Update:CastlevaniaSeason 2 will debut on October 26th.
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!
Warren Ellis Reveals the Return of ‘Castlevania’
We knew that Netflix’s excellentCastlevaniaadaptation would be back for a second season to continue the adventures of Trevor Belmont, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard after their short but striking introduction, but thanks to writerWarren Ellis, we now know when to expect the next batch of episodes:
Since Season 1 debuted in early July, we’re expecting to see the same timeframe for Season 2, but nothing official has been confirmed just yet. Keep your eyes peeled for more!
‘Steven Universe’ Celebrates the 1st Season DVD Release with Voodoo Doughnut Partnership
Marking theJanuary 30threlease ofSteven Universe: The Complete First Seasonon DVD, Cartoon Network is teaming up withVoodoo Doughnutfor a delectable celebration of the highly popular, Emmy-nominated series; the show was also recently nominated for aGLAAD Media Awardfor “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming.” As a tasty tribute to the fan-favorite show, a towering image ofSteven Universewill be created with over 800 doughnuts at the Voodoo Doughnut Universal CityWalk location. The voice cast includingZach Callison(“Steven”),Deedee Mango Hall(“Pearl”),Michaela Dietz(“Amtheyst”), andShelby Rabara(“Peridot”) will also be on hand to take part in the delicious tribute.
That same day, Voodoo Doughnut will also offer aSteven Universe-inspired doughnut at select stores available for purchase, while supplies last. Participating locations include Austin, Denver and downtown Portland, as well as L.A.’s Universal CityWalk.
When:Saturday, February 3rd(participating cast to be onsite from10:00am-1:00pm)
Where:Voodoo Doughnut at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608 (across from Universal Cinema)
Additional Voodoo Doughnut locations with Steven Universe-inspired doughnuts for purchase:
‘My Hero Academia’, ‘Attack on Titan’ Season 2 Limited Edition Sets Available for Pre-Order
My Hero Academia: Season 2, Part 1 Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD
*Pre-order at Funimation
Class 1-A made a name for themselves after facing The League of Villains, but an even greater challenge is about to begin. These young heroes will now fight students from other classes in the world’s biggest Quirk competition-the U.A. sports festival! With dreams at stake and friends turning to adversaries, Deku will give everything he’s got in his grand debut as the world’s next symbol of peace.
Limited Edition includes:
Plus tons of extra video features! Episode 13.5 “Hero Notebook”, 11 Inside the Episodes, Anime Expo 2017: Interview with Yoshihiko Umakoshi, promo videos, textless opening and closing songs.
Eren’s battle against the Titans rages on! After fighting the Female Titan, he has no time to rest as a hoard approaches Wall Rose. A new war begins and as they face the threat to humanity, they begin to unearth terrifying secrets. What are the Titans really and where do they get their power—and who’s really on their side?
The Season 2 Limited Edition is similar to the Season 1 Limited Editions, which includes:
Blizzard Unleashes Epic Animated ‘Heroes of the Storm’ Trailer for MechaStorm Skins
Mecha Tyrael and Rehgar are squaring off against the insidious Xenotech Abathur in a battle for the fate of the Nexus! Do they have the firepower to save the day, or will Abathur’s mechanized locusts prove too much for them to handle?
Now you’re able to arm your Heroes with the latest and greatest technologic advancements the Nexus has to offer with new legendary skins for Tyrael, Rehgar and Abahur!
Visit the link to learn more: New Mecha Skins –http://battle.net/heroes/blog/21366966
Prepare to root for the bad guys when Amanda Waller sends her band of misfit DC Super-Villains on an all-new, action-packed secret mission inSuicide Squad: Hell to Pay, the next film in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the feature-length animated film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting June 01, 2025, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD June 11, 2025.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Payis rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, sexual content, brief graphic nudity, and some drug material.
An original story,Suicide Squad: Hell to Paywill be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, as well as Digital. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition; and the DVD features the movie in standard definition. The Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the film.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Payfinds Amanda Waller’s top secret “Task Force X” – Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Killer Frost, Captain Boomerang, Harley Quinn and Copperhead – on a mission to retrieve a mystical object so powerful that they’re willing to risk their own lives to steal it. But the Suicide Squad isn’t the only group of villains seeking to possess the object. The race is on for the golden prize … and, to stay alive, second place isn’t an option.
The all-star cast is led byChristian Slaterin his DC Universe Movies debut as the voice of Deadshot, who heads “Task Force X” alongsideBilly Brownas Bronze Tiger,Liam McIntyreas Captain Boomerang,Kristin Bauer van Stratenas Killer Frost,Gideon Emeryas Copperhead,Tara Strongas Harley Quinn and their “boss,”Vanessa Williamsas Amanda Waller.
Villainous forces in the film includeC. Thomas Howellas Zoom,Dania Ramirezas Scandal Savage,James Urbaniakas Professor Pyg,Julie Nathansonas Silver Banshee and Jewelee, andJim Pirrias Vandal Savage & Vertigo.
OtherSuicide Squad: Hell to Payvoice cast members includeGreg Grunbergas Steel Maxum,Dave Fennoyas Blockbuster & Tobias Whale,Cissy Jonesas Knockout,Natalie Landeras Darma,Trevor Devallas Punch,Dave Boatas Harvey Dent/Two-Face, andMatthew Merceras Savage Gunman.
ProducerSam Liualso directsSuicide Squad: Hell to Payfrom a script by co-producerAlan Burnett. Executive Producers areSam RegisterandJames Tucker.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Enhanced Content
Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital
Win Free Tickets to the ‘Batman: Gotham by Gaslight’ L.A. Premiere!
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment proudly presents the Los Angeles premiere ofBatman: Gotham By Gaslight, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series ofDC UniverseMovies, at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills on August 10, 2025. Filmmakers and members of the voice cast will attend the event for red carpet media interviews and a post-screening panel discussion.
The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is located at 465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. The screening will begin at 7:00 pm.
A limited number of free tickets are available to the general public. Please note thatBatman: Gotham By Gaslightis rated R for “some violence.” Anyone under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
Fans wishing to receive free tickets to the Los Angeles event on February 5th must RSVP via email to GaslightLA@gmail.com.
Thebodyof all fan RSVP emails need ONLY include the (1) name of the entrant, (2) valid email address, and (3) the number of tickets being requested (limit four per entry). Fans should keep their entry simple – here’s an example ofexactlyhow the body of the RSVP email should appear:
Bruce Wayne
DarkKnight@gmail.com
Tickets to the event will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis, and fans will be notified via email. Please do not submit more than one request.
Batman: Gotham By Gaslighttakes place at the turn of the century as America’s continued industrial revolution is to be showcased at a World’s Fair hosted by Gotham City. But while the world prepares to witness the glittery glory of Gotham’s technological advances, there is a killer loose in the city’s darkest shadows. Preying on the city’s women, this killer is as precise as he is cruel. As Police Commissioner James Gordon tries to calm the fears of Gotham’s citizens regarding the butcher called Jack the Ripper, the masked vigilante Batman enacts his own detective work – with the help of confident, capable Selina Kyle – to stop the Ripper’s murderous spree. Witness a world in flames as the notorious serial killer’s controlled savagery meets the calculated stealth of the Dark Knight.
Acclaimed for his performance inBatman: Under The Red Hood,Bruce Greenwoodreprises his role as the voice of the Dark Knight inBatman: Gotham By Gaslight.Jennifer Carpentermakes herDC UniverseMovies debut as the voice of Selina Kyle. The voice cast also featuresScott Pattersonas James Gordon,Anthony Headas Alfred Pennyworth,Yuri Lowenthalas Harvey Dent,John DiMaggioas Chief Bullock,William Salyersas Hugo Strange, andGrey Griffinas Sister Leslie. The cast also includes notable voice actorsTara Strong,Bob Joles,David Forseth,Chris Cox,Lincoln MelcherandKari Wuhrer.
ProducerSam Liualso directsBatman: Gotham By Gaslightfrom a script byJim Krieg.Alan Burnettis co-producer. Executive Producers areSam RegisterandBruce Timm.Benjamin MelnikerandMichael Uslanare executive producers.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment,Batman: Gotham By Gaslightwill be distributed July 06, 2025 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The film will be available to own on Digital HD starting August 09, 2025.
Get a Sneak Peek at the Two-Part ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ Episode “The Rise of Doc Ock”
SNEAK PEEK at Marvel’s Spider-Man - “The Rise of Doc Ock - Parts 1 & 2”
When Otto Octavius is caught in an explosion that fuses his robot arms to his body, Spider-Man sees the opportunity to recruit “The Octopus” into becoming a hero.
Sunday, January 21st on Disney XD (8:00 – 9:00 A.M. EST)
The two-part episode’s synopsis is as follows (viaCBR):
“The Rise of Doc Ock – Part One”: When OTTO OCTAVIUS is caught in an explosion that fuses his robot arms to his body, SPIDER-MAN sees the opportunity to recruit “The Octopus” into becoming a hero.
“The Rise of Doc Ock – Part Two”: Having convinced Otto Octavius to become the hero known as The Octopus, Spidey invites him to patrol the streets alongside Kid Arachnid and himself until it becomes clear that Otto isn’t exactly a team player.
Play ‘Hot Streets: Chubbie in Troubie’ Browser Game Now!
Check outChubbie in Troubie, Adult Swim’s free multiplayer browser game inspired by its newest animated show,Hot Streets. The objective of Chubbie in Troubie is simple: murder Chubbie!
And don’t miss new back-to-back episodes ofHot StreetsSundays atMidnight ET/PT on Adult Swim.
From the creators ofRobot ChickenandRick and Morty,Hot Streetscenters around FBI Agent Mark Branski, his partner, his niece, and her dog, who investigate supernatural phenomena. The quarter-hour animated science fiction adventure series is created by Brian Wysol (Rick and Morty,Robot Chicken) and produced by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. Seth Green, Matt Senreich, John Harvatine IV, and Eric Towner (Robot Chicken), Justin Roiland (Rick and Morty) and Wysol all serve as executive producers.
Featured voice talent includes Scott Chernoff (Bojack Horseman), Chelsea Kane (Baby Daddy), Roiland (Rick and Morty), JD Ryzner (Blue Mountian State), and Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.EL.D.).
