52nd Annie Award Nominations Announced
ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for its 52nd Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. For a complete list of nominations, please visit www.annieawards.org/nominations. The 52nd Annie Awards is set for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Pre-reception and Red Carpet begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at […]
INTERVIEW: David Lowery Presents “An Almost Christmas Story”
David Lowery (director of Pete’s Dragon and Peter Pan & Wendy for Disney) helms the new animated holiday short film An Almost Christmas Story, which premieres this Friday Nov. 15 on Disney+. It’s about an owl named Moon who forms a unique friendship with a girl named Luna in The Big Apple. Lowery shares what […]
INTERVIEW: Looney Lowdown On “The Day The Earth Blew Up”
Long-awaited, fully animated The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie will receive an awards-qualifying run before the end of 2024, ahead of its official theatrical release on February 28th, 2025. I’ve screened the film and spoke with director Peter Browngardt about this sci-fi action comedy starring beloved characters who are true to […]
TRAILER: “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”
Netflix debut the first trailer and announced the release date for the new Aardman new stop-motion animated feature film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl today. The film will be released on Netflix globally (except in the UK/IE) on January 3rd, 2025 (it will have a limited theatrical run in December to qualify for this […]
TOHO To Acquire GKIDS
Japanese entertainment leader Toho Co., Ltd. announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% equity share of GKIDS, Inc., the Academy Award-winning North American animation producer and distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. GKIDS, which maintains offices in New York and Los Angeles, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Los […]
Midwell – 5
November 17th, 2022 
David Derks 
INTERVIEW: Stop-Motion Shortlisted “Bottle George”
December 23rd, 2024 Jackson Murphy The 97th Annual Academy Awards shortlists are out, and Bottle George is one of the 15 finalists for Best Animated Short Film. Talented director Daisuke ‘Dice’ Tsutsumi has been nominated before, for The Dam Keeper. He also was behind the Annie-winning limited series Oni: Thunder God’s Tale. Bottle George is about a daughter who witnesses her father sink deeper and deeper into alcoholism. Is there a way out, and will she help him get there? (This Animation Scoop Interview with Tsutsumi was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity.)
Jackson Murphy: How did you want to present the very heavy theme of alcohol addiction through the eyes of a child?
Daisuke ‘Dice’ Tsutsumi: To me, filmmaking is always a conversation with the audience. I was hoping the POV of the little girl would give the audience the space to feel her awareness of the situation, and her affection towards the person she’s waiting for. If the audience empathized with our characters in any way, that’d be so rewarding for us.
ANIME TRAILER: “Dan Da Dan” Season 2 Confirmed For July 2025
December 22nd, 2024 Haylie Baker Crunchyroll has announced that the record-breaking anime Dan Da Dan will return for a second season, set to premiere in July 2025. The newly released poster graphic (below) highlights Jiji with a chilling stare, while Okarun and Momo prepare for battle in the foreground. Looming ominously in the background, the mysterious Evil Eye watches over the protagonists, adding to the tension of what’s to come. Portraits of classical composers and a small kaiju hint at the chaotic and unpredictable nature of Dan Da Dan that’s sure to continue in the next season. Here’s the new trailer:
52nd Annie Award Nominations Announced
December 20th, 2024 Jerry Beck ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for its 52nd Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. For a complete list of nominations, please visit www.annieawards.org/nominations.
The 52nd Annie Awards is set for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Pre-reception and Red Carpet begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m., and after party immediately following the ceremony.
This year’s Best Animated Feature nominations include: Inside Out 2 – Pixar Animation Studios; Kung Fu Panda 4 – DreamWorks Animation; That Christmas – Locksmith Animation for Netflix.; The Wild Robot – DreamWorks Animation; Ultraman: Rising – Netflix Presents in association with Tsuburaya Productions; and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – Aardman and Netflix.
“Messi and the Giants” Acquired By Disney To Stream On Disney Channel, Disney+
December 18th, 2024 Haylie Baker Disney Branded Television has announced the acquisition of Messi and the Giants from Sony Music Vison and Sony Pictures Television (Kids). With inspiration taken from football celebrity Lionel Messi, the new animated show follows Leo, an Argentine kid who is suddenly taken from his world and sent to a new one—an epic alternate universe that he’s destined to save. Messi and the Giants is set to debut on Disney Channel along with Disney Channel On Demand and Disney+.
ANIME TRAILER: “Castlevania: Nocturne” Season 2 Releases Early 2025
December 15th, 2024 Haylie Baker The Netflix anime series Castlevania: Nocturne has been confirmed to have its second season officially released on January 16, 2025, with a total of eight episodes that run for twenty five minutes each. Clive Bradley is credited as the anime’s creator, while also serving as a showrunner with Kevin Kolde. Additionally, he joins the executive production team alongside Adam Deats, Sam Deats, Kevin Kolde, Fred Seibert, and Adi Shankar. The series has been produced by Project 51 Productions LTD with animation provided by Powerhouse Animation. The talented brothers Sam Deats and Adam Deats bring their creative vision to life as the anime’s directors. Featured amongst the voice cast are Edward Bluemel, Pixie Davies, Thuso Mbedu, Sydney James Harcourt, Nastassja Kinski, Zahn McClarnon, Franka Potente, James Callis, Richard Dormer, Iain Glen, Elarica Johnson, and Aaron Neil.
TRAILER: “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie”
December 12th, 2024 Jerry Beck That’s not all folks! From Ketchup Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, director Pete Browngardt, and the creative team behind the award-winning “Looney Tunes Cartoons” comes The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, a brand new buddy comedy starring one of the greatest comedic duos in history–Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! This richly-crafted, hand-drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history, told on a scope and scale that’s truly out of this world.
ANIME FILMS: “Attack On Titan: The Last Attack” And “Demon Slayer Infinity Castle” Announced
December 11th, 2024 Haylie Baker Crunchyroll revealed on December 5, 2024, that it acquired international rights for Attack on Titan: THE LAST ATTACK for select territories in North America, Latin America, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand. Together with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the film covering the final chapters of Attack on Titan is set to release in Early 2025.
The last of humanity, nearly wiped out from the sudden appearance of man-eating titans, hides behind 3 layers of great towering walls and lives in “peace.” A branch of the military known as the Survey Corps is solely tasked with exploring the outside world, to great and extensive casualties. For over 100 years, the stalemate between human and titans remained, until one day the outermost wall is blown open by a new titan even taller than the walls.
Crunchyroll Anime Awards And Upcoming Anime Titles Announced At CCXP 2024
December 11th, 2024 Haylie Baker At the São Paulo Expo in Brazil, December 5, 2024, Crunchyroll hosted CCXP 2024, its annual Industry Panel. During the event, several anime acquisitions and trailers for the upcoming series and films of 2025 were announced, as well as the Crunchyroll Anime Awards opening date for May 25, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, and its selected hosts for the event.
The ninth annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards cohosts have been confirmed. They will feature the fan-favorite voice actress Sally Amaki, the acclaimed entertainer Jon Kabira, and the newest and first-time Brazilian celebrity presenter, the iconic drag star Pabllo Vittar. Sony Group Corporation Chairman Kenichiro Yoshida will once again provide the opening remarks.
INTERVIEW: Inside The Music Of Pixar’s “Dream Productions”
December 11th, 2024 Jackson Murphy Hot-off the success of Inside Out 2 (the biggest movie of 2024) comes a new show set in-between Pixar’s two films about Riley and her emotions. Dream Productions explores the operations of the movie studio in Riley’s mind that makes her cinematic dreams. The four-episode event series is available starting today on Disney+. Composer Nami Melumad shares what went into creating the plethora of music that celebrates so many genres. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)
Jackson Murphy: Congratulations on being a part of a Pixar series, coming off the heels of this gigantic success [of “Inside Out 2”]. How did you first get involved with Pixar and getting in the “Inside Out” universe?
Nami Melumad: First I worked on a Disney short [“Far from the Tree”], and since Disney and Pixar Animation share the same music department, I already knew some of the people who were working there. They asked to hear some of my music. I created a few reels. The show is so unique and different in terms of… it’s not just a comedy. It’s a mockumentary. With the music, you really want to punch at the jokes and hit the emotions, but also in a very mockumentary way, which a lot of times is more dry. They were looking to find a very good balance and a very punky and funky and fun and energetic score. And I was lucky and fortunate enough to join the team and work on it. I am still amazed that it happened. It has always been my dream to work with Pixar and with Disney. In a way it’s funny it’s called “Dream Productions”, ’cause they really produced my dream to come true. So I’m very grateful for that.
CURATOR’S PICKS: The Art of All Things Disney and More Auction
December 10th, 2024 Lauren Ashton From December 14th-17th in Dallas, Texas, Heritage Auctions presents an exciting event for animation and Disney enthusiasts alike. Once again, the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer offers a special event that features rare, one-of-a-kind, very remarkable pieces of history. Check out some of the curator’s picks ahead of next week’s auction.
Jim’s Picks
Jim Lentz | Vice President and Director, Animation & Anime Art
ANIME TRAILERS: New Trailers For “Sakamoto Days” And “Jentry Chau vs the Underworld”
December 8th, 2024 Haylie Baker Sakamoto Days is set to release on Netflix on January 11, 2025, with the anime’s Season 1 Part 2 premiering in July 2025.
Season 1 Part 1 will have 11 episodes, based on the original manga by Yuto Suzuki featured in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. The series is directed by Masaki Watanabe, with series composition by Taku Kishimoto, and character design by Yo Moriyama. The production is brought to audiences by TMS Entertainment, known for Lupin The 3rd, Dr. Stone, and Baki.
Sakamoto Days features voice actors Tomokazu Sugita as main lead Taro Sakamoto, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shin Asakura the telepathic employee, Ayanae Sakura as the second employee Lu Shaotang, Nao Toyama as the wife Aoi Sakamoto, and Hina Kino as their child Hana Sakamoto. The cast additionally includes Ryota Suzuki as Heisuke Mashimo, Natsuki Hanae as Nagumo, Taku Yashiro as Shishiba, and Saori Hayami as Osaragi, all supporting characters.
Blu-Ray Preview: “TOM AND JERRY: The Complete CinemaScope Collection”
December 7th, 2024 Jerry Beck With the rise of TV threatening moviegoing back in the 1950s, wider screens became Hollywood’s way to combat that competition. M-G-M went all in and placed their bets on the new CinemaScope process. In addition to their feature films, the studio emboldened their cartoon unit run by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera – and their Oscar winning series of Tom and Jerry shorts. The new visual approach to the famous team’s animated adventures was artistically refreshing – and won sweeping popular success with audiences.
This new blu-ray set from Warner Archive Collection, going on sale February 11th 2025, includes all 23 of these wide-screen wonders – collected together for the first time as originally seen in theatres. Also included are Hanna & Barbera’s two stand-alone Spike & Tyke cartoons – and their Oscar-nominated Good Will To Men. Animated, Anamorphic, and Amazing! In other words: the ultimate chase – continues!
ANIME TRAILER: “The Colors Within” English Cast And Trailer Released
December 5th, 2024 Haylie Baker On December 4, 2024, in New York, NY, the acclaimed producer and distributor behind award-winning animation, GKIDS, unveiled the English dub voice cast and English trailer for The Colors Within, the upcoming studio Science SARU film directed by Naoko Yamada. The English cast includes Libby Rue, known for Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, as Totsuko; Kylie McNeil, known for Belle, as Kimi; and Eddy Lee, known for KPOP the Musical, as Rui. Aside from lending their voices to the characters, the three leads will cover the featured soundtrack songs as English adaptations. The English dub has been produced by GKIDS in collaboration with NYAV Post. The Colors Within is set to premiere around the globe starting on January 24th. In preparation for the release, the film will run an Academy-qualifying preview in Los Angeles starting December 13th at the Laemmle Royal.
ANIME TRAILERS: “Dragon Ball DAIMA” English Dub And “BLUE LOCK” 2nd Season Finale
December 4th, 2024 Haylie Baker Crunchyroll has announced that the English Dub for Dragon Ball DAIMA will arrive on its streaming platform on January 10, 2025. With new storylines and returning character designs, the series comes in time to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Dragon Ball franchise made by the beloved Akira Toriyama, with animation from the esteemed Toei Animation.
The first three dubbed episodes were given a sneak peek theatrical release on November through November 12 in over 1,000 theaters across the U.S and Canada. English dub episodes will be released weekly starting from Episode 1: “Conspiracy” on January 10, 2025. The highly anticipated new series will be streaming on Crunchyroll in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, with the potential for more territories in the future.
INTERVIEW: The World Of “Au Revoir Mon Monde”
December 4th, 2024 Jackson Murphy It’s the end as we know it… in the short film Au Revoir Mon Monde (translated as Goodbye My World). The central character only has a short amount of time to make it to a clock tower. Why? That’s part of the mystery, drama and emotion of this year’s top recipient in the animated shorts category at the Student Academy Awards. This Animation Scoop Q&A was conducted via email, with answers from the six-person directing team of Estelle Bonnardel, Quentin Devred, Baptiste Duchamps, Maxime Foltzer, Florian Maurice and Astrid Novais. (Interview was edited for length and clarity.)
Q: How did it feel to win the gold medal at this year’s Student Academy Awards for this excellent short film?
A: We felt immense joy and pride, but above all, we were incredibly surprised to win such a prestigious award! To be honest, being one of the three winners in our category at the Student Academy Awards already felt like a victory. We truly didn’t think we had a shot at the gold medal. It seemed completely unreal to us!
