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!
First up today, we’re happy to bring you an exclusive clip from the new season of DreamWorks Animation’sVoltron Legendary Defender! Season 5 of the Netflix show just arrived this past Friday, so if you haven’t watched it yet, avoid this clip since it’s ratherspoilery. We’ll bump it a little further down on this post to give you a chance to escape by also telling you that Season 6 ofVoltronis set to arrive on Netflix this summer on June 15th!
We’re expecting the battle between the rebellion and the empire to continue in this, presumably, 7-episode season, and as you can tell from the clip below, things are never going to be the same after this epic duel.
Check it out below and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments after getting caught up on the rest of the week’s animation news!
Lotor faces Zarkon in an epic fight between father and son. Can Lotor finally end Zarkon’s reign? The action unfolds in the all new season of Voltron Legendary Defender, now streaming on Netflix!
First Trailer and Poster for ‘Pokemon the Movie: Everyone’s Story’
Crunchyrollshared the first trailer and poster for the upcoming, 21st animated film in thePokémonfranchise,Pokémon the Movie: Everyone’s Story. The new film, which follows up on the events of the 2017 release,Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, this new film will introduce five new characters alongside Satoshi/Ash Ketchum and his pal Pikachu. We got our first look at them in the new trailer seen above, and though the cast has yet to be announced, we do have the character breakdown (via Crunchyroll):
DirectorKunihiko Yuyamasteps aside after directing everyPokeémonfilm since 1998 in favor of relative newcomerTetsuo Yajima, who was a storyboard artist on the original series and director ofPokémon the Series: XY. Yuyama remains onboard as animation supervisor.Pokémon the Movie: Everyone’s Storyarrives in Japan on August 17, 2025.
‘Ferdinand’ Clip Goes Behind the Scenes of The Bull Run
The behind-the-scenes clip comes courtesy ofAnimation Magazineand Fox Family Entertainment. DirectorCarlos Saldanha, producerBruce Anderson, and head of storyWarren Leonhardtexplain creating the bull run sequence for the film and how the story board artists and team play a role in creating the final film scene.
Ferdinandis now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HDhttp://bit.ly/ferdinand_digitalBlu-ray and DVD March 13thhttp://bit.ly/ferdinandbluray
‘Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie’ Returns to Theaters in Digitally Remastered Version
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).
In “Yu-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!
“Anime titles continue to draw passionate audiences to cinemas nationwide,” said Fathom Events VP of ProgrammingKymberli Frueh. “We are proud to partner for the first time with 4K Media to bring ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie’ back to big screens across the country for a new era of fans to discover and enjoy.”
‘Tyler & Co.’ Debuts on Frederator’s Cartoon Hangover
Created byGabe Janiszand produced by Frederator Studios and Sony Pictures Animation,Tyler & Co.is the ninth “GO! Cartoons” episode to arrive on theYouTubeandVRVplatforms. In this episode, Tyler collects enough box tops to be the mail-order Cereal King, but mailing something is a tough goal to accomplish in his house of well-intentioned slackers.
GO! Cartoons is a series of animated shorts put together by Fred Seibert and produced by Frederator Studios and Sony Pictures Animation. The series is designed to find tomorrow’s cartoon hitmakers. Frederator Studios’ development team took hundreds of pitches and with Sony Pictures Animation identified 12 short film projects which Sony Pictures Animation funded. At least one of those shorts will become a full series for Frederator Network’s Cartoon Hangover channel.
The next short will release on Tuesday, March 6th. Watch all of the GO! Cartoonshere.
Netflix Picks Up ‘The Last Kids on Earth’
Netflix has acquiredThe Last Kids on Earth, an animated adventure comedy series based onMax Brallier’s bestselling book series, “The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond.”
Produced by Vancouver-based animation studio Atomic Cartoons, Emmy-nominated writerScott Peterson(Phineas and Ferb) serves as the showrunner. Brallier is on board as both executive producer and writer for the series, withJennifer McCarronandMatthew Berkowitzexecutive producing for Atomic Cartoons. Production is currently underway for a worldwide streaming release through Netflix in 2019.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be teaming with Atomic Cartoons. It is a delight to bring The Last Kids on Earth to life as an animated series. We are all fortunate to have such an incredible partner in Netflix,” Brallier said in a statement.
The Last Kids on Earthfollows thirteen-year-old Jack Sullivan and a band of suburban middle schoolers who live in a decked-out tree house, play video games, gorge themselves on candy, and battle zombies in the aftermath of the monster apocalypse. It’s a hilarious series filled with wisecracking kids, crazy gadgets, a lifetime supply of zombies and giant-sized monsters.
The Last Kids on Earthbook series has more than 1.3 million copies in print and counting, is available in ten languages worldwide, and recently won the Texas Bluebonnet Award. The fourth book in the series, “The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond”, will be released on July 01, 2025 from Viking, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers.
‘Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero’ Blu-ray Details Revealed!
Warner Archive Collection (WAC) celebrates the 20th anniversary ofBatman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zerowith a remastered Blu-ray release of the award-winning animated film. Now available for preorders,Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zerowill be available July 26, 2025 viawb.com/warnerarchiveand your favorite online retailer.
To hail the arrival ofBatman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zeroon Blu-ray, WAC will host an hour-long panel at WonderCon on Friday, March 23rd at 1:00pm in Room 300B. Warner Archive Podcast hostsD.W. Ferranti&Matthew Pattersonand some surprise guests will show remastered footage and discuss the film and the evolution of Mr. Freeze from a goofy villain into an endearing multi-dimensional character who just wants to find a cure for his dying wife.
Originally released as a direct-to-video film on July 29, 2025,Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zerowill be released on Blu-ray in its original 4x3 Fullframe aspect ratio. The 67-minute film will be accompanied by several special features, including:
InBatman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero, Batman faces his coolest case ever when Mr. Freeze returns to Gotham City and kidnaps Batgirl. While unraveling the mystery of Batgirl’s disappearance, Batman and Robin discover that she is part of Mr. Freeze’s frigid plan to save his dying wife – no matter what the cost. With time running out, Batman and Robin must find Gotham’s most cold-blooded villain and prevent him from putting Batgirl “on ice” forever.
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zerois directed byBoyd Kirkland, who also helmed 21 episodes ofBatman: The Animated Seriesas well as serving as a sequence director onBatman: Mask of the Phantasm. The script is written by Kirkland andRandy Rogel, who penned nine episodes ofBTAS– but is probably best known for his prolific songwriting onSteven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs.Andrea Romano(of course) served as casting and dialogue director.
The film was honored as the Annie Award winner for Best Home Video/Animation.
The voice cast is led byKevin Conroy, the preeminent voice of Batman, who went head-to-head withMichael Ansara(Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Harum Scarum) as he also reprised hisBTASrole of Dr. Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze.
“Watching Michael Ansara portray the anguish and passion in Freeze’s love for Nora was beautiful,” recalls Conroy. “It was an acting lesson.”
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zeroalso reunites key members of theBatman: The Animated Seriescast, includingLoren Lester(Robin/Dick Grayson),Efrem Zimbalist Jr.(Alfred),Robert Costanzo(Detective Harvey Bullock),Robert Hastings(Commissioner Gordon),Marilu Henner(Veronica Vreeland),Mari Devon(Summer Gleeson) andLiane Schirmer(Lt. Renee Montoya).
George Dzundza(The Deer Hunter, Law & Order), who voiced several characters inBTAS, joined theBatman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zerocast as Dr. Gregory Belson. The film also featuresMary Kay Bergmanin her first and only turn as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, andDean Jones(The Love Bug) as Dean Arbagast. The cast also includesRahi Azizias Koonak,Lauren Tomas Mariko, and veteran voice actorsFrank Welker,Tress MacNeille,Townsend Coleman,Neil Ross,Randy ThompsonandEd Gilbert. Notable on-camera actorsBrian George(Seinfeld) andCarl Lumbly(Alias, Justice League/Justice League Unlimited) also provide voices for the film.
‘Ballmastrz: 9009’ Trailer Introduces the Insane Adult Swim Show
War is over . . if you play The Game. Ballmastrz: 9009 premieres Sunday, April 8th at Midnight ET.
The year is 9009. Ballmastrz: 9009 follows washed up superstar and notorious party gal Gaz Digzy, who after a spiral of destructive antics is demoted to the worst team in The Game: The Leptons. Her only way back to the top is to somehow lead these pathetic misfits to victory. Good luck, Gaz. You’ll need it!
Adult Swim announced the series pick-up of its newest original animated series,Ballmastrz: 9009, premiering Sunday, April 8th at Midnight (ET/PT) with new back-to-back episodes each week.
The quarter-hour series is created byChristy Karacas(Superjail!) and produced byTitmouse. Karacas describes the show’s animation as a hybrid of his style that incorporates the elements he loves about anime.
Natasha Lyonne(Orange Is the New Black) leads the cast of voice actors inBallmastrz: 9009, along withDana Snyder,Dave Willis,Jessica DiCicco,Eric Bauza,Christopher McCullochand Karacas. Special guests includeNorman Reedus,Stephanie ShehandMike O’Gorman.
Skydance Media Expands Animation Studio with New Leadership Team
Skydance, a diversified media company that creates event-level entertainment for global audiences, today announced the addition of key leadership executives to their growing animation studio.Bill Damaschke, President of Animation and Family Entertainment, namedHolly Edwardsto Head of Production, Animation;Kim Mackeyto Head of Talent Acquisitions & Talent Development;Jessie Carbonaroto Director of Talent Acquisitions & Talent Development; andMatthew Burketo Director of Finance.
“With this accomplished team in place Skydance is now well positioned to achieve our goal of producing a bold, original slate of both animated and family programming,” said Damaschke. “Holly, Kim, Jessie and Matt have the wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to lead our creative teams and bring together talented artists to build an animation studio that is a destination for top storytellers in the industry.”
In 2017, Skydance formed an animation division to develop and produce a slate of high-end feature films and television series in partnership with Spain’s Ilion Animation Studios. Skydance’s first three animated features areLuck, which comes to theaters on July 01, 2025,Split(working title) andPowerless(working title).
Luck, directed byAlessandro Carloniand written byJonathan Aibel&Glenn Berger, is a comedy that pulls back the curtain on the millennia-old battle between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly affects our daily lives.
Split, directed byVicky Jensonand written byLinda Woolverton, tells the story of Elian, a teenager who comes of age using her magical powers to defend her family when the opposing forces of light and darkness threaten to divide her kingdom.
The recently announcedPowerless(working title) will be directed byNathan Greno.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 Tickets Now on Sale!
After sold-out screenings last year, GKIDS and Fathom Events are excited to announceStudio Ghibli Fest 2018! See nine of your favorite Studio Ghibli films in select theaters nationwide, with a new film playing each month for three shows only.
The series features the 10th anniversary celebration ofHayao Miyazaki’sPonyo, screening later this month, 30th anniversary celebrations ofMy Neighbor TotoroandGrave of the Fireflies,Spirited Away, lesser-screened gems likePorco RossoandPom Poko, and more!
Tickets went fast last year, so don’t miss out on your chance to see your favorite Ghibli film on the big screen. Advance tickets for the entire series are on sale now, with both dubbed and subtitled screenings available.Click here for tickets!
Netflix Original Anime Series ‘A.I.C.O.’ Arrives March 9th
The second half of the trailer above features the first look atA.I.C.O. - Incarnation -, a new original anime series coming to Netflix March 9th for a 12-episode Season 1. The international trailer for the new series can be seen here,at Netflix’s own site, since they make it unreasonably difficult to share their content elsewhere. Thanks toAnime News Network, we have the following info to share:
Kazuya Murata(Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos) directs the science-fiction anime from Bones studio (My Hero Academia, Eureka Seven).Yuuichi Nomura(Comet Lucifer) oversees the series scripts whileSatoshi Ishino(Captain Earth, Date A Live, Excel Saga) is adapting the original character designs byHanaharu Naruko(Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet) for animation and is also the chief animation director.Taro Iwashiro(Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, The Heroic Legend of Arslan) composed the music at Lantis.
Here’s the synopsis:
In Japan in the year 2035, an accident known as the “Burst” occurs during a research project, spawning an out-of-control artificial life form called “Matter” that has spread throughout the Kurobe Gorge. The research city that was once hailed as the hope for humanity is cordoned off by the government. Two years later, 15-year-old Aiko Tachibana, who lost her family in the Burst, learns something unbelievable from Yūya Kanzaki, a new student at her school. A secret is hidden within her body, and the answer to the puzzle lies at the “Primary Point” that was the center of the Burst. Aiko resolves to infiltrate the restricted area, escorted by a team of divers and with Yuya as her guide. When boy meets girl with the fate of humanity in their hands, what new truth will come to light?
