Animation Scoop

INTERVIEW: A Friendly Welcome To “Carl The Collector”

November 4th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

The new PBS Kids animated series Carl the Collector (premiering Thursday November 14th) is about a kid raccoon who has autism. He loves collecting things and sharing his enthusiasm for collections and activities with his friends and family. CTC is created by Zachariah OHora (of the Fuzzytown book universe). Lisa Whittick is the show’s director. This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity. (Images Courtesy: PBS Kids and Fuzzytown Productions)

Jackson Murphy: Zachariah, I love that Carl is sincere, honest, knowledgeable and passionate. Tell me about creating this lead character.

Zachariah OHora: I’ve always been obsessed with raccoons… looking for raccoon characters and putting them in my stories. I had the idea for Carl to be a collector — I’m a collector as well — some years ago. But I didn’t really have a story with it. When PBS came to me… we started working on developing Carl. At the same time, my kids were going to an inclusion school, which I wasn’t familiar with. It was a new concept to me. A democratic idea of every kid in the district, no matter what their needs are, gets to go to school and have the same classroom time, same social time with other kids, same interaction with teachers and access to education (time out of the classroom every day, be able to wear headphones to not feel overstimulated or have an aide in the class).

REVIEW: “Hitpig!”

October 30th, 2024

Martin Goodman

Berkeley Breathed is back in animation, and his many fans are the better for it. The mildly eccentric cartoonist behind the famous Bloom County comic strip was known to animation fans for his 1991 special A Wish For Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story. In 2000, Breathed made a nine-minute short for Nickelodeon, Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big. Now, the cartoonist has returned in a big way with Hitpig!

Like many of Breathed’s endeavors, the film began as a children’s book, Pete & Pickles. DreamWorks considered P&P as an animated project in 2014 but never developed it further. After an unsuccessful attempt to turn the book into an animated TV series, Breathed eventually found a producer in a British animation company, Aniventure. Cinesite took over production, using two Canadian facilities, and Hitpig! was on its way.

TRAILER: Netflix “Spellbound”

October 29th, 2024

Jerry Beck

Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound is directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with original score from EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled). A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. It will be available on Netflix starting November 22nd. Here’s the trailer:

Crunchyroll Partners With YouTube Primetime Channels

October 29th, 2024

Haylie Baker

On October 29, 2024, Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, announced a new distribution deal with YouTube Primetime Channels, effectively allowing more users access to anime worldwide. The launch is expected to go live by the end of 2024 and will be available to users in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.

YouTube Primetime Channels is a hub for users to access content from multiple different streaming services, all organized in one place within the YouTube app. YouTube Primetime Channels has over 45 channels to offer, with Crunchyroll set to join this year. This partnership will further make anime more accessible to fans around the globe through Crunchyroll, the world’s largest anime library home to 15 million subscribers worldwide.

INTERVIEW: Looney Lowdown On “The Day The Earth Blew Up”

October 28th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

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 themselves and presented in ways you’ve never seen before. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: How does it feel having Ketchup Entertainment release this on Feb. 28 and for an awards qualifying run before the end of the year?

Peter Browngardt: Very very happy. Very excited. Fortunate the film is coming out. Very exciting for not only myself but also the whole crew. We’ve worked really hard for many years making the film. And it’s just going to be really cool to go to a movie theater and see all our hard work up on the big screen.

TRAILER: Netflix “That Christmas”

October 28th, 2024

Jerry Beck

From writer Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Yesterday) and director Simon Otto (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy), Netflix will debut That Christmas on December 4, 2024. Animation was produced by Locksmith Animation, written by Curtis & Peter Souter, produced by Nicole P. Hearon p.g.a (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy p.g.a (The Thick of It) and features original songs by Ed Sheeran. Here’s our first look:

Other Highlights Of NYCC 2024

October 26th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

It’s been just over a week since I attended New York Comic Con 2024 — the fourth year I’ve spent a full day at one of the country’s biggest entertainment events. Besides checking out the fun Hazbin Hotel, Phineas and Ferb and Rick and Morty panels, I walked through the show floor and other parts of the Javits Center and discovered some cool animation surprises.

ANIME TRAILER: “Girls Band Cry” Acquired by Crunchyroll

October 24th, 2024

Haylie Baker

Toei Animation, renowned for producing several anime classics like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and One Piece, is developing a new original series titled “Girls Band Cry,” which Crunchyroll recently acquired. It’s been confirmed that Crunchyroll will release the series to their streaming service on November 6, 2024, with all 13 episodes made immediately available at launch. The series will be available to stream around the world, which includes English-speaking territories, LATAM, Europe, Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent. Crunchyroll offers multiple viewing options for the series, with 9 different languages and subtitles to choose from.

INTERVIEW: Tell-All About “Memoir Of A Snail”

October 22nd, 2024

Jackson Murphy

Adam Elliot won the Best Animated Short Film Academy Award 20 years ago for Harvie Krumpet. He followed that up with acclaimed stop-motion feature Mary & Max. His latest claymation movie is Memoir of a Snail, which opens in theaters on Oct. 25. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: This is one of the most detailed animated films I’ve ever seen. Congratulations.

Adam Elliot: Thank you very much. We’re just relieved after eight long years the film is being received well.

ANIME FILM: “Solo Leveling ReAwakening” Debuting December 6

October 21st, 2024

Haylie Baker

Brought to audiences by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the highly anticipated action-adventure film “Solo Leveling ReAwakening” is headed to North American theaters this December 6. Shunsuke Nakashig, known for his previous work on “Solo Leveling,” returns to the franchise once again as the film’s director. The original story by Chugong, illustrated by DUBU, will be brought to life with animation by A-1 Pictures and motion graphics from Production I.G. The soundtrack includes music from the award-winning Hiroyuki Sawano, praised for his groundbreaking composing for “Attack on Titan,” in collaboration with the popular boy band TOMORROW X TOGETHER. In addition, Tomoko Sudo is credited as the character designer alongside Hirotaka Tokuda as the monster designer.

ANIME TRAILERS: Announced Titles from NYCC Industry Panel

October 21st, 2024

Haylie Baker

On October 18, 2024, Crunchyroll’s Industry Panel was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center at New York Comic Con (NYCC) in New York City, the largest pop culture convention on the East Coast. During this event, Crunchyroll revealed several exciting titles set to arrive on its streaming service worldwide. These titles include:

ANIME TRAILER: New Anime Series “LAZARUS” From Legendary Shinichirō Watanabe

October 21st, 2024

Haylie Baker

On October 19, 2024, at New York Comic Con, fans were treated to a screening of the full premiere episode of “Lazarus,” a new thriller anime from Adult Swim by the legendary Shinichirō Watanabe, best known for his work on the iconic “Cowboy Bebop.” In addition, Adult Swim released a first-look trailer of the eagerly awaited series.

Lazarus marks Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action anime genre, set in a futuristic 2052 where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction after a revolutionary drug “Hapna” turns out to have lethal side effects. As a result, the secret agent task force Lazarus is formed, tasked with finding a cure to save humanity before it’s too late. The anime’s Japanese voice cast has also been revealed, featuring Cowboy Bepop stars Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara. Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, fans can look forward to Lazurus airing on Adult Swim in 2025.

INTERVIEW: Buckle Up For Rockin’ Ride “HITPIG!”

October 21st, 2024

Jackson Murphy

Cow and Chicken creator David Feiss and Open Season senior animator Cinzia Angelini are the directors of the new energetic animated action comedy HITPIG!, starring Jason Sudeikis and Lilly Singh, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 1st. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity. Images Credit: Viva Kids)

Jackson Murphy: David, I love the well-defined lead character that you have here in Hitpig, a bounty hunter pig. What were your goals with defining this character so well for families to enjoy?

David Feiss: That’s something Cinzia and I discussed early on. It was trying to make a gritty guy likable. So that was the trick. That was the fine line. How do you make this guy have a bit of an arc where he starts off one way but you have to like him in the beginning too. Otherwise I don’t think you could earn it at the end because he is such a likable guy, really. What really helped ultimately is Jason Sudeikis. He has a likeable voice. He is so friendly, no matter what, even when he’s saying something aggressive. You got, “Oh, come on, Jason you’re Ted Lasso, right?”

NY COMIC CON: Checking Into “Hazbin Hotel” Panel

October 20th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

Prime Video adult animated musical comedy series Hazbin Hotel debuted in January and quickly developed a large and loyal fanbase, which was well-represented at Thursday’s New York Comic Con panel. Creator Vivienne Medrano explained to panel moderator Perri Nemiroff and the audience the origins of her love of animation. “I was piecing together what animation was at a very young age.” She often paused movies at specific moments to study how they looked. Her third grade art teacher Mr. Springer was also an inspiration.

Medrano was a freelance artist before becoming involved in both Hazbin Hotel and fellow animated series Helluva Boss, though she had many friends who were in the business. Her best advice for those looking to get into this space: “I had such a specific vision of the show. It’s very important to collaborate. But if you have a vision, know what you’re not willing to bend on and stick with that.”

NY COMIC CON: The Highly Anticipated Return Of “Phineas And Ferb”

October 19th, 2024

Jackson Murphy

One of the biggest New York Comic Con 2024 panels was a showcase of the return of legendary Disney animated series Phineas And Ferb. The characters are a year older in the new season, premiering in 2025 on Disney Channel and Disney+. The spirit, music and humor that made the previous seasons so beloved are back and, according to the makers, better than ever.

Co-creator Jeff “Swampy” Marsh was emotional in front of a packed crowd on Thursday. He’s thrilled to share more of P&F with the world and having the “freedom to explore characters more freely.” It all kicks-off with a musical sequence (shown exclusively to the NYCC audience) in which Phineas, Ferb and their friends are celebrating the final moments of the school year and half a day before their next 104 days of summer vacation begin. Fellow co-creator Dan Povenmire has been working hard with some original and new writers coming-up with storylines, admitting that in order to not repeat themselves, “Sometimes we have to look it up on Wiki.” He loves being able to “try new things.”