Along with Francisco Gonzalez’s excellent weekly news recaps–This Week in Superhero News and This Week in Movie Trailers–we’re happy to provide you with This Week in Animation News to get you caught up on all things animated you might have missed over the past seven days. 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!

New stories include music videos from the new animated release Sing and Disney's wildly successful Moana, plus a new trailer for Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke, which is going to enjoy a theatrical re-release early in 2017. We've also got the first trailer for Rock Dog (if that's a thing that interests you), which stars Luke WilsonEddie Izzard, and J.K. Simmons among other notable voice talents. Speaking of voice acting, Elizabeth Banks is also set to lend her own voice to an animated alien in the virtual-reality short Asteroids!, which will be debuting at Sundance.

trollhunters-poster

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!

First Trailer for 'Rock Dog' Is Basically 'Poochie: The Movie'

Here's the movie's official synopsis:

For the Tibetan Mastiffs living on Snow Mountain, a dog’s life has a simple riff: Guard a peaceful village of wool-making sheep from the thuggish wolf Linnux (Lewis Black) and his rabid pack. To avoid distractions, Mastiff leader Khampa (J.K. Simmons) forbids all music from the mountain. But when Khampa’s son Bodi (Luke Wilson) discovers a radio dropped by a passing airplane, it takes just a few guitar licks for his fate to be sealed: Bodi wants to be a rock ‘n’ roll star. Yet that means defying his father’s wishes, heading to the city, and locating the legendary – and reclusive – musician Angus Scattergood (Eddie Izzard), who needs to write a new song and fast.

 

 

If Bodi can put a band together, help Angus with his song, and defeat the wolves’ plot to take Snow Mountain, his life will be in tune. Bodi will become what he’s always dreamed of being: More than a dog … more than a Rock God… he’ll be a ROCK DOG!

rock-dog-trailer
Image via Lionsgate Summit Premiere

rock-dog-trailer

'Princess Mononoke' Theatrical Re-Release Trailer

There are at least two things I didn't know about Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke: The first is that the English script adaptation was written in part by Neil Gaiman of all people! The award-winning author recently shared this 2009 interview in which he talked about the process of adapting the film and how a special screening from Harvey Weinstein got him hooked on the film.

The second is that the Studio Ghibli film is coming back to theaters for two nights only this January. Here are the details for Princess Mononoke's theatrical re-release:

GKIDS, Fathom Events, Studio Ghibli and Hot Topic present a special 20th Anniversary celebration of Hayao Miyazaki's classic PRINCESS MONONOKE, returning to US theaters for two nights only, Jan 5th and 9th, 2017. (It's also in celebration of Miyazaki's birthday!)

Don't miss this unique opportunity to see this amazing film on the big screen, joined by an exclusive screening of ON YOUR MARK, a music video directed and animated by Hayao Miyazaki, now in HD and glorious surround sound. You're going to love it.

Find a theater near you and buy advance tickets at www.fathomevents.com.

'Moana' Song Clip Features Jemaine Clement as a Shiny Crab

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Auli’i Cravalho share honors for the Golden Globe-nominated song “How Far I’ll Go” but that track is just one example of the Disney film’s amazing soundtrack which is available as a two-disc deluxe edition digital deluxe edition wherever music is sold and streamed. Another song from the film arrived earlier this week, featuring the singing style of Jemaine Clement.

For more on Moana, take a look at some of our recent write-ups below:

'Sing' Cast Join Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to Sing a Holiday Classic

Jimmy and The Roots join Paul McCartney, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Seth MacFarlane and Tori Kelly for an a cappella rendition of "Wonderful Christmastime."

And here's a bonus music video from the Sing soundtrack featuring Ariana Grande:

For more on Sing, take a look at some of our recent write-ups below:

Elizabeth Banks to Voice an Alien in 'Asteroids!' Short

modern-family-elizabeth-banks
Image via ABC

As THR reports, Elizabeth Banks will be stepping into the virtual reality real in an upcoming animated VR short titled Asteroids! The film hails from from Madagascar director Eric Darnell and his Baobab Studios. Select VR platforms will get a sneak peek on Thursday before the short's debut next month at Sundance.

Asteroids! sees the viewer taking on "the role of a helper-bot alongside aliens Mac and Cheez. Joined by their other robot sidekick, Peas, the viewer embarks on a mission in outer space. Banks will voice Cheez, a loveable, kind-hearted alien."

Asteroids! follows up Darnell and Baobab's debut short Invasion!, which also featured Mac and Cheez. A feature-length film based on the Invasion! characters and story is in the works. Check out the short below:

GKIDS Announces Voice Cast for Golden Globe-Nominated 'My Life as a Zucchini'

my-life-as-a-zucchini-cast
Image via RITA Productions

GKIDS has announced the English voice cast for Golden Globe nominee My Life as a Zucchini. The film will feature the voices of Will Forte, Nick Offerman, Ellen Page and Amy Sedaris. The English world premiere will take place at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival while the domestic theatrical release is set for February 2017, in both the English language and original French language versions.

The official Swiss submission has been shortlisted for the "Best Foreign Language" category for the 2017 Academy Awards, where it will also be competing for Best Animated Feature.

Here's the film's synopsis:

After his mother's sudden death, Zucchini is befriended by a police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home, filled with other orphans his age.  At first he struggles to find his place in this at times strange and hostile environment.

 

But with Raymond's help and his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love, as he searches for a new family of his own.  Brought to life through striking character designs and expressive stop-motion animation, the story soars with laughter, sorrow, and joy, and stands as a testament to the resilience of the human heart.

my-life-as-a-zucchini-poster