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!

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!

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Image via Rooster Teeth, Mixer

Watch RTX Online Thanks to Mixer!

Catch all of the action at RTX 2018, happening now! Tune in here starting at 12:00 p.m. CT on Friday, August 3rd. You can also watch via the Mixer app on Xbox One and mobile. If you miss anything, Mixer will have a video on demand as soon the stream is over.

Of course, we'll have continuing coverage of all the news that's fit to print out of RTX here, so be sure to stay tuned for more from Rooster Teeth!

'My Little Pony' Celebrates 35 Years of Magic and Friendship by Going Retro

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In celebration of the 35th Anniversary of My Little Pony and Hasbro’s “Retro Week”, movie poster mockups in My Little Pony style have been unveiled for Back to the Future, Indiana Jones and ET along with a My Little Pony ‘Full House’ spoof video. The My Little Pony ‘Full House’ spoof features the main ponies from the show in a new video reimagined to mimic the iconic introduction from the hit show ‘Full House’.

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Image via Hasbro
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Image via Hasbro
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Image via Hasbro

'Mega Man: Fully Charged' Premieres on Cartoon Network This Weekend

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Image via DHX Media, Man of Action Entertainment

Mega Man: Fully Charged Series Premiere this Sunday, August 5th at 6:30 a.m. (ET/PT):

  • “Throwing Shade Part 1” - Sgt. Night publicly criticizes Dr. Light's views on human & robot unity during a school assembly, invoking the ire of Fire Man and forcing Silicon City’s newly minted hero, Mega Man, to intervene.
  • "Throwing Shade Part 2" - Mega Man stops Fire Man by replicating his powers and fighting fire with fire. Unfortunately, Mega Man also learns that he can replicate a robot’s mental state as well, and must get his own anger under control to win. Defeated, Fire Man reports back to his secret master, Sgt. Night

Plus, new episodes of We Bare Bears are on the air right now!

We Bare Bears premieres all-new episodes beginning Monday, July 30 on Cartoon Network. Fans can enjoy more adventures with the adorable baby bears and appearances from the Bear bros best pals Chloe, Ranger Tabes and Charlie!

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Image via Cartoon Network

'Transformers: The Movie' Returns to Theaters This September

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Image via Hasbro, Fathom Events

Brace yourself to relive the excitement and nostalgia of the thrilling action battles between the AUTOBOTS and the DECEPTICONS from the 1986 TRANSFORMERS movie on the silver screen! The world-renowned animated feature film THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE hits cinemas nationwide for a special one-night event on Thursday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m. local time. The film has been meticulously remastered, restored from the original film elements, and transferred in HD.

THE TRANSFORMERS (1986) MOVIE EVENT will catapult audiences into the super-charged, action-packed TRANSFORMERS universe, and enables lifelong fans to relive the excitement and awe of this 1986 animated feature, just months before BUMBLEBEE, the new live-action feature film set in the year 1987, hits theatres everywhere in December 2018.

This special event is a collaboration between Fathom Events, Hasbro Studios and Shout! Factory, and it will also provide moviegoers with a sneak peek behind the making of the BUMBLEBEE feature film, and a brand-new interview with singer-songwriter Stan Bush including recent performances of the theme songs “The Touch” and “Dare.” Moviegoers will be able to enjoy the film in approximately 500 select U.S. movie theatres. A complete list of theater locations will be available at Fathomevents.com.

Tickets for THE TRANSFORMERS (1986) MOVIE EVENT are on sale now and can be purchased online or at participating movie theater box offices.

The AUTOBOTS, led by the heroic OPTIMUS PRIME, prepare to make a daring attempt to retake their planet from the evil forces of MEGATRON and the DECEPTICONS. Unknown to both sides, a menacing force is heading their way – UNICRON. The only hope of stopping UNICRON lies within the Matrix of Leadership and the AUTOBOT who can rise up and use its power to light their darkest hour. Will the AUTOBOTS be able to save their native planet from destruction or will the DECEPTICONS reign supreme?

The TRANSFORMERS – THE MOVIE is co-produced and directed by Nelson Shin; produced by Joe Bacal and Tom Griffin; supervising producer, Jay Bacal; executive producers, Margaret Loesch and Lee Gunther; music score by Vince Dicola and Ed Fruge.

Studio Ghibli's 'Grave of the Fireflies' Returns to Theaters This Month

Tickets can be purchased here!

From the legendary Studio Ghibli, and Academy Award-nominated director Isao Takahata, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES comes to select cinemas nationwide. Two children fend for themselves in the final days of the second World War in the 30th anniversary special presentation of this emotional masterpiece. Playing for three days only, Sunday August 12th, Monday August 13th, and Wednesday August 15th as part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2018. Tickets and full schedule available at GhibliFest.com

Watch the First Episode of Nickelodeon's 'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Now

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Check out the first episode here!

Watch the first FULL EPISODE (for FREE) of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! The Turtles discover for the first time that they're not the weirdest things in New York in the series premiere.

What the U.S. Trailer for 'Laughing Under the Clouds Gaiden Part 1 & 2'

The Official US Trailer of The Laughing Under the Clouds: Gaiden Films for Part 1 and Part 2. For theater locations and showtimes please visit our website at www.elevenarts.net/donten

ELEVEN ARTS Anime Studio has licensed the North American distribution rights to Laughing Under the Clouds: Gaiden, a Japanese film adaptation of the hit manga and anime series Laughing Under the Clouds.

The LA-based distribution company ELEVEN ARTS Anime Studio has set August 24th, 2018, as the theatrical release for the film. The film will debut in the U.S. with Parts 1 and 2, with the third installment scheduled for next year. The film will screen with the original Japanese dialogue and English subtitles.

Fans of Wit Studio’s previous works, the adrenaline-pumping Attack on Titan and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, need look no further than this newest addition. Gaiden offers plenty of action and drama. What is remarkable about this story, and especially universal in appeal, is its attitudes toward grief, sensitivity, depression, violence, and compassion. The film perfectly balances the physical with the emotional and updates the Meiji Restoration with a contemporary feel, ensuring that there’s something in it for everyone.

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Image via ELEVEN ARTS

Gaiden picks up where the original series left off, in the wake of the Yamainu squad’s battle with the formidable Orochi serpent. Now that the Yamainu have vanquished their enemy and escorted all criminals to the local prison, government officials decide to outlaw swords - putting Japan’s great avengers out of a job. So now the Yamainu, all trained assassins, must pull together to find a new cause, one within their own group.

Although he ought to feel victorious, the Orochi took its toll on squad leader Tenka, the eldest of the Kumou brothers. Tenka’s paraplegic condition, rendering him unable to help his teammates in battle, leaves him with severe guilt and self-doubt. No longer threatened with possession by the Orochi, Tenka must reconcile with his own inner demons, and the squad must save him from himself.

Eventually, internal disputes will turn themselves inside out again, when a new enemy emerges from the shadows. The Fuuma ninja clan, who assassinated the Kumou parents years before, inches one step closer to their goal of reviving the Orochi, with the help of some surprising allies. Now the remaining Yamainu will find themselves back in employment.

Meredith Roberts Named Disney Channels' Senior VP of Animation Strategy

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Image via Disney Channel/Craig Sjodin

Meredith Roberts, a well-regarded leader in animation for film and television, has been named to the newly created role of senior vice president, Animation Strategy, Disney Channels. She will be responsible for leading a unified vision for the animation content produced by Disney Television Animation and other studios for Disney Junior, Disney Channel, Disney XD and related platforms. Roberts will report to Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Content and Creative Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide, and general manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.

Kanter said, "Meredith's reputation in the animation business is second to none. She is not only admired for her strategic insights and a deep understanding and appreciation for the work involved in making world-class animated content, but also for her devotion to creating an inclusive and supportive culture wherever she works. As we look ahead to developing even more programming across multiple platforms, these are the skills we need most to attract and retain talent and to open the doors to new ideas that will entertain kids and families for years to come."

Roberts said, "In a dynamic and rapidly growing time for our business, I'm tremendously pleased to again join the talented TVA team, an industry leader and major creative force around the world."

Roberts has deep experience in the field of animation, from creative development to production. For the last 11 years, she was general manager, Disneytoon Studios, which successfully launched films including the popular Planes franchise and Tinker Bell/Fairies titles. From 2004-2007, she was senior vice president, Creative Affairs, Disney Television Animation, where she helped steer the Emmy Award-winning hits Phineas and Ferb and Kim Possible, The Emperor's New School and Lilo & Stitch. From 2001-2004, she was head of development, Film and Television, Klasky-Csupo Entertainment.

A member of the Advisory Board for Women in Animation, Roberts holds a Bachelor of Science from SI Newhouse School of Communications, Syracuse University.