Animation News: New Ghost in the Shell Anime, Your Name in Theaters

In This Week in Animation, 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!

As you can see, we covered a lot of animation stories on the site this week, especially since new season debuts for Rick and Morty and Archer popped up recently. New stories we didn't quite get to include the announcement of a new Ghost in the Shell anime, the first teaser trailer for My Little Pony: The Movie, and news of a new Mega Man series coming to Cartoon Network. There's also an animated miniseries in the works for Eisner Award-winning artist and animator Faith Erin Hicks' graphic novel trilogy, The Nameless City.

teen-titans-the-judas-contract-clip — Image via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Returning series include Cartoon Network's Adventure Time: Elements which will enjoy a four-night run, and Disney XD's Season 2 of LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures. From the movie world, we have new clips from Teen Titans: The Judas Contract and Sparks: A Space Tail. And for fans of Trollhunters, we have a very special message from Guillermo del Toro you don't want to miss!

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!

'Ghost in the Shell' Anime in the Works at Kodansha and Production I.G.

Reported by THR and a variety of outlets, Publisher Kodansha and animation company Production I.G. have announced that they're working on a new anime adaptation of the Ghost in the Shell manga. We know that Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex writer/director Kenji Kamiyama will co-direct the new project with Shinji Aramki, whose animation and direction experience includes Appleseed and Fullmetal Alchemist work among many others.

Unfortunately little other information is available for the new project. We're not sure whether it'll be a feature film, a series, or something else entirely, but as Anime News Network points out, Kamiyama previously teased that he'd like to report on the prospect of a third season of Ghost in the Shell: SAC. That's where I'd put my money for now, until we hear something more definitive. The news comes after a somewhat rough first week at the box office for the live-action movie starring Scarlett Johansson, which currently has just under $75 million worldwide with two-thirds of that tally coming from international markets.

'Your Name' in U.S. Theaters Now

This is nothing but a gentle reminder that the amazing anime Your Name is now in North American theaters. You can check out my review of the film here, and continue below to scope out some samples of the film's gorgeous animation, captured in GIF form:

your-name-animation — Image via FUNimation Entertainment

your-name-mitsuha-taki — Image via FUNimation Entertainment

'My Little Pony: The Movie' Gets a Teaser

My Little Pony: The Movie – Coming to theaters October 6! Featuring an all-star cast with Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Liev Schreiber, Michael Peña, Sia, Taye Diggs, Uzo Aduba, and Zoe Saldana, and with an original song performed by Sia.

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.

'Adventure Time: Elements' Comes to Cartoon Network Starting April 24th

Cartoon Network’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Adventure Time presents Adventure Time: Elements, a thrilling eight-part miniseries chronicling Finn and Jake’s return to the Land of Ooo. The four-night special event, filled with drama, epic battles and daring escapes, commences Monday, April 24 (7:30 p.m., ET/PT) and concludes Thursday, April 27 (7:30 p.m., ET/PT).

Marking the return of the third Adventure Time miniseries, an all-new episode “The Orb,” will debut Friday, April 21 at 7:45 p.m.(ET/PT). Returning from their Islands adventure, Finn, Jake and BMO fall under the influence of a mysterious orb.

In Adventure Time: Elements, Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada) and Jake (John DiMaggio) return to Ooo, only to find that there have been some radical changes in their absence. Fans will be just as surprised as Finn and Jake to discover what happened to the kingdoms of Ooo while they were away at sea.

Adventure Time: Elements is the third miniseries from the Adventure Time franchise. The second, Adventure Time: Islands, reached nearly four million people during its January 2017 run, and Adventure Time: Stakes, which debuted first to phenomenal success in November 2015 is ranked as the #1 program in its time period with all key kids and boys audiences.

'LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures' Season 2 Comes to Disney XD This Summer

A second season of the animated comedy adventure series LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures is set to return this summer on Disney XD. Recently nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards, the fun Force-filled series will continue the story of the Freemakers as they join the Rebellion in their fight against the Empire.

At the end of the first season, the Freemaker family found a new home with the Rebel fleet. Their new circumstances bring them face to face with brutal Imperial forces, desperate Hutts, conniving Sith Lords and the Emperor’s latest plaything, M-OC, a terrifying hunter droid who continually modifies himself to fit any occasion. In response to these threats, Rowan’s powers grow and strengthen until he has a vision of a sleek, invulnerable ship that can save the Rebellion and stop the Empire in its tracks – the Arrowhead. The catch is the Arrowhead is a ship only Rowan can build. Once again, it’s up to the youngest Freemaker to save the galaxy.

lego-star-wars-the-freemaker-adventures-season-2 — Image via Disney XD

Prior to the second season debut, five new shorts that fill in the storytelling between seasons one and two of LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures debut WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, on Disney XD in celebration of the Star Wars fan-generated "May the 4^th Be With You" holiday. A peek of the upcoming season of LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures will also be revealed at Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, Florida in April.

LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures is a production of Wil Film, the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm. Developed for television by Bill Motz and Bob Roth (Penguins of Madagascar), they join Torsten Jacobson (LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales) and Jill Wilfert (The LEGO Movie) as executive producers alongside producers Carrie Beck (Star Wars Rebels), Jason Cosler (LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled!), Jake Blais and John McCormack.

The season two voice cast includes Nicolas Cantu (Rowan), Vanessa Lengies (Kordi), Eugene Byrd (Zander), Matthew Wood (RO-GR), Trevor Devall (Emperor), Dana Snyder (Graballa), Vanessa Marshall (Hera), Yvette Nicole Brown (Lt. Valeria), Corey Burton (Quarrie), James Urbaniak (M-OC) and Matt Sloan (Darth Vader).

lego-star-wars-the-freemaker-adventures-season-2-poster

'Teen Titans: The Judas Contract' Clips Go on the Offensive

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is available to download on Digital HD now and will arrive on Blu-ray/DVD starting April 18th. Check out a bonus clip courtesy of CBR below:

Inspired by the 1984 DC story arc from Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract finds the Teen Titans – Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin and the just-returned Nightwing – working as a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil. But their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra (voiced by Christina Ricci), may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood (Gregg Henry), has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke (the late Miguel Ferrer) is lurking in the shadows – both waiting to pounce. Ultimately, the Teen Titans will need to battle their enemies and their own doubts to unite and overcome the malicious forces around them in this twisting tale of intrigue, adventure and deception.

'Mega Man' Animated Series Lands at Cartoon Network

mega-man-animated-series-2017 — Image via DHX Media

DHX Media, the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company, has signed a deal with Cartoon Network U.S. for Mega Man, an original DHX Media co-production with Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. The new series has also been picked up by DHX Media’s Family CHRGD for Canada. Based on the legendary Capcom Mega Man video game franchise, the 3D animated series goes into production this summer at DHX Media’s Vancouver studio. Man of Action Entertainment (Ben 10, Generator Rex, and the creators of the characters and team featured in Big Hero 6) will write and executive produce the series in collaboration with DHX Media and Dentsu Entertainment.

Aimed at kids 6 to 11, as well as their parents who grew up loving the video games, the new Mega Man animated series will feature exciting new technologies and robots, as well as the introduction of Mega Man’s alter-ego, Aki Light. Aki is a normal, upbeat, schoolboy robot who has nano-core technology that allows him to transform into the mega powered super hero Mega Man! With his Mega Buster arm cannon and iconic helmet, Mega Man battles the wickedest villains Silicon City has to offer. Beloved characters, such as Mega Man’s robotic dog, Rush, will return – while new characters, like Mega Mini™ and Suna Light, will make their debut!

'Spark: A Space Tail' Clip Explores the Hero's Backstory

Featuring the voice talents of Jace Norman, Jessica Biel, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Stewart, and Hilary Swank, writer/director Aaron Woodley's Spark: A Space Tail soars into theaters on April 14th.

SPARK (Jace Norman) is a wisecracking teen living on an abandoned planet with his friends Chunk and Vix. Thirteen years ago the power-hungry General Zhong seized control of their planet Bana, wiping out Spark's family and sending him into hiding. But now they've learned of Zhong's plan to wipe out the entire universe using the deadly space Kraken, and no one but Spark can stop him. An action-packed space odyssey filled with humor and heart, SPARK is an epic adventure about becoming the hero you were born to become.

Faith Erin Hicks' 'The Nameless City' Gets an Animated Adaptation

the-nameless-city-faith-erin-hicks — Image via First Second

Eisner Award-winning cartoonist and animator Faith Erin Hicks is in the middle of her graphic novel trilogy that started with "The Nameless City" and continues with "The Stone Heart", which just hit book stores earlier this week. The tale tells of the unlikely friendship between Rat, who lives in the Nameless City, and Kai, whose country has just conquered it. The two seek to find find common ground in order to put a stop to a sinister conspiracy. Hicks' "beautiful and intricate world inspired by Central Asia and the Silk Road" won't just be confined to the pages of a graphic novel, they'll also be getting the animated treatment courtesy of Frederator Studios.

the-stone-heart-faith-erin-hicks — Image via First Second

EW reports that the three books will get 12, half-hour episodes, with each book getting an equal share of 4 episodes. The first installment is set to debut in the fall of 2018. Fans of Erin Hicks' work should head on over to EW for a full interview with the artist, but here's what she had to say about the news:

“It’s exciting and a little scary. It’s my first time having a ‘Hollywood deal.' I always envisioned The Nameless City as a comic. It was always supposed to be a comic and it was super cool when Frederator and Recursion approached me about partnering to make this thing happen. It’s a nice bonus.”

“Frederator Studios’ cartoon philosophy for nearly twenty years is to support the vision of creators with distinctive points of views,” said Vice President of Development at Frederator Studios Eric Homan. “Faith’s wonderful storytelling is just one of the reasons we’re fortunate to be part of this project. We’re eager to follow her creative lead on The Nameless City.”

Keep an eye out for both the graphic novels and the eventual animated mini-series!

Guillermo del Toro Wants to See Your 'Trollhunters' Fan Art!

[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/trollhunters/status/850072737162739712[/EMBED_TWITTER]

Great news for Trollhunters fans who have been practicing their art skills: Show creator Guillermo del Toro wants to see your work!

Here's what del Toro previously told me about the fantastic fan art during an interview for Trollhunters:

The thing that is the most amazing with fan art is how good the artists are. I think some people put their own spin on the characters and they make them either more gnarly or more cute, but in both sides of the dial, their stuff is fantastic. You get art from kids that want to study animation that are just as good as the people working on animation. I think everybody loves the characters that we love the most—Gnome Chompsky, Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, Jim, Claire, Toby—I’m particularly proud of Toby because we made him look like me. We both have trouble putting our socks on.

Now, you can actually get your work on the hit Netflix show, but it's got to be the cream of the crop. Follow along with the details in the above video in order to submit your best work. Good luck!