InThis 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!
‘Family Guy’ Celebrates Mega Milestone with Episode 300
Titled “Dog Bites Bear,” the 300th episode ofFamily Guyairs Sunday, January 14th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox. Check out all of the coverage of this milestone below:
Here’s a clip from the upcoming episode:
ViaEW, here’s what executive producerRich Appelhad to say about the episode:
“Cherry Chevapravatdumrong wrote the episode, and among many skill sets she brings to her job as a writer is a fondness bordering on obsession withThe Fast and Furiousseries. One of the sustained bits in the show revolves around Stewie’s adoration of that series, and he tells Brian to be careful talking about Paul Walker because he hasn’t yet broken the news of his death to Rupert.”
And for more on this milestone from creatorSeth MacFarland, be sure to check out this interview withTHR, and tune in for Episode 300 this Sunday night!
‘A Silent Voice’ English Dub Heads to Theaters February 2nd
Eleven Arts is bringing the English dub of directorNaoko Yamada’s animated filmA Silent Voiceto U.S. theaters early this February.Fans ofA Silent Voice, which premiered at theaters across North America last October, can now enjoy the newly dubbed version; check out the English voice cast below. The film’s universal themes of regret and redemption, powerful in any language, won hearts of critics and the public alike, andA Silent Voicehas been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 90th Academy Awards
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
A Silent Voice” follows the poignant and moving story of Shōya Ishida, a school bully, and Shōko Nishimiya, a young girl with a hearing disability. Their story begins in sixth grade when Shōko transfers to Shōya’s elementary school and quickly finds herself bullied and isolated due to her hearing disability. Years later, the tables turn, and Shōya finds himself the victim. “A Silent Voice” depicts the struggles and challenges of adolescence alongside coming-of-age outside the norm.
‘Mr. Pickles’ Goes on a Metal Band Tour for Season 3 Celebration
Adult Swim is moshing its way around the country with an immersive, fan-centric 13-city metal “thrash-tastic” tour featuring bandsExodusandMunicipal Wastein support of the new season of its animated seriesMr. Pickles. Along with enjoying face melting guitar riffs, fans attending the Thrash-tacular Metal Tour can take photos in theMr. Pickleshellacious dog house, purchase exclusiveMr. Picklesmerchandise and receive free Adult Swim swag. The new music tour continues Adult Swim’s commitment to bringing vibrant and impactful experiences directly to its fans. The onslaught of sound begins Thursday, February 22nd in Seattle, Washington. For more information on the tour, how to get tickets and schedule, please visitAdult Swim Presents.
Mr. Pickles, Old Town’s cutest dog, is back for a third season of tail wagging, flesh ripping, head decapitating and good old classic American adventure on Sunday, February 25th at Midnight ET/PT onAdult Swim.
Season three ofMr. Picklesfollows the Goodman family, and the eccentric residents of Old Town, in their most off-the-wall escapades yet! Join Mr. Goodman and Mrs. Goodman in battling bullies, zombies and telemarketing plantation owners. Go on a ride along with Sheriff in the hit reality show “Sheriffs”, and learn from Tommy what it really takes to make a hit cartoon show. Don’t forget about the about the wonderful Mr. Pickles, who is never too far away from the action. This season he faces off against some of his toughest foes including memory hackers, ruthless television executives, and military footwear.
Mr. Picklesis a HotHouse production created byWill CarsolaandDave Stewart. It is executive produced by Carsola, Stewart,Michael J. Rizzo, andMike Mayfield.
‘Teen Titans Go! To the Movies’ Details Revealed
The first trailer and synopsis for Cartoon Network and Warner Bros.‘Teen Titans Go! To the Moviesarrived earlier this week, but USA Today has a few more details when it comes to the new cast and characters. One such newcomer isKristen Bell, who voices superhero-movie director Jade Wilson. Bell called the title team “such an amusing take on superheroes. They’re funny, irreverent and delightful to watch. And much like the Teen Titans themselves, I thought they deserved their own movie.”
The write-up also included the first look at Bell’s character, which she said “really looks nothing like me. That gave me a lot of latitude to voice her in a way I wouldn’t necessarily speak to people … she’s definitely an amalgamation of the stereotypes one might think of when they picture a grandiose director.”
While the movie centers on the team’s trip to Hollywood in order to star in a movie (how meta!), they’re forced to foil the world-dominating plans of the supervillain Slade (Will Arnett) along the way. Will you be tuning in to check it out? Let us know in the comments!
TBS to Debut ‘Final Space’ Animated Series from Olan Rogers
An astronaut named Gary and his planet-destroying sidekick called Mooncake embark on serialized journeys through space in order to unlock the mystery of where the universe actually ends and if it actually does exist.
Rogers and David Sacks are writers and executive producers for the TBS original, which is being produced by Conan O’Brien’s Conaco, New Form and in association with Turner’s Studio T.
Varietyreported that TBS will debut the new animated comedyFinal Spaceat 10:30 p.m. on February 26th followingAmerican Dad, which was just renewed for two more seasons.
Final Space, which follows space-prisoner Gary and his mysterious alien friend, Mooncake, who is being hunted by the sinister Lord Commander, unbeknownst to Gary. The series hails fromYouTube’rOlan Rogerswho will write and executive produce the series along withDavid Sacks. The TBS Original series is produced byConan O’Brien’s Conaco, New Form and in association with Turner’s Studio T.
Rogers also stars inFinal Spacealongside a solid cast includingFred Armisen,Tom Kenny,David Tennant,Tika Sumpter,Steven Yeun,Coty Galloway,Ron Perlman,Caleb McLaughlin,Shannon Purser,John DiMaggio,Keith David,Gina Torres,Andy Richter, and O’Brien.
‘Godzilla: Monster Planet’ Stomps onto Netflix This Wednesday
If and when Netflix decides to make their new trailer publicly available, we’ll post it here, but in the meantime, keep an eye out forGodzilla: Monster Planet(Part 1?) to arrive on Netflix this Wednesday, January 17th.
DirectorsKobun ShizunoandHiroyukiSeshita‘s animated film features the voice cast ofMamoru Miyano,Takashiro Sakurai,Kana Hanazawa,Tomokazu Sugita,Yuki KajiandJunichi Suwabe.
Here’s the movie’s synopsis:
Since it was first released as a feature film in 1954, “Godzilla” has become a colossal cultural icon loved by millions around the world. The 2016 release of “SHIN GODZILLA”, directed by Hideaki Anno, reinvigorated the franchise with a novel and realistic depiction of the iconic monster story, earning 82.5 million US dollars at the box-office and capturing the imagination of new and old fans alike. Now in 2017, GODZILLA evolves in an unexpected direction as a feature-length animated film.
The animated movie takes the franchise into uncharted territory — a harsh world of the future in which Godzilla has dominated the Earth for the past 20,000 years, and a fateful final confrontation with mankind looms. Prepare for the earth-shattering roar of a brand new GODZILLA, unlike anything heard or seen before.
‘Batman: Gotham by Gaslight’ Clip “3 Robins” Reveals Some Familiar Faces
The first true Elseworlds tale from DC comes to animated life as a steampunk Batman hunts Jack the Ripper through the shadows of turn-of-the-century Gotham City in “Batman: Gotham By Gaslight.”
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new, feature-length animated film arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting June 15, 2025, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD June 09, 2025.
Inspired by the landmark one-shot “Elseworlds” tale byBrian AugustynandMike Mignola,Batman: Gotham by Gaslighttakes place at the turn of the century as America’s continued industrial revolution is to be showcased at a World’s Fair hosted by Gotham City. But while the world prepares to witness the glittery glory of Gotham’s technological advances, there is a killer loose in the city’s darkest shadows. Preying on the city’s women, this killer is as precise as he is cruel. As Police Commissioner James Gordon tries to calm the fears of Gotham’s citizens regarding the butcher called Jack the Ripper, the masked vigilante Batman enacts his own detective work – with the help of confident, capable Selina Kyle – to stop the Ripper’s murderous spree. Witness a world in flames as the notorious serial killer’s controlled savagery meets the calculated stealth of the Dark Knight.
The animated film will premiere at the upcoming event “DC in D.C.":
Friday, January 12 - 6:30–9:15 p.m.
Batman: Gotham by GaslightPremiere Screening (For Mature Audiences 18+ Years of Age) — Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment provide a new take on Batman as a steampunk Dark Knight hunts Jack the Ripper through the shadows of turn of the century Gotham City in this all-new animated feature available from Warner Bros. Home EntertainmentJanuary 23, 2018, on Digital andFebruary 6, 2018, on Blu-ray and DVD.
The premiere event, as part of the “DC in DC” activities at the Newseum in Washington D.C., is for mature audiences 18 years of age or older, will kick off with a cocktail reception and will be followed with a Q&A session with Bruce Greenwood (voice of Batman), Scott Patterson (Commissioner Gordon), Yuri Lowenthal (Harvey Dent), executive producer Bruce Timm and screenwriter Jim Krieg.
‘Scooby-Doo! and Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ Clips Unite the Teams
The Mystery Inc. gang meets the Dark Knight for the first time in this all-new clip fromScooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new original film is available now from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on DVD and Digital.
Super sleuths Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma join forces with the world’s greatest detective, Batman, when they discover that villains from both of their respective rogues’ galleries have also combined efforts to terrorize the city. With Scooby snacks in tow, the crime-fighting teams encounter classic Batman foes (Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, Penguin, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn) and allies (The Question, Aquaman, Plastic Man, Martian Manhunter) along with a bevy of fiends from Scooby-Doo lore (Spooky Space Kook, Gentleman Ghost, Miner 49er, Ghost Clown). As always, you won’t know who the ultimate villain is until those “meddling kids” pull off the mask!
‘Mary and The Witch’s Flower’ Gets a Special Premiere
The debut title from Studio Ponoc,Mary and The Witch’s Flower, will get a special one-night national premiere on the big screen January 18th, one night prior to its wider theatrical release. This stunning, action-packed fantasy adventure is the second collaboration between Academy Award-nominated directorHiromasa Yonebayashi(Studio Ghibli’sWhen Marnie Was ThereandThe Secret World of Arrietty)and fellow two-time Academy Award-nominated producerYoshiaki Nishimura(Studio Ghibli’sThe Tale of The Princess KaguyaandWhen Marnie Was There).
In addition to the feature content, premiere event audiences will be treated to an exclusive interview with the filmmakers as well as a special commemorative item via select participating exhibitors (while supplies last).
Mary, an ordinary twelve-year-old girl, is bored and lonely during a summer holiday. She follows an odd cat into the nearby woods where she stumbles upon a flower and then a little broomstick. Together, the flower and broomstick whisk her above the clouds, far away to Endor College - a school of magic! At Endor, Mary tells a lie that leads to peril, and then a promise, while discovering that all is not as it seems at the school - there are experiments that horrify. Soon she confronts great danger, and a test of her resolve.
WHO:Fathom Events, GKIDS and Studio Ponoc
WHEN:Thursday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. (English language dubbed) and 8:00 p.m. local time (English language subtitled)
WHERE:Tickets for the January 18 screenings ofMary and The Witch’s Flowercan be purchased by visitingwww.FathomEvents.comor at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
Hayao Miyazaki’s Short ‘Boro the Caterpillar’ to Premiere at Ghibli Museum
TheGhibli Museumannounced thatHayao Miyazaki’s 14-minute-and-20-second shortBoro the Caterpillarwill be premiering at the facility on March 21st. The story follows the title character, a recently hatched caterpillar, just after he awakens with fresh eyes to take his first steps into a world filled with friends and enemies.
