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!

This week saw the announcement that Disney's Moana will be returning to theaters for a special re-release in a sing-along format; details on screenings follow below. Also from Moana comes a bonus clip from star Dwayne Johnson. Elsewhere, fans of Cartoon Network's Regular Show will see the animated series return briefly before a special two-part series finale next week. Fans of My Little Pony, however, have a new voice to look forward to hearing in the movie treatment since Zoe Saldana has joined the cast. There are also bonkers trailers for both The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! and One Piece Film: Gold, the latter of which is playing in theaters for a limited time. And if it's anime you're into, you might want to check out Amazon's newest channel, Anime Strike.

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Image via Disney

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!

'Moana' Sing-Along Version in Theaters January 27th

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Image via Disney

The epic journey continues for Moana fans as Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces an all-new sing-along version of the hit, critically-lauded comedy-adventure Moana, coming to theaters nationwide Jan. 27, 2017. Additionally, the original theatrical version of the film will release digitally February 21st and on Blu-ray March 7th.

Fans are invited to warm up those vocal cords and set sail with an all-new sing-along version of Moana launching in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide on January 27th and exclusively at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on January 20th.

Moana audiences were swept away by the film’s original songs and score from a dynamic team that includes Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy®-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina (“Tarzan,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa‘i (founder and lead singer of the award-winning world music band Te Vaka).

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The sing-along version of Moana includes the full feature film with on-screen lyrics, so audiences can belt out the words to their favorite songs, such as the Golden Globe-nominated “How Far I’ll Go.” Moviegoers can check local listings for showtimes and theaters; the sing-along run will vary by location.

At Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre, the Moana sing-along will begin January 20th, one week prior to the nationwide opening. Daily showtimes are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available at El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), by calling 1-800-DISNEY6 (347-6396) or online at www.elcapitantickets.com.

Audiences can soon enjoy the original theatrical version of the film at home and packed with a variety of bonus extras when Moana arrives on Digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on February 21st, and on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, Digital SD, DVD and On-Demand on March 7th.

'Moana' Bonus Clip "Gone Fishing"

A video posted by therock (@therock) on

From Dwayne Johnson's Instagram account.

'The Simpsons' 28th Season Premiere Will Be an Hour Long

Mr. Burns goes all out and spends his money on ridiculous things and good times.

EW brought us an early sneak peek at Sunday’s episode of The Simpsonsthe show’s 28th Season Premiere and their first-ever hourlong episode, titled “The Great Phatsby.” Clearly influenced by the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, this episode will chronicle "the rise-and-fall friendship between Mr. Burns and a hip-hop mogul named Jay G."

Taraji P. Henson, Keegan-Michael Key, Snoop Dogg, RZA, and Common join the voice cast for the special. The episode airs this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

Cartoon Network's 'Regular Show' Series Finale

After eight successful seasons, Cartoon Network’s Emmy Award-winning hit series Regular Show, from creator and executive producer JG Quintel, will conclude with an ultimate intergalactic battle of good versus evil this weekend. Regular Show returns Saturday, January 14th with back-to-back episodes beginning at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) with “Kill ‘Em with Kindness,” leading into the hour-long, out-of-this-world series finale premiering Monday, January 16th at 6 p.m. (ET/PT).

Here's the upcoming schedule:

  • Saturday, Jan. 14: “Kill ’Em with Kindness” – Pops wants to be friends with someone.
  • Saturday, Jan. 14: “Meet the Seer” – The guys need to talk to someone smart.
  • Monday, Jan. 16: “Cheer Up Pops” – The guys want to cheer up Pops.
  • Monday, Jan. 16: “A Regular Show Epic Final Battle, Part 1” – An epic final battle begins.
  • Monday, Jan. 16: “A Regular Show Epic Final Battle, Part 2” – An epic final battle comes to its dramatic conclusion, and the fate of the universe is decided.

Regular Show’s series finale features series regulars JG Quintel (Creator, Voice of Mordecai and High Five Ghost),William Salyers (Voice of Rigby), Sam Marin (Voice of Muscle Man, Benson and Pops), Mark Hamill (Voice of Skips) and guest stars Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street) as Anti-Pops.

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Image via Cartoon Network

Zoe Saldana Joins 'My Little Pony: The Movie'

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Image via Paramount Pictures

Variety reports that Star TrekAvatar and Guardians of the Galaxy star Zoe Saldana is the latest addition to the My Little Pony: The Movie feature. She'll join Sia, Liev Schreiber, Taye Diggs, Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Uzo Aduba, and Michael Peña when director Jayson Thiessen's film opens October 6th. The regular television voice cast of Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, and Cathy Weseluck also star.

Meghan McCarthy, writer and producer of the “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” animated series, wrote the feature screenplay about the “Mane 6” characters — Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity — who embark on a journey full of new friends and challenges while on a quest to use the magic of friendship and ultimately save their home.

Plus, check out the movie's new logo below:

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Image via Hasbro, Allspark Pictures

'One Piece Film: Gold' in Theaters Until January 17th

Here's the official synopsis for One Piece Film: Gold:

The Straw Hat pirates are hitting the big screen once again in an all-new high-flying adventure! The popular series that has captivated fans all over the world unfolds a new saga in the highly anticipated movie, One Piece Film: Gold.

 

The glittering Gran Tesoro, a city of entertainment beyond the laws of the government, is a sanctuary for the world’s most infamous pirates, Marines, and filthy rich millionaires. Drawn by dreams of hitting the jackpot, Captain Luffy and his crew sail straight for the gold. But behind the gilded curtains lies a powerful king whose deep pockets and deeper ambitions spell disaster for the Straw Hats and the New World alike.

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Image via Funimation

'The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!' Trailer

IGN had the debut of a bonkers first trailer for The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! The crazy crossover special will arrive on Tuesday, February 28th for Digital HD and on Tuesday, March 14th on DVD.

In this movie, "it's up to George and the Jetsons to travel back in time and enlist WWE Superstars Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Alicia Fox, and Sheamus to help defeat the Big Show and save the future." Jeff Bergman lends his voice to George Jetson and Mr. Spacely while Grey DeLisle voice both Jane and Judy Jetson. Frank Welker returns to voice Astro.

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Image via WWE, Warner Bros. Animation

Amazon Launches Anime Strike Channel

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Image via Amazon

Variety reports that Amazon has launched a new anime channel, the company's first branded on-demand subscription service under its Amazon Channels offerings.  Anime Strike will offer classic titles and current broadcasts on Japanese TV, with more than 1,000 series episodes and movies available. U.S. Amazon Prime members can pay for $4.99 per month (after a seven-day free trial), for ad-free programming; content will be refreshed weekly.

Series include The Great Passage; same-day-as-broadcast series from Japan including Scum’s Wish (“Kuzu no Honkai”) and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (“Ao No Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen”); and classic hits like Paprika, Tokyo Godfathers and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS. Anime Strike's programming will feature a mix of adult-themed, romance and action titles designed to appeal across all age ranges.

Time will tell how well Amazon's Anime Strike channel competes with the selection of anime content already available on providers like Netflix and Hulu, and anime-focused platforms Crunchyroll and Funimation. Are you going to check it out? Let us know in the comments!

Mike Judge Is Bringing an Animated Country Music Series to Cinemax

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Deadline reports that Cinemax has picked up an animated series from Mike Judge, the mind behind Idiocracy and Silicon Valley, among others. Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus will have an eight-episode run on the premium network; production is currently underway on the half-hour episodes for a debut later this year.

Co-created by Judge, Richard Mullins, and The Last Ride co-writer Dub CornettMike Judge Presents: Tales From The Tour Bus follows the tales of some of Country Music’s most eccentric characters. If it's remotely like Beavis and Butt-Head or King of the Hill, Judge fans should be in for a treat.