InThis Week in Animation,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!
Last weekend, Japan’s box office saw two anime titans battling it out for the top spot.Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letterbeat outCrayon Shin-chan: Invasion!! Alien Shiririand is on pace to be the best performing film of the series. Coming to U.S. theaters will be the entire Season 1 run ofKabaneri of the Iron Fortress, from Wit Studio and directorTetsurō Araki, who brought usAttack on Titan, withCode GeasswriterIchirō Ōkouchi. Speaking of titans,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractis now available on Blu-ray and DVD; we have a new clip and a bunch of images to celebrate that fact. We’ve also got some behind-the-scenes storyboard art fromDash Shaw’s animated feature filmMy Entire High School Sinking into the Seafor you to check out.
On the TV side of things, D23–the upcoming Disney expo–will unveil a host of treasures from the Disney archives, among them, art from an unproduced animated short starring Donald Duck titled “Pirate Gold.” Believe it or not, but a series version of the Oscar-nominated filmSpirit: Stallion of the Cimarronis coming to Netflix in early May asSpirit Riding Free; we have a look at the first trailer. And if it’s debut trailers you want, we also have an early look at the new YouTubeRed series,Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force.
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!
‘Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter’ #1 in Opening Weekend
AsVarietyreports,Detective Conan: Crimson Love Lettertook the top spot at Japan’s box office last weekend in its debut. The 21st entry in the acclaimed anime series, also known asCase Closed, about a detective who’s been transformed into a child but still manages to solve mysterious cases pulled in $14 million in its opening frame last weekend. This is a 6% increase from the 2016 entry,Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare, which set a record for the series with $68.5 million as its final tally.
Taking the second spot in last weekend’s box office in Japan was another installment from a long-running anime series.Crayon Shin-chan: Invasion!! Alien Shiririis the 25th entry in the anime series about five-year-old Shinnosuke “Shin” Nohara and his friends and family. Though this effort earned $3.6 million in its opening weekend, that was down 18% from last year’sCrayon Shin-chan: Fast Asleep! Dreaming World Big Assault!
While you most definitely won’t see either of these films rolling into American theaters anytime soon, you may still catch the amazing anime featureYour Namein theaters now.
Never-Before-Seen Animated Short ‘Donald Duck’s Pirate Gold’ to Be Unveiled at D23
Attendees of the upcoming Disney exposition D23–taking place from July 14th to July 16th in Anaheim, California–will be treated to a never-before-scene bit of storyboard art featuring a famous face: Donald Duck.CBRhas revealed some of the images that will be displayed from the unproduced short,Donald Duck’s Pirate Gold. It’s part of the “Walt Disney Archives Presents — A Pirate’s Life for Me: Disney’s Rascals, Scoundrels and Really Bad Eggs” exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opening at Disneyland.
“The actual images are from an unproduced short that would have starred Donald Duck and the Aracuan Bird from “Three Caballeros’ as an antagonist to Donald,” Walt Disney Studios archivistJustin Arthurtold CBR. “Donald was searching for this pirate gold, and he keeps getting duped by the Aracuan Bird. They went so far as to make storyboards. They ended up testing it with audiences, and it kind of got a lackluster response. Based on that audience feedback, they shelved it.” Head over to CBR for more on “Pirate Gold”, more artwork, and how you can see it in person!
New Images, Clips from ‘Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’, on Blu-ray Now
Robin and Deathstroke face off in a thrilling fight duringTeen Titans: The Judas Contract, the next entry in the popular DC Universe Original Movies series. This clip features the voices ofStuart Allanas Damian Wayne/Robin, and the lateMiguel Ferreras Deathstroke.
Teen Titans: The Judas Contractis now available via Digital HD, and Blu-ray & DVD! Check out some bonus images below:
First Trailer for ‘Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force’ Appears
The series is produced by Halfbrick Studios, the original creator of the Fruit Ninja game, in partnership with Toonz Entertainment and Kickstart Productions. YouTube Red is a paid membership that gives viewers an enhanced, uninterrupted experience across YouTube, YouTube Music, YouTube Gaming and YouTube Kids. Members also get exclusive access to new original series and movies from top YouTube creators. YouTube Red is currently available in the United States, New Zealand, Australia Mexico and Korea with plans for additional international expansion throughout the year.
Keep an eye out for my review ofFruit Ninja: Frenzy Forcenext week!
‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’ Gets a Theatrical Release
Join us at the first ever Anime Movie Night for a special screening ofKabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Exclusive Theatrical Release!Get your tickets here!
From the Studio and Director that brought youAttack on Titan, comesKabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Exclusive Theatrical Release. This double feature will be a compilation of the original TV series, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, told over two parts:
Praised for its astounding visuals, the movie will recap events from the original TV series and include updates as well as enhanced footage.
Anime Movie Night will be taking place in theaters around North America on April 26th. Tickets are on sale now!
Check out the Storyboards for Dash Shaw’s ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’
One of the most unique moviegoing experiences you’ll ever have is watching writer-directorDash Shaw’s animated featureMy Entire High School Sinking into the Sea. Currently playing in select theaters, it will expand into more territories through June 2nd.Check out the schedule here, and check out storyboards fromAndrew Lorenziand Shaw below:
‘Spirit Riding Free’ Trailer Brings the Animated Stallion to Netflix
SpiritRiding Free, which will debut on Netflix Friday, May5th, follows the heartfelt journey of a gutsy 12-year-old girl named Lucky who befriends a wild mustang whom she aptly namesSpirit. With her two best friends (and their horses) by her side, Lucky and her friends explore a world filled with endless rides, magnificent horses and and never ending fun! Together they’ll push their own limits, harness the power of friendship and discover what it truly means to be free.
Spirit Riding Freecomes from executive producerAury Wallingtonand co-executive producerJim Schumannwith cast membersAmber Frank,Sydney Park,Bailey Gambertoglio,Darcy Rose Byrnes,Nolan North, andKari Wahlgren.
Look for my review of the series coming next week!
When city-turned-country girl Lucky meets a wild mustang named Spirit, she feels an instant connection to the untamable horse. A courageous and natural-born leader, Lucky navigates this new world with her two new best friends, Pru and Abigail by her side. The trio embark on thrilling adventures, find genuine friendship, and discover what it means to be free! The journey begins May 5th on @Netflix!
