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!

The big news in animation renewals this week included a Season 12 order for SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and a Season 2 renewal for the new Ben 10 series on Cartoon Network. The Hotel Transylvania animated series already unveiled its Disney Channel debut date, along with the news that a series of animated shorts titled Marvel's Ant-Man will also be coming to the network. On Cartoon Network, production has commenced on an all new redesign of DC Super Hero Girls, while at HBO, a major project between the network and Jon Stewart has fallen through.

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In animated movie news, we have now seen the first posters for the My Little Pony movie and Genndy Tartakovsky's new short film Puppy!, in addition to a fun new clip for Captain Underpants, the release date for The Angry Birds Movie 2. There's also a trailer for Seoul Station, the super violent, animated prequel to Train to Busan. On the more artsy side of things, there's a very cool Women in Animation summit coming to Annecy this year, plus the reveal of a new stop-motion animated music video from the studio that animated the Oscar-nominated Anomalisa. You can find news on all that and more below!

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!

'SpongeBob SquarePants' to Continue Adventures Under the Sea

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Image via Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon announced that SpongeBob SquarePants, the number-one animated show for kids 2-11 and kids 6-11, has been greenlit for season 12. The 26-episode pick up will further the nautical adventures of SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Squidward. Season 12 is scheduled to premiere in 2019, the series’ 20th anniversary year.

The pickup comes on the heels of the recent announcement for a third SpongeBob SquarePants theatrical from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, also slated for 2019.

SpongeBob SquarePants, the most-watched animated program with kids for more than 15 consecutive years, will debut season 11 later this summer, and feature the return of fan favorite characters including: the mischievous pencil-drawing Doodle Bob; SpongeBob’s friend and creation Bubble Buddy; the super villain Man Ray; and Cave SpongeBob, who made his debut in season one.

SpongeBob SquarePants is voiced by veteran cast members: Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, an incurably optimistic sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea; Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star, SpongeBob's silly best friend; Roger Bumpass as Squidward, an aloof cashier of The Krusty Krab and SpongeBob’s neighbor; Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob's boss and greedy owner of The Krusty Krab; Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks, Bikini Bottom's only resident rodent aquanaut and scientist; and Mr. Lawrence as Plankton, owner of the Chum Bucket and chief rival of Mr. Krabs.

'Ben 10' Returns for Season 2

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Image via Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network announced that the hit series Ben 10 has been renewed for a second season following the successful global launch about the boy with a mysterious watch. Since its U.S. premiere in April, Ben 10 has reached nearly 41 million viewers across a wide spectrum of platforms including linear, mobile and VOD. In season two, the network will build on the fan excitement for Ben 10 by expanding its multi-screen world to include new console and mobile games along with a host of other immersive experiences.

Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen and Grandpa Max will embark on their greatest summer vacation ever during the second season.  The heroic adventures will continue as Ben meets new aliens, friends and foes while discovering exciting twists and surprises within his Omnitrix!

Beginning Monday, May 29th at 6:00 p.m., Ben’s transformation into Wildvine, the 10th alien to be featured in the current first season will be revealed in two all-new episodes. Ben 10 is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and created and executive produced by Man of Action Entertainment (Big Hero 6Generator Rex), with John Fang (MixelsGenerator Rex) as executive producer.

First Poster for 'My Little Pony: The Movie' Goes Under the Sea

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Image via Hasbro Studios

From L to R: Ashleigh Ball as “Rainbow Dash,” Andrea Libman as “Fluttershy,” Ashleigh Ball as “Applejack,” Tara Strong as “Twilight Sparkle,” Uzo Aduba as “Queen Novo,” Tabitha St. Germain as “Rarity,” Andrea Libman as “Pinkie Pie,” and Kristin Chenoweth as “Princess Skystar” in MY LITTLE PONY.

The Mane 6 star alongside newcomers Emily Blunt, Taye Diggs, Michael Peña, Zoë Saldana, Liev Schreiber and Sia, in My Little Pony: The Movie, which includes an original song performed by Sia.

Here's the official synopsis:

A new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6 – Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity – embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home.

'Captain Underpants' Clip Hires an Evil Scientist

David Soren‘s Captain Underpants, scripted by Nicholas Stoller and based on author/illustrator Dav Pilkey's stories, stars Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch, who lend their voices to pranksters George Beard and Harold Hutchins. Ed Helms plays Mr. Krupp and his alter ego, Captain Underpants. Also starring Nick Kroll, Jordan Peele, and Kristen Schaal, the animated movie arrives in theaters on June 2nd.

Here's the official synopsis:

Based on the worldwide sensation and bestselling book series, and boasting an A-list cast of comedy superstars headed by Kevin Hart and Ed Helms, DreamWorks Animation brings audiences the long-awaited global movie event, CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE. This raucously subversive comedy for the entire family tells the story of two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold, who hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.

'Hotel Transylvania: The Series' Trailer Announces Its Disney Debut

The monsters are taking over Disney Channel! Catch Hotel Transylvania: The Series, premiering on Sunday, June 25th at 8p!

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Sony Pictures Animation announced the debut details of their new animated series Hotel Transylvania: The Series, based on the blockbuster film franchise of the same name. The series, featuring 26 22-minute episodes and produced at the Nelvana studio in Toronto, focuses on the teenage years of Dracula’s daughter, Mavis, and her three closest friends Hank N Stein, Pedro and Wendy Blob. With Dracula away on “Official Vampire Business,” Mavis finally sees her chance to show her father what she can do. With the help of her friends, she decides to put her brilliant ideas of how to run the Hotel into motion, but enter Aunt Lydia, Dracula’s older and much meaner sister. While Mavis and friends are ready to let loose and have fun, Aunt Lydia pushes for even more order and tradition at the Hotel.

Hotel Transylvania: The Series premieres on Disney Channel on Sunday, June 25th at 8pm ET/PT with new episodes airing every night at 8pm ET/PT through Thursday, June 29th. The first episode will be available on the Disney Channel app, YouTube and VOD on Tuesday, June 20th. The series will air in its regular timeslot beginning Sunday, July 9th at 8:30pm ET/PT on Disney Channel.

Beginning Sunday, June 4th and leading up to the premiere of the series, three new shorts will follow Mavis and her dad Drac as he prepares to join the prestigious Vampire Council. These shorts will also be available on the Disney Channel app and Disney Channel YouTube.

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Image via Disney

First Look at Genndy Tartakovsky's 'Puppy!'

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Image via Sony Pictures Animation

Puppy! is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory, Star Wars: Clone Wars) and produced by Michelle Murdocca (Hotel Transylvania, Hotel Transylvania 2).

In the short, the residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside-down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet!

Puppy! will debut at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival next month and in theaters worldwide this summer attached to The Emoji Movie.

'Angry Birds 2' Takes Flight in September 2019

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Image via Sony Animation

As Variety reports, Sony Pictures has set The Angry Birds Movie 2 for a September 20, 2019 release date, timing the sequel's release to the 10th anniversary of the smash-hit mobile game. Sony will reteam with Rovio Entertainment Ltd. for the follow-up to the original $350 million worldwide earner. Director Thurop Van Orman (The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adventure Time) will be joined by co-director co-directed John Rice (King of the Hill, Rick and Morty), who served as a storyboard artist and director of the picture's related short films. Peter Ackerman will write the screenplay and John Cohen will return as a producer. Sony Pictures Imageworks will again collaborate with Sony Pictures Animation to animate the film. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Animated Shorts Land at Disney XD

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Image via Marvel Animation

EW had an early look at Marvel’s Ant-Man, the next installment in Marvel Animation’s series of cartoon shorts. Josh Keaton (VoltronDC Super Hero GirlsBen 10), voices Scott Lang, the incredible shrinking hero who will fight evil alongside the Wasp and Hank Pym while also occasionally helping his daughter Cassie with her homework. Look for the series to premiere on Disney XD June 10th and June 11th.

The Marvel shorts, which previously starred Rocket and Groot, are animated by Passion Pictures. Each of the six two-minute shorts in this series are directed by Ugo Bienvenu and Kevin Manach, written by Brian Wysol, executive-produced by Alan Fine, Dan Buckley, Joe Quesada, Cort Lane, Stephen Wacker, and Stan Lee, with Cara Speller and Marc Bodin-Joyeux also serving as producers.

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Image via Marvel Animation
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Image via Marvel Animation

Watch a Trailer for an Animated Prequel to 'Train to Busan'

EW has an early look at the trailer for Seoul Station, an animated prequel film that tells the story leading up to the horrifying events glimpsed in Train to Busan. The movie comes from writer-director Sang-ho Yeon, the visionary behind the live-action 2016 horror-thriller of which Seoul Station is tied to. It not only explores the days before the epidemic, it even traces the outbreak back to its likely source; this one looks like a worthwhile watch for fans (and completionists) of Train to Busan.

Though Seoul Station was originally released last year, it'll be coming to iTunes on May 30th, and VOD and DVD/Blu-ray on June 6th, courtesy of FilmRise.

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Image via FilmRise
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Image via FilmRise

Annecy 2017 to Feature the First-Ever 'Women in Animation' Summit

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Image via Women in Animation

Variety reports that this year’s Annecy International Animation Festival will feature "the Women in Animation World Summit, a day-long symposium of panels and discussions on topics relevant to women in the animation world that will take place June 12th at the Impérial Palace Hotel."

Hosted by Women in Animation (WIA) and its sister group, Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA), with Walt Disney Studios, the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (SACD) and Hiventy, all in conjunction with Mifa 2017, some of the panels will address: d“Exploring Unconscious Bias,” “50/50 by 2025 — How are We Getting There?” “Developing Diverse Stories” and “Artists’ Experiences.”

“We are honored to co-host the first Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy, with Mifa’s continued support of our advocacy,” said WIA co-president Marge Dean. “Our big focus for this year is on recognizing and understanding unconscious bias, an achievement which will help everyone work together towards WIA’s goal of bringing equity to creative leadership in our industry by 2025.”

'Moonwrapped' Music Video from 'Anomalisa' Animators

Richard Edwards "Moonwrapped" Music Video 2017. Directed by Sofia Astrom, Produced at Starburns Industries. Executive Producers Duke Johnson (Anomalisa) & Dino Stamatopoulos (Mr Show, Morel Orel).

IndieWire brought this lovely music video to our attention. Animated in stop-motion, itself unusual for a music video these days, "Moonwrapped" comes from Starburns Industries, the same animation company responsible for the Oscar-nominated Anomalisa.

Sofia Astrom, recipient of the 2015 Women in Film and Tiffany & Co. scholarship from the American Film Institute, produced and directed the music video, saying,

“When I got Richard’s song and the handwritten description of his concept for the video, I instantly felt like I had to do this project. Starburns gave me the keys to the castle (literally, the studio is a castle!) and said go do your thing. It was a filmmaker’s dream.”

Edwards said of Astrom's creation, “[It's] something that looks so much better than what was in my brain, which already looked pretty damn good,” and was inspired by Dino Stamatopoulos' creation Moral Orel. “Based on the quality of her work, I am quite sure she will not be in my price range for long.”

Jon Stewart and HBO Scuttle the Animated Series Project

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Image via Comedy Central

Deadline reports that HBO and Jon Stewart have announced that their plans for an animated digital series have been scrapped. Here's how the news broke, via a joint statement:

“HBO and Jon Stewart have decided not to proceed with a short form digital animated project. We all thought the project had great potential, but there were technical issues in terms of production and distribution that proved too difficult given the quick turnaround and topical nature of the material. We’re excited to report that we have some future projects together which you will be hearing about in the near future.”

Originally intended to be a half-hour, satirical send-up of cable news with Stewart voicing a character to add commentary, and with a release date that was supposed to launch before November's contentious U.S. Presidential election, the challenge to churn out multiple videos a day to keep pace with the 24/7 news cycle proved insurmountable. Even South Park recently struggled to not only maintain its weekly pace after all these years, but to out-crazy the current administration; that's a problem SNL is running into even without the added complications of animation. Timely distribution across HBO's platforms also proved unwieldy.

While significant investments of both time and money had been made, HBO will retain the technology they developed for the show in the process. This comes as just part of the four-year deal between HBO and Stewart; you can expect news of another project to be announced in the near future.

'DC Super Hero Girls' to Feature New Character Designs from Lauren Faust

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Image via Mattel/DC Comics

Production has begun on DC Super Hero Girls, an all-new animated action-comedy series from Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC Entertainment. Featuring fresh character designs and storytelling from Emmy® Award–winning producer Lauren Faust (Super Best Friends Forever, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends), DC Super Hero Girls will be coming to Cartoon Network in 2018. 

The world may know them as Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl, but not-so-typical teenagers Diana, Kara and Barbara, alongside their Super Hero friends have much more to deal with than just protecting the citizens of Metropolis from some of the most sinister school-aged Super-Villains of the DC Universe. After all, being teens is tough enough, what with school, friends, family and the chaos that comes with managing a social life. . But add super powers and a secret identity to the mix, and things can get a lot more complicated.

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Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Sure, gal pals Bumblebee, Zatanna and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz are always there to lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a fist to punch with, and their bros in the Justice League amp up the fun whether they’re at a concert or taking down a crime ring. But what happens when Diana and her favorite study buddy and fencing partner, Tatsu, can’t agree on how to dole out justice as Wonder Woman and Katana? Or when Barbara finds out her Gotham-Con bestie is teen-fiend Harley Quinn? Along with all their friends, foes and frenemies, this squad of super teens navigates the unique growing pains that come when you’re a teenager trying to fight the battles of the world and the battles of growing up at the same time.

The new series is a global initiative with Cartoon Network and builds on the successful DC Super Hero Girls direct-to-video movies as well as digital webisodes launched in 2015 and viewed by millions of fans on the DC Super Hero Girls YouTube channel, as well as the DC Super Hero Girls mobile app.

Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Action) serves as executive producer.

About DC Super Hero Girls

In partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, the DC Super Hero Girls franchise provides kids with a relatable world filled with aspirational characters, immersive stories and action-packed missions that inspire viewers to be smart, courageous and empowered to be an everyday Super Hero. Centered around the most renowned DC Super Heroes (Supergirl, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Bumblebee) and Super-Villains (Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy) as they learn to develop and harness their super powers, work as a team and strengthen their friendships, while still getting their homework done on time.

DC Super Hero Girls is an all-encompassing universe based on the well-known DC characters.  DC Super Hero Girls encourages kids to discover their own super-heroic potential with new animated content, including webisodes, TV specials, and made-for-video movies; as well as a merchandise program across toys (including action figures and action dolls), costumes and role play, apparel and accessories, publishing and many other categories, and supported by best-in-class partners including Mattel, LEGO, Rubie’s Costumes, Jerry Leigh, and Random House, among many others.

Check out Rooster Teeth's 'Camp Camp' Season 2 Trailer

Camp Camp is back for a new season of dysfunctional summer fun! Join Max, Nikki, and the rest of the campers on new adventures as they try to survive the annoyingly cheerful counselor David. Premieres June 9 on FIRST, and June 16 for free site members and YouTube. CAMPE DIEM!

The new Season 2 trailer for Rooster Teeth's Camp Camp finds campers Max, Nikki, and Neil pitted against their cheerfully cringeworthy counselor, David. This season will see then encountering such obstacles as a horrifying Purification Sauna, a vengeful one-eyed squirrel, and even magical duels over a boiling pit of lava.

Season 2 of Camp Camp premieres on Rooster Teeth's streaming service First on June 9th, followed up by the studio's Summer of Animation, which also includes new episodes of Red vs. Blue and RWBY.

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Image via Rooster Teeth

'Guardians of the Galaxy' Screenwriter Nicole Perlman Debuts VR Series 'Raising a Rukus'

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Image via Virtual Reality Company

Variety had the first look at a new virtual reality animated kids series brought about by screenwriter Nicole Perlman, one of the pens behind 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and upcoming films like LabyrinthCaptain Marvel, and the Hasbro cinematic universe. The new series, Raising a Rukus, launched Thursday on the Samsung Gear VR Headset and also features Grammy Award-winning composer James Newton Howard, composer Sven Faulconer, The Third Floor founder Joshua Wassung, Skywalker Sound and VRC co-founder / Academy Award winner Robert Stromberg.

The series follows two twins who "fight a lot and agree on little until they get their own dog. The pet, who goes by the name Rukus, turns out to be magic, and capable of taking them to magical places to have adventures together." You can check it out in the Oculus Store and keep an eye out for it on current-gen Samsung phones.

'Blaze and the Monster Machines' to Feature Billy Ray Cyrus and Kelsea Ballerini

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Image via Nickelodeon

Blaze and the Monster Machines take a ride on the wild side in all-new “Wild Wheels” animal-themed specials featuring guest voice appearances by internationally renowned multi-platinum recording artist and acclaimed actor, Billy Ray Cyrus and Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling singer-songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini.

The “Wild Wheels” specials follow Blaze and friends as they transform into animal-trucks and meet new friends on Animal Island, an incredible place where everyone is a talking monster truck animal.  Blaze and the Monster Machines follows the adventures of the amazing monster truck Blaze and his eight-year-old driver AJ, and it’s the first preschool show on TV to comprehensively cover all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in every episode.

The first special, “Animal Island,” featuring Cyrus as Lazard, a greedy lizard-truck, premieres Monday, May 29, at 12pm (ET/PT). Blaze and Stripes are sailing the open sea when they discover Animal Island.  While ashore, they make new friends and marvel at the animals’ amazing powers but a greedy lizard-truck named Lazard (Cyrus) wants those powers all for himself and decides to steal them using a special machine.

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Image via Nickelodeon

“Toucan Do It!” featuring Ballerini as Tooks, an athletic toucan-truck, premieres on Wednesday, May 31, at 12pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. Blaze, Starla and Darington visit Animal Stadium where they are set to take on a team of animal opponents in a game of Jungle Ball.  When the friends discover they are down a teammate, Blaze recruits an athletic toucan-truck named Tooks (Ballerini) to join their team.  When the ball accidentally flies far from the stadium, Tooks boldly flies to get it but her feathery tail gets trapped under a rock.  Now, it’s up to Blaze, Starla, and Darington to transform into animals to rescue their new friend.

Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling musician, Darius Rucker will also voice a character named Thunderwing, a tough-talking falcon-truck, in an upcoming “Wild Wheels” episode premiering later this year.