In This 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!

It was a busy week this week, but that's to be expected as animated TV series return or debut this fall and as the end of the year prepares for some big name animated features. On the TV side of things, the 2017 Emmy Awards have already been handed out for animation, so you can check that out below; be sure to return for the rundown of the rest of the award-winners! Go behind the scenes with Disney XD's Marvel's Spider-Man and sneak a peek at the network's DuckTales premiere in new clips. Then, get a glimpse of new animated series Tales from the Tour Bus, Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, and The Jellies! by checking out their trailers.

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Image via Warner Bros. Animation

On the movie side, The LEGO Ninjago Movie cast makes their introductions and A Silent Voice advance tickets go on sale. Rooster Teeth's RWBY will have its Volume 5 premiere this October, but Fathom Events is rolling out a theatrical premiere two days early! The Biblical story The Ark and the Aardvark announces its cast, and animation festivals around the world prepare for world premieres and top-tier talent.

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!

Early Emmy Winners Emerge for Animation

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Here's a look at the animated productions that have already earned themselves an Emmy Award this year:

Outstanding Animated Program

  • Bob's Burgers - "Bob, Actually"

Outstanding Short Format Animated Program

  • Adventure Time - "Islands: Part 4 - Imaginary Resources"

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

  • Seth MacFarlane - Family Guy - 'The Boys in the Band"

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation (Juried)

  • Samurai Jack (Craig Kellman, Character Design, "XCII")
  • Samurai Jack (Scott Wills, Production Design, "XCIII")
  • Samurai Jack (Bryan Andrews, Storyboard, "XCIII")
  • Samurai Jack (Lou Romano, Background Design, "XCV")
  • Wander Over Yonder (Justin Nichols, Character Animation, "The End of the Galaxy")

Unfortunately, Disney XD's Star Wars Rebels lost out to HBO's Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas for Outstanding Children's Program. Maybe next year!

'The LEGO Ninjago Movie' Cast Explains the Movie

[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/908012887502987264[/EMBED_TWITTER]

'RWBY' Volume 5 Premiere Hits the Big Screen

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Image via Rooster Teeth

RWBY fans are about to get the exclusive opportunity to be the first to see the newest episode of the storied franchise, all on the big screen. RWBY Volume 5 Premiere brings the hit, global, western-style anime series from Rooster Teeth Animation to cinemas nationwide. This one-night event will feature the theatrical premiere of "RWBY Volume 5 Chapter 1 and is also the first time that select RWBY Volume 4 episodes will be shown theatrically.

Fathom Events and Rooster Teeth present “RWBY Volume 5 Premiere” for one night on Thursday, October 12th, at 7:30 p.m. local time. Additionally, moviegoers will enjoy an exclusive featurette, including interview footage with talent and crew as well as other exclusive narratives.

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Image via Rooster Teeth

Tickets for RWBY Volume 5 Premiere” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 500 select movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

RWBY, created by the late Monty Oum for Rooster Teeth, is set in Remnant, a fictional future-fantasy world filled with horrific monsters bent on the destruction of humanity. Fortunately, the kingdoms of Remnant have risen to combat these forces by training powerful Huntsmen and Huntresses at academies around the planet. Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long are four such Huntresses in training whose journeys will take them far past the grounds of Beacon Academy. Though each may be powerful on their own, these four girls must come together to work as a team if they truly hope to become the next generation of Remnant's protectors. But can they succeed at each other's side when dark forces gather to divide and destroy humanity?

“Fathom Events is proud to partner again with Rooster Teeth and bring this popular anime series to local movie theaters,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “RWBY has legions of followers in the U.S., and we are pleased to give them opportunity to view the Volume 5 Premiere alongside fellow passionate fans.”

Get a Listen to the Songs of Pixar's 'Coco'

Take your first listen to "Remember Me" featuring Benjamin Bratt from Disney/Pixar's Coco, and in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving!

Take your first listen to "The World Es Mi Familia," featuring Anthony Gonzalez, from Disney/Pixar's Coco, and in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving!

Take your first listen to "Un Poco Loco," featuring Gael García Bernal and Anthony Gonzalez from Disney/Pixar's Coco, and in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving!

 

Disney/Pixar’s Coco opens in theatres in 3D November 22 in 3D!

 

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.

Go Behind the Scenes of 'Marvel's Spider-Man' with Guest Star Sofia Carson

Descendants 2 star and Hollywood Records/Republic Records artist Sofia Carson guest starred on Marvel's Spider-Man this morning as Keemia, the estranged daughter of Flint Marko, who is also known as Sandman. Keemia can best be described as smart, cunning and vengeful, with superpowers of her own.

In this episode, Spider-Man meets the powerful, yet uncontrollable Sandman and helps him reunite with his estranged daughter with the help of the Venom symbiote.

"'Bob's Burgers' Beef Relief" Raises Money for a Good Cause

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Image via IRC

Emmy Award-winning series Bob’s Burgers is serving up BEEF RELIEF, a special benefit for the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org), with all proceeds going to famine relief in Yemen and refugee resettlement in L.A. Hosted by Bob’s Burgers Kristen Schaal (Louise Belcher), the live comedy event will feature many performers from the popular animated FOX series, including Dan Mintz (Tina Belcher), Andy Kindler (Mort), Will Forte (Mr. Grant), Ron Funches (Horseplay), Zach Galifianakis (Felix/Chet), and Laura Silverman (Andy), along with a special appearance from Jon Lovett. It will all take place at L.A.’s Largo at the Coronet next Thursday, Sept. 21st beginning at 8pm.

“There’s a real immediate need for help in Yemen - not someday, but right now,” says Bob’s Burgers Co-Executive Producer Wendy Molyneux. “There are also refugees coming here to Los Angeles with very little who need a helping hand. The IRC serves both functions, and so we just wanted to harness the power of the show to help out in whatever way we could. Also, it’s just fun to say Beef Relief. Beef Relief. You get it.”

Tickets – on sale at three tiers, from $100-$500 – are currently available at www.largo-la.com and BobsBurgersbeefrelief.com.

The eighth season of Bob’s Burgers debuts on Sunday, October 1st at 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX, with episodes later available on Hulu.   For more information, visit behindbobsburgers.com.

'A Silent Voice' Advance Tickets Now on Sale

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Image via ELEVEN ARTS

One animated film you should have on your radar is A Silent Voice. The movie stars Saori Hayami as Shōko Nishimiya, a girl with a hearing disability who’s bullied mercilessly by Shoya Ishida (Miyu Irino). When the tables are turned and he finds himself the victim of bullying, he’ll go to great lengths to make amends. Naoko Yamada directs from Reiko Yoshida‘s screenplay adapted from writer-illustrator Yoshitoki Oima‘s original manga series, “Koe no Katachi.”

From Kyoto Animation and ELEVEN ARTS Anime Studio, A Silent Voice will make its way into U.S. theaters on October 20th, but advanced tickets are now available for purchase at the following theaters: http://www.elevenarts.net/asilentvoice

Here’s the official synopsis for A Silent Voice:

“A Silent Voice” follows the poignant and moving story of Shōya Ishida, a school bully, and Shōko Nishimiya, a young girl with a hearing disability. Their story begins in sixth grade when Shōko transfers to Shōya’s elementary school and quickly finds herself bullied and isolated due to her hearing disability. Years later, the tables turn, and Shōya finds himself the victim. “A Silent Voice” depicts the struggles and challenges of adolescence alongside coming-of-age outside the norm.

'DuckTales' Premiere Clip Introduces Lil Bulb

https://twitter.com/IGN/status/908706992050417665

The series premiere of DisneyXD's DuckTales in its regular time slot will arrive on Saturday, September 23rd airing at 7:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.2:00 p.m.5:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.10:30 p.m. EDT/PDT! Be sure to check out all of our recent coverage below:

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Image via Disney XD

'Tales from the Tour Bus' Trailer Reveals the Cinemax Series

I had some reservations about this one, but it looks fantastic. Mike Judge's new Cinemax series Tales from the Tour Bus begins its eight-episode season Friday, September 22nd from 10:00–10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Marking a return to his roots in animation and as a musician, Judge (King of the Hill; Beavis and Butt-Head; Emmy nominee for HBO’s Silicon Valley) co-created, narrates and serves as an executive producer on the series, which recounts the raucous adventures of these musicians, as told by those who knew them best. Tales from the Tour Bus kicks off with an episode devoted to Johnny Paycheck, followed by episodes about Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones and Tammy Wynette (two parts), Billy Joe Shaver, Waylon Jennings (two parts) and Blaze Foley.

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Image via Cinemax

'Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters' Trailer Reveals the Netflix Debut

Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters follows teenager Jake Armstrong and his two best friends, Nathan Park and Ricardo Perez, after they are accidentally exposed to an experimental chemical that forever changes their seemingly normal lives and transforms them into unlikely heroes who embark on a series of adventures! Featuring the voices of Steven Yeun, Scott Menville, Ogie Banks, Wil Wheaton & Felicia Day. Streaming this fall, only on Netflix!

Hasbro, Inc. is flexing more muscle in programming for kids with the announcement of Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, a new original series from Hasbro Studios premiering on Netflix. The new teenage superhero animated series will reimagine the classic Hasbro brand Stretch Armstrong into a relatable kids adventure that features diverse characters with wacky powers and a playfully humorous storyline.

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Image via Hasbro

Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters will feature the voices of leading Hollywood television and film talent including:

  • Jake Armstrong / Stretch – Scott Menville (Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
  • Nathan Park / Wingspan – Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Okja)
  • Ricardo Perez / Omni-Mass - Ogie Banks (Ultimate Spider-Man)
  • Rook – Wil Wheaton (Teen Titans Go!, Star Trek: The Next Generation)
  • Erika – Felicia Day (The Guild, Supernatural)
  • Kane – Keith David (Adventure Time, Rick and Morty)
  • Dr. C – Kate Mulgrew (Orange is the New Black, Star Trek: Voyager)
  • Mr. Savic – Walter Koenig (Star Trek, Babylon 5)

Originally introduced in 1976, Stretch Armstrong was the ultimate toy –well-muscled doll that could stretch from its original size of fifteen inches to four or five feet. Netflix and Hasbro will transport viewers into a new generation of Stretch Armstrong with 26 episodes available for Netflix members worldwide beginning late 2017.

Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters is developed for television by Executive Producer and Supervising Director Victor Cook (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated) and Executive Producer/Story Editors/Head Writers Chris “Doc” Wyatt (Ultimate Spider-Man, Napoleon Dynamite) and Kevin Burke (Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble).

 

'Transformers: Titans Return' Poster and Images Emerge

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Image via Hasbro

Check out the first images and poster from the second chapter of Hasbro and go90's Transformers: The Prime Wars Trilogy! The digital series will return this November with 10 all-new episodes each coming in around 11 minutes long.

Picking up right where the destruction of the Combiner Wars left off, TITANS RETURN takes the action of the Prime Wars Trilogy to new ‘heights,’ and features return appearances from many fan-favorite Transformers characters as well as introduces new Autobots and Decepticons. In the series, enormous Transformers called Titans are awakened and these massive characters bring massive problems. Trypticon, a gigantic lizard-like Transformer, rises to wreak havoc on Cybertron, while Windblade and a rag-tag team of Transformers must resurrect an ancient ally. Not all Transformers will survive, as beloved heroes are changed forever while others’ sparks are blown to oblivion. Like Combiner Wars, sophisticated storytelling reveals more than meets the eye for older audiences and kids of all ages when a sinister secret is discovered.

Transformers: Titans Return stars Peter Cullen, who originated the voice of Optimus Prime in the 1980s animated Transformers series and will be making his Prime Wars Trilogy debut in the upcoming installment as the voice of Optimus Prime. Cullen will be joined by a host of fan favorites including Judd Nelson, who is reprising his roles of Rodimus Prime and Hot Rod from the 1986 animated Transformers movie, Michael Dorn as Fortress Maximus, Wil Wheaton as Perceptor, Nolan North as Metroplex and Jason David Frank as Emissary.

They are joined by returning talent from Transformers: Combiner Wars, including Abby Trott (Windblade), Jason Marnocha (Megatron), Frank Todaro (Starscream), Lana McKissack (Mistress of Flame), and DashieGames (Menasor), as well as a new set of influencers like MatPat (Computron), Rob Dyke (Devastator) and Tay Zonday (Chorus of the Primes).

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Image via Hasbro
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Image via Hasbro
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Image via Hasbro
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Image via Hasbro

Gutsy Animation's 'Moominvalley' Announces an Impressive Voice Cast

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Image via Gutsy Animation

The Moomins are back! As parent page Moomin reports, Finnish production company Gutsy Animations has announced the first round of incredible actors who will voice the animated characters in a new TV drama series, Moominvalley.

Taron Egerton plays the beloved Moomintroll while Rosamund Pike stars as "the wise and caring protector of the Moomin family, Moominmamma, alongside Matt Berry’s adventurous and knowledgeable Moominpappa. Akiya Henry will voice the part of style-conscious and sometimes flirtatious Snorkmaiden."

"Kate Winslet takes the role of spick and span Mrs Fillyjonk, while philosopher and deep thinker, The Muskrat, is played by author Will Self. Warwick Davis plays Moomintroll’s adopted younger brother, the slightly cowardly little creature Sniff, and Richard Ayoade will enjoy spooking viewers as The Ghost ... Further cast members, including the actors who will voice popular characters Snufkin and Little My, will be announced in the coming months."

That's a cast! The Moomins, created by novelist, painter, illustrator and comic book artist Tove Jansson, head to Moominvalley, which boasts a cutting-edge 2D/3D hybrid technique, meaning "characters are rendered in 3D in an environment with some 2D illustrative or painterly elements." Two series, each comprised of thirteen 22-minute-long episodes, are expected to arrive in Spring 2019.

Are you excited for a new Moomins adventure? Let us know in the comments!

'Masha and the Bear' Comes to the U.S. Thanks to Universal Kids

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Image via Animaccord

From Finland to Russia we go with news that Masha and the Bear (Маша и Медведь) is coming to American audiences. THR reports that Universal Kids--formerly Sprout--is bringing the Russian series from production company Animaccord to U.S. television. The country's well-known kids' franchise has enjoyed three seasons of the core series along with two spin-offs since its arrival in 2009. How well known? One of its episodes "Recipe for Disaster" as 2.45+ billion views on YouTube.

Masha and the Bear comes to the U.S. after a major international rollout to the rest of the world, including China as a recent addition. You can actually watch the series (or at least two seasons of it) and its two spin-offs on Netflix now, but Universal Kids has sealed the TV deal; Spin Master has the licensed toyline locked down at Toys' R' Us

'The Ark and the Aardvark' Adds Core Cast to the Biblical Story

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Image via Unified Pictures

As THR reports, Unified Pictures’ animated feature film The Ark and the Aardvark, which puts a spin on the Noah's Ark story, has filled out its cast. John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) directs this reimagining about Gilbert the aardvark, voiced by Miles Teller, who "leads a group of misfit animals though natural disasters and personal anxieties." Here's the full synopsis:

The story follows an outcast aardvark by the name of Gilbert, who becomes the reluctant leader of a ragtag group of misfit animals that need to be led to the mighty ark before the impending flood. Along their journey, they band together to conquer unforeseen obstacles, and ultimately, Gilbert discovers within himself the inner strength and ingenuity to prove that in a world of “twos,” he was truly destined to be “the one.”

Here's how the new cast members shape up:

  • Aubrey Plaza will play the super-smart Brain the Spider
  • Jenny Slate joins as Mitzi the sleepy Ostrich
  • Craig Robinson to voice the "mansplaining" Bullfrog
  • Rob Riggle is Todd the elephant
  • Stephen Merchant to play the wise, aged Croc

The animated film is currently in production with Unified’s Keith Kjarval and Kurt Rauer and executive produced by Cecil Kramer.

Dive Back into 'The Deep' with Season 2 on Netflix

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Image via DHX, Netflix

Adapted from the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series by New York Times bestselling writer Tom Taylor (Superior Iron Man), The Deep will soon be returning to Netflix for its second season. It's aimed at kids aged 6-9, but it's a very well-produced series that adults can enjoy right alongside the little ones. Ashleigh Ball (Rainbow Dash, My Little Pony: The Movie) and Vincent Tong (Kai, Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu) star in the smash-hit animated kids series about the Nekton family—a brilliant team of underwater explorers.

With state-of-the-art technology and an unquenchable thirst for discovery, the Nektons explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, where most of our world lies unexplored and unexplained. While others look up to the stars, this family knows that an infinite number of things shine brightly in the darkness below. The deep is a place where leviathans swim through sunken cities, where pirates lurk amidst floating black markets, and where a mysterious group of Guardians hide long lost secrets.

All 13 episodes of the second season will make their U.S. debut on Netflix September 22nd. Meanwhile, the newly branded Universal Kids Network--formerly Sprout--is currently airing the first season of The Deep weeknights at 7:30pm ET.

Produced by Australia-based A Stark Production and Canada-based DHX Media; distributed by DHX Media Ltd; underlying rights and brand managed by Technicolor, The Deep currently airs on multiple broadcasts internationally.

'The Jellies' Debuts on [adult swim] October 22nd

Get ready as Adult Swim introduces its newest animated original series and fun-loving family, The Jellies!, on Sunday, October 22nd at 12:15 a.m. E/P.

The Jellies! is a quarter-hour animated series created by Tyler, The Creator and Lionel Boyce, that follows a family of jellyfish, including their 16-year-old human son, Cornell. When Cornell learns that he was adopted at birth, he is shocked by the news and spirals out of control as he tries to "find himself." The result is he, his family and friends continue to end up in uncanny situations.

The show's musical score and original composition is created by Tyler, who also lends his voice, along with those of Boyce, Phil LaMarr, Blake Anderson, AJ Johnson, Kevin Michael Richardson, and many more to the show's great cast of characters. The Jellies! is executive produced by Tyler, Boyce, Kelly Sato Clancy, Aaron Augenblick, Chris Clancy, Lloyd Braun, and Jared Heinke.

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Image via Adult Swim

The Latest from the World's Animation TV and Film Festivals

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Image via Toei Animation

This year's Rome Film Fest will host the World Premiere of Junji Shimizu’s Mazinger Z Infinity on October 28th. THR reports that Go Nagai, the manga artist who created the mecha Mazinger Z back in 1972, will be on hand to introduce the animated feature. The anime, also known as TranZor Z, is the first instance of a robot being controlled by a human pilot within its cockpit, something that's become a very common occurrence since its debut. The titular titan is a force for peace and justice, and in Mazinger Z Infinity, the mighty bot will do battle with arch-enemy Dr. Hell in an all-new adventure to save the planet. The Toei Animation production is set to release next year in Japan.

Speaking of Japan, the 4th annual New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival, taking place early this November, has announced the entering the festival's competitions. The selection process narrowed this list down from well over 2,000 submissions coming from 85 regions or countries. You can scope out the impressive variety of films here.

Meanwhile, as the 2017 Cartoon Forum wrapped up this week in France, Variety reports that the EU has rolled out what they're calling a Preferential Animation Support Plan with the aim of identifying "promotion, financing and retaining talent in Europe" as some of the governing body's priorities. The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, will ”continue the dialogue with the animation sector. we will reflect how best the Media Programme can answer their needs,” said Irina Sofletea, European Commission policy officer. Essentially, animation has proven to be a costlier production but a more profitable export when it comes to European film products. The plan is intended to ease access to financing for animation studios, encourage home-grown animators and animation studios, and increased brand recognition through investment and promotion.