InThis Week in Animation,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!
There’s a lot to cover this week, so here’s a look at what we have in store for you. In addition to a sneak peek at tonight’s Season 3 finale of Disney XD’sStar Wars Rebels, we also have teasers for Pixar’s newest short filmLouand the latest effort from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment,Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.
As for trailers, we have new ones for the feature filmThe Boss Baby, the upcoming web seriesThe Kings of Atlantis, and the Disney Junior show,Puppy Dog Pals. There’s a newResident Evilanimated movie coming to theaters later this year, andGodzillais apparently getting its first-ever anime treatment, which will roll out on Netflix. It’s been a busy week for the streaming giant in terms of animation alone since not only are classicVoltronepisodes now available there alongsideVoltron Legendary Defender, but they’re basking in the glow of this year’s Daytime Emmy Nominations, of whichTrollhuntersandDragons: Race to the Edgeare solid contenders.
Elsewhere, all six seasons ofCaptain Planetare being made available as digital downloads thanks to Turner and Cartoon Network, while Marvel and Disney XD have released the third of 12Rocket & Grootanimated shorts online. IfSausage Partyis more your speed when it comes to animation, you’ll be happy to hear that the team behind the adult comedy is bringing theAmbervillestory of authorTim Davysto life on Amazon.
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!
‘Star Wars Rebels’ Season 3 Finale Trailer
To win the rebellion, Ezra and the Ghost Crew must band together, resist, and stand their ground! Catch the Epic 1-hour event Saturday, March 25 anywhere you watch Disney XD.
The two-part finale titled “Zero Hour” airs tonight on Disney XD and some new images (viaScreenrant) have dropped in anticipation. Check them out below to get a taste of what the Season 3 closer has to offer!
And if you missed the epic duel between Darth Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi, we’ve got it for you right here, along with a very familiar cameo…
‘The Boss Baby’ Trailer
Featuring the voice talents ofAlec Baldwin,Steve Buscemi,Jimmy Kimmel,Lisa Kudrow, andMiles Bakshi,The Boss Babytakes over on March 31st.
And here’s the film’s official synopsis:
DreamWorks Animation and the director of Madagascar invite you to meet a most unusual baby. He wears a suit, speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin, and stars in the animated comedy, DreamWorks' The Boss Baby. The Boss Baby is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator, a wildly imaginative 7 year old named Tim. With a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family, DreamWorks' The Boss Baby is an authentic and broadly appealing original comedy for all ages.
Pixar’s New Short Film ‘Lou’ Teased in First Poster
Look forLouto play in front ofCars 3when it opens on June 16th.
In the meantime, here’s another tease forLoufrom the short’s announcement last fall:
Classic ‘Voltron’ Episodes Now on Netflix
Before DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender debuted, there was the original 1984 series, Voltron: Defender of the Universe. Now, 12 of these classic episodes have been handpicked and introduced by the creative powers behind DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, who share the iconic moments that entertained them as kids and inspired them as adults as they formed an all-new Voltron for audiences today. Voltron 84: where 2017 meets 1984.
‘Resident Evil: Vendetta’ Coming to Theaters This Summer
Based on the worldwide video game phenomenon, the CG animated filmResident Evil: Vendettawill hit movie theaters worldwide this year. The film will be released internationally onMay 27, 2017, and in the U.S. and Canada onMonday, June 19for a special one-night event from Fathom Events, Park Circus and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.
Resident Evil: Vendettais the third installment in the massively popular CG animated film franchise, following “Resident Evil: Degeneration” (2008) and “Resident Evil: Damnation” (2012). Derived from Capcom’s “Resident Evil,” one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time (72 million + copies sold),Resident Evil: Vendettafeatures the fan-favorite characters Leon S. Kennedy (Matt Mercer), Chris Redfield (Kevin Dorman) and Rebecca Chambers (Erin Cahill). The film is produced by Marza Animation Planet (“Space Pirate Captain Harlock”), executive produced byTakashi Shimizu(“The Grudge”), written byMakoto Fukami(“Psycho Pass”) and directed byTakanori Tsujimoto(“Bushido Man”).
‘The Kings of Atlantis’ Trailer Heralds YouTube Red’s Upcoming Animated Series
Kings of Atlantis is a thrilling, fun, and epic animated series that follows two deposed, young monarchs of the vast underwater city of Atlantis, Cody and Joe, as they seek to overthrow the brutal usurper of their kingdom, reclaim their birthright, and protect their people from his cruel reign. They are brothers, pranksters, and soon to be heroes! Look out for the premiere of the series launching on August 06, 2025!
DanTDM Creates a Big Scenefeatures DanTDM and his lively group of animated friends as they battle mayhem and misadventure to keep their brand new live show on the road. Each episode follows their behind-the-scenes exploits as they learn new skills, overcome challenges and find that putting on an epic show isn’t quite as easy as it looks. The program is a mix of live action and animation and co-starsDanielle Taboras Eve, who also appeared as Angelina Johnson in the first threeHarry Pottermovies. Additionally, DanTDM’s two adorable pugs, who often make cameos on his YouTube channel, are also featured in the program as animated characters of themselves! Keep an eye out for more from YouTube Red’s animated series in the near future.
Godzilla Gets Animated in ‘Godzilla: Monster Planet’ Anime
Every once in a while, animation news slips by me, like the fact that Japanese production house Polygon Pictures is dropping aGodzillaanime later this year, a first for the monster franchise. AsAnime News Networkreports, the new film is titled Godzilla: Kaijū Wakusei /Godzilla: Monster Planet, and its new poster boasts the tagline, “We will definitely take back this ‘Planet’.”
Kobun Shizuno(Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare) andHiroyuki Seshita(Ajin, Knights of Sidonia) are directing from a story concept and screenplay byGen Urobuchi(Psycho-Pass) of Nitroplus. The film starsYuuki Kaji,Takahiro Sakurai,Mamoru Miyano,Junichi Suwabe,Kana Hanazawa, andTomokazu Sugita, all of whom will appear at an event during Sunday’s AnimeJapan 2017. Keep an eye out for the anime on Netflix later this year.
Here’s the synopsis forGodzilla: Monster Planet, followed by the film’s poster:
The last summer of the 20th Century. That day, the human beings learn that they are not the only ruler of the planet Earth.
The appearance of the giant living creatures “Kaiju’s” and the ultimate existence that destroys all monsters: Godzilla. Through the battle against kaiju’s that lasted for half a century, human beings has experienced continuous defeat, and finally plans to escape from the Earth. And in 2048, only those who were selected by the A.I. managed under the central government boarded the inter-sidereal emigrant spaceship “Aratrum” to head for “Tau Cetus e”, the planet beyond the distance of 11.9 light-year. However, the environmental condition differences between that of the Earth and Tau e, which they finally arrived after 20 years were far beyond the predicted numbers, and was not an environment considered to be habitable by human beings.
The young man on the emigrant ship: Haruo, who saw his parents killed by Godzilla in front of his eyes when he was 4 years old, had only one thing in his mind for 20 years: to return to the Earth and defeat Godzilla. Shut out from the possibility of emigration, as the living environment in the ship deteriorates, the group of “Earth Returnists” led by Haruo became the majority, and determines to head back to Earth through a dangerous long-distance hyperspace navigation. However, the Earth they have returned has already passed the time of 20,000 years, and has become an unknown world with the ecosystem reigned by Godzilla.
At the end, will human beings win back the Earth? And what will Haruo see beyond his fate?
Daytime Emmy Award Nominations Reward Netflix’s ‘Trollhunters’
The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards recently released the nominees for a number of categories, including the all-important animated fare … okay, I may be a bit biased when it comes to animation. Here’s a look at the standouts, including Netflix’sTrollhunters, netting a much-deserved seven nominations including Writing, Directing, Acting, and Casting, though the lack of a nod for the lateAnton Yelchin’s performance feels like an oversight:
Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animated Program
Outstanding Children’s Animated Program
Outstanding Special Class Animated Program
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program
Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program
‘Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’ Clip Spotlights Starfire
Titans…with a twist? If you’ve read The Judas Contract, you know what we’re talking about, and if you haven’t you’re about to! In today’s all new episode of DC All Access, we preview an exclusive clip from this spring’s Teen Titans: The Judas Contract and speak with the voice of Starfire, Kari Wahlgren.
And here’s some bonus Beast Boy and a Terra tease!
All ‘Captain Planet’ Seasons Available as Digital Downloads This April
Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! The five famous Planeteers Kwame, Wheeler, Linka, Gi and Ma-Ti will join forces with superhero Captain Planet on June 22, 2025, when Cartoon Network releases all seasons ofCaptain Planet and the Planeteers,The New Adventures of Captain PlanetandThe All New Adventures of Captain Planetvia digital download.
For the first time ever, consumers will have the opportunity to digitally own all six seasons of the trailblazing series, which was one of the first television programs to inspire environmental consciousness. Just in time for Earth Day, individual seasons ofCaptain Planet and the Planeteers,The New Adventures of Captain PlanetandThe All New Adventures of Captain Planetwill be available for $9.99 and $14.99 each. Individual episodes will retail for $1.99 each. Consumers can purchase full seasons and individual episodes through such digital retailers as iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play, Vudu, Playstation Store, and Xbox Store.
Captain Planet and the Planeteerscenters on a team of five teens from across the globe, including Kwame from Africa, Wheeler from North America, Linka from Eastern Europe, Gi from Asia and Ma-Ti from South America, who are chosen to help defend planet Earth from environmental disasters. Gaia, the spirit of the planet, gives each of the teens a magical ring charged with the power to control an element of nature, including earth, fire, wind, water and the heart. The group of teens become known as the Planeteers and are sent by Gaia to right the wrongs of the Eco-villains who are responsible for causing various environmental damage to the planet. Whenever they encounter a situation they cannot resolve on their own, they combine all their powers to summon Captain Planet, a superhero who has the power to bring catastrophic environmental disasters to an end.
Captain Planet and the Planeteerspremiered on TBS in 1990. The series name was later changed toThe New Adventures of Captain PlanetandThe All New Adventures of Captain Planet. Altogether, the series aired for a total of six successful seasons and can now be seen on Boomerang. A total of 113 episodes were produced, which are now available for download. Aside from educating viewers about important environmental concerns such as pollution, deforestation, poaching and overconsumption, the series was also known for tackling serious subject matter such as drug addiction and AIDS/HIV.
Captain Planet and the Planeteersfeatured a star-studded cast, including the voices talents of Whoopi Goldberg as Gaia, LeVar Burton as Kwame, Louis Gossett Jr. as Commander Clash and Edward Asner as Hoggish Greedly. Other talent who regularly lent their voices to the series included Jeff Goldblum, Meg Ryan, Martin Sheen, Sting, Malcolm McDowell and many more.
