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!

'Family Guy' Celebrates Mega Milestone with Episode 300

Titled “Dog Bites Bear,” the 300th episode of Family Guy airs Sunday, January 14th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox. Check out all of the coverage of this milestone below:

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Here's a clip from the upcoming episode:

Via EW, here's what executive producer Rich Appel had to say about the episode:

“Cherry Chevapravatdumrong wrote the episode, and among many skill sets she brings to her job as a writer is a fondness bordering on obsession with The Fast and Furious series. One of the sustained bits in the show revolves around Stewie’s adoration of that series, and he tells Brian to be careful talking about Paul Walker because he hasn’t yet broken the news of his death to Rupert.” 

 

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And for more on this milestone from creator Seth MacFarland, be sure to check out this interview with THR, and tune in for Episode 300 this Sunday night!

'A Silent Voice' English Dub Heads to Theaters February 2nd

Eleven Arts is bringing the English dub of director Naoko Yamada's animated film A Silent Voice to U.S. theaters early this February. Fans of A Silent Voice, which premiered at theaters across North America last October, can now enjoy the newly dubbed version; check out the English voice cast below. The film’s universal themes of regret and redemption, powerful in any language, won hearts of critics and the public alike, and A Silent Voice has been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 90th Academy Awards

  • Shoya Ishida - Robbie Daymond
  • Shoya Ishida (in year 6 at school) - Ryan Shanahan
  • Shoko Nishimiya - Lexi Cowden
  • Naoka Ueno - Kira Buckland
  • Naoka Ueno (in year 6 at school) - Gia Grace
  • Miki Kawai - Amber Lee Connors
  • Miki Kawai (in year 6 at school) - Annabelle Corigliano
  • Miyoko Sahara - Melissa Hope
  • Mikoko Sahara (in year 6 at school) - Catie Harvey
  • Keisuke Hirose (in year 6 at school) - Brian Bekerle
  • Kazuki Shimada - Michael Sinterniklaas
  • Kazuki Shimada (in year 6 at school) - Spencer Rosen
  • Yuzuru Nishimiya - Kristen Sullivan
  • Yaeko Nishimiya - Lipica ShahIto
  • Ito Nishimiya - Janis Carol
  • Miyoko Ishida - Sara Cravens
  • Tomohiro Nagatsuka - Graham Halstead
  • Satoshi Mashiba - Max Mittelman
  • Maria Ishida - AnnaBelle Deaner

Here's the film's official synopsis:

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.

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Image via Eleven Arts

 

'Mr. Pickles' Goes on a Metal Band Tour for Season 3 Celebration

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Image via Adult Swim

Adult Swim is moshing its way around the country with an immersive, fan-centric 13-city metal “thrash-tastic” tour featuring bands Exodus and Municipal Waste in support of the new season of its animated series Mr. Pickles. Along with enjoying face melting guitar riffs, fans attending the Thrash-tacular Metal Tour can take photos in the Mr. Pickles hellacious dog house, purchase exclusive Mr. Pickles merchandise and receive free Adult Swim swag.  The new music tour continues Adult Swim’s commitment to bringing vibrant and impactful experiences directly to its fans. The onslaught of sound begins Thursday, February 22nd in Seattle, Washington. For more information on the tour, how to get tickets and schedule, please visit Adult Swim Presents.

Mr. Pickles, Old Town’s cutest dog, is back for a third season of tail wagging, flesh ripping, head decapitating and good old classic American adventure on Sunday, February 25th at Midnight ET/PT on Adult Swim.

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Image via Adult Swim

Season three of Mr. Pickles follows the Goodman family, and the eccentric residents of Old Town, in their most off-the-wall escapades yet!  Join Mr. Goodman and Mrs. Goodman in battling bullies, zombies and telemarketing plantation owners.  Go on a ride along with Sheriff in the hit reality show “Sheriffs”, and learn from Tommy what it really takes to make a hit cartoon show.  Don’t forget about the about the wonderful Mr. Pickles, who is never too far away from the action. This season he faces off against some of his toughest foes including memory hackers, ruthless television executives, and military footwear.

Mr. Pickles is a HotHouse production created by Will Carsola and Dave Stewart. It is executive produced by Carsola, Stewart, Michael J. Rizzo, and Mike Mayfield.

'Teen Titans Go! To the Movies' Details Revealed

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Image via Warner Bros.

The first trailer and synopsis for Cartoon Network and Warner Bros.' Teen Titans Go! To the Movies arrived earlier this week, but USA Today has a few more details when it comes to the new cast and characters. One such newcomer is Kristen Bell, who voices superhero-movie director Jade Wilson. Bell called the title team “such an amusing take on superheroes. They're funny, irreverent and delightful to watch. And much like the Teen Titans themselves, I thought they deserved their own movie.”

The write-up also included the first look at Bell's character, which she said “really looks nothing like me. That gave me a lot of latitude to voice her in a way I wouldn't necessarily speak to people ... she's definitely an amalgamation of the stereotypes one might think of when they picture a grandiose director.”

While the movie centers on the team's trip to Hollywood in order to star in a movie (how meta!), they're forced to foil the world-dominating plans of the supervillain Slade (Will Arnett) along the way. Will you be tuning in to check it out? Let us know in the comments!

TBS to Debut 'Final Space' Animated Series from Olan Rogers

An astronaut named Gary and his planet-destroying sidekick called Mooncake embark on serialized journeys through space in order to unlock the mystery of where the universe actually ends and if it actually does exist.

 

Rogers and David Sacks are writers and executive producers for the TBS original, which is being produced by Conan O'Brien's Conaco, New Form and in association with Turner's Studio T.

Variety reported that TBS will debut the new animated comedy Final Space at 10:30 p.m. on February 26th following American Dad, which was just renewed for two more seasons.

Final Space, which follows space-prisoner Gary and his mysterious alien friend, Mooncake, who is being hunted by the sinister Lord Commander, unbeknownst to Gary. The series hails from YouTube'r Olan Rogers who will write and executive produce the series along with David Sacks. The TBS Original series is produced by Conan O’Brien’s Conaco, New Form and in association with Turner’s Studio T.

Rogers also stars in Final Space alongside a solid cast including Fred Armisen, Tom Kenny, David Tennant, Tika Sumpter, Steven YeunCoty GallowayRon PerlmanCaleb McLaughlinShannon PurserJohn DiMaggioKeith DavidGina TorresAndy Richter, and O'Brien.

'Godzilla: Monster Planet' Stomps onto Netflix This Wednesday

If and when Netflix decides to make their new trailer publicly available, we'll post it here, but in the meantime, keep an eye out for Godzilla: Monster Planet (Part 1?) to arrive on Netflix this Wednesday, January 17th.

Directors Kobun Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshita‘s animated film features the voice cast of Mamoru MiyanoTakashiro SakuraiKana HanazawaTomokazu SugitaYuki Kaji and Junichi Suwabe.

Here’s the movie’s synopsis:

Since it was first released as a feature film in 1954, “Godzilla” has become a colossal cultural icon loved by millions around the world. The 2016 release of “SHIN GODZILLA”, directed by Hideaki Anno, reinvigorated the franchise with a novel and realistic depiction of the iconic monster story, earning 82.5 million US dollars at the box-office and capturing the imagination of new and old fans alike. Now in 2017, GODZILLA evolves in an unexpected direction as a feature-length animated film.

 

The animated movie takes the franchise into uncharted territory — a harsh world of the future in which Godzilla has dominated the Earth for the past 20,000 years, and a fateful final confrontation with mankind looms. Prepare for the earth-shattering roar of a brand new GODZILLA, unlike anything heard or seen before.

 

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Image via Toho Co.

'Batman: Gotham by Gaslight' Clip "3 Robins" Reveals Some Familiar Faces

The first true Elseworlds tale from DC comes to animated life as a steampunk Batman hunts Jack the Ripper through the shadows of turn-of-the-century Gotham City in "Batman: Gotham By Gaslight."

 

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new, feature-length animated film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting January 23, 2018, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD February 6, 2018.

Inspired by the landmark one-shot "Elseworlds" tale by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight takes place at the turn of the century as America’s continued industrial revolution is to be showcased at a World’s Fair hosted by Gotham City. But while the world prepares to witness the glittery glory of Gotham’s technological advances, there is a killer loose in the city’s darkest shadows. Preying on the city’s women, this killer is as precise as he is cruel. As Police Commissioner James Gordon tries to calm the fears of Gotham’s citizens regarding the butcher called Jack the Ripper, the masked vigilante Batman enacts his own detective work – with the help of confident, capable Selina Kyle – to stop the Ripper’s murderous spree. Witness a world in flames as the notorious serial killer’s controlled savagery meets the calculated stealth of the Dark Knight.

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Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

The animated film will premiere at the upcoming event "DC in D.C.":

Friday, January 12 - 6:30–9:15 p.m.

 

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Premiere Screening (For Mature Audiences 18+ Years of Age) — Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment provide a new take on Batman as a steampunk Dark Knight hunts Jack the Ripper through the shadows of turn of the century Gotham City in this all-new animated feature available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment January 23, 2018, on Digital and February 6, 2018, on Blu-ray and DVD.

 

The premiere event, as part of the "DC in DC" activities at the Newseum in Washington D.C., is for mature audiences 18 years of age or older, will kick off with a cocktail reception and will be followed with a Q&A session with Bruce Greenwood (voice of Batman), Scott Patterson (Commissioner Gordon), Yuri Lowenthal (Harvey Dent), executive producer Bruce Timm and screenwriter Jim Krieg.

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Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

'Scooby-Doo! and Batman: The Brave and the Bold' Clips Unite the Teams

The Mystery Inc. gang meets the Dark Knight for the first time in this all-new clip from Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new original film is available now from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on DVD and Digital.

Super sleuths Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma join forces with the world’s greatest detective, Batman, when they discover that villains from both of their respective rogues’ galleries have also combined efforts to terrorize the city. With Scooby snacks in tow, the crime-fighting teams encounter classic Batman foes (Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, Penguin, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn) and allies (The Question, Aquaman, Plastic Man, Martian Manhunter) along with a bevy of fiends from Scooby-Doo lore (Spooky Space Kook, Gentleman Ghost, Miner 49er, Ghost Clown). As always, you won’t know who the ultimate villain is until those “meddling kids” pull off the mask!

 

scooby-doo-batman-brave-bold-images-fred
Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
scooby-doo-batman-brave-bold-images
Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

'Mary and The Witch's Flower' Gets a Special Premiere

mary-and-the-witchs-flower-movie
Image via GKids

The debut title from Studio Ponoc, Mary and The Witch's Flower, will get a special one-night national premiere on the big screen  January 18th, one night prior to its wider theatrical release. This stunning, action-packed fantasy adventure is the second collaboration between Academy Award-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There and The Secret World of Arrietty) and fellow two-time Academy Award-nominated producer Yoshiaki Nishimura (Studio Ghibli's The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There).

In addition to the feature content, premiere event audiences will be treated to an exclusive interview with the filmmakers as well as a special commemorative item via select participating exhibitors (while supplies last).

  • Regal Entertainment Group is offering a collectible ticket to the first 200 attendees at each theater location.
  • AMC is offering a limited edition collectible pin to the first 200 attendees at each theater location.
  • Cinemark is offering a limited edition Japanese mini-poster to the first 200 attendees at each theater location.

Mary, an ordinary twelve-year-old girl, is bored and lonely during a summer holiday. She follows an odd cat into the nearby woods where she stumbles upon a flower and then a little broomstick. Together, the flower and broomstick whisk her above the clouds, far away to Endor College - a school of magic! At Endor, Mary tells a lie that leads to peril, and then a promise, while discovering that all is not as it seems at the school - there are experiments that horrify. Soon she confronts great danger, and a test of her resolve.

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Image via Studio Ponoc

WHO: Fathom Events, GKIDS and Studio Ponoc

WHEN: Thursday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. (English language dubbed) and 8:00 p.m. local time (English language subtitled)

WHERE: Tickets for the January 18 screenings of Mary and The Witch's Flower can be purchased by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Hayao Miyazaki's Short 'Boro the Caterpillar' to Premiere at Ghibli Museum

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Image via Studio Ghibli

The Ghibli Museum announced that Hayao Miyazaki's 14-minute-and-20-second short Boro the Caterpillar will be premiering at the facility on March 21st. The story follows the title character, a recently hatched caterpillar, just after he awakens with fresh eyes to take his first steps into a world filled with friends and enemies.

'Mazinger Z: Infinity' Trailer Heralds the U.S. Theatrical Release This February

Toei Animation Inc. and VIZ Media have jointly announced the acquisition of the Mazinger Z: Infinity feature film.

Mazinger Z is one of Japan’s most revered sci-fi properties. The new film, which was produced by Toei Animation, takes place ten years after the conclusion of the famed Mazinger Z TV series. VIZ Media has secured the theatrical, broadcast, digital streaming, EST, and home video rights for the U.S. and Canada from Toei Animation.

In addition, in partnership with Fathom Events, Mazinger Z: Infinity will receive a special two-night-only presentation across the U.S. on Sunday, February 11th and Monday, February 12th (English-subtitled both dates). Attendees will also receive an exclusive Mazinger Z: Infinity poster (while supplies last). For a complete listing of participating theaters and to purchase tickets, please visit www.FathomEvents.com/events/mazinger-z-infinity.

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Image via Toei Animation, VIZ Media

The Mazinger Z: Infinity movie is based on the classic manga series by creator, Go Nagai. It follows our hero, Koji Kabuto, in an action-packed adventure where only he can choose his ultimate path! Ten years ago, the villainous scientist Dr. Hell led his wicked followers, known as the Underground Empire, in a struggle to destroy all of humanity. It was against these forces that the young hero Koji Kabuto fought, piloting the legendary super robot “Mazinger Z.” Koji’s victory stopped Dr. Hell’s evil plan and returned peace to the Earth. Now Koji has left the pilot seat behind and become a scientist in his own right, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Yet an unexpected encounter deep under Mt. Fuji triggers an even greater threat to mankind than ever before and alters Koji’s destiny forever. With humanity’s fate in their hands, Koji and Mazinger Z face a choice between good…and evil.

'Slug Riot' Is the Latest Original to Join Frederator's Cartoon Hangover

"Slug Riot" tells the story of legendary, self-destructive guitarist Slug Riot. His little sister Georgia desperately wants to reform the band, but Slug Riot just wants to come home to rot. This full episode is sponsored by Cartoon Hangover Select.

 

"Slug Riot" is brought to you as part of the Frederator Digital original miniseries program. Episode 2 is available NOW on Cartoon Hangover Select, where you can see a new episode every Friday in January.

GO HERE to see the full series!

Cartoon Hangover Select Schedule:

  • January 5th - Hear Some Damage
  • January 12th - Driving to H*ll to Kiss Demons and be Dead
  • January 19th - I Will Never Apologize to Leon's Weak Dad
  • January 26th - Everyone Likes Me
  • February 2nd - Legends and Scum
slug-riot
Image via Frederator

Slug Riot is five, three-minute episodes. Episode 1 is available today on YouTube, with episodes 1, and 2 currently available on Frederator’s Cartoon Hangover Select on Ellation’s VRV platform to premium subscribers and to VRV combo pack subscribers. The next three episodes will come out each week exclusively on VRV.

Slug Riot was created by Mike Rosenthal with production from Wildseed Studios, features the directorial talent of Martin Wooley and the design talents of Louis Neubert. Mike created one of the original Cartoon Hangover Too Cool! short films, the slightly inscrutable Our New Electrical Morals. Subsequently, Mike interned on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and did some writing for the Disney XD show, Pickle and Peanut.

Voice talents include Desiree BurchGlenn WoolJustin McElroy, DeAnne Smith, and Kerry Shale.