InThis Week in Animation News, I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation 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!
Comic-Con Animation Schedule Revealed and RTX Announces New Guests
Nickelodeon is bringing theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,INVADER ZIMand more to life atComic-Con International: San Diego 2018through one-of-a-kind virtual and real-world experiences that will have fans saying, “Cowabunga”! Headquartered at its 1,800 square-foot booth (#4113) on the convention floor, Nickelodeon will showcase:Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the all-new, reimagined series that follows the band of brothers as they seek to unlock the mystical secrets of New York City; the upcomingINVADER ZIMoriginal TV movie; the return ofDouble Dare, a reboot of the iconic game show; the hit animated seriesThe Loud House, which follows 11-year-old Lincoln Loud’s life with his 10 sisters; and Reptar from Rugrats, who will tower over Nick’s space.
Select fans have the opportunity to interact with theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesin “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live,” a virtual reality experience that immerses users in the Turtles’ iconic New York City world and allows them to have a conversation with Mikey or Donnie—voiced live on the scene byBrandon Mychal SmithandJosh Brener, respectively. More details will be available soon for this off-site opportunity.
Each day of the Comic-Con International convention, Nickelodeon’s booth will feature: a towering New York City cityscape, featuring the bright lights, energy and iconic billboards of Times Square; a hidden Turtles lair, housing a gif opportunity; theDouble Darehamster wheel, where fans can take photos with the iconic obstacle course challenge; a photo opportunity with life-size characters fromThe Loud House; a 23-foot-tall, Reptar hovering above a retail area;INVADER ZIM-themed transaction zone, featuring exclusive Nick-themed collectibles and custom t-shirts and totes; costumed-character appearances; and autograph signings with the voice casts and creators fromRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,INVADER ZIM,SpongeBob SquarePantsand more.
Nickelodeon will present two panels:Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, featuring the new voice cast and a sneak peek at the upcoming series; andINVADER ZIM: Enter the Florpus!, a reunion with the original voice cast celebrating the new TV movie.
The following is the full rundown of Nickelodeon’s activations:
Thursday, July 19, 1:45p.m. - 2:45p.m. (Room: 6A): Rise up! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back with Nickelodeon’s brand-new mutation of New York’s half-shell heroes with a panel that celebrates the latest incarnation of Turtles and reinvention of the world famous franchise. Joining the discussion is the new voice cast–Omar Miller as Raph, Ben Schwartz as Leo, Josh Brener as Donnie, Brandon Mychal Smith as Mikey, Kat Graham as April O’Neil, and Eric Bauza as Splinter–along with the co-executive producers Andy Suriano and Ant Ward, and legendary voice director Rob Paulsen. The panel will feature never-before-seen clips from the upcoming series and be moderated by Keely Flaherty (BuzzFeed).
Friday, July 20, 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. (Room: 6A): Fans will strap on their tuna-filled jetpack, prepare their bladders for imminent release, and start singing the doom song as their favorite Irken invader returns to San Diego with a panel that dives into Nickelodeon’s forthcoming new movie, INVADER ZIM: Enter the Florpus. Original series creator Jhonen Vasquez, art director Jenny Goldberg, and voice talent–Richard Horvitz (ZIM), Rikki Simons (GIR), Wally Wingert (Almighty Tallest Red) and Kevin McDonald (Almighty Tallest Purple)–will present behind-the-scenes art and exclusive brand-new footage. The panel will be moderated by Hector Navarro (Geek & Sundry, Nerdist).
DAILY BOOTH ACTIVITY
DreamWorks Animation Television Presents ‘Voltron Legendary Defender’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2018
DreamWorks Animation Television is set to present an explosiveVoltron Legendary Defenderpanel at San Diego Comic-Con 2018, debuting the premiere episode of the highly-anticipated seventh season of the critically-acclaimed Netflix original series.
Join executive producersJoaquim Dos SantosandLauren Montgomery, story editorJosh Hamilton,Rhys Darby(voice of Coran),Bex Taylor-Klaus(voice of Pidge) andJeremy Shada(voice of Lance) in 6BCF for a special screening and a sneak peek as the paladins of Voltron begin a perilous journey home. The panel will take place on Friday, July 20, and will be moderated byKyle Anderson, Associate Editor of Nerdist.
On Saturday morning, Joaquim, Lauren, Josh, Bex and Rhys will be signing an SDCC-exclusive poster created by the Voltron crew. Limited tickets will be made available in advance in the Autograph Area.
PANEL DETAILS:
DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, a Netflix Original Series
Join Rhys Darby, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Jeremy Shada, executive producers Joaquim Dos Santos and Lauren Montgomery, and story editor Josh Hamilton as they provide a first-look at the highly-anticipated seventh season of the Netflix original series DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender. All attendees will receive a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive poster created by the crew.
SIGNING DETAILS:
Limited Voltron Legendary Defender Signing (Ticketed)
A limited DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender signing with Joaquim Dos Santos, Lauren Montgomery, Rhys Darby, and Bex Taylor-Klaus will take place on Saturday in the Autograph Area at the San Diego Convention Center. Drawing for Line Tickets to be held Saturday at 9:00 am in the Autograph Area.
RTX Austin Nighttime Programming, Special Guests, And Pop Up Store Promise Nerd Mecca in Downtown Austin August 3-5
RTXAustin, Texas’ largest celebration of gaming, animation and internet culture today announced nighttime programming, special guests and a pop up store, all in addition to the regularly scheduled RTX content taking place at the Austin Convention Center, JW Marriott, Fairmont and Hilton in downtown Austin August 3rd-5th. There’s something for everyone this year at RTX Austin, ticket and schedule info below.
For the ANIMATION FAN:
For much more coming to RTX, be sure tovisit the convention’s site!
Cartoon Network’s ‘Ben 10: Omni-Tricked’ Arrives on DVD 9/18
Get ready to defeat villains alongside the coolest alien-powered kid hero whenBen 10: Omni-Trickedarrives on DVD September 18th. Fans can revisit the adventures from Cartoon Network’s hit animated series with 16 action-packed episodes and a 44-minute special. Following Ben and his family as they go on a cross-country road trip, fans will embark on a fun, extraterrestrial animated journey.
Ben 10follows the story of ten-year-old Ben Tennyson, who, on a seemingly endless summer vacation with his Grandpa Max and Cousin Gwen, discovers an alien watch, the Omnitrix. This amazing device gives Ben the ability to transform into any one of ten spectacular and powerful aliens. Throughout the series, Ben, Gwen and Max travel the country in their motor home, affectionately known as the Rust Bucket, seeing the sights, stumbling into adventures, and beating down would-be villains while generally having a blast.
Ben 10: Omni-Tricked
16 x 11 MINUTE EPISODES + 44-MINUTE SPECIAL:
‘Star Wars Rebels’ Season 4 Available on Blu-ray and DVD July 31st
Star Wars Rebels: The Complete Fourth Seasondelivers all 15 action-packed episodes of the hit CG animated series’ final season, plus exclusive, never-before-seen bonus extras on Blu-ray!
Available July 31st,Star Wars Rebels: The Complete Fourth Seasonfeatures some of the most critically-acclaimed Star Wars storytelling to date, with compelling characters, harrowing conflicts and astounding space battles. Old friends are reunited and new alliances are forged asStar Wars Rebelsbuilds to an epic conclusion, drawing connections to the entireStar Warssaga.
Star Wars Rebelswas created byDave Filoni(Star Wars: The Clone Wars),Simon Kinberg(X-Men: Days of Future Past), andCarrie Beck(LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures). The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg.
The season four voice cast includesTaylor Grayas Ezra,Vanessa Marshallas Hera,Freddie Prinze, Jr.as Kanan,Tiya Sircaras Sabine,Steve Blumas Zeb,Dee Bradley Bakeras Rex,Mary Elizabeth McGlynnas Pryce,David Oyelowoas Kallus andLars Mikkelsenas Thrawn.
Bonus Extras:
Rooster Teeth’s ‘gen:LOCK’ Arrives in January 2019
gen:LOCK, the next big anime-style series from Rooster Teeth, will premiere in January 2019. More voice cast announcements are coming soon who will joinMichael B. Jordanwho will voice the lead character, Julian Chase. Get a better look at one of the mecha fromgen:LOCK, called Holons, in a new motion poster:
Ingen:LOCK, Earth’s last free society is on the losing side of a global war, and recruits a diverse team of young pilots to control the next generation of mecha—giant, weaponized robot bodies. These daring recruits will find, however, that their newfound abilities come at no small cost. As Chase leaves behind his life as a fighter pilot to become the first candidate for the program, he finds his endurance, as well as his very identity, will be tested beyond anything he ever imagined.
Here’s whatGray G. Haddock, Head of Animation at Rooster Teeth,had to sayabout the release:
Rooster Teeth has a lllloooootttttt of cool stuff that they are trying to balance over the next months (and years). Taking all that into account, the company has decided to start 2019 with a bang - and opening the year with gen:LOCK is the best way to do it. Thus, gL now has a release target of January 2019. We’re still kicking around some fun ideas about how we might get some genlockiness into the world before 2018 is out, though.
The production is going amazingly well, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been up to. I couldn’t be prouder of the crew and everything they’ve been pouring themselves into. Some of you have had questions about how production of gL impacts RWBY or vice-versa, and the answer is that these are largely parallel productions with separate crews. Rooster Teeth Animation has been growing like crazy (keep an eye on theRT careers pageif you feel like throwing your hat in the ring), and each show that RTanim makes is getting the focused attention it deserves. It does mean that some members of CRWBY are moving up, taking on new positions around the department as we continue to build. So keep an eye out for crewfolk announcing their new roles, and please show them all the love they deserve.
LAIKA’s ‘Missing Link’ Set for April 2019 Release
Missing Link, LAIKA’s fifth animated film, will be released by U.S. distributor Annapurna nationwide on Friday, August 19, 2025. LAIKA is the producer of Oscar-nominated filmsKubo and the Two Strings(2016),The Boxtrolls(2014),ParaNorman(2012) andCoraline(2009).
Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis) is the slightly silly, surprisingly smart and soulful beast who is the last living remnant of Man’s primitive ancestry, the Missing Link. As species go, he couldn’t be more endangered; he’s the last of his kind and he’s lonely. Proposing a daring quest to find his rumored distant relatives, he enlists the help of Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman), the world’s foremost investigator of myths and monsters, and Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), who possesses the only known map to the group’s secret destination, in an odyssey around the world to find the fabled valley of Shangri-La.
Bursting with humor, heart, and a profound message of acceptance and finding one’s place,Missing Linkis written and directed by Oscar-nomineeChris Butler(ParaNorman). LAIKA’s head of production and Oscar-nomineeArianne Sutner(ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings) is producing withTravis Knight, LAIKA’s President & CEO, who earned an Academy Award nomination and BAFTA win for his directorial debut onKubo and the Two Strings.
In addition to Jackman, Saldana and Galifianakis, the estimable voice cast boasts a roster of internationally renowned and award-winning actors from all corners of the world. Oscar-winnerEmma Thompson,Stephen Fry,Timothy Olyphant,Matt Lucas,David Walliams,Amrita AchariaandChing Valdes-Aranbring their extraordinary talents to this globe-trotting spectacle.
First Look at Masaaki Yuasa’s ‘The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl’
From the visionary mind of director Masaaki Yuasa (Mind Game, Adventure Time‘s “Food Chain”) comes The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, a comedy about one epic night in Kyoto.
As a group of teens go out for a night on the town, a sophomore known only as “The Girl with Black Hair” experiences a series of surreal encounters with the local nightlife… all the while unaware of the romantic longings of Senpai, a fellow student who has been creating increasingly fantastic and contrived reasons to run into her, in an effort to win her heart.
FollowingYour NameproducerGenki Kawamura’sFireworks, coming to cinemas nationwide on July 3rd, 5th and 7th, GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events will continue their extended partnership with two summer showings of directorMasaaki Yuasa’sThe Night is Short, Walk On Girl. The second of several new titles selected for U.S. cinema audiences in 2018,The Night is Short, Walk On Girlevent will also feature an exclusive interview with Masaaki Yuasa (Mind Game, Lu Over the Wall).
Tickets forThe Night is Short, Walk On Girlare available atwww.FathomEvents.comorwww.NightIsShort.comand participating box offices.
Presented by Fathom Events and GKIDS,The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, debuts in U.S. cinemas on Tuesday, August 21st with an encore showing on Wednesday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. local time (both dates). The film will also receive a limited theatrical release by GKIDS starting Wednesday, August 22nd. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website andwww.NightIsShort.com(theaters and participants are subject to change). All showings feature the film in its original Japanese language, subtitled in English.
The Night is Short, Walk On Girlis a comedy about one epic night in Kyoto. As a group of teens go out for a night on the town, a sophomore known only as “The Girl with Black Hair” experiences a series of surreal encounters with the local nightlife. Simultaneously, she is unaware of the romantic longings of Senpai, a fellow student who has been creating increasingly fantastic and contrived reasons to run into her, in an effort to win her heart.
“We are proud to introduce the next animated feature in our ongoing partnership with GKIDS,” Fathom Events CEORay Nuttsaid. “‘The Night is Short, Walk On Girl,’ is a great opportunity for anime fans to experience new content in this space in addition to STUDIO GHIBLI FEST and several of our other anime events.”
