InThis Week in Animation,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!
We covered alotof animation news on the site this week, so be sure to take a look at all the bullet points below for everything from Netflix’s new seriesSpirit Riding Freeto news onFrozen 2and a bunch of coverage of Pixar’s upcoming film,Cars 3. As for what we didn’t get to this week, there’s a newYu-Gi-Oh!movie coming to Blu-ray that should have fans pretty excited. Fans of the crazy anime seriesJojo’s Bizarre Adventuremight be interested to know that a new trailer forTakashi Miike’s live-action film recently debuted.
In TV Land,Steven Universereturns to Cartoon Network this May with all-new episodes, along with some of the best animated programming you’ll find out there. And thoughStar Wars Rebelsis coming to a close this fall with Season 4, you can get a taste of what’s to come thanks to an interview withTiya Sircar, the voice of Sabine. Also, if you’re interested in picking upJustice League Actionon Digital HD or checking out a selection of Studio Ghibli films in theaters this year, we have some good news for you!
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!
Trust in the Heart of the Cards and Watch the New ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ Blu-ray Trailer
The iconic anime franchise with a worldwide fan base returns whenYu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensionsarrives on Digital HD June 13 and on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD June 27 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.The film celebrates the 20th anniversary of the global phenomenon, which remains one of the top trading-card games in the world. In this installment, Yugi Muto and his friends reunite to battle their enemies in an exhilarating fight that transcends time and space.Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensionsfeatures new designs and an all-new story from the original creator, Kazuki Takahashi, including an exclusive collectible trading card.
The stakes have never been higher; the rivalries never as fierce; the risks never so great. One wrong move, one card short, and it’s “game over” for good. A decade in the making, Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions features new designs and an all-new story from the original creator of the global phenomenon, Kazuki Takahashi. His masterful tale features anime’s most beloved characters in their long-awaited return: Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba, and their faithful friends Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Téa Gardner, and Bakura.
BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES
Stand! New Trailer for Live-Action ‘Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ Movie
One of the craziest, most stylish anime series going isJojo’s Bizarre Adventure, a popular manga adaptation that is getting a live-action film directed byTakashi Miike(13 Assassins). StarringKento Yamazaki,Ryunosuke Kamiki,Nana Komatsu,Masaki Okada,Mackenyu,Takayuki YamadaandYusuke Iseya,Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable - Chapter 1opens in Japan on August 4th.
Here’s the movie’s synopsis (viaJojo’s Bizarre Encyclopedia):
In 1999, a mystical Arrow, which can manifest latent Stand abilities, travels throughout Morioh, Japan. A high schooler named Josuke Higashikata and his friends are thrust into a new world they never knew existed, having to face off against deadly Stand users whilst trying to uncover the mysteries of the Arrow itself and how to stop its wielder.
‘Steven Universe’ Returns to Cartoon Network Monday, May 8th
Check out the full lineup of Cartoon Network’s shows below:
New episodes continue to premiere weekdays at 5 p.m. (ET/PT).
New episode premieres Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m. (ET/PT).
The Powerpuff Girls
New episodes premiere Sundays at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Steven Universe
New episodes premiere Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT).
Two weeks of premieres beginning Monday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
New episodes continue on Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. (ET/PT).
Justice League Action
New episodes continue Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT).
Tiya Sircar on Sabine’s Arc in ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Season 4
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the recently released trailer for Season 4 of Disney XD’sStar Wars Rebels, you may do soright here. It’ll bring you up to speed on the story so far and tease what’s ahead for the beloved characters in the show’s final season. But if you just can’t wait until the September 23rd premiere, then you might want to take a look atScreenrant’sinterview with Sabine herself,Tiya Sircar.
Here’s a select quote from Sircar’s tease of what will become of Sabine this season, but it’sspoilery, so avoid if you’d rather not know:
I think the thing to remember, when Sabine was at the Imperial Academy and she was doing her job – she’s a munitions expert, she’s a Mandalorian – she’s doing her job of creating this weapon. And by the way, she’s really good at that. She’s really good at her job. That job that was her job at that moment in time. She’s excelling at her job, as she always does and yet, she at the time when she was creating this weapon had no idea how the weapon would be used specifically. Who it would be used on. As we now know that’s the impetus that made her leave and leave her family. She ran away because she realized the consequence of her actions.
‘Justice League Action’ Season 1 Now Available on iTunes
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman lead the DC Comics Super Heroes against their most infamous foes in adventures packed with relentless thrills, fun and action. No need to wait for the good stuff to start, each eleven-minute episode jumps in with lightning-paced action and heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge. Justice League Action marks the return of Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series), beloved by fans worldwide as one of the most iconic voices of Batman, to a weekly-animated television series. The series will also deliver an all-star lineup of regular and guest cast voices, including Mark Hamill as Joker, James Woods as Lex Luthor, Diedrich Bader as Booster Gold and many more portraying your favorite DC Comics Super Heroes and Super-Villains.
GKIDS and Fathom Events Team up for “Studio Ghibli Fest 2017”
Following the success of theSpirited AwayandPrincess Mononokecinema events, GKIDS and Fathom Events are proud to announce a partnership to bring the biggest series of anime titles to U.S. cinema audiences throughout 2017.
The STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2017 series kicks off with the iconicMy Neighbor Totoro, fromHayao Miyazakiand Studio Ghibli. The series features one of Studio Ghibli’s revered animated classics each month and will include GKIDS MINIFEST, an ongoing festival of award-winning short animated films from around the world.
‘A Foul American’: Political Parody Cartoon Starring Greg Cipes, Tara Strong, and More!
A newKickstarter projectfromGreg Cipes(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) andKevin Coulstonaims to bring the world of political parody and satire into the animated realm. The improv comedy cartoon features a stellar voice cast with Cipes,Tara Strong,Brittany Furlan,Eric Bauza,Riley Keough,Ben Keough,Sean Astin,Rob Paulsen, andMontse Hernandez.
A Foul Americanis described as follows:
Years after the 45th President of the United States of America, Donald T. Trump inadvertantluy wiped out the human race, animals have evolved to take our place. Sadly, history seems to be repeating itself…
As all humans died from issues directly or indirectly related to the nuclear fallout, the remaining animals of earth amazingly mutated and adapted into humanoids who instinctively adopted a rudimentary form of human culture.
Some governments and even militaries remain mostly intact and are run in many cases by duly or otherwise elected so called, “official” animals in their respective countries. America, for example, is run by Eagles…except for of course President Rump who is a chicken. He vigorously maintains that he is not just any Eagle, but one of the Nation’s founding Eagles, a fact no one seems to be willing to question … As it stands now, the fate of us all rests in the disturbingly uncertain hands ofA Foul AmericanIndeed.
What’s Your State’s Favorite Classic Anime Series?
The fine folks over atCableTV.comput together a cool infographic that lists favorite classic anime series by U.S. state. Unsurprisingly, the biggest numbers appear to be for anime series you might expect, likeDragon Ball Z,Trigun, andYu Yu Hakusho. That’s thanks in part to cable channels like Cartoon Network and its Adult Swim and Toonami programming blocks.
Here’s a look at some trends they discovered by doing a more extensive search:
And if you want to know what the world’s Top 10 anime-loving countries are watching, check out this infographic below:
