InThis Week in Animation NewsI’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation in order to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!
This week sees news of the return of two Cartoon Network favorites:Steven UniverseandAdventure Time! And while the return of those two highly anticipated toons is certainly exciting, fans of Rooster Teeth’s original anime seriesRWBYwill be happy to hear that the show will return for a fifth season later this year. Elsewhere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment premiered its latest animated feature film,Justice League Dark, which is available on Digital HD now and is coming to home video soon. In Oscar news, the nominated filmMy Life as a Zucchinihas unveiled a new English-language clip ahead of its theatrical release in February. And in closing, Nickelodeon introduces a new series from the creator ofThe Fairly OddParents!
For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
‘Steven Universe’ Returns to Cartoon Network with “Steven’s Dream”
Full week of premieres beginsMonday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.(ET/PT) and thensettles into its new weekly timeslotFriday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
‘Adventure Time: Islands’ Four-Night Event Kicks Off January 30th
Tune in forAdventure Time: Islands,an all-new eight-part mini-series coming to Cartoon Network onMonday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.(ET/PT).The four-night special event will answer one of the series’ most-asked questions:What happened to the humans?
InAdventure Time: Islands, Finn (voiced byJeremy Shada), Jake (John DiMaggio), BMO (Niki Yang) and Susan Strong (Jackie Buscarino) leave the Land of Ooo to embark on a quest of epic proportions across the ocean and into new lands—encountering new creatures, discovering new islands and using teamwork along the way.
Adventure Time: IslandspremieresMonday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.(ET/PT)
‘RWBY’ Season 5 Coming to Rooster Teeth
Indie animation and streaming-content provider Rooster Teeth is currently presenting the fourth season of the hit animeRWBY, which closes out this season on February 4th. However, the series will see the return of Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang for a fifth season later this fall. Rooster Teeth announced the renewal as part of their 2017 original series slate, which also comes with Season 15 ofRed vs. Blue(viaVariety).RWBYwill premiere on the company’s subscription video-on-demand service, First. It will then move to YouTube. No plot details were announced.
RWBY, which follows the main characters as they fight crime and battle monsters in an effort to protect the world of Remnant, is the first American-produced anime to be exported to Japan for distribution, no small feat.
Also launching this May is a new season ofRWBY Chibi, featuring characters in “adorably hilarious situations, like making cookies and pancakes or hiding from the vacuum cleaner." To each their own!
‘Justice League Dark’ Premieres in LA
Available now on Digital HD and coming to home video on February 7th, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’sJustice League Darkrecently enjoyed its LA premiere with cast, crew, and die-hard fans in attendance. The NYC screening takes place on February 2nd, butif you didn’t get your tickets, you’re able to always check out the latest animated film from the DC Comics universe for yourself on home video!
Justice League Darkalso starsJason O’Mara(Terra Nova, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Batman,Camilla Luddington(Grey’s Anatomy) as Zatanna,Nicholas Turturro(NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods) as Deadman,Ray Chase(Final Fantasy XVvideogame) as Jason Blood/Etrigan,Roger R. Cross(24, Arrow) as John Stewart/Swamp Thing,Jeremy Davies(Justified, Constantine) as Ritchie Simpson,Rosario Dawson(Daredevil, Luke Cage, Sin City) as Wonder Woman,Jerry O’Connell(Stand By Me, Crossing Jordan) as Superman,Enrico Colantoni(Flashpoint, Veronica Mars) as Felix Faust, andAlfred Molina(The Da Vinci Code, Spider-Man 2) as Destiny.
Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation,Justice League Darkwill be distributed July 13, 2025 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset (featuring an exclusive Constantine figurine), Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The film will be available to own on Digital HD starting August 25, 2025.
‘My Life as a Zucchini’ Clip Features the English-Language Cast
Look for the Oscar-nominatedMy Life as a Zucchiniin theaters on February 24th. Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
After his mother’s sudden death, Zucchini is befriended by a police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home, filled with other orphans his age. At first he struggles to find his place in this at times strange and hostile environment.
But with Raymond’s help and his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love, as he searches for a new family of his own. Brought to life through striking character designs and expressive stop-motion animation, the story soars with laughter, sorrow, and joy, and stands as a testament to the resilience of the human heart. Beginning with its debut at Cannes, the film has stirred up an overwhelming response on the festival circuit, taking home top jury and audience prizes at Annecy, Melbourne and Angoulême, as it prepares to melt hearts with its U.S. debut at Sundance.
Nickelodeon Announces New Series ‘Bunsen Is a Beast’ from Butch Hartman
A beast and a human form an unlikely friendship in Nickelodeon’s newest animated seriesBunsen is a Beast, debuting Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30p.m. (ET/PT). Created and executive produced byButch Hartman(The Fairly OddParents), the 20-episode series follows the adventures of Bunsen, the first beast to attend a human grade school, and his best friend Mikey. The series will air at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT) through Friday, Feb. 24, and continue with premieres in its regular timeslot of Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.
Bunsen is a Beasttells the story of Bunsen and Mikey, two new friends who embark on endless fun and adventures in their town of Muckledunk. As the first beast ever to attend a middle school for human kids, Bunsen feels the pressure to succeed and prove to the world that monsters can live among humans…and they won’t eat everyone for lunch. With help from Mikey, Bunsen will learn how to accomplish human world tasks, like, doing homework, eating ice cream, and riding the bus. In turn, Mikey will learn to navigate the Beast World and meet all the weird and wonderful beasts that reside there.
In the series premiere, “Bearly Acceptable Behavior,” Amanda tries to get Bunsen kicked out of school when he brings a dangerous bear to class. Next during, “Beast Busters,” Bunsen and Mikey have to save Amanda from mischievous Sneeze Beasts that escape from Bunsen’s nose.
TheBunsen is a Beastvoice cast includes:Jeremy Rowley(iCarly) as Bunsen, the first beast ever to attend a middle school for human kids;Ben Giroux(Henry Danger) as Mikey, a sweet and quirky kid and Bunsen’s best friend;Cristina Milizia(Monster High) as Darcy, Bunsen and Mikey’s homeschooled friend;Kari Wahlgren(The Fairly OddParents) as Amanda Killman, the rigid and rule bound beast hater; comedy legendCheri Oteri(Saturday Night Live) as Miss Flap, Mikey and Bunsen’s eccentric teacher;Jeff Bennett(Jake and the Neverland Pirates) as Bunsen’s Dad; andJennifer Hale(The Powerpuff Girls) as Bunsen’s Mom. Additionally, Wahlgren and Rowley also voice Mikey’s Mom and Dad.
VisitNick.com,Facebook,Instagramand the Nick App to learn is a Beast. A sneak peek will air on Monday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, and a full-length episode is currently available onNick.com, Nick On Demand, and the Nick App, available for download on iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Android, and Android TV.
Hartman began his animation career as an assistant animator onAn American Tail. He created his own shorts forWhat a Cartoon!, and also wrote and directed episodes ofDexter’s Laboratory,Cow & ChickenandJohnny Bravo.Bunsen is a Beastmarks Hartman’s fourth animated series for Nickelodeon. Hartman joined Nickelodeon in 1998 where he created and produced several cartoon shorts for theOh Yeah! Cartoonsseries, includingThe Fairly OddParents. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the animated series, Hartman brought the series to life in the 2010 live-action/CG animated hit TV movie,A Fairly OddMovie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!The series came to life once again in the original TV movie,A Fairly Odd Christmasin 2012 andA Fairly OddSummerin 2014.Hartman is also the creator of Nickelodeon’s animated seriesDanny PhantomandT.U.F.F. Puppy.
