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!
See ‘Coco’ in Theaters This Weekend!
And ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ Is Back, Too!
Ahead of the highly anticipated sequel,Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, releasing in theaters on August 25, 2025,Wreck-It Ralphtakes viewers on a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping journey on Friday, February 16th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. EST, on The ABC Television Network.
For decades, Ralph (voice ofJohn C. Reilly) has been overshadowed by Fix-It Felix Jr. (voice ofJack McBrayer), the good-guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. Tired of playing the role of a bad guy, Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a journey across the arcade through multiple generations of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.
On his quest, Ralph meets tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice ofJane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty, and feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice ofSarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart-racing game Sugar Rush, who may just be his first real friend. But everything changes when a deadly enemy is unleashed, threatening the entire arcade and Vanellope herself. Ralph finally gets his chance to save the day – but can he do it in time?
Wreck-It Ralphwon the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, screenplay and actor. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie. The film was also nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’Wreck-It Ralphis directed by Emmy® and Oscar-winning directorRich Moore(Zootopia) and produced by Oscar-winningClark Spencer(Zootopia).
‘Batman Ninja’ Officially Rated PG-13
According toBC, the official rating for the anticipated animeBatman Ninjawill be PG-13 for “sequences of violence and action, and for some suggestive material.” Sounds about right.
Directed byJumpei Mizusaki, the movie sees Batman and his cohorts traveling back in time to medieval Japan. WriterKazuki Nakashimaand character designerTakashi Okazakihave crafted a unique and bold take on the beloved character, but we’ll have to wait to see how it’s received by fans worldwide. Other characters in attendance inBatman Ninjabesides the title character will be the Joker, Nightwing, Robin, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and Gorilla Grodd.
StarringKoichi Yamaderaas Batman,Wataru Takagias The Joker,Ai Kakumaas Catwoman, andRie Kugimiyaas Harley Quinn,Batman Ninjais due out on Blu-ray/DVD this year.
Guillermo del Toro on The Cast and Characters of ‘Trollhunters’
Stream the First Episode of ‘Our Cartoon President’
State of the Union. The President tries to revive his low approval ratings by delivering the greatest State of the Union speech in history and to strengthen his relationship with First Lady Melania by naming her the national bird. Executive Producer Stephen Colbert. Series premiere. Order SHOWTIME to watch more. TV14. New Episodes beginning February 11th at 8PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
‘LEGO DC Super Heroes: The Flash’ LA Premiere Celebrates the Blu-ray’s Arrival
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and The Paley Center for Media invite Los Angeles area fans to attend the World Premiere ofLEGO® DC Super Heroes: The Flashat a family-friendly event on Saturday, July 14, 2025.
The screening will commence at Noon (12:00pm) at The Paley Center for Media (465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills). The event will include a post-screening interactive panel discussion, photo opportunities withLEGO® DC Super Heroesstandees, an autograph signing on collectible posters, and special LEGO® prizes for all kids in attendance.
Confirmed to attend the event are popular voice actorsJames Arnold Taylor(voice of Flash),Troy Baker(Batman),Grey Griffin(Wonder Woman, Lois Lane),Phil LaMarr(Firestorm) andEric Bauza(The Atom, B’dg, Jimmy Olsen) alongside filmmakers executive producerBrandon Vietti, and writersJim Krieg&Jeremy Adams. Additional talent will be announced as confirmed.
A limited number of free tickets are still available to the general public, and families are encouraged to come enjoy the film and festivities. Fans wishing to receive free tickets to the Los Angeles event on February 10th must RSVP via email toLEGOFlashLA@gmail.com.
The body of 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 of exactly how the body of the RSVP email should appear:
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.
In LEGO DC Super Heroes: The Flash, Reverse-Flash manipulates the Speed Force to put The Flash into a time loop that forces him to relive the same day over and over again – with progressively disastrous results, including losing his powers and being fired by the Justice League. The Flash must find a way to restore time to its original path and finally apprehend his worst enemy before all is lost for The Flash … and the world!
Along the route, The Flash encounters numerous new characters being introduced to the popular DC Super Heroes series, including The Atom; B’dg, a squirrel-esque Green Lantern; a pair of legendary super pets in Ace the Bat-Hound and Krypto the Super-Dog, Batman and Superman’s faithful canine pals; as well as Aquaman’s trusted seahorse, Storm.
Other voices featured in the film are provided by actorsKate Micucci(Zatanna),Kevin Michael Richardson(Doctor Fate),Nolan North(Superman, Killer Croc),Dwight Schultz(Reverse-Flash),Tom Kenny(Plastic Man, The Penguin),Khary Payton(Cyborg),Vanessa Marshall(Poison Ivy),Dee Bradley Baker(Captain Boomerang, Aquaman) andJason Spisak(The Joker).
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and the LEGO Group,LEGO® DC Super Heroes: The Flashwill be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting February 13th. WBHE will distribute the film on June 21, 2025 on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD.
Boomerang to Host the World Premiere of ‘Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’
Boomerang, Turner’s cartoon content streaming network, will play host to the World Premiere ofTom and Jerry: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factoryon February 15th! Befriended by Charlie Bucket, Tom and Jerry look to repay the favor by helping Charlie secure a Golden Ticket and a tour of the magical Wonka factory. Inside, it’s a world of imagination for the eyes and tantalizing tunes for the ears.
That’s not the only new content available on the subscription channel this February:
The Sylvester & Tweetie Mysteries- With Sylvester and Tweety, Granny is a globetrotting, mystery-solving maniac! Unraveling crimes around the world keeps her pretty busy so it’s a good thing Hector the bulldog is around to make sure Sylvester keeps his paws to himself.
On February 8th, Boomerang will also feature some Valentine’s specials:
I Yabba Dabba Do -The Flintstonescelebrate the nuptials of Pebbles Flintstone and Bamm-Bamm Rubble. As Wilma, Betty and Pebbles plan the big day, Fred suffers from the age-old paternal fear of losing his daughter.
My Smurfy Valentine -The residents of Smurf Village cheerfully await Cupid’s arrival… but evil lurks nearby. Can Cupid’s arrow make a dent in the stone-hard heart of Gargamel, the evil wizard? Will Smurfette’s Prince Smurfing ever arrive?
New Looney Tunes -Love Is in the Hare/Valentine’s Dayffy -Bugs' day at the lake is interrupted by Yosemite Sam. To get Sam off his back, Bugs puts Sam through obstacles and a full makeover. Then, on Valentine’s Day, Daffy runs into Cupid and knocks him out. Cupid tells Daffy to spread love.
The Tom & Jerry Show -Return To Sender -Hildie has received a dozen black roses from her secret admirer. Curiosity piqued, Hildie puts Tom and Jerry up to the task of finding out who her admirer is! Tom’s search starts across the forest at the Enchanted Flower Shop.
Watch ‘Fight Boat!’, ShadowMachine’s NSFW Animated Kumite Comedy
It’s Bloodsport meets The Bachelor… on a boat.
Fight Boat!is an animated short about a megalomaniac tech billionaire who buys an underground fighting tournament featuring the world’s fiercest warriors… just so he can flip it into a reality show. When the feds close in, he takes his motley crew of warriors, cyborgs, mutants, and social media stars to international waters, where anything goes.
It stars the voices ofPaul Scheer(The Disaster Artist, Veep, The League) andBrooks Wheelan(Saturday Night Live) and was animated by ShadowMachine, the studio behindBoJack Horseman. Created byTony VitaliandIsaac Rentz, and directed by Rentz, it’s the first episode of a series that’s currently looking for a network.
Warning: Probably NSFW. Heads go flying.
‘Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: Reflections’ Images and Official Merch Herald the Film’s February 9th Release
For the first time in North America, official goods for Seven Arcs Pictures’Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: Reflectionwill be on sale throughTokyo Otaku Mode. (Sorry, that link won’t go live until February 5th at 5pm PST!) The merch offering is in celebration of Eleven Arts' release of the film in U.S. theaters on February 9th. Items for sale include everything from sleep masks, towels, and tote bags to bookmarks, guidebooks, and keychains. They’re nice additions to fan collections, especially since these items aren’t usually available Stateside.
Here’s a little more on Tokyo Otaku Mode, along with images from the upcoming feature:
Through its Facebook page with over 20 million likes and its e-commerce site, the Tokyo Otaku Mode Shop, Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) delivers the latest news and products from Japanese anime, manga, games, music, and fashion to fans around the world. TOM also designs and distributes original merchandise with creators worldwide to customers in over 130 countries. Using the know-how it has developed in international business, TOM offers services to support overseas business expansions and inbound businesses. With its vision to “Deliver happiness to the world through otaku culture,” by enriching the lives of Japanese pop culture fans around the world, and also by adding new value to the global entertainment markets.
Animation Block Party 2018 Dates Announced
The 15th annual Animation Block Party will run from July 26-29, 2018 in Brooklyn, NY. Last summer’s festival highlights included aBoJackpresentation from Netflix and an exclusive look at the Cartoon Network shorts program. This year’s festival promises to feature incredible parties, diverse juried screenings of all genres and a handful of excellent studio showcases.
Festival prizes will include software from Dragonframe, FlipBook from DigiCel, digital subscriptions to Animation Magazine, art supplies from Sakura, plus all jury award winners will receive Harmony Essentials and Storyboard Pro licenses from Toon Boom.
Head to the following link for festival entry details:http://www.animationblock.com/submit
Dedicated to exhibiting the world’s best independent, professional and student animation, Animation Block Party is the largest animation festival on the East Coast.
