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!

In one of the craziest and most-anticipated crossover specials ever to air on TV, The CW's Supernatural will find its leads getting more animated than usual as they get zapped into TV Land with Scooby-Doo! and the gang. Check out the teaser trailer for the March 29th episode "ScoobyNatural" below:

EW also had the first look at images from the crossover, which you can check out below:

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Image via The CW
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Image via The CW
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Image via The CW

'Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie' Clip Arrives Ahead of Its Theatrical Return

For two days only this March, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie returns to movie theaters across the nation at select locations. The digitally remastered version of the 2004 anime box office hit was inspired by the internationally popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading card game, manga and TV series.

Presented by Fathom Events and 4K Media Inc., Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie will have special showings on Sunday, March 11th at 12:55 p.m. and Monday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m. (all local times). In addition to viewing the full-length anime feature, moviegoers will be treated to a sneak peek of the first episode of the sixth Yu-Gi-Oh! anime series, Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS English-dubbed premiere.

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Image via Toei Animation, Fathom Events

Tickets for Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 800 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

InYu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, a heroic Yugi squares off against archrival Kaiba in an adventure even more dangerous when the imaginary monsters in their playing cards become ferociously real… and when an old evil enters the fray.  Who will win this ultimate smackdown? Whether you’re a novice Duelist or a professional, you’ll want to watch and find out!

LAIKA heads to SXSW with Martellus Bennett

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Image via LAIKA

New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett and LAIKA stop-motion animation supervisor Brad Schiff today announce their official panel at the 2018 SXSW Festival. Titled “Sports and Creativity on the Biggest Stage,” the interactive discussion seeks to explore the intersection between what are often considered opposing worlds. The event is scheduled to take place at 5pm on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at the JW Marriott (Salon A/B) in Austin, Texas.

Bennett and Schiff are true creatives, each with a strong passion for sport. Schiff’s name was never called on draft day, though he currently animates on one of the world’s foremost stop-motion animation stages at LAIKA and has received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects for his work on 2016’s Kubo and the Two Strings. His additional credits include LAIKA’s Academy Award–nominated films CoralineParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls, as well as Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. An NFL player who competes at the highest level in sport, Bennett’s first love is animation. In 2016, he founded creative multimedia consultancy The Imagination Agency, in addition to having released his own animated short.

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Image via LAIKA

“A professional athlete who wants to be an animator and a professional animator who wants to be an athlete. What we’ve got here are two guys who come off as weird amongst their peers,” says Schiff. “I’ve always found a lot of similarities between animation and sports. To be the best at each requires hard work, determination, and creativity. Interestingly, a deep understanding of human motion is essential to success in both worlds. Marty has played for Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcels, and I’ve animated for Henry Slick and Wes Anderson. Comparing notes at SXSW is going to be fun!”

“Artists telling their stories through conversation has always excited me, and to be part of that discussion with some of the greatest storytellers in the world is totally amazeballs,” says Bennett. “LAIKA has shared some of my favorite stories to ever hit the big screen; Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls,and ParaNorman all being such works of beauty and imagination. I’m excited to see what we create with this panel.”

'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Reveals John Cena's Villainous Baron Draxum

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Image via Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon recently revealed a first look at the character art of original villain, Baron Draxum, voiced by WWE Superstar John Cena, in the all-new animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Cena will portray the Turtles’ newest nemesis, alongside Omar Miller (Ballers) as Raphael, Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) as Leonardo, Josh Brener (Silicon Valley) as Donatello, Brandon Mychal Smith (You’re The Worst) as Michelangelo, Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries) as April O’Neil and Eric Bauza (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Splinter. Cena unveiled the artwork at Nickelodeon’s Upfront presentation held in New York City.

“I’ve always been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, so getting the opportunity to voice a character, especially the villain Baron Draxum, is truly special," said Cena.

An alchemist warrior mutant from the Hidden City, Baron Draxum is the self-proclaimed protector of all mutant-kind. Using ooze, he plans to mutate all of humanity with his insect-like creatures called Oozesquitoes. Cena’s recurring character will debut in the premiere episode of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, bowing later this year on Nickelodeon.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the band of brothers as they discover new powers and encounter a mystical world they never knew existed beneath the streets of New York City.  The new 26-episode series is co-executive produced by Andy Suriano (character designer, Samurai Jack) and Ant Ward (supervising producer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) at Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. Veteran animation industry voice actor Rob Paulsen is voice directing the series.

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Image via Nickelodeon

Showtime Orders 7 More Episodes of 'Our Cartoon President'

Showtime has extended the order of its half-hour animated series Our Cartoon President, picking up seven new episodes to air this summer. The series will air the last of its initial 10-episode run on Sunday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT,  and will then continue this summer with seven all new episodes. The political docuseries The Circus will take over that timeslot with a season premiere on Sunday, April 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Executive produced by multiple Emmy-winner Stephen Colbert, showrunner R.J. Fried and Late Show executive producer Chris LichtOur Cartoon President follows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members. The first season has already introduced audiences to Trump’s attempts at “winning” the State of the Union address, comforting disaster victims and rolling back President Obama’s accomplishments, as well as his co-dependent relationship with the media. The series premiere in February drew 2.3 million subscribers and the show is averaging two million viewers per week.

Our Cartoon President is produced by CBS Television Studios. Tim Luecke serves as lead animator and co-executive producer. Matt Lappin serves as consulting producer.

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Image via Showtime

Funimation Announces English Voice Cast for 'Re:Zero'

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Image via Funimation

Funimation Entertainment recently announced the English-language voice cast for the anime series Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World. The announcement came during the weekend's Kawaii Kon, but Anime News Network has the details. Season 1, Part 1 of the 25-episode anime will be released this summer by Funimation, and Crunchyroll is also streaming both Re:Zero -- Starting Break Time From Zero and the PETIT short anime spinoff series. An original video anime (OVA) is also in the works.

After being suddenly transported to another world, Natsuki Subaru discovers a terrible truth—he can’t die. Or rather, he can’t remain dead. With this terrifying new ability, he experiences reset after reset and it begins to take its toll on his mental state. But, determined to protect his new friends and the woman he’s fallen in love with, Subaru suffers to save.

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Image via Funimation Entertainment

Here's a look at the voice cast:

  • Sean Chiplock as Subaru
  • Kayli Mills as Emilia
  • Erica Mendez as Puck
  • Ryan Bartley as Ram
  • Brianna Knickerbocker as Rem
  • Kira Buckland as Beatrice
  • Ray Chase as Roswaal
  • Christine Marie Cabanos as Felt
  • Robbie Daymond as Reinhard
  • Faye Mata as Priscilla
  • Cassandra Morris as Anastasia
  • Sarah Williams as Felix
  • Marc Diraison as Wilhelm
  • Chris Tergliafera as Marcos
  • Beau Billingslea as Rom
  • Patrick Seitz as Kadomon
  • Cristina Vee as Elsa
  • Lucien Dodge as Chin
  • Arnie Pantoja as Kan
  • Erika Harlacher as Crusch
  • Keith Silverstein as Al
  • Xanthe Huynh as Kadomon's Daughter
  • Chris Cason as Convenience Store Staff
  • Ian Alden as Demon Clan Chief

Additional voices include Mindy Baker, Matthew Greenbaum, Hanna Rose Kliewer, James McAuliffe, Breaugh Olson, and Ryan Raydarke.

Amazon Greenlights 'Undone' from 'BoJack Horseman' Creative Team

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Image via Amazon

Amazon Studios today announced it has greenlit Undone—a direct-to-series animated show co-created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg (BoJack Horseman) and recent Writers Guild Award winner Kate Purdy (BoJack Horseman).The series is in pre-production and expected to premiere in 2019 on Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories exclusively for Prime Members.

Undone is a half-hour animated dramedy that explores the elastic nature of reality through its central character, Alma, slated to be played by Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel). After getting into a near fatal car accident, Alma discovers she has a new relationship with time and uses this ability to find out the truth about her father’s death. Also slated to join the cast is Angelique Cabral (Life in Pieces) as Alma’s younger sister.

Undone will be produced by Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company with Noel Bright (BoJack Horseman), Steven A. Cohen (BoJack Horseman), and Tommy Pallotta (A Scanner Darkly) executive producing along with Bob-Waksberg and Purdy. Critically-acclaimed Dutch artist Hisko Hulsing (Montage of Heck) will oversee the production design and direct a team of animators working in the Netherlands. The animation will be done with Dutch co-producer and Amsterdam-based studio Submarine, and Austin-based studio Minnow Mountain.

“We’re delighted to greenlight our first animated half-hour series,” said Sharon Yguado, Head of Scripted Series, Amazon Studios. “Kate and Raphael are dynamic and creative forces, and I know they will create an amazing series for us. I can’t wait for our customers to see it in 2019.”

“We are grateful to Amazon Studios for the opportunity to tell Alma’s story and follow her as she seeks to find a deeper meaning to her existence,” said Purdy. Bob-Waksberg added, “Hisko’s beautiful artwork and masterful use of light and color will create a look never seen before on a television show that will make audiences lose their minds.”

Cartoon Network to Launch Five New Series Including 'Apple & Onion' and 'Craig of the Creek'

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Image via Cartoon Network

As Broadcasting Cable reports, Cartoon Network recently announced a series order for five new titles, along with 30 new games and apps for its mobile platform. Here's a look at the confirmed cartoons coming to the network:

  • Apple & OnionApple and Onion, Cartoon Network’s newest buddy comedy created by George Gendi, debuted in a limited run last month. The delightful show comes from Cartoon Network’s global Artists Program and centers on newly minted best friends Apple and Onion who traveled from their hometowns in order to experience big city living. New episodes air back-to-back every Friday through the end of March.
  • craig-of-the-creek-images-itch-to-explore
    Image via Cartoon Network
    Craig of the Creek: Co-created by three-time Emmy-nominated Steven Universe writers Matt Burnett and Ben LevinCraig of the Creek follows the title character as he leads his best friends J.P. and Kelsey on comical journeys at their neighborhood creek, where everyday afternoons become thrilling expeditions through imagination. One episode is available now on the Cartoon Network App and VOD, and new episodes will start debuting linearly on Friday, March 30th.
  • Infinity Train: Buoyed by fan support for the original short created through the Artist Program, this mystery-adventure series created by Owen Dennis follows a precocious young girl named Tulip who finds herself on a train full of infinite worlds and tries to find her way home. Infinity Train will debut in 2019.
  • Summer Camp Island: A wildly imaginative series based on an original Cartoon Network short created by Julia Pott that unfolds the mysteries encountered by Oscar and his best friend Hedgehog at a magical summer camp. The highly anticipated series will premiere this summer having completed its festival run, including Sundance.
  • Victor and Valentino: Diego Molano's supernatural adventure comedy that follows two half-brothers spending a summer with their grandma in the small, mysterious town of Monte Macabre where Latin American myths and legends come to life. Victor and Valentino can be seen later this year.