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!
Korg Recruits for the Re-Revolution in New ‘Marvel: Contest of Champions’ Spot Featuring Taika Waititi
Welcome to the first meeting of the Revolution 2.0, or as I like to call it, the “Re-Revolution”
A new motion comic featuring a humorous scene withThor: Ragnarokstars Korg and Miek recruiting Champions for “The Revolution 2.0” – or as he likes to call it, the “Re-Revolution.” As a special surprise,Taika Waititi(Director ofThor: Ragnarok, What We Do in the Shadowsand the upcomingJojo Rabbit) has reprised his role as Korg for the video! More information onMarvel: Contest of Champions, including the recent addition ofHeimdall as a champion, can be found at thegame’s website.
‘My Hero Academia: Two Heroes’ Tickets Now on Sale
The highly anticipated release ofMy Hero Academia: Two Heroesis just a month away and starting today fans across North America can now purchase advance tickets via theofficial movie websiteto screenings in more than 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. Buzz about this first feature film from the award-winningMy Hero Academiafranchise has anime enthusiasts clamoring across social media for the latest news and information about the movie.
My Hero Academia: Two Heroeswill have a five-day theatrical run–September 25, 26, 27, 29 and August 12, 2025–and will screen in both English dub (September 25, 27, 29) and Japanese with English subtitles (September 26, October 2).
To celebrate the opening of the film, Funimation Films will host the English dub red carpet world premiere on Thursday, September 13th, at the Regal Cinema L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. Special guests at the premiere will include English cast and crew, studio executives, industry personalities, other celebrity guests and prominentMy Hero Academiacosplayers.
Get your tickets here:funimationfilms.com/myheroacademia, and see thetheater locatorfor more details.
Twitch’s ‘Pokemon’ Marathons Cover 19 Seasons and 16 Movies
AsVarietyreports, Twitch is gearing up for a few massivePokémonmarathons well ahead of the new movie’s U.S. debut later this November. Live-streaming in various sessions, 932 episodes of the anime will stream starting August 27th at 10am PDT withPokémon: Indigo Leagueand continuing throughout next year. Viewers will be able to collect Twitch-exclusives like extensions with interactive overlays and badges while watching. In fact, the “Twitch Presents: Pokémon Badge Collection” extension will tie into a special event-specific leaderboard.
Pokémon: Adventures on the Orange Islands through Pokémon the Series: XYZ will be shown in order; you can check out the viewing scheduleshere.
Movies and specials will be shown as well, likePokémon: The First Movie,Pokémon: The Movie 2000, andPokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.
Crunchyroll and Ellation Reveal First Original Animated Series ‘High Guardian Spice’
Ellation, the transformative media company home to industry-leading brands Crunchyroll and VRV, recently announced the launch of Ellation Studios and the first Crunchyroll Originals seriesHigh Guardian Spice. Ellation’s original content efforts will include production facilities in Burbank and Tokyo devoted to creating and developing new original shows for the Crunchyroll and VRV communities.Margaret Dean, former GM of Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and current president of Women in Animation, has been named head of studio for the new division.
As head of studio, Dean is charged with developing originals for both brands, including overseeing production forHigh Guardian Spice, the first-ever Crunchyroll Original Series, slated to premiere in 2019.Raye Rodriguez, a lifelong anime fan, is the creator ofHigh Guardian Spiceand his production team features an all-female writing room, along with a diverse and passionate group of artists and creatives.Audu Paden, director of the “Animaniacs” and other beloved animated series, joins Rodriguez as mentor.
InHigh Guardian Spice,the lives of four fierce girls, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Parsley, converge at High Guardian Academy, the one place where they can stumble towards adulthood while becoming the heroes they’ve always admired. As they master the ways of battle and sorcery, our foursome form allegiances and comical kinships, uncover legacies and betrayals, and discover their true identities while preparing to protect the world from an ominous unknown threat.
“Crunchyroll Originals aims to elevate animation as a medium for storytelling, as most animated series in western culture is geared towards kids or comedy. Our fans grew up watching anime, and today anime inspires creators from around the world and influences so much of broader pop culture. We look to tell distinct, impactful stories best executed in the medium of animation from a global creative community who is inspired by anime.” saidKun Gao, founder and General Manager of Crunchyroll. “With this in mind, we are excited to introduce more shows and announce the rest of our slate in the coming weeks.”
“With Crunchyroll Originals, we’re looking to showcase animation as an art form, delivering meaningful original content that draws from our strengths as a truly international service dedicated to super-serving anime fans,” said Margaret Dean, head of studio, Ellation. “The art style of ‘High Guardian Spice’ combines anime influence with an untold story and unique perspective. Raye’s team has been inspiring to work with, and we’re can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for them.”
TheHigh Guardian Spicecreative team will appear at this year’s Crunchyroll Expo, a Crunchyroll convention celebrating the best of Japanese animation and pop culture. The panel, taking place next Saturday in San Jose, will feature Margaret Dean, series creator Raye Rodriguez, Supervising Director Audu Paden, and Story EditorAmalia Levarias they discuss new series.
Funimation Unveils ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ Limited Edition Box Set
Attention,Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphansfans!
After the escort of Kudelia Aina Bernstein led to deadly battles, the Tekkadan organization began to rise, with Mikazuki Augus taking part. While many lives were lost, the conflict exposed the corruption of Gjallarhorn, helping the world slowly change. But as Tekkadan gained the rights to halfmetal, they began to attract attention from a new enemy—one they’ll face with the Gundam Barbatos Lupus!
Limited Edition includes:
Now Available!
Kamil McFadden Introduces His ‘Marvel Rising’ Character, Patriot
Kamil McFadden tells us all about Patriot in a new#MarvelRisingfeaturette!
Stand Out. Rise Together.
The next generation of Marvel heroes debut in “Marvel Rising: Initiation” August 13th on Disney XD!
Gwen Stacy AKA Ghost-Spider, wrongly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, seeks justice and to clear her name. Unfortunately, her dad is not only Captain of the NYPD, but spearheading the manhunt! To make matters worse, other young heroes - Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Quake and Patriot are after Ghost Spider as well. But, as the chase to uncover the truth winds down— a darker threat looms along the horizon, and very soon, these heroes will need to put aside their differences and work together as a team.
As a bonus, here’s a music video from the series featuringDove Cameronherself:
Dove Cameron performs the theme song “Born Ready” for “Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors,” a new animated film premiering simultaneously on both Disney Channel and Disney XD on September 30th.
‘One Piece’ Collection 23 DVD Now Available for Pre-Order
Luffy and his crew learn the history of Fish-men and their struggle against oppression. Ignited by the flames of the past, the New Fish-man Pirates continue their crusade and attack the royal family. Luckily, the Straw Hats make it in time to show off a boatload of powerful new moves! But just when Luffy kicks into gear, a titanic threat heads straight for Shirahoshi.
Pre-order at Funimationtoday before the DVD’s November 13th release!
Showtime to Air ‘Our Cartoon President’ Election Special
With one of the most consequential midterm elections of our time looming, the SHOWTIME animated seriesOur Cartoon Presidenttakes a look at the political field in a special one-hour episode that involves Cartoon President Trump, his closest advisors, leaders of the Democratic party, a Russian president and an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. Premiering Sunday, November 4th at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME,Our Cartoon President: Election Special 2018focuses on Cartoon Trump’s deepening concerns about what he fears is a coming Democratic blue wave and the threat of impeachment.
The political satire teams the cartoon president with his son Don Jr. to help Republicans win the midterm election and save America from the grips of democracy. Joining in the fight are Cartoons Vladimir Putin, Rudy Giuliani, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Executive produced by multiple Emmy winnerStephen Colbert,Chris Lichtand showrunnerR.J. Fried,Our Cartoon Presidentfollows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States,Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members.
Our Cartoon Presidentis produced by CBS Television Studios.Tim Lueckeserves as lead animator and co-executive producer.Matt Lappinserves as consulting producer. Follow@CartoonPreson Twitter andFacebookand join the conversation using #CartoonPresident.
Shout! Studios Acquires Domestic Rights to ‘Tito and the Birds’
Shout! Studios, the multi-platform filmed entertainment distribution and production arm of Shout! Factory, has acquired North American distribution rights to the new animated featureTito and the Birds, directed byGustavo Steinberg(End of the Line),Gabriel Bitar(Cidade Cinza), andAndré Catoto(Say I Am Only Seventeen), and written byEduardo BenaimandGustavo Steinberg.
Tito and the Birdspremiered in competition earlier this year at the 2018 ANNECY International Animation Film Festival to great audience enthusiasm and critical praise and won the Best Feature for Children at Anima Mundi 2018. The film will have its North American festival premiere at Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Tito and the Birdsis a film about a little boy and his journey to save the world.
Tito, a shy 10-year-old boy, lives in a world on the brink of pandemic. Fear is crippling people, making them sick and transforming them. Tito realizes, based on his father’s past research, that there may be a way to utilize the local pigeon population and their songs to create a cure for the disease. His father was forced to leave when Tito was only six and the struggle to find a cure becomes linked with the search to find his father again, along with his own identity.
Part action part drama, Tito’s journey is at once an uplifting and insightful adventure about a boy fighting to find out what is right and to learn how to overcome his own fear.
Produced by Steinberg,Daniel Greco,Felipe Sabino, andBrenda Wooding, the film features original scores composed byGustavo KurlatandRuben Feffer(Boy and the World–Oscar®-nominee for Best Animated Feature).
