Animation News: Ultimate Spider-Man Series Finale

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!

Some of the new you might have missed this week includes new trailers for the second half of Disney XD's third season of Star Wars Rebels. (Do the names Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, and Saw Gerrera ring a bell?) Elsewhere on the network, Ultimate Spider-Man is drawing to a close tonight in a two-part series finale titled "Graduation Day." Two other series that are still going strong are Archer, which moves to FXX for its Noir-styled Season 8, and Voltron Legendary Defender, which returns to Netflix for Season 2 on January 20th. You can watch new trailers for both series at the links below. And if you're looking for something to watch on TV this wintry weekend, Freeform's got you covered with an extensive selection of classic animated Disney movies for their Funday programming!

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!

'Ultimate Spider-Man' Series Finale Farewell Video

As IGN reports, tonight's two-part finale of Disney XD's Ultimate Spider-Man will bring the long-running animated series to a satisfactory conclusion. Take a look at the farewell video from the cast and crew above, and continue reading for both the finale episodes' synopses and a sneak peek at the network's new Marvel Spider-Man series, coming this summer:

Part 1 (7:30 – 8:00 P.M. EST)

Doctor Octopus (Doc Ock) threatens to harm Aunt May if Spidey ever puts on his mask again. Spider-Man must track down Doc Ock before he has a chance to put his plan into action.

Part 2 (8:00 – 8:30 P.M. EST)

Peter Parker must find a way to stop Doctor Octopus and the Superior Sinister Six from destroying all of the heroes in New York and taking over the world.

'Big Hero 6: The Series' Teased Ahead of Its Disney XD Debut

Man of Action‘s comic Big Hero 6 is finally getting the series treatment on Disney XD! Maya Rudolph returns as Aunt Cass, with Jamie Chung as no-nonsense speed genius Go Go; Scott Adsit as huggable robot Baymax, Alan Tudyk as tech guru Alistair Krei, Ryan Potter as tech genius Hiro, Genesis Rodriguez as quirky scientist Honey Lemon, David Shaughnessy as the butler Heathcliff; and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee as Fred’s dad. Newcomers Khary Payton (The Walking Dead) plays control freak Wasabi and Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live) stars as fanboy Fred. Damon Wayans Jr. and T.J. Miller previously played those roles in the film.

Here’s the synopsis of the animated series, followed by additional casting information:

The series picks up immediately following the events of the feature film and continues the adventures and friendship of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his compassionate, cutting-edge robot Baymax. Along with their friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go and Fred, they form the legendary superhero team Big Hero 6 and embark on high-tech adventures as they protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains. In his normal day-to-day life, Hiro faces daunting academic challenges and social trials as the new prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology.

big-hero-6-animated-series — Image via Disney XD

Additional guest cast includes: Jenifer Lewis (black-ish) as strict Professor Granville; Andrew Scott (Sherlock) as villain Obake; comedian Andy Richter as Globby; Diedrich Bader (American Housewife) as Bluff Dunder; Susan Sullivan(Castle) as Fred’s mother; Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs) as Richardson Mole; John Ross Bowie (Speechless) as Mel; and Haley Tju (Bella and the Bulldogs) as classmate Karmi.

Emmy Award winners Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley and Nick Filippi, the team behind the global hit Disney Channel series Kim Possible, serve as executive producers. Filippi also serves as supervising director. Look for Big Hero 6: The Animated Series on Disney XD this fall.

Here’s the synopsis of the animated series, followed by additional casting information:

The series picks up immediately following the events of the feature film and continues the adventures and friendship of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his compassionate, cutting-edge robot Baymax. Along with their friends Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go and Fred, they form the legendary superhero team Big Hero 6 and embark on high-tech adventures as they protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains. In his normal day-to-day life, Hiro faces daunting academic challenges and social trials as the new prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology.

'LEGO: NINJAGO Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound' DVD Drops This March

After destroying the Cursed Realm and saving Ninjago, the Ninja return home to newfound fame. But with great power, comes great responsibility; it is not just crazy fans girls and autograph signings – the Ninja have made some enemies too. A new villain named Nadakhan the Djinn has been released into the world and a new age of piracy begins as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and The LEGO Group release LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound. Available on March 14, 2017, the film includes all 10 action-packed episodes as the Ninja fight Ninjago’s greatest threat yet. Order due date February 7, 2017.

When the Ninja return from their mission to destroy the Cursed Realm and save Ninjago they are faced with a whole new challenge – handling life in the spotlight. With their newfound fame, it’s all eyes on Kai, Jay, Nya, Cole, Lloyd and Zane when a villain from their past returns. But saving the world while avoiding the paparazzi and their adoring public proves harder than the Ninja expected. Especially when they discover that someone has been posing as them to commit crimes in Ninjago City. All the while, the evil genie Nadakhan the Djinn has been released from the confines of the Teapot of Tyrahn to seek revenge on Sensei Wu and the Ninja. With his band of misfit sky pirates by his side, Nadakhan will stop at nothing to take everything and everyone for himself. Will the Ninja be able to outrun the angry mobs and police that are after them? Will they clear their name and defeat their newest enemy? Journey to the ends of Ninjago and watch as the Ninja fight to reclaim the skies in Season 6 of LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound.

LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound is released with heightened awareness surround the LEGO Ninjago brand with anticipation building for The LEGO NINJAGO Movie set to be released in September 2017 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

“After the release of five incredible seasons, we are thrilled to bring the newest, sixth season of LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu to DVD this Spring,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “With the brand’s continued success we are sure fans will delight in the newest installment in the Ninja saga.”

LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound - Season 6 on DVD includes ten 22-minute episodes:

Infamous
Public Enemy Number One
Enkrypted
Misfortune Rising
On a Wish and a Prayer
My Dinner with Nadakhan
Wishmasters
The Last Resort
Operation Land Ho!
The Way Back

LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu: Skybound - Season 6 on DVD includes ten 22-minute episodes:

Infamous
Public Enemy Number One
Enkrypted
Misfortune Rising
On a Wish and a Prayer
My Dinner with Nadakhan
Wishmasters
The Last Resort
Operation Land Ho!
The Way Back

Annecy Award-Winner 'Long Way North' Gets Theatrical Release for Charity

Soda Pictures (A Thunderbird Company) is pleased to be screening award-winning animated feature Long Way North at Cineplex locations across Canada as part of their Family Favourites lineup. The film will be shown on January 14th, and a portion of the proceeds will go towards WE.org.

Inspired by the first attempted land crossing of the Antarctic continent, this beautifully animated adventure tells the story of 15-year-old Russian aristocrat Sasha, who, when her explorer grandfather mysteriously goes missing on his latest expedition, embarks on an epic adventure to find him and his lost ship.

Directed by Rémi Chayé and featuring the voice talents of Chloé Dunn, Vivienne Vermes, Peter Hudson, and Antony Hickling, Long Way North will screen on January 14th. Find showtimes here.

Cozy Up with Freeform's Funday Programming Featuring Disney Movies Later This January

frozen-fever-anna-elsa-1 — Image via Disney

Saturday, January 21

(7:00 – 9:05 a.m. EST) THE SMURFS (2011)

In their race to escape the malevolent wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria), the little blue forest dwellers find themselves suddenly transported to Central Park. Now stuck in a world populated by towering giants, the Smurfs must find a way to elude Gargamel and a way back to the village they call home. Also starring Neil Patrick Harris, Sofia Vergara, Alan Cumming, Katy Perry, Fred Armisen and George Lopez.

(9:05 – 10:40 a.m. EST) DISNEY’S DUMBO

One of the true Disney masterpieces, this poignant classic movie tells the story of Dumbo, a baby elephant born with humongous ears. Snubbed and ridiculed by all the other circus folks, he is befriended by a jocular mouse named Timothy. With luck, determination and an amazing amount of courage, Dumbo learns to soar as the high-flying star of the circus. Disney’s “Dumbo” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 7:00 a.m. EST.

(10:40 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. EST) DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Based on the beloved children’s books by Lewis Carroll, follow Alice as she falls into the madcap world of Wonderland and meets extraordinary characters such as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the frantically late White Rabbit.

(12:35 – 2:40 p.m. EST) DISNEY’S HERCULES

Taken by the Gods as a newborn and adopted on Earth, Hercules (Tate Donovan) becomes an awkward teenage pillar of strength. Trying to fit in, he discovers Zeus is his dad and home is on Mount Olympus – if he can move from zero to true hero! Hercules teams with pal Pegasus, the flying stallion, and Phil (Danny Devito), a feisty trainer, for the mission. But it’s no walk in the Acropolis. He must match wits with Grecian beauty Meg (Susan Egan) and a comical hothead name Hades (James Woods), who’s having a devil of a time with his hostile takeover of the universe. He’s armed with morphing morons Pain and Panic for help and only Hercules stands in his way. Disney’s “Hercules” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 8:30 a.m. EST.

(2:40 – 4:35 p.m. EST) DISNEY’S POCAHONTAS

Free-spirited Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) and her woodland pals, Meeko (John Kassir) and Flit (Frank Welker), are surprised when they discover the first English settlers on the shores of their village. With the guidance and wisdom of her beloved Grandmother Willow (Linda Hunt) and the friendship of the courageous Captain John Smith (Mel Gibson), Pocahontas must find a way to bridge the divide between the two vastly different cultures. Disney’s “Pocahontas” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 10:35 a.m. EST.

(4:35 – 6:45 p.m. EST) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S A BUG’S LIFE

Flik (Dave Foley) is an inventive ant who's always messing things up for his colony. His latest mishap was destroying the food stores that were supposed to pay off grasshopper Hopper (Kevin Spacey). Now, the strong-arming insect is demanding that the ants gather double the food -- or face annihilation. To avert disaster, Flik goes on a journey to recruit fighters to defend the colony. When he meets a band of high-flying circus insects, he thinks he's found his salvation. Disney∙Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 2:35 p.m. EST.

(6:45 – 9:25 p.m. EST) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S THE INCREDIBLES

This action-packed animated adventure is about a seemingly ordinary family with an incredible secret. Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. Disney∙Pixar’s ”The Incredibles” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 4:45 p.m. EST.

(9:25 – 11:55 p.m. EST) DISNEY’S FROZEN

Fearless optimist Anna (Kristen Bell) teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad), in a race to find Anna's sister Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Can Anna save her sister and bring sunshine back to their home? Or will Arendelle be frozen forever? Disney’s “Frozen” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 7:25 p.m. EST.

(11:55 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. EST) DISNEY’S MULAN

Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) is a brave young woman faced with the terrible reality that her ailing father -- too old to be a soldier but too honorable not to be one -- will be killed in battle. Driven by her love and devotion for her family, Mulan makes a decision that will change their lives forever. Disguising herself as a man, she secretly takes her father's place in the Imperial army that is being gathered to meet the threat of invasion by the villainous Hun leader, Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer). Accompanied by her feisty, fire-breathing "wanna-be" guardian dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy), Mulan trains to be a brave and disciplined warrior and ultimately learns some profound lessons about courage, honor and love. Disney’s “Mulan” repeats on Sunday, January 22, at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Sunday, January 22

(9:55 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. EST) DESPICABLE ME

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences and flowering rose bushes sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout belonging to Gru (Steve Carell), a dastardly villain who, along with the help of his many little Minions, is planning the biggest heist in the history of the world: He's going to steal the moon! But his plans are foiled the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential dad. This smash hit boasts a stellar all-star vocal cast that includes Julie Andrews, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Mindy Kaling and more.