Home video, reading and DIY picks from the April ’21 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 309),
The Legend of Korra: The Complete Series
The follow-up to Nickelodeon’s animated epic Avatar gets the luxe full series Limited Edition SteelBook treatment this month. Created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, Annie and Emmy winner Korra is set 70 years after the first show’s arc and follows the new Avatar as she faces the challenges, duties and responsibilities of her destiny. The four-book collection features new front and back cover art by Caleb Thomas and includes legacy Blu-ray bonus features. Limited to 10,000 copies. [Paramount/Nickelodeon, $98 BD]
On-Gaku: Our Sound
Bored teens pin their hopes on rock ‘n’ roll in Kenji Iwaisawa’s almost entirely self-animated feature about a trio of delinquents on a quest for musical glory, trying to impress their peers and avoid a rival gang on the way. An Annecy selection and OIAF Grand Prize winner, this lo-fi slacker comedy features music by Shintaro Sakamoto and comes with making-of featurette, short films by the director and more bonus riffs. [Shout! Factory, $27 BD]
Soul
One of the most highly praised films of the year and a strong awards season contender, Pete Docter and Kemp Powers’ tale of a not-quite-dead band teacher’s (Jamie Foxx) quest to inspire a spark for life in an unborn soul (Tina Fey) and get back to Earth to fulfill his dreams arrives on a variety of physical platforms today — including exclusive sets from Best Buy (SteelBook) and Target (with ltd. edition gallery book).Heavenly bonus features cover the movie’s music, artistry, technical feats and philosophy, as well as deleted scenes, commentary and more. [Disney, DVD/BD/4K]
The Art of Raya and the Last Dragon
Take in the fantastical journey of Disney’s newest heroine and her scaly sidekick in this lush hardcover edition, packed with never-before-seen development art, character sketches, storyboards and color scripts. Kalikolehua Hurley, a cultural relations lead at the studio, and film producer Osnat Shurer author this colorful exploration of Raya’s warrior quest and the fantastical, Southeast Asian-inspired land of Kumandra. Forewords by directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa. [Chronicle, $43]
Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive (Second Edition)
Industry veteran David B. Levy (currently director of animation for Disney+) revises his comprehensive go-to guide to Toon Town for 2021. Advice from more than 150 top talents — including Brooke Keesling (Bento Box), Mike Hollingsworth (BoJack Horseman), Andrea Fernandez (The Cuphead Show) and Oscar nominee PES (Fresh Guacamole) — will help guide your every step, from getting the most out of school, making yourself marketable, job (or no job) tips and even setting out on your own. Plus, key resources to help you quickly find training, networking and showcase platforms. [Allworth, $20 / $15 ebook]
Ctrl + Art + DlY Puppet Kit
London-based stop-motion animator Jennifer Kidd (Norman Picklestripes, Isle of Dogs) has pivoted her popular hands-on workshops online in These Difficult Times, and now she’s made it even easier for home learners with her Pro Puppet Building Kit. Containing all the physical materials needed to craft your own animatable model at home, the kit also includes access to Kidd’s four-hour Zoom course and online tutorials. [£65-75 including shipping, educational discounts available | control-art-delete.com]
