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!
In one of the craziest and most-anticipated crossover specials ever to air on TV, The CW’sSupernaturalwill find its leads getting more animated than usual as they get zapped into TV Land withScooby-Doo!and the gang. Check out the teaser trailer for the March 29th episode “ScoobyNatural” below:
EWalso had the first look at images from the crossover, which you can check out below:
For two days only this March,Yu-Gi-Oh! The Moviereturns to movie theaters across the nation at select locations. The digitally remastered version of the 2004 anime box office hit was inspired by the internationally popularYu-Gi-Oh!Trading card game, manga and TV series.
Presented by Fathom Events and 4K Media Inc.,Yu-Gi-Oh! The Moviewill have special showings on Sunday, March 11th at 12:55 p.m. and Monday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m. (all local times). In addition to viewing the full-length anime feature, moviegoers will be treated to a sneak peek of the first episode of the sixthYu-Gi-Oh!anime series,Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINSEnglish-dubbed premiere.
Tickets forYu-Gi-Oh! The Moviecan be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.comor at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 800 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
InYu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, a heroic Yugi squares off against archrival Kaiba in an adventure even more dangerous when the imaginary monsters in their playing cards become ferociously real… and when an old evil enters the fray. Who will win this ultimate smackdown? Whether you’re a novice Duelist or a professional, you’ll want to watch and find out!
LAIKA heads to SXSW with Martellus Bennett
New England Patriots tight endMartellus Bennettand LAIKA stop-motion animation supervisorBrad Schifftoday announce their official panel at the2018 SXSW Festival. Titled “Sports and Creativity on the Biggest Stage,” the interactive discussion seeks to explore the intersection between what are often considered opposing worlds. The event is scheduled to take place at 5pm on Sunday, August 27, 2025 at the JW Marriott (Salon A/B) in Austin, Texas.
Bennett and Schiff are true creatives, each with a strong passion for sport. Schiff’s name was never called on draft day, though he currently animates on one of the world’s foremost stop-motion animation stages at LAIKA and has received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects for his work on 2016’sKubo and the Two Strings. His additional credits include LAIKA’s Academy Award–nominated filmsCoraline,ParaNorman, andThe Boxtrolls, as well asWes Anderson’sFantastic Mr. FoxandTim Burton’sCorpse Bride. An NFL player who competes at the highest level in sport, Bennett’s first love is animation. In 2016, he founded creative multimedia consultancy The Imagination Agency, in addition to having released his own animated short.
“A professional athlete who wants to be an animator and a professional animator who wants to be an athlete. What we’ve got here are two guys who come off as weird amongst their peers,” says Schiff. “I’ve always found a lot of similarities between animation and sports. To be the best at each requires hard work, determination, and creativity. Interestingly, a deep understanding of human motion is essential to success in both worlds. Marty has played for Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcels, and I’ve animated for Henry Slick and Wes Anderson. Comparing notes at SXSW is going to be fun!”
“Artists telling their stories through conversation has always excited me, and to be part of that discussion with some of the greatest storytellers in the world is totally amazeballs,” says Bennett. “LAIKA has shared some of my favorite stories to ever hit the big screen; Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls,and ParaNorman all being such works of beauty and imagination. I’m excited to see what we create with this panel.”
‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Reveals John Cena’s Villainous Baron Draxum
Nickelodeon recently revealed a first look at the character art of original villain, Baron Draxum, voiced by WWE SuperstarJohn Cena, in the all-new animated seriesRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Cena will portray the Turtles’ newest nemesis, alongsideOmar Miller(Ballers) as Raphael,Ben Schwartz(Parks and Recreation) as Leonardo,Josh Brener(Silicon Valley) as Donatello, Brandon Mychal Smith(You’re The Worst) as Michelangelo,Kat Graham(The Vampire Diaries) as April O’Neil andEric Bauza(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Splinter. Cena unveiled the artwork at Nickelodeon’s Upfront presentation held in New York City.
“I’ve always been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, so getting the opportunity to voice a character, especially the villain Baron Draxum, is truly special," said Cena.
An alchemist warrior mutant from the Hidden City, Baron Draxum is the self-proclaimed protector of all mutant-kind. Using ooze, he plans to mutate all of humanity with his insect-like creatures called Oozesquitoes. Cena’s recurring character will debut in the premiere episode of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, bowing later this year on Nickelodeon.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfollows the band of brothers as they discover new powers and encounter a mystical world they never knew existed beneath the streets of New York City. The new 26-episode series is co-executive produced byAndy Suriano(character designer,Samurai Jack) andAnt Ward(supervising producer,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) at Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. Veteran animation industry voice actorRob Paulsenis voice directing the series.
Showtime Orders 7 More Episodes of ‘Our Cartoon President’
Showtime has extended the order of its half-hour animated seriesOur Cartoon President, picking up seven new episodes to air this summer. The series will air the last of its initial 10-episode run on Sunday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and will then continue this summer with seven all new episodes. The political docuseriesThe Circuswill take over that timeslot with a season premiere on Sunday, April 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Our Cartoon Presidentis produced by CBS Television Studios.Tim Lueckeserves as lead animator and co-executive producer.Matt Lappinserves as consulting producer.
Funimation Announces English Voice Cast for ‘Re:Zero’
Funimation Entertainment recently announced the English-language voice cast for the anime seriesRe:Zero - Starting Life in Another World. The announcement came during the weekend’s Kawaii Kon, butAnime News Networkhas the details. Season 1, Part 1 of the 25-episode anime will be released this summer by Funimation, and Crunchyrollis also streaming bothRe:Zero– Starting Break Time From Zeroand thePETITshort anime spinoff series. An original video anime (OVA) is also in the works.
After being suddenly transported to another world, Natsuki Subaru discovers a terrible truth—he can’t die. Or rather, he can’t remain dead. With this terrifying new ability, he experiences reset after reset and it begins to take its toll on his mental state. But, determined to protect his new friends and the woman he’s fallen in love with, Subaru suffers to save.
Here’s a look at the voice cast:
Additional voices include Mindy Baker, Matthew Greenbaum, Hanna Rose Kliewer, James McAuliffe, Breaugh Olson, and Ryan Raydarke.
Amazon Greenlights ‘Undone’ from ‘BoJack Horseman’ Creative Team
Amazon Studios today announced it has greenlitUndone—a direct-to-series animated show co-created byRaphael Bob-Waksberg(BoJack Horseman) and recent Writers Guild Award winnerKate Purdy(BoJack Horseman).The series is in pre-production and expected to premiere in 2019 on Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories exclusively for Prime Members.
Undoneis a half-hour animated dramedy that explores the elastic nature of reality through its central character, Alma, slated to be played byRosa Salazar(Alita: Battle Angel). After getting into a near fatal car accident, Alma discovers she has a new relationship with time and uses this ability to find out the truth about her father’s death. Also slated to join the cast isAngelique Cabral(Life in Pieces) as Alma’s younger sister.
Undonewill be produced byMichael Eisner’s Tornante Company withNoel Bright(BoJack Horseman),Steven A. Cohen(BoJack Horseman), andTommy Pallotta(A Scanner Darkly) executive producing along with Bob-Waksberg and Purdy. Critically-acclaimed Dutch artistHisko Hulsing(Montage of Heck) will oversee the production design and direct a team of animators working in the Netherlands. The animation will be done with Dutch co-producer and Amsterdam-based studio Submarine, and Austin-based studio Minnow Mountain.
“We’re delighted to greenlight our first animated half-hour series,” saidSharon Yguado, Head of Scripted Series, Amazon Studios. “Kate and Raphael are dynamic and creative forces, and I know they will create an amazing series for us. I can’t wait for our customers to see it in 2019.”
“We are grateful to Amazon Studios for the opportunity to tell Alma’s story and follow her as she seeks to find a deeper meaning to her existence,” said Purdy. Bob-Waksberg added, “Hisko’s beautiful artwork and masterful use of light and color will create a look never seen before on a television show that will make audiences lose their minds.”
Cartoon Network to Launch Five New Series Including ‘Apple & Onion’ and ‘Craig of the Creek’
AsBroadcasting Cablereports, Cartoon Network recently announced a series order for five new titles, along with 30 new games and apps for its mobile platform. Here’s a look at the confirmed cartoons coming to the network:
