character, Roz. Voicing additional characters are Stephen Stanton (Star Wars Resistance) as Smitty and Needleman, the bumbling custodial team at Monsters, Inc., and Aisha Tyler (Archer) as Tylor’s mom, Millie Tuskmon.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series was developed and is executive produced by Disney animation veteran Bobs Gannaway (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Planes: Fire & Rescue). Academy Award-nominated Sean Lurie (Inner Workings) is producer, and Kat Good (Big Hero 6 The Series) and Steve Anderson (Meet the Robinsons) serve as supervising directors. The late Rob Gibbs (Monsters, Inc.) also served as director on some of the earlier episodes.
Kaling is represented by CAA, 3Arts, The Lede Company and Ziffren Law. Hunt is represented by WME and Edelstein, Laird & Sobel Law.
The Tokyo Anime Awards Festival wrapped up March 15 with its annual award ceremony, held at the Toshima Civic Center. Taking the grand prize for feature was French comicker Aurel’s directorial debut Josep, while another French filmmaking team captured the grand prize for short animation with Coffin, a graduate film created by Gobelins students (watch on Vimeo). Both films were also awarded the Governor of Tokyo Award in their respective categories.
Coffin
This year’s competition received 22 submissions from 20 countries and territories for Feature Animation and 817 submissions from 57 countries and territories for Short Animation. Among them, a total of 39 films (four features, 35 shorts) were selected by the TAAF2021 Preliminary Selection Committee as the nominees for the competition. Last year’s selection committee received 29 feature films and 1,054 shorts.
As a countermeasure against the COVID-19, judging for the Competition took place this year through online screenings and jury video conferences. This year’s feature animation jury comprised directors Sunao Katabuchi, Anca Damian and Rémi Chayé, and VO production exec Michiyoshi Minamisawa (81Produce, Half H-P Studio). The short film jury was veteran animator Toshiyuki Inoue, directors Erick Oh and Daria Kashcheeva, and Animax President Masao Takiyama.
Nahuel and the Magic Book
Film competition winners are:
FEATURE ANIMATION
Grand Prize & Governor of Tokyo Award –Josep | dir. Aurel (France/Spain/Belgium)
Award of Excellence – Nahuel and the Magic Book | German Acuña (Chile/Brazil)
SHORT ANIMATION
Grand Prize & Governor of Tokyo Award – Coffin | Yuanqing Cai, Nathan Crabot, Houzhi Huang, Mikolaj Janiw, Mandimby Lebon, Théo Tran Ngoc (France)
Award of Excellence – Shooom’s Odyssey | Julien Bisaro (France/Belgium)
Toshima City Award – Runmania | Daria Stolbetsova (Russia)
Best Student Award – The Balloon Catcher | Isaku Kaneko (Japan)
Shooom’s Odyssey
TAAF2021 also awarded eight Achievement Awards. Established in 2005, the award was designed to honor his/her longtime achievement for technical skills, methods of expression and human resources development in animation production as well as contributions made for broadly improving the social status of the animation industry through activities such as education and international exchange. Joining the illustrious list of 186 recipients this year are:
Toshio Suzuki accepts his TAAF2021 Achievement Award (photo: Movie Walker Press)
Takao Koyama | Writer, Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
Yoshiyuki Tomino | Director, Mobile Suit Gundam
Toshitsugu Saida | Animator, Gauche the Cellist
Takeshi Seyama | Editor, Akira
Kayo Ishuu | Singer, Attack No. 1 Opening Theme
Michio Hazama | Voice Actor, Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Revealed ahead of their screening at the Festival, TAAF’s Anime of Year Awards were shortlisted from more than 450 entries screened and broadcast in Japan between Oct. 1, 2019 and Sept. 30, 2020. The winners of Best Film and Individual Award are voted by industry members, while the Anime Fan Award is selected by the public.
Violet Evergarden: The Movie
Grand Prize – Feature Film | Violet Evergarden: The Movie
Grand Prize – TV Series | Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
Writer | Reiko Yoshida, Violet Evergarden: The Movie
Director | Haruo Satozaki, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
Animator | Akira Matsushima, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
Visual Artist | Mikiko Watanabe, Violet Evergarden: The Movie
Sound Artist/Performer | Yuki Kajiura, composer, Fate/stay night Heaven’s Feet, Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld
Netflix announced this morning that its original animated musical adventure Arlo the Alligator Boy will be premiering on April 16, revealing the movie’s trailer. For fans eager to dive into Arlo’s well-tuned world, the platform has also announced the song list for the pic’s original soundtrack — the single “Follow Me Home” is available to stream globally now.
Executive produced and directed by Ryan Crego (Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, Sanjay and Craig) from his original story concept with Blake Lemons as supervising producer, Arlo the Alligator Boy follows a wide-eyed youngun, who happens to be half human and half gator, from his sheltered life in the swamp to bustling New York City on a mission to find his long-lost father. Along the way, he meets a group of misfits who quickly become his new family.
The 80 min., 2D-animated movie boasts a stellar voice cast of actors and singers, including Michael J. Woodard (Arlo), Mary Lambert (Bertie), Michael “Flea” Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Ruff), Annie Potts (Edmee), Tony Hale (Teeny Tiny Tony), Brett Gelman (Marcellus), Jonathan Van Ness (Furlecia), Haley Tju (Alia), Jennifer Coolidge (Stucky) and Vincent Rodriguez III (Ansel Beauregard).
Arlo’s big musical adventure will lead into a follow-up series, I ❤️ Arlo, which will pick up in NYC as the gang goes about revitalizing their abandoned seaside neighborhood.
You can read more about this quirky, cinematic and music-filled new movie in the May ’21 issue of Animation Magazine, out soon.
Capitol Records will be releasing Arlo the Alligator Boy: Music from the Netflix Film on April 16 alongside the film’s premiere. The songs are written by Crego and multi-award-winning songwriter/composer Alex Geringas (Fast & Furious Spy Racers, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh, All Hail King Julien).
Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi’s Image Awards-winning, Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated Everybody Hates Chris (UPN/The CW, 2005-09) is the latest TV flashback favorite getting a “toon up”. CBS Studios is adapting the 1980s-set sitcom inspired by Rock’s experiences growing up as a Black teen in America into a new animated series.
Rock, LeRoi (Are We There Yet?) and Michael Rotenberg (King of the Hill, Silicon Valley) are executive producing the reboot, with Rock set to return as the show’s narrator. The show will reportedly be shopped out rather than heading straight for ViacomCBS streamer Paramount+.
Airing for four seasons, Everybody Hates Chris was widely praised by critics and fans for deftly approaching serious issues with humor and thoughtfulness. The show was hailed by The American Film Institute as one of the 10 best TV series of 2007, and earned numerous accolades in addition to those mentioned above. The original series starred Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, Vincent Martella and Tyler James Williams as Chris.
CBS Studios — like many other entertainment players — has been growing its animation portfolio in recent years. In addition to primetime comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+), upcoming CGI kids’ series Star Trek: Prodigy (Paramount+/Nickelodeon), White House satire Our Cartoon President (Showtime) and Late Show inheritor Tooning Out the News (Paramount+), the studio is working on its first original animated series The Harper House for Paramount+, and will premiere the CG animated fourth season of FBI comedy No Activity on the streamer April 8.
Creating an opportunity for animation film enthusiasts everywhere, the four-time Academy Award-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon, announced the launch today of a new e-commerce art gallery featuring gorgeous limited-edition framed prints from a slate of their multiple award-nominated and award-winning animated films.
CartoonSaloonGallery.com offers artwork celebrating this year’s Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated Wolfwalkers, along with Annie Award winner and Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated The Breadwinner, and the Academy Award-nominated Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells.
Originating directly from Cartoon Saloon’s Studio in the medieval town of Kilkenny, Ireland, the series of collector’s artwork is now available and ranges in pricing from €450. Each print is signed by the films’ directors and numbered. In terms of the print quality, the studio carefully scrutinizes the process, reviewing all prints to make any necessary color adjustments to ensure superior results, as well as using carefully selected inks to maintain the integrity of original artworks with sharp details and rich colors (Epson Ultrachrome HDR quality pigment ink). The art is printed on museum quality paper that is acid-free so colors remain vibrant over time (Canson Cotton Etching Rag 320gsm fine art paper).
“The launch of our new art gallery offers us a tremendous opportunity to share the magic of these outstanding movies with fans around the world. We are extremely proud of our films, particularly with the most recent recognition Wolfwalkers is receiving with Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations,” said Brian Tyrrell, Cartoon Saloon’s General Manager of Brand Development. “We are thrilled to offer these carefully curated state-of-the-art limited edition numbered prints that are sure to become a valuable collector’s items in the years to come.”
Wolfwalkers – “Town Square”
WolfWalkers, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave critical reviews. The film opened theatrically in the U.S. on November 13, is now available on Apple TV+ and is returning to U.S. theaters this week through GKIDS and Fathom Events. The movie follows Robyn Goodfellowe, a young apprentice hunter who journeys to Ireland with her father in a time of superstition and magic to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the “Wolfwalkers” and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
The Secret of Kells – “Birch Woods”
Nominated for an Academy Award in 2010 for best animated feature and winning awards at festivals worldwide, The Secret of Kells is a bewitching vibrantly animated fairytale for children and adults alike that is a spirited retelling of the provenance of Ireland’s most cherished artifact, the Book of Kells. With the Viking hordes approaching, the monks of Kells are forced to turn their attention from transcribing manuscripts to building barricades. The future of the precious book is in jeopardy and it falls to Brendan, young nephew of the abbot Cellach, to save the day. Cartoon Saloon’s first feature film was directed by Tomm Moore with Nora Twomey as co-director.
Song of the Sea – “Seal Cave”
Directed by Tomm Moore with music by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla, and featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny, Academy Award-nominated Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.
The Breadwinner – “Sulayman and the Mountain”
Based on the best-selling children’s novel by Deborah Ellis, the award-winning and multi-award-nominated The Breadwinner, directed by Nora Twomey from a screenplay by Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis, is a celebration of children – for children, whatever their age, wherever they live. The movie tells the story of 11-year-old Parvana who gives up her identity to provide for her family and try to save her father’s life. Every day is a challenge as Parvana tries to bring home enough food and water to support her mother, sister and little brother. She meets a fellow girl in disguise called Shauzia and together, they form a bond that will give them the strength to endure the war that comes to their doorstep.
The Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s professional global honorary society, named acclaimed visual effects supervisor, second unit director and director of photography Robert Legato, ASC, as the forthcoming recipient of the VES Award for Creative Excellence in recognition of his valuable contributions to filmed entertainment. The award will be presented at the 19th Annual VES Awards, streaming worldwide on April 6/7 (depending on time zone) and hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt.
The VES Award for Creative Excellence, bestowed by the VES Board of Directors, recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the art and science of the visual effects industry by uniquely and consistently creating compelling and creative imagery in service to story. The VES will honor Legato for breaking new ground in translating virtual production into live-action filmmaking with stunning photographic realism. He has been at the forefront of embracing and advancing technology to enhance the cinematic experience, and his creative vision and inventive techniques have paved the way for future generations of filmmakers.
“Throughout his career, Rob Legato has shown a rare talent for using cutting-edge technology to engage us in deeply visceral storytelling,” said Lisa Cooke, VES Board Chair. “A highly visual storyteller, Rob has consistently elevated not just the technical aspect of visual effects, but also the emotional. His pioneering work has truly raised the bar and helped redefine entertainment on a global level. He is a defining force of the visual effects community and we are honored to award Rob with the prestigious Visual Effects Society Award for Creative Excellence.”
“As honored as I am to receive the VES Award for Creative Excellence, I am humbled by the knowledge that this would not be possible without the dedication and creative excellence of the many artists I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with over the years,’ said Legato. “I am so very grateful for the continued generosity of this community for their camaraderie and willingness to share their unique vision and valuable secrets of their successes. Bravo to the VES for encouraging and fostering creative excellence each year with the wonderful recognition it bestows upon our community. Thank you to the Board of Directors, as well as to the thousands of colleagues over the years who contributed so mightily to the very definition of this particular award.”
Renowned visual effects supervisor, cinematographer and innovator Legato has received numerous accolades for his pioneering work, including three Academy Awards (Titanic, Hugo, The Jungle Book), two BAFTAs, five VES Awards, three Satellite Awards and a Tesla Award. He is an industry leader creating the next generation of cutting edge live-action content, leveraging the power of gaming engines, while maintaining the visual and storytelling ethos of traditional filmmaking.
Legato has most recently been in the spotlight for his groundbreaking live-action animation on Disney’s The Lion King and The Jungle Book with director Jon Favreau. He has enjoyed rich creative relationships with numerous top directors and his filmography includes a long list of some of the most well-known films of all time, including The Aviator, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street and Hugo with Martin Scorsese; Apollo 13 with Ron Howard; Cast Away and What Lies Beneath with Robert Zemeckis; and Titanic and Avatar with James Cameron. Legato is also credited with conceiving and creating the breakthrough virtual cinematography pipeline and virtual production techniques used by Cameron on the game-changing blockbuster Avatar. Legato’s most recent film was the acclaimed Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, where he served as co-second unit director and VFX consultant.
Legato started his career in television and was an Emmy Award-winning visual effects supervisor for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. After his career in television for Paramount Pictures, Legato joined Digital Domain, and began his film career on Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire, and later joined Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Previous winners of the VES Award for Creative Excellence are Visual Effects Supervisor Sheena Duggal and Creators-Executive Producers-Writers-Directors David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
OWN announced it is developing its first-ever animated comedy TV series: The Mound. The project comes from Munirah Safiyah Jones, who created the network’s get-out-the-vote short form digital series Sincerely, Camille (nominated for an NAACP Image Award) and viral webtoon Junt Land. The series could break the primetime animation ice on streaming platform Discovery+, which launched in January (OWN is co-parented by Discovery Inc. and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios).
Set in the 1980s, The Mound takes place in the Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee — the first neighborhood in the U.S. built by and for Black people. The show centers on Duke and Naomi Wiley-King, building comedy around their everyday juggling of marriage, family and careers alongside the more pressing issues of salon gossip, bougie aunties, suspect potato salad and aerobicized colonizers.
“The Mound is about community. It’s about showing up, despite personal or interpersonal issues, for the good of the whole … even when your neighbor keeps blocking your driveway. This show is for the men and women who built Orange Mound from the ground up and who deserve a joyful, relatable, hilarious portrayal of the community they love,” Jones, a Memphis native, told Deadline.
The series is being produced for OWN by exec producers Jones and Harpo Films, in association with Portland, Oregon-based animation/VFX shop Bent Image Lab.
Entertainment One (eOne), Hasbro’s global content studio, outlined an exciting new content plan for Peppa Pig which greenlights another 104 x 5′ episodes production, ensuring a continuous pipeline of fresh content through to 2027. The addition of this new animated content will take the total number of episodes in the Peppa Pig catalog to a whopping 485. The worldwide hit series premiered in the U.K. in 2004.
Animation studio Astley Baker Davies (ABD), the original creators of Peppa Pig, will work closely with eOne to transition creative production duties to the award-winning British animation studio Karrot, with Andrea Tran at the helm as director. The animation style, music and voice talent will remain unchanged.
“As demand for Peppa Pig remains as strong now as it’s ever been, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that additional new episodes are underway. In creating the global evergreen preschool series, Astley Baker Davies have achieved a rare, once in a generation success story. The show’s enduring popularity is a tribute to their skill as storytellers and their dedication to the characters and their craft. We wish them every success as they embark on their next adventure,” said eOne’s Rebecca Harvey, EVP Global Brand and Marketing at eOne Family Brands. “We remain committed to producing fresh Peppa Pig content that will continue to resonate with each new generation and that will underpin the long-term future of the property. We are, therefore, delighted to welcome award-winning British animation studio, Karrot, who will honor all the elements of the show that make it beloved of families around the world.”
“Peppa Pig has been a huge part of our lives. It’s a source of great pride that it’s given joy to so many children for so many years,” said Neville Astley, Mark Baker and Phil Davies of Astley Baker Davies. “Peppa will always be close to our hearts and we couldn’t be more pleased to be passing the torch to the extraordinarily talented team of artists at Karrot who will continue to deliver our adored Peppa to the world for many years to come.”
New episodes produced by ABD will continue to roll out until 2023. New and already-aired episodes will continue to play for audiences around the world, where Peppa Pig is broadcast in over 180 territories and translated into 40 languages.
Key talent from ABD have been tapped to join Karrot, maintaining continuity and bringing valuable knowledge and experience of making the show over many years. This includes Phill Hall who joins as head writer having co-written numerous episodes of Peppa Pig since 2007.
Founded in 2008, Karrot is a BAFTA and Emmy award-winning studio that has built a strong industry reputation and is best known for creating charming British animated series’ including Sarah & Duck. The studio’s founders will be hands-on with their new charge: Chris White will serve as executive producer, Jamie Badminton as series producer and Tim O’Sullivan as creative director.
Badminton commented, “Peppa Pig has a charm and simplicity that is timeless and universal. It’s a giant honor to be continuing the legacy that Astley Baker Davies has created. We will remain faithful to their vision and look forward to being part of Peppa Pig’s future, enduring success.”
eOne continues to drive growth for Peppa Pig with an investment in new content, fresh consumer product lines and wide-reaching brand marketing plans. Season 9 kicks off this Spring with the brand-new four-part U.S. special which sees Peppa and family take a road trip around America followed by a further 22 new episodes that will roll out globally throughout 2021. Inspired by these new episodes, the theme of ‘Peppa Adventures’ will extend into the exciting retail debut of the first ever global toy line from Hasbro.
The brand’s impressive digital footprint also continues to expand this year with the release of a second music album in July, new content on the official YouTube channel where Peppa Pig was ranked the #1 most streamed kids show of any age in 2020 and new Audio Stories for families to enjoy on-the-go. In the U.K., an exciting partnership between Peppa Pig and Team GB will leverage excitement around the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. More recently, plans for a brand-new Peppa Pig theme park in Florida’s Legoland have just been announced to squeals of delight and the attraction is set to open its doors in 2022.
Aniplex of America and Funimation are bringing the box-office record-killing Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train to fans in the U.S. & Canada. Set for an April 23 theatrical release (including 4DX and IMAX screens), the emotionally charged, action-packed movie will screen in English dub and subtitled versions.
In addition to theaters, it was also announced that fans can enjoy young Tanjiro’s quest to restore his sister to humanity on EST (Electronic Sell-Through) beginning June 22 on Apple TV, Microsoft Store, Vudu, Google Play, PlayStation Store and Amazon. Pre-orders for the film will begin on April 26 on Apple TV, Microsoft Store, and PlayStation Store.
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series, streaming on Funimation both subtitled and dubbed, premiered in 2019 and is based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga (Jump Comics/Shueisha), which boasts over 150 million copies in circulation in Japan. The action-packed, thrilling tale follows a young man in search of a cure for his sister, who has been turned into a demon after their family is viciously slaughtered by demons. Together with a captivating story and distinct visual aesthetic by studio ufotable, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba offers a glimpse into Japan in the early 1900s, which is inhabited by demons and those that vow to slay them.
Set after the events of the television series, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train has Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke embark on a new mission. Together with one of the most powerful swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, they investigate the mysterious disappearance of over 40 people aboard the Mugen Train. The R-rated feature is directed by Haruo Sotozaki featuring the original story by Gotoge, with screenplay and animation production by studio ufotable.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train to theaters in North America,” said Shu Nishimoto, president of Aniplex of America. “The support from fans worldwide has truly been the driving force behind the series, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience the next chapter in Tanjiro’s journey as a Demon Slayer.”
“Demon Slayer’s record-breaking box office sales in Japan have elevated the series — and anime itself — to a new level,” said Colin Decker, CEO of Funimation Global Group. “It is a truly global-scale franchise, and we’re honored to be the home and distributor of the film in many territories worldwide.”
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train opened in Japan on October 16, 2020 and is now the highest grossing anime and Japanese film (animated or live action) of all time. The film opened on 403 screens (including 38 IMAX theaters), is the fastest film to achieve over $100 million at the box offices in Japan after only 10 days in theaters, and is the most successful IMAX release of all time in the market. The film opened at #1 in Australia and New Zealand last month.
Passion Pictures has hired Pixar veteran David Park as Head of Production for Long Form Animation, tasked with spearheading a dynamic expansion of Passion’s Feature and Long Form production.
Park will help develop and produce a growing slate of original and commissioned projects that build on Passion’s existing success with the Netflix series Love Death + Robots, Headspace and Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Street. The new department head will drive this expansion alongside Passion’s existing team: Founder & Creative Director Andrew Ruhemann, Executive Producer Debbie Crosscup and CEO Nick Southgate.
“It’s very rare to find someone with David’s incredible feature experience, especially in Europe. He has worked on some of the greatest animated movies ever made and I feel very lucky and privileged to have him join us,” commented Ruhemann. “We are both driven by a desire to build something very special here with the amazing talent we have around us.”
At Pixar, Park’s credits include some of the most acclaimed animated films ever made: Ratatouille, Wall-E, Toy Story 3, Monsters University and Coco. More recently, Park joined the U.K. company Locksmith to head up production on their forthcoming feature Ron’s Gone Wrong, due for release at the end of 2021.
In addition to growing its award-winning reputation as long form storytellers, Park, with Head of CG Jason Nicholas, will oversee R&D into cutting edge technology for Passion’s in-house pipeline to deliver premium TV series and features.
“I’m thrilled to join such a talented collective. Helping the Passion team further expand their very unique and eclectic voices into even more long form stories is going to be a lot of fun,” said Park.
Passion Pictures has studios in London, Paris and Barcelona; learn more at www.passion-pictures.com
It’s a bird … It’s a girl … It’s just Birdgirl! Kicking off SXSW day one, WarnerMedia revealed the new half-hour animated comedy series will premiere Sunday, April 4 at midnight (ET/PT) on Adult Swim, the #1 destination for young adults. A character spin-off from Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, the new show centers around Birdgirl and her misfit crime-fighting clan.
In Birdgirl, 30-something Judy Ken Sebben inherits her father’s company, which would be great if that company weren’t built around the most socially irresponsible 20th Century products and practices that, on a good day, involves clearing redwood forests or operating for-profit children’s hospitals. From the halls of the company headquarters, she assembles the ragtag, non-overtime earning Birdteam. Together, they try to undo all the luridly dangerous decisions of the generation before or contain the havoc of one of their own “world saving” products gone bad.
The first “WarnerMedia Rise” program offered a sneak peek at the 2D series, which stars Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) along with the main voice cast that includes Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), Sonia Denis (Set It Up), Kether Donohue (You’re the Worst), John Doman (Blue Valentine), Negin Farsad (3rd Street Blackout), Tony Hale (Veep) and Lorelei Ramirez (Pervert Everything). Exec producers are Erik Richter (Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law) and Christina Miller. Produced by Adult Swim’s Williams Street Production, with animation by Awesome, Inc.
As part of the online SXSW 2021 (March 16-18), fans can get the latest scoop on Adult Swim, DC, HBO Max, Warner Bros. and more top animation and entertainment brands through WarnerMedia Rise.
Day 1: Closer to Your Heroes | Adult Swim Presents: Animated from Home
Adult Swim presents a lively discussion featuring the network head, show creators and voice talent discussing the challenges and triumphs of producing their hit adult animated series during the COVID-19 crisis. Also, enjoy exclusive previews of what fans can expect from their new seasons premiering in 2021.
Panelists include Michael Ouweleen, President, Adult Swim; Lisa Hanawalt, Creator, Tuca & Bertie; Dan Harmon, Co-Creator, Rick and Morty; Sarah Chalke, Voice Cast, Rick and Morty; Chris Parnell, Voice Cast, Rick and Morty; moderated by Terri Schwartz, IGN.
Jamaica’s premiere animation conference and film festival, KingstOOn has received over 2,100 entries from more than 100 countries for its 2021 competition — more than ever before in the event’s history. “An amazing show in a year where the physical collaboration on projects was stymied worldwide by COVID restrictions,” noted KingstOOn’s Animation Specialist, Robert Reid.
KingstOOn will hold its fourth edition and first-ever virtual event April 21-25. Organizers are expecting 10,000-plus attendees.
In spite of global challenges, filmmakers of all stripes in 108 countries rose to the occasion, submitting almost 1,500 entries in the Best International Short Film category, followed by over 750 in the Best International Student Film category and about 300 in the Best International Special Effects Film category.
Danielle Parchment, Best Character Design winner at KingstOOn 2019.
The Competition has, however, according to KingstOOn organizers, brought to the fore the limitations faced by Caribbean content creators, whose overall submissions dropped as economic challenges left many unable to focus on the competition and even obliged some to pivot outside of the industry seeking alternate sources of income. The decline in participation from Jamaican students was also noticeable, as many depend on school computer labs to collaborate and create content.
“Limited access to technology is, unfortunately, a Caribbean-wide source of contention,” Reid said. But, he added that despite this, “Jamaica ranked sixth with 100 submissions in the Caribbean Short Film, Character Design, Concept and the Storyboard categories. In total there were 124 submissions from the Caribbean.”
Receiving this many film entries can only help KingstOOn curate a vibrant, multicultural Animation Film Festival that truly celebrates this year’s theme of “Diversity in Animation.” Although the Animation Conference will begin on April 21, the Film Festival is slated to start on April 15, with films being accessible on demand after they are aired.
Yasuo Otsuka, an artist who helped shape the contemporary anime industry with his work on landmark titles like Tale of the White Serpent, Lupin III and Future Boy Conan and mentorship of other acclaimed creators, died Monday morning, March 15, at the age of 89. News of his passing was shared by Studio Ghibli co-founder/producer Toshio Suzuki during the closing awards ceremony at the Tokyo Anime Awards Festival. Suzuki was accepting an honor for career achievement.
Tale of the White Serpent
Born July 11, 1931 in Shimane Prefecture, Otsuka discovered a passion for drawing at an early age, and entered the burgeoning Japanese anime industry in 1956 when he answered a newspaper ad for animators at Japan Animated Films — which soon after was bought out and became Toei Animation. Over his career at Toei, Otsuka helped train future Ghibli co-founders Suzuki and Isao Takahata, and was Hayao Miyazaki’s supervisor when the future Oscar winner was just starting out in the 1960s. In addition to his first gig on White Serpent, his credits at Toei included Magic Boy and The Wonderful World of Puss ‘n Boots. Otsuka also served as general secretary of the studio’s labor union.
In 1968, he went over to A Production (now Shin-Ei Animation). In the following years, he helped bring to life the first Lupin series, Lupin the Third Part I, and features The Castle of Cagliostro and Takahata’s Panda! Go, Panda!, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, before joining Telecom Animation Film (part of TMS) in 1979. Otsuka reconnected with Miyazaki on his former mentee’s 1984 feature Future Boy Conan (1984), and continued to lend his talents to countless series and films into the 2000s — such as Chie the Brat, Sherlock Hound, Little Nemo and more Lupin adventures — before deciding to finally retire from animation.
Hayao Miyazaki (left) and Yasuo Otsuka (right)
He remained creative and productive, however, illustrating and publishing books about anime and his pet subject: military vehicles.
In addition to on-the-job mentorship, Otsuka helped shape future generations of artists as a teacher at the Toei Animation Research Institute and the Yoyogi Animation Academy. The ranks of anime masters who have emerged from under his wing include directors Yoshifumi Kondo, Gisaburo Sugii and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (best known for the hit Evangelion franchise).
Ireland’s animation studios are experiencing a major creative and commercial boom.
With Cartoon Saloon’s acclaimed feature Wolfwalkers dominating the headlines and competing in the Oscar feature race once again, Irish animation is in the spotlight once again. We had the chance to speak with Andrew Byrne, Screen Ireland’s Project Manager for Animation and TV Drama to find out more about the recent growth of the industry in the region and what to expect from the talented artists and visionaries in Ireland in the near future:
Andrew Byrne
We have seen a lot of amazing animated work from the studios in Ireland over the past decade. Most animation fans are familiar with the works of trailblazing studios like Cartoon Saloon, Boulder, Brown Bag and Jam. Can you tell us why you think there has been a renaissance in the country?
The Irish animation sector has been working hard over the last decade and beyond (with the support of Screen Ireland) investing in talent, ideas, development and industry positioning. They are collaborative and continually outward-looking in their work, attracting local and international audiences and investment. Ireland has a large supply of creative, visual and connected talent and studios who have worked hard to compete on a global stage and get recognition for high quality work being produced and developed in the country and invested in by global platforms and broadcasters alike. What we are now seeing is the fruits of this continued and constant evolution, focus and ambition, which the sector and talent has proudly and collaboratively driven in order to cement a long lasting future for Irish animation.
What are some of the key challenges facing these animation studios in 2021?
The Irish animation sector is constantly evolving and looking at new areas of opportunity. It has marked its success in global features and television and continues to look at new avenues of exploitation, genre diversification and workflow. The sector is investing in new technology, studios, creatives and IP development and will continue to ensure that Irish voices and talent are leaders in these spaces. Screen Ireland has launched a Talent Academy for Animation to ensure a constant flow of new talent from all areas and backgrounds into the sector. The agency also continues to fund innovation which is essential to the future of the sector.
Goat Girl (Daily Madness Prod.)
Are animation professionals in Ireland going back to the studios post-COVID, or has everyone adjusted to the work-at-home era?
We have an abundance of talent within the sector and a significant number of new and emerging talented creatives and companies that have established themselves in recent years. These new entities continue to prosper alongside the larger and more established studios, which are all seeking out significant opportunity in the market. COVID-19 has meant some delay to decision making and greenlighting of projects internationally, but for the most part, a broad and diverse talent base has prospered in all areas of the country, with a prominent midlands and regional focus. Ireland has quickly adapted to its technological needs and the “work from home” scenario and there has been little if no break in production and development overall.
Boy Girl Cat Dog Mouse Cheese (Kavaleer)
Can you tell us about some of the other exciting animated projects coming down the pipeline in 2021?
There are a number of significant major global projects coming down the line in 2021, which continues the trend of major Irish animation successes. Of those already announced, Brown Bag Films is launching Karma’s World on Netflix, Ladybird Luhas just been greenlit with HBO Max and Cartoon Network, Cartoon Saloon has a new major international TV series launching soon — leading on from their incredible international success and the phenomenon that is Wolfwalkers. Moetion Films obviously had huge success with Two by Two: Overboard! and are actively developing their TV slate. Kavaleer has a hilarious and irreverent SpongeBob-esque animated series in Boy Girl Cat Dog Mouse Cheese. Jam Media are developing The Naughty List and also just delivering Nova Jones for CBBC, a hybrid live-action and CG-animated space adventure. Turnip & Duck is a new up and coming company, which is working on Critters TV Series 2and has a wide number of European connections and interest. Piranha Bar is exploring hybrid CG and live action formats, also. Daily Madness Productions’ Goat Girl was a huge success at Cartoon Forum. Pink Kong delivers with animated short film The Dead Hands of Dublin and are actively developing an array of TV properties. And this is but the tip of the iceberg on all levels of opportunity and creativity, all supported by Screen Ireland.
Karma’s World (Brown Bag Films)
In what ways does the Irish government help support animation?
The sustained success of the animation industry in the past decade has been supported by the Irish Government at various levels. One crucial aspect is the government tax incentive, Section 481, which provides up to 32% tax relief on eligible expenditure in Ireland. Screen Ireland, as the national agency for film, television and animation, is the biggest single funder of Irish animation content from feature films to shorts to TV series, as well as supporting skills development programs across the industry. Other government agencies, such as Enterprise Ireland, work closely with animation production companies to support company growth, through the development of strong international partnerships. The IDA also works to support foreign direct investment for companies setting up in Ireland.
Why do you think studios around the world enjoy working with Irish animation studios?
Great talent; connected and meaningful collaboration; and focused and experienced teams working in the world of high end production and workflow. This is all supported by fresh, authentic and original ideas which are connecting with local and international audiences alike and have enabled major feature films such as Wolfwalkers, Two by Two: Overboard! and indeed TV series such as Doc McStuffins, Octonauts and Roy.
Ushering in a new era of heroic Disney Princesses, the studio’s latest original fantasy-adventure Raya and the Last Dragon has already made an impact with critics and fans around the world in theaters and on Disney+. Now, Raya’s quest through Kumandra continues on all major digital platforms starting April 2, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 18. The home release also spotlights the new Disney animated short Us Again.
Synopsis: Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world — it’s going to take trust as well.
From directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa, producers Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho, the film features the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu, along with Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Jona Xiao, Sandra Oh, Thaila Tran, Lucille Soong and Alan Tudyk.
Bonus Features:
An Introduction to Us Again – Director Zach Parrish takes you behind the scenes of the Walt Disney Animation Studios short.
Us Again – An elderly man and his young-at-heart wife rekindle their passion for life on one magical night.
Taste of Raya – Dine along with Kelly Marie Tran and the film’s creative team — virtually — over a Southeast Asian menu inspired by the countries that influenced the film as they discuss their experiences creating the world of Kumandra.
Raya: Bringing It Home – When the global pandemic of 2020 hit, production of Raya and the Last Dragon moved to the houses of over 450 people. We open a window into their lives and learn how they overcame massive obstacles to make an animated feature from home.
Martial Artists – Get a kick out of learning about the martial art forms and weapons used in the film as co-screenwriter Qui Nguyen and visual anthropologist Dr. S. Steve Arounsack share the inspiration behind the film’s action-packed elements.
We are Kumandra – Meet members of the Southeast Asia Story Trust and discover the cultural influences that inspired the film…and how important this representation in a Disney animated film is to the people of the region.
Outtakes – Step into the homes and behind the mics of the cast of Raya and the Last Dragon as they experience voice-over sessions in closets and shaky internet connections, which made recording this film unlike any other.
Fun Facts & Easter Eggs – Take a look at some of the hidden surprises and behind-the-scenes secrets of Raya and the Last Dragon.
The Story Behind the Storyboard with John Ripa – Co-Director John Ripa invites you to get an inside look at his thought process as he pitches a storyboard sequence from the film and talks about his amazing career with Disney Animation.
Deleted Scenes
Introduction – Head of Story Fawn Veerasunthorn introduces deleted scenes from Raya and the Last Dragon.
The Bridge – Raya confronts an early version of the Druun in this deleted storyboard sequence.
Escaping Namaari – See an early version sequence of an introduction to Namaari as an adult.
Dragon Blade – Discover an early version of Raya’s sword, when it used to have magical powers.
Meet Boun – Meet an early version of Boun before he was a chef and shrimp boat captain.
The Heart of the Dragon – Co-Director John Ripa introduces a deleted scene which brought the theme of hope into the film.
Bento Box Entertainment, FOX Entertainment’s award-winning animation studio, and television and film production company Princess Pictures have formed Princess Bento Studio, an all-new animation studio that will produce animated content out of its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Attracted by the Victorian Government and supported through Film Victoria’s recently announced Victorian Screen Incentive, the announcement was made Monday by Scott Greenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Bento Box, and Laura Waters, Founder of Princess Pictures.
Princess Bento Studio will produce content for platforms in the United States, Australia and Australian co-production treaty countries and across the globe. The studio will be overseen by the Bento Box and Princess management teams, with the appointment of dedicated management forthcoming.
The formation of Princess Bento Studio is an outgrowth of the first-look development deal the two companies entered last year to jointly develop animated content from Australian-based, multi-hyphenate creators, including writer/director/actor Michael Cusack (YOLO: Crystal Fantasy, Smiling Friends).
As Bento Box continues to expand its international reach for production and content distribution, the company will continue to independently operate its studios in Los Angeles and Atlanta.
“While closely working with everyone at Princess Pictures over the past year, my team and I immediately saw a natural fit between our two companies,” said Greenberg. “With growing demand for animated content, a shared passion for the type of programming we want to make and a short-hand that perfectly complements our individual strengths, it was clear to us joining forces to set up shop in talent-rich Australia with Princess Bento will take our partnership to the next level and bring strategic benefits to both companies and, most importantly, creators and buyers around the world.”
“Working with Bento Box has been one of the most creatively rewarding experiences in the history of Princess Pictures. Not only have we been able to promote some of the best animation talent in the country, we’ve also been able to create a pipeline for new combinations of artists, comedians and underrepresented writing talent to develop uniquely Australian stories,” added Waters. “We consider the team at Bento Box to be like family, and we’re so excited to expand the possibilities for adult animation with this new collaboration.”
“Thank you to the Academy for honoring our film. We share this nomination with the entire cast and the crew at Pixar who were essential in bringing the magic and wonder of Ian and Barley’s journey to life. Onward was a very personal story, exploring the idea of what one would do if they had more time with a loved one they’d lost. It’s incredibly meaningful to see how this has resonated with audiences, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the Academy for their recognition.” — Dan Scanlon, Director, and Kori Rae, Producer.
“What a dream come true for Over the Moon to be recognized by the Academy today! We share this incredible honor with our entire cast and crew, who came together during this highly unusual time, to create something truly beautiful. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to share Fei Fei’s extraordinary journey of love, loss and healing with the world. We are also forever indebted to our screenwriter and friend, the late Audrey Wells, for entrusting us with this most precious love letter to her daughter. We hope our film moves and inspires those who may be trying to find their own way, and helps to make our world feel a little smaller and more connected. On behalf of the entire Over the Moon family, a huge thank you to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for this recognition!” — Glen Keane, Director; Peilin Chou and Gennie Rim, Producers.
“Shaun the Sheep nominated for an Oscar!? A collection of inaudible sounds followed by silence… And that’s just our reaction to the news!
We’re absolutely thrilled to receive an Oscar nomination! This is an incredible experience and a reflection of the amazing hard work and talent of everyone who worked on the film. The message of making new friends, learning from each other and always remaining positive in spite of difficult circumstances is something that we think a lot of people have connected to. On behalf of our silent movie star, Shaun the Sheep, and all of us at Aardman, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Academy.” — Will Becher and Richard Phelan, Directors.
“Thank you to the Academy for this incredible honor, we are truly humbled. Soul represents several years of research, intense work, self-doubt and also a good deal of fun. Our journey on the film was similar to that of Joe Gardner’s — well, except the part where he falls down a manhole. As we struggled with story clarity and tried out who-knows-how-many different endings, we began to realize how important it was to savor what may have felt like minor moments along the way: the satisfaction of jotting down a preliminary sketch on a scrap of paper; hearing the first chords from the earliest music demos; laughing with the crew. Though we might not have known it at the time, moments like these helped inspire us and fed back into the film in innumerable ways. Though we are living through challenging times, being recognized by the Academy gives us hope that the joy we found and put into our film was shared by audiences, and nothing could be more meaningful than that.” — Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, Directors; Dana Murray, Producer.
“We are astounded and incredibly grateful to be considered for the Academy Award for Best Original Score on behalf of Soul. This was a profoundly rewarding creative collaboration filled with so much love, light and lineage. The warm reception of the film continues to humble us. We will be celebrating this tremendous honor in anticipation of the ceremony to come.” –Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste.
“On behalf of our whole amazing talented wolfpack in Kilkenny, Paris, Luxembourg and beyond, we are hugely grateful and happy to be nominated for this year’s Oscars. What an honor for us all and a huge thanks to our friends in Apple, GKids, and all our financing and distribution partners worldwide who allowed us to make this film and bring it to the world. Our film is a love letter to hand drawn animation and its timeless potential, to nature and our shared biosphere and to our home here in Ireland, its history and culture, its folklore and its people.” — Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, Directors.
“Wow! We are incredibly honored to receive this nomination and be celebrated alongside such an inspiring collection of shorts – it means the world to us and the entire Burrow crew. Burrow is a short that encourages people not be afraid to open themselves up to others — and to be recognized in a year when maybe a lot of people have been feeling isolated, really means the world to us. A sincere thank you to the Academy for this recognition.” — Madeline Sharafian, Director, and Michael Capbarat, Producer.
Madeline Sharafian
Genius Loci (Best Animated Short Film)
“Amazing! Feeling so grateful to the Academy! I wanted to make an experimental film about chaos, and so it was as fascinating as it was challenging to make, using different styles and aesthetics thanks to the freedom given by drawn animation. It meant a lot to me, but I never thought it would fit prestigious festival selections such as the Oscars. I feel so proud and feeling so grateful for our amazing team of filmmakers, animators and friends who lend their talent and dedication to the film, for producer Amaury Ovise who was there for the film at every step, and for my brother and my parents who composed and recorded the music. It was such an incredible journey, and I’m delighted to celebrate it today. I hope there’s a way to attend the Oscars in person this year depending on the COVID situation, but in the meantime I can’t wait to gather everyone in my team and celebrate what we’ve done together.” — Adrien Merigeau, Director.
“We are truly honored to be nominated alongside this group of inspiring shorts. Our film was made around a kitchen table with a small group of amazing artists and we never imagined that we would be here. This film was a passion project and a deep meditation on grief. We see ourselves in the loss, we see ourselves in the grief and we see ourselves in the way forward. We are humbled that so many people opened their hearts to the film. A heartfelt thank you to the Academy. If Anything Happens I Love You was created for the ones lost, and the ones left behind.” — Will McCormack and Michael Govier, Writer/Directors; Maryann Garger, Producer.
“It is such an incredible honor to have Opera nominated for an Oscar! I hope this recognition will bring a very positive impact on all the creators and audiences out there because Opera presents a different way to view and enjoy the medium of animation. I’m deeply grateful that the Academy believed in my vision for this film, and a huge thank you to every artist and friend who were a part of this project. Animation is a team effort and none of this would have been possible without your talent, love and support. To me, Opera carries an important message about our society and history. I hope this nomination helps Opera reach a broader audience so we can start the conversation to make our lives and ourselves better.” — Erick Oh, Director.
South Park‘s two-decade animated reign over Comedy Central continues strong, with the ViacomCBS channel reporting the South ParQ Vaccination Special dominated the night of its premiere, securing its place as the No. 1 cable telecast of the year with nearly 3.5 million viewers. The second special to follow the show’s 23rd season (the series’ 309th episode) was also the most buzzed about cable event across social media for March 10.
South ParQ Vaccination Special attracted 1.74 million total viewers for its premiere on Comedy Central, with 3.47 million tuning in to both the debut airing, its simultaneous premiere on MTV2 and four encores on Comedy Central. The TV event upped CC’s numbers by triple digits in key demographics versus time period benchmarks. The new special scored as the second highest rated South Park episode since 2017, following last fall’s Pandemic Special (4.4M viewers).
Vaccination Special finds the citizens of South ParQ clamoring for the COVID-19 vaccine, while a hilarious new militant group tries to stop the boys from getting their teacher vaccinated. Episodes of South Park/ParQ are available to stream in HD exclusively on South ParQ Studios (southparq.com), CC.com and the Comedy Central App.
Source: Nielsen; P18-34/LSD unless noted, coverage ratings; competitive ranks based on 000s; total viewers = P2+; P4W Comedy includes SP repeats, Star Trek: Lower Decks; YAGO Comedy includes SP repeats; full event viewers incl. CMDY/MTV2 prem simulcast, four encores on CMDY. Social- TalkWalker: Social Content Ratings, ListenFirst.
Descendants: The Royal Wedding, an animated special that invites viewers to Auradon’s epic social event — Mal and King Ben’s wedding — will premiere this summer on Disney Channel. The tooned up celebration is being brought to life with the help of acclaimed Spanish director, Salvador Simó (European Film Award-winning animated feature Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles).
The special brings one of the Channel’s hit live-action franchises into a new, animated dimension. Descendants, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3 rank as the #1 cable movie among kids and tweens for 2015, 2017 and 2019, respectively. All three movie soundtracks reached #1 on the Billboard Soundtrack chart, and the Descendants and Descendants 2 soundtracks are gold-certified.
Reprising their popular roles are Dove Cameron as Mal, Sofia Carson as Evie, Booboo Stewart as Jay, Mitchell Hope as Ben, Sarah Jeffery as Audrey, Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother, China Anne McClain as Uma, Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad, Anna Cathcart as Dizzy, Dan Payne as Beast, Bobby Moynihan as Dude the Dog and Cheyenne Jackson as Hades.
The absence of the character Carlos, played by the late Cameron Boyce, will be acknowledged in the storyline and Boyce’s memory will be honored in the telecast.
Mal (Dove Cameron) and Ben (Mitchell Hope) got engaged in 2019’s Descendants 3.
“Descendants introduced a fantasy world of stories and characters anchored in Disney mythology. For the past six years, it captivated young viewers and grew to become among Disney Channel’s biggest entertainment franchises ever,” Disney Branded Television President & CCO Gary Marsh noted in the announcement. “It had the benefit of immensely talented stars, who we now welcome back for this animated Royal Wedding special that will bridge the audience to what we hope will be a new chapter of compelling Descendants stories and characters yet to come.”
Descendants: The Royal Wedding, by Sara Parriott & Josann McGibbon and Ricky Roxburgh, is based on the three Descendants movies by Parriott and McGibbon (The Starter Wife, Runaway Bride). Produced by Le Cube, Salvador Simó is set to direct.
