InThis Week in Animation News, I’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!
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!
Ahead of its arrival on Blu-ray and DVD this May 8th,Batman Ninja–now available on digital–will be premiering in New York City with a May 1st screening and panel discussion at The Directors Guild of America, and a May 2nd appearance/signing by filmmakers and key voice cast at Kinokuniya Bookstore. Here’s a crazy clip to help celebrate those events, followed by more info:
On Tuesday, May 1st,Batman Ninjawill have its NYC premiere at The Directors Guild of America (110 West 57th Street in New York City). Starting at 7:00pm, the event will include a screening of the full film, and a post-screening panel discussion amongst the filmmakers and actors.
On Wednesday, May 2nd, the filmmakers and actors will make an appearance at Kinokuniya Bookstore (1073 Avenue of the Americas), the preeminent location for anime films, books and merchandise in New York City. There will be a Q&A and a signing of exclusive Batman Ninja posters.
The visually stunningBatman Ninjareceived outstanding reviews for its World Premiere at WonderCon in late March. The film was officially announced at New York Comic Con in October 2017, thus this two-night New York event – a week prior to the film’s May 8th release on Blu-ray & DVD – completes the circle.
Batman Ninja’s trio of acclaimed anime filmmakers – directorJumpei Mizusaki(Opening animation ofJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), writerKazuki Nakashima(Gurren Lagann) and character designerTakashi Okazaki(Afro Samurai) – will appear at both events alongside the film’s core quartet of celebrated actors:Roger Craig Smith(Batman: Arkham Origins) as Batman,Tony Hale(Veep, Arrested Development) as the Joker,Grey Griffin(Scooby-Doofranchise) as Catwoman, andTara Strong(Batman: The Killing Joke) as Harley Quinn.
Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports many of Batman’s worst enemies to feudal Japan – along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies – including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family – to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City.
‘Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel - I. Presage Flower’ English Dub Gets Theatrical Release
Two magical nights are in store for U.S. anime fans this June as the curtain goes up on the world premiere of the incredible English dub adventure,Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] THE MOVIE I.presage flower. The latest installation of the beloved Fate/stay night series by TYPE-MOON is the first part of the “[Heaven’s Feel]” film trilogy. In addition to the feature, audiences will also view exclusive bonus content featuring English ADR DirectorTony Oliverand the main voice actors.
Tickets forFate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] THE MOVIE I.presage flowergo on sale to the general public on Friday, May 4 atwww.FathomEvents.comand participating box offices.
Presented by Fathom Events and Aniplex of America,Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] THE MOVIE I.presage flowerdebuts in U.S. cinemas on Tuesday, June 5th and Thursday, June 7th at 7:30 p.m. local time (both dates), through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). A complete list of theater locations will be available May 4th on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Based on the wildly popularFatefranchise that gave anime fansFate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works],Fate/Zeroand the hit mobile gameFate/Grand Order, the first film in this movie trilogy explodes with epic action and heart-wrenching drama, tied together by original authorKinoko Nasu’s unique storytelling and otherworldly cast of characters. For the first time ever, moviegoers will experience the film’s English dub along with the despair, romance and terrifying secrets of the Holy Grail War with protagonist Shirou Emiya in the first chapter of this high-stakes trilogy.
The film summons the all-star English voice cast fromFate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works], includingKari Wahlgrenas Saber,Bryce Papenbrookas Shirou Emiya,Mela Leeas Rin Tohsaka,Kyle McCarleyas Shinji Matou,Kaiji Tangas Archer,Crispin Freemanas Kirei Kotomine andCristina Veeas heroine Sakura Matou. ComposerYuki Kajiura(Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Sword Art Online) will provide the soundtrack for the film, and directorTomonori Sudo(the Garden of sinners -recalled out summer-) returns to theFateseries to craft the events of the visual novel into the complete cinematic experience. Celebrated animation studioufotable(Fate/Zero, Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works], the Garden of sinners) returns to animate TYPE-MOON’s work, promising all of the dynamic action of the previous installations.
“‘Fate/stay night’ is an international hit with a devoted fanbase,” Fathom Events CEORay Nuttsaid. “We are proud to partner with Aniplex of America to bring these enthusiastic fans this exciting world premiere.”
‘Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy’ Final Chapter Revealed in ‘Power of the Primes’ Trailer
Hasbro, a global play and entertainment company, and Machinima, a division of Warner Bros. Digital Networks and the premiere provider of digital gamer entertainment, have released the official trailer for the third and final chapter of theTransformers: Prime Wars Trilogy–Transformers: Power of the Primes.
The trailer provides a first look at some of the incredible voice-talent making their debut inTransformers: Power of the PrimesincludingRon Perlman, WWE SuperstarSamoa Joe,Mikey Wayfrom the rock bandMy Chemical Romance, andJaime King(Star Wars: The Clone Wars). They join returning cast membersMark Hamill, who made his debut as Megatronus in the finale of the second chapter of the trilogy,Transformers: Titans Return;Judd Nelson, who is voicing a character new to the trilogy, Rodimus Cron;Wil Wheatonas Perceptor,DashieGamesas Menasor,MatPatas Swoop, andRob Dykeas Devastator.
Transformers: Power of the Primeslaunches May 1st worldwide on Verizon’s family of media properties including Tumblr, go90 and select Oath properties – except in China, where it airs on Sohu.com, and Japan. This third and final chapter of the digital series features 10 episodes at approximately 11 minutes per episode.
After Megatronus eliminates Optimus Prime and claims the Matrix of Leadership and Enigma of Combination for himself, the other Transformersbots look to Megatron to lead the charge against their diabolical foe.
Unbeknownst to them, Megatronus’ pursuit of the next ancient artifact, the Requiem Blaster, goes beyond his desire for power and the search will uncover mysterious secrets from Cybertron’s past. Before the TRANSFORMERS: PRIME WARS TRILOGY concludes, a new Prime will ascend and all will bear witness to the true POWER OF THE PRIMES.
Transformers: Power of the Primesis being overseen by Executive Producer and showrunnerFJ DeSanto, written by DeSanto,Adam BeechenandJamie Iracleanos, and directed byYUZO. Animation for the show is being overseen by Tatsunoko Productions.
Akiyuki Shinbo’s ‘Fireworks’ Arrives in Theaters This Summer
GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events, the leading distributor of event cinema, are proud to bring five all-new GKIDS animated titles to U.S cinema audiences in 2018. The first title to be announced isAkiyuki Shinbo’sFireworks, which will be released in movie theaters nationwide starting July 3rd, 2018, in both its original Japanese version and a new English version produced by GKIDS.
Fireworksis the newest release from Toho animation and producerGenki Kawamura, following the worldwide blockbusterYour Name, the highest-grossing anime of all time. GKIDS will premiere the feature as a special Fathom event on July 3rd, with encore screenings July 5th and 7th. The film will receive a theatrical release by GKIDS starting July 4th.
More details forFireworks, including show times, theater locations and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks atwww.FathomEvents.comandwww.FireworksMovie.com.
ProducerGenki Kawamurafollows up his mega-hitYour Namewith another tale of star-crossed teenage lovers and a sci-fi fantasy twist.Fireworkstells a simple story of adolescent longing that taps deep wells of emotion. It is tale of youthful wistfulness, missed opportunities and long-ago dreams, of the urgency of young lovers, and the desire to create a separate universe, a magic place outside of time, where they can be together.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with GKIDS to offer brand new animated content in cinemas nationwide, starting with ‘Fireworks’,” Fathom Events CEORay Nuttsaid. “Fans of all ages will have the opportunity to experience the best of animation on the big screen throughout the year in a communal environment.”
“GKIDS is thrilled to present ‘Fireworks’ to anime and movie fans across the U.S. this summer, and to expand on our successful relationship with Fathom to bring more of the best animated films to the big screen throughout the year,” GKIDS CEOEric Beckmansaid. “Our goal is to create a unique and exciting cinema event experience for moviegoers to come and enjoy these amazing films together with friends and family.”
GKIDS and Fathom Events have partnered previously on the premiere event forMary and The Witches Flower, from Studio Ponoc, as well as the ongoing Ghibli Fest series of animated masterpieces from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli.
New ‘Rocky and Bullwinkle’ Series Revealed in New Clips
New clips from DreamWorks Animation TV’sThe Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, courtesy ofEW, tease the reimagining of the super-silly adventures of the titular best friends who stay a step ahead of Russian supers-pies, Boris and Natasha.
The new series is executive produced byScott FellowsandTiffany Ward, daughter of original series producerJay Ward. The series features Rocky (Tara Strong) and Bullwinkle (Brad Norman) evading Boris (Ben Diskin) and Natasha Fatale (Rachel Butera) in hilarious ways. Look forThe Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinklestarting May 11th on Amazon.
