We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.
Customise Consent Preferences
We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.
The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ...
Always Active
Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.
No cookies to display.
Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.
No cookies to display.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
No cookies to display.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
No cookies to display.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.
D’ART Shtajio in Japan, recognized for its groundbreaking work on projects such as Star Wars: Visions – The Pit and The Boys Presents: Diabolical, announces the appointment of Sy Huq as its new Lead Executive Producer. In this role, Huq will spearhead the studio’s creative and strategic initiatives, acting as a bridge between anime production in the East and the West and helping lead the prodco as it moves into its next phase of growth.
Huq joins D’ART Shtajio with a proven track record in the animation industry, having previously held pivotal roles at several esteemed studios. His career has been defined by a commitment to pushing boundaries, fostering diverse narratives in animation and a passion for innovative storytelling. In his new role, he will be the first Bangladeshi-American creative executive in Japan’s anime industry.
“D’ART is entering its ninth year, and we are seeking to adapt our business approach to align with the evolving landscape of anime and the wider entertainment industry. With that in mind, we are thrilled to welcome Sy to our team as our Lead Executive Producer,” said Arthell Isom, CEO of D’ART Shtajio. “Collaborating with him in the past, we believe Sy’s creative approach to storytelling and production fully aligns with D’ART’s objectives, and we look forward to continuing to create with him. We all share a belief in the importance of multifaceted storytelling in enriching the human experience, and we see anime as an ideal and globalized medium with the potential to do this effectively. We’ve already started putting our heads together on some big developments and can’t wait to share them in the future.”
D’ART Shtajio has gained acclaim for its distinctive approach to animation, blending traditional Japanese artistry with modern storytelling techniques. As Lead Executive Producer, Huq will play a pivotal role in expanding the studio’s portfolio.
“I am extremely excited to continue to build a platform that has already made so many waves in the anime industry,” said the newly appointed exec. “The narrative DNA and impact potential is historical and something I can see pave the road for other creators in the future. I’m looking forward to working with D’ART and Arthell to help inspire writers and creators around the world.”
Huq is a four-time Oscar-qualified, Norwegian-born Bangladeshi-American film director, screenwriter and producer. His films, including Things That Fall (2019), Boys (2021) and Oh, Mighty Ocean (2022), have won an AT&T Film Award, a Stage 32 Film Award, an ISA Fellowship and an Imagine Impact Creators Network Screenwriting Staff Pick. Huq also produced The Journey (2022), with Toei Animation and Manga Productions; the first-ever animated feature film collaboration between Japanese and Saudi studios (available to watch on Crunchyroll).
D’ART Shtajio, the first major Black-owned anime studio in Japanese history, was established in 2016 by twin brothers Arthell and Darnell Isom with the aim of creating Japanese anime that merges with Westernized culture. Their notable projects include Star Wars: Visions, The Weeknd’s “Snowchild” music video, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, and collaborations with renowned Japanese studios on productions like One Piece, Overlord, Tokyo Ghoul Re:, Castlevania, Pokémon, Fire Force, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Attack on Titan, and more. Arthell will be codirecting the upcoming feature film Mfinda, a Congolese epic fantasy.
Animation for many of us is a passion career, which differentiates it from most traditional careers. Perhaps it was a movie you watched as a kid that taught you a valuable lesson, maybe you found comfort in drawing or writing stories and were looking for an avenue to communicate them. For most of us, working in this type of field was an active choice to make our hobby a career, so as you try to break into this very niche industry or work your way up, here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Let’s start with the basics: Our passion and excitement can make us want to jump ahead, but the reality is that there are no shortcuts. You have to learn to walk before you can run, and to do that, you must start with the basics. Build up and slowly challenge yourself, and make sure you have a strong foundation before attempting complex tasks.
2. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again: A baby’s first steps are unstable, and they often need to lean on objects to keep their balance. If you fall, get up and try again. Lean on those around you, find people to guide you. Listen to your peers and mentors, watch tutorials, take classes, and most of all — work hard.
3. Collaboration is key: This is a very small and niche field. You will often bump into people you went to school with or worked in other studios with. We’re creating content together! And we are all trying to make it the best it can be. The only way to do this is by collaborating. It can be easy to get sucked into the competitive mindset, but that’s not the right mindset for this industry. Help those around you, learn and grow together, and don’t be afraid to accept help from others. One thing I personally struggled with at first was feeling like there was no way for me to repay those who helped me along the way. I eventually learned the value of simply showing appreciation and giving credit. And with time, as you become a professional in the field — pay it forward!
4. Make friendships, not connections: Networking is with no doubt extremely helpful, but it’s the way you go about it that really makes a difference. When studios search for new talent to hire, employees will often recommend talented friends. Knowing that a person is easy to work with and fun to have around is extremely valuable. Your strongest connections will typically be your friends. When you’re in the start of your career it may look like you’re competing with one another, but the truth is that if a friend receives a role you wanted, you should be so happy! First, because you should be happy for your friend’s success. Additionally, you now have someone at the studio that could potentially put you forward when another opportunity arises.
When reaching out to an artist or recruiter you don’t know, make sure your note is personal and show that you are interested in speaking to that specific person. A copy-pasted message will often get overlooked.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish [DreamWorks Animation] 5.Don’t take things personally: We receive a ton of feedback on a daily basis. It is so important to learn to receive the notes and communicate well. The harshest feedback is where you typically learn the most.
6. Keep an open mind: There are only so many people that will make it into the top studios, but the industry is vast! There are so many other avenues you can explore. At the end of the day even the top studios are ultimately just a job. What really matters is the people you work with. And even the smallest of projects, with passionate people, can become something outstandingly creative. Even though I knew I wanted to do animation in feature films, my first internship was as a generalist. I then worked as a game animator, and only after that I made it into feature films. I’m not a gamer, and didn’t originally see myself in the game industry, but I absolutely loved my time doing it thanks to the amazing team, and great projects.
Animator Shir Baron captures her own performance for Perrito (Harvey Guillén) in ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’
7. What’s your personal spice?: There is so much amazing talent out there. Make sure to think about what that extra thing you bring to the table is. What makes you valuable to the team? It can be something technical like coding knowledge, or something personal like your social or organizational skills. For me it is my ability to bring people together. Don’t forget the value in what makes you you, and highlight that throughout your career.
8. Find your own path: My career path was rather unusual: I finished high school, went to military service, traveled, and then became a flight attendant so I could travel more, and only then went to college to study animation. When you’re 18 you’re still learning so much about yourself. People often change careers throughout their lives, take breaks and follow other passions. This is just a reminder that it’s okay! Everyone has their own path and it’s often a windy road. Sometimes finding a job straight out of school can be challenging. Working a part time job is completely normal and not something at all to be ashamed of!
Shir Baron created her award-winning short ‘The Train to Qinling’ as a student at Ringling College of Art and Design
9. There’s always room to grow: Even when you’ve reached the top, there is always more you can learn. Be open to change and stay current as our industry constantly changes and progresses. Imposter syndrome is something that can be very tough to deal with, but in the right amount, it can give you the drive to keep challenging yourself.
10. Enjoy the journey: As you find your own path, remember to enjoy the journey. It’s all part of it! Pick up hobbies, make more time for family and friends. Don’t forget to live! That’s where our stories come from. Your success in your career shouldn’t be what dictates your happiness in life.
Shir Baron is a character animator, currently working at DreamWorks Animation, where she’s contributed to films such as Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken and the upcoming The Wild Robot. She also has experience in the gaming industry.
Shir is of Jewish Moroccan descent, was born and raised in Israel, and has dedicated most of her 20s to traveling the world, which has had a great influence on her storytelling.
Crunchyroll is overloading its summer schedule, adding even more anime titles to keep fans entertained in the coming months. New series added to the lineup today include Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, The Elusive Samurai, My Deer Friend Nokotan, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin and My Wife Has No Emotion, to name a few.
These join previously announced debuts for Tower of God Season 2; NieR:Automata Ver1.1.A; Bye Bye, Earth; Wistoria: Wand and Sword; NareNare -Cheer for You!-, Senpai Is an Otokonoko; Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian; Mayonaka Punch; Twilight out of Focus and more.
After a new robot comes into his life, one man will take the leap of mechanical matrimony!
Sub airtime: Sat., 8 a.m. PT
July 4
Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything with Low-Level Spells (Seven Arcs)
A low-level spellcaster will show that even the most minor of magics can be powerful!
Sub airtime: 11 a.m. PT
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Middle East, CIS and Indian subcontinent
Red Cat Ramen Studio (E&H production)
Welcome to the best ramen shop in town, but you better be favorable to felines!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, United Kingdom, Ireland, French-speaking territories (excluding France), South Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and Indian subcontinent
July 5
Cardfight Vanguard Divinez Season 2 (Studio: Kinema citrus, Gift-o-Animation, Studio Jemi)
Akina Myodo returns for more ultimate card battles in the latest Cardfight Vanguard Divinez season!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: Worldwide, excluding Japan, China, North and South Korea
July 6
The Elusive Samurai(CloverWorks)
A young samurai must learn new ways of survival as he rises from a historical family betrayal!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS and India subcontinent
Dubs include: French and Hindi
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (P.A. Works)
Based on the video game of the same name, a harvest goddess will learn to return to their roots!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS
A Nobody’s Way Up to an Exploration Hero (GEKKOU)
Now with the power of a legendary Valkyrie, one explorer is ready to rise above any challenge!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS
Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools (Typhoon Graphics, IMAGICA Infos)
An office worker in Japan is reborn in another world and learns to love the craft of magical toolmaking!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS
July 7
My Deer Friend Nokotan(WIT Studio)
The tale of two girls, one a former high school delinquent, the other a … deer?
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: Worldwide excluding mainland China and Japan
Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (J.C.Staff)
Natsu and the Fairy Tail guild return to complete the legendary 100 Years Quest!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, German-speaking Europe, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands and Denmark
Dubs include: English and German
July 9
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies (P.A. Works)
It’s love at first sight for these two total enemies of completely different backgrounds!
Sub airtime: TBA
Availability: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS and India subcontinent
Me and My Shadow, B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, Dreaming Machine, Dragon’s Lair and many more promising animated feature projects that never made it to screen get their own celebration in a new (free!) digital book, Drawing for Nothing. Written by Ziggy Cashmere (Jacob Pruitt), the PDF presents development artwork, insider info and even click-through access to animation tests for film lovers to enjoy and artists to find inspiration.
The materials were collected from artists’ animation reels, portfolios and resumes, book scans, interviews and beyond. Pruitt and the dedicated team behind the project intend to continue adding chapters as they are completed, asserting “this collection will never be finished.”
New clips have been found from Me and My Shadow by the fan base on a demo reel! Unfortunately they do not have audio, but these are brand new to us. pic.twitter.com/42C0KhyTXk
“Every animated film is the dream of someone. It doesn’t matter how stupid, soulless, or unmarketable some of those ideas may be, it was someone’s dream and they wanted to put the effort into making it,” Pruitt writes in the book’s introduction. “Unfortunately, however, things get in the way … This book presents a fraction [of what] has been made for these past films. It explains their stories, productions, and fates. When possible, it credits artists as they should be credited.”
Current chapters cover:
Me and My Shadow (DreamWorks Animation, 2012-2014)
Director: Alessandro Carloni
Cast: Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Kate Hudson, Tom Hiddleston
Visit drawingfornothing.com to view and download Drawing for Nothing. You can follow the official account @dfnbook on Twitter/X for updates on new chapters, materials and project updates.
Putting more weight behind its tagline “Your Anime Destination,” Hulu‘s branded animation block Animayhem has announced a slew of new and returning anime series coming to the streamer this summer.
The excitement kicked off with the recent premiere of Suicide Squad ISEKAI (Warner Bros. Japan / WIT Studio) on June 27, which continues with new episodes this month. New episodes drop every Thursday.
The DC-inspired show follows along as the Suicide Squad (Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface and King Shark) — a group of Super Villains assembled by A.R.G.U.S. head Amanda Waller, are flung into another world for their own isekai adventure. Their rampage through this new realm is cut short when they are captured and strapped up with timed neck bombs. They have no choice but to fight on the fronlines for Queen Aldora against the Imperial army: They run, they die. They lose, they die.
The series is directed by Eri Osada from a screenplay by Tappei Nagatsuki and Eiji Umehara, featuring character design by Akira Amano (draft) and Naoto Hosoda and music by Kenichiro Suehiro.
Hulu Animayhem’s summer anime slate also features:
Oshi no Ko Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Now Streaming
A doctor and his recently-deceased patient are reborn as twins to a famous Japanese musical idol and navigate the highs and lows of the Japanese entertainment industry as they grow up together through their lives.
Dark Gathering Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Now Streaming
A withdrawn college kid with psychic powers teams up with a strange little girl who’s searching for her dead mother’s abducted soul.
Reincarnated as a Sword Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Now Streaming
A sentient sword is taken up by Fran, a desperate girl fleeing evil-doers intent on selling her into slavery; the unconventional master-student duo embarks on a journey to liberate those in need and exact justice on the cruel of heart.
The Eminence in Shadow Complete Season 2
Subbed & Dubbed | Now Streaming
When Cid is isekai’d to another world, he creates an underground organization to live out a fight against a made-up cult. Little does he know the cult is real, and they’re not happy his power fantasy just impeded their plans.
Bloom into You Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Monday, July 15
High school student Yuu Koito looks to Touko Nanami of the student council for advice on how to turn down dates when she learns they both have no interest in relationships, but that begins to change when Touko reveals she has feelings for Yuu.
I’m Quitting Heroing Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Monday, July 15
A hero saves the world from an invading demon army; when he becomes feared and alienated for his work, he can only get employment from the same army he fought.
Ya Boy Kongming! Complete Season 1
Subbed & Dubbed | Monday, July 15
The ancient strategist Kongming is transported from historical China to modern Japan; he uses military tactics to turn his new friend Eiko into a music star; together, they take the party hotspot of Shibuya by storm.
Naruto Shippuden Episodes 450-461
Dubbed | Thursday, August 1
The Village Hidden in the Leaves is home to the stealthiest ninja in the land. But twelve years earlier, a fearsome Nine-tailed Fox terrorized the village before it was subdued and its spirit sealed within the body of a baby boy. Now that boy, Naruto, has grown up to become a hyperactive ninja-in-training who’s more interested in pranks than schoolwork … but Naruto is determined to become the greatest ninja ever!
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) today announced the seven animated films selected for this year’s official Features Competition. The selection includes both emerging and established animators from the international festival circuit. OIAF 2024 runs from September 25 to 29.
The Grand Prize for Feature Animation will be determined during the Festival by an expert jury comprising Neil Hunter (Canada), Dahee Jeong (South Korea) and Thomas Volda (Croatia).
“It’s remarkable to see how diverse and interesting feature animation has grown, especially with this year’s competition being one of the strongest we’ve had in years,” says OIAF Artistic Director Chris Robinson. “We’ve got a handful of lesser-known gems that are sure to travel the festival circuit (the astonishing Olivia & the Clouds, the mysterious Journey of Shadows, and the hypnotic weirdness of Boys Go to Jupiter) alongside a trip of films that have already been recognized globally (Flow, Sultana’s Dream and Memoir of a Snail).”
OIAF 2024 Features Competition:
Boys Go to Jupiter – dir. Julian Glander (United States)
Flow – dir. Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia, Belgium and France)
Journey of Shadows (Reise der Schatten) – dir. Yves Netzhammer (Switzerland)
Memoir of a Snail – dir. Adam Elliot (Australia)
Olivia & the Clouds(Olivia & Las Nubes) – dir. Tomás Pichardo Espaillat (Dominican Republic)
Sultana’s Dream (El sueño de la Sultana) – dir. Isabel Herguera (Spain, Germany and India)
Sunburnt Unicorn – dir. Nick Johnson (Canada)
The latest animated feature from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Elliot (Mary and Max, Harvie Krumpet),Memoir of a Snail premiered at Annecy International Animation Film Festival earlier this year, winning the Cristal for a Feature Film. The stop-motion film features the voices of Sarah Snook (Succession, The Dressmaker), Kodi Smit-McPhee (ParaNorman, Let Me In) and Magda Szubanski (Happy Feet, Happy Feet Two).
Zilbalodis’s Flow, which was selected to premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, also had an impressive showing at Annecy Festival and was awarded the Jury Award, the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution, the Audience Award and the Best Original Music Award for a Feature Film.
The feminist sci-fi short story-inspired El sueño de la Sultana (Sultana’s Dream) was recognized at Annecy Festival with the Contrechamp Grand Prix and won the Grand Prix at Animafest Zagreb 2024.
Johnson’s Sunburnt Unicorn, an adventurous coming-of-age tale features the musical score of Yellowknife-born sisters Inuksuk Mackay and Tiffany Ayalik. Known as the throat-singing duo PIQSIQ, the soundtrack for the animated feature developed by the duo is entirely lyric-less.
At the time of their selection for Official Competition, Olivia & Las Nubes (Olivia & the Clouds) will have its World Premiere at Ottawa, while Reise der Schatten (Journey of Shadows) and Boys Go to Jupiterwill make their respective Canadian debuts.
Warner Bros. Animation and Sola Entertainment Production kicked off Anime Expo with the debut of a brand-new image from the highly anticipated Tolkien movie The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The dynamic still pictures Héra, daughter of Helm Hammerhand and the focus of the story, racing on horseback. The War of the Rohirrim will be released exclusively in theaters on December 13 (Dec. 11 internationally), presented by New Line and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Synopsis: Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg — a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
The voice cast is led by Brian Cox (Succession) as Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan; Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods) as his daughter Héra; and Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) as Wulf. Miranda Otto reprises her role award-winning film trilogy performance as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who serves as the tale’s narrator. The voice ensemble also includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Benjamin Wainwright (World on Fire), Laurence Ubong Williams (Gateway), Shaun Dooley (The Witcher), Michael Wildman (Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation), Bilal Hasna (Sparks) and Janine Duvitski (Benidorm).
The original film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and produced by Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, from the screenwriting team behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, alongside Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou (Blade Runner: Black Lotus). The executive producers are Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Sam Register, Carolyn Blackwood and Toby Emmerich. The screenplay is by Jeffrey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou, story by Addiss & Matthews and Boyens, based on characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The team of creative collaborators returning from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy also includes Oscar winners Alan Lee and Richard Taylor, along with esteemed Tolkien illustrator John Howe.
AX 2024 runs July 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (NEW Anime Expo image)
Celebrating the theatrical release of Despicable Me 4,Fandango, the nation’s leading online movie ticketing service, has launched its first-ever “Ticket and a Tee” Pack, offering movie and Olympics lovers a chance to buy a ticket to see Universal and Illumination’s latest animated adventure in theaters, plus a Team USA Minions T-Shirt ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This exclusive package is available for purchase starting today for $39.99, while supplies last, and provides fans with two unique codes they can use to redeem their ticket and T-shirt. This offer is valid for all participating theaters nationwide.
In Fandango’s 2024 Moviegoing Trends and Insights Study of over 6,000 moviegoers, Despicable Me 4 was voted the No. 3 most-anticipated summer movie. For fans looking to revisit Gru and the Minions, Fandango at Home has an exclusive movie bundle that includes Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me 3 for $24.99.
Learn more about the “Ticket and a Tee” Pack here and get your tickets for Despicable Me 4on Fandango today.
The Fab Five are gearing up for another colorful animated celebration this week, with aspecial episode Mickey Mouse Funhouse celebrating Vardavar now available to stream on Disney+. The Armenian festival takes place July 7.
You can check out a new clip from “Vardavar!” below. In the episode, Mickey and the gang are invited to enjoy Vardavar, where everyone celebrates by splashing water on each other and the goddess Astghik pays them a visit. The story highlights elements of Armenian culture such as language, food and fashion.
“Vardavar!” premiered in March on Disney Jr. You can also watch a music video featuring the song “It’s Vardavar!” on the Disney Jr. YouTube channel here.
Video Player
Media error: Format(s) not supported or source(s) not found
Blackstone-backed “next generation” entertainment group Candle Media is tightening belts amid the streaming downturn, enacting a series of cost-cutting measures and reorganization of its acquisitions. The outfit will split into two divisions, folding its animation business into CoComelon studio Moonbug (which Candle acquired in November 2021 for nearly $3 billion), while live-action projects are collected under the rebranded Candle Studios.
Sarah Harden, formerly chief of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine label (acquired by Candle in August 2021 for $900 million), will head the live-action division rebranded as Candle Studios (also including prodcos Exile, True Stories and Faraway Road). The parent company, established in 2021 by Disney alums Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs with a $1 billion investment from Blackstone, dissolved Hello Sunshine’s animation division into Moonbug last year.
Candle set up to fill demands of streamers as major studios began damming up their content to reserve for their own platforms, paying hefty sums to acquire popular brands. In an interview with Semafor Tuesday, Mayer said that this angle on approaching streaming buyers was “the one thesis that is holding true, though it’s fraying around the edges slightly.” The co-CEO agreed that Candle had paid “at the top of the market” for its acquisitions. “Have the financials borne out the way we would like, to have to support the prices that we paid? Probably not,” he admitted, adding optimistically, “Talk to us in two or three years.”
A Blackstone spokesperson also told Semafor that one of the biggest impacts on Candle’s financial state were the dual Hollywood strikes by SAG and WGA last year. The company also carries about $1.4 billion in debt, which at 12% is consuming most of its earnings. “We continue to be optimistic about [Candle’s] prospects coming out of the work stoppages and look forward to supporting its growth,” the investor rep noted.
Semafor‘s Ben Smith points out, “Moonbug has almost single-handedly saved [Candle Media]. Despite a drumbeat of questions from the industry about the company’s strategy, properties including CoComelon make Candle a powerhouse in children’s media, a great business on YouTube, and has a solid foothold in streaming.”
City Island, the acclaimed civics-centered show starring Watts (a little lightbulb with big ideas) returns to PBS Kids with a colorful second season on July 5. The sophomore season features 20 new shorts with 585 new characters and over 400 locations, and will include timely topics like news media and fact-based reporting, advertising and the internet. The series stars Kimia Behpoornia and Kimiko Glenn and the new episodes feature notable stars such as Rosie Perez, Ali Stroker, Vanessa Bayer, Julio Torres and Rachel Bloom. The new season also includes two special musical episodes, “Theater Street” and “Holidays,” written by comedian Rachel Wenitsky.
We had the chance to catch up with show creator and animation veteran Aaron Augenblick (founder of New York’s Augenblick Studios and its Future Brain Media spinoff) and exec producer Dan Powell (Inside Amy Schumer, Fantasmas; co-President of TV & Film Production at Future Brain) to find out more about what to expect from this charming and inspiring toon this summer.
Animation Magazine: Congrats, guys, on the launch of the new season of City Island and all the recent developments. Can you tell us a bit about what’s new and exciting about the second season?
Aaron Augenblick: In the first season of a show, we tend to focus on establishing the world and the characters. Everything is brand new! What’s exciting about a second season is that we’ve laid all the groundwork so we can play more. We can dive a lot deeper. In the new episodes, we see Watt direct his own movie, we go inside the Internet, and have multiple musical episodes. There are some really wild new visuals. In addition, we expanded our civics curriculum to include a lot of important new topics.
Dan Powell: PBS KIDS had us expand the curriculum to focus even more on media literacy, which was an interesting challenge given the younger demographic.
Dan Powell
What lessons did you learn from the first season that you took to the new episodes?
Aaron: Creating a fully formed story in three minutes was one of our biggest challenges in the first season. We landed on a very traditional approach in a short format. We have a three-act structure with an investigation arc for most of the episodes. Even though City Island is a kids show, we approach it like a procedural! Once you have a strong structure, it opens you up to experiment with everything else.
Dan: It’s very important to us that the show be funny and there was definitely a learning curve regarding the kind of jokes you can put into a show for a very young audience. Figuring out those parameters in Season 1 made it easier in Season 2.
What do you love about this show and what animation allows you to do with the subject matter?
Aaron: A lot of things! On the one hand, I love that we have a surreal show which feels inherently cartoony. Like a lot of my favorite “cartoons” (Fleischer, Looney Tunes, Muppets), any element from our world can be alive and fodder for gags. Like the Roger Rabbit rule: you can do anything you want, so long as it’s funny! On the other hand, I love that we have a show with a number of fully-formed personalities, where their actions feel motivated. Watt especially feels like a real kid to me, I understand his likes and dislikes. It’s always a magical moment when it feels like the characters tell you what they want to do, not vice versa.
Dan: I love that we have seasoned comedy actors in most of the roles — Kimia Behpoornia, Kimiko Glenn, James Adomian, James III — and guest stars like Julio Torres, Ellen Cleghorne, Rachel Bloom, Rosie Perez and more. This would be an incredible cast for an adult animated series, but we have them on our PBS KIDS show.
City Island, Season 2
What were your biggest challenges?
Aaron: We’re very ambitious, and rarely repeat ourselves. For us, the world of City Island is so rich that we’re drawn to keep exploring the city and meeting new characters. That means a lot of hard work from all of our staff. I never wanted City Island to be a traditional sitcom where we keep coming back to the same house or schoolroom. It’s more of an adventure show. As an animator, I’m usually drawn to the directions that feel the most exciting and experimental.
Dan: Probably the budget. It’s public television — the aforementioned voice cast is definitely doing it for the love of the show.
City Island, Season 2
What is your take on the current climate for TV animation?
Aaron: It’s definitely a strange time for animation throughout the industry. It seems like all of the financial models are shifting and we’ll be in a very different place in five years with the way animation is produced in the world. Our company is shifting as well, with an increased emphasis on creative development and original IP. All that being said, the only thing that remains consistent is that audiences still love watching animation. We’re happily creating animation in a number of different ways, in a variety of formats.
Dan: I am a firm believer that there is a significant gap between the demand for animation and the current supply, due to cost-cutting and other austerity measures taken by the mainstream media companies. I am hoping that the infrastructure begins to emerge for high quality independent episodic animation, even if that means direct-to-consumer distribution.
What do you hope young viewers will take away from the second season of City Island?
Aaron: There are a few themes this season that feel very relevant for kids in the world today. For example, we have an increased focus on media literacy, and the way kids can be critical thinkers in a media saturated environment. We also have an episode about creating art as a means of self-expression. We dive even deeper into what it means to exist in a community. It’s a challenging time for kids around the world, and hopefully we’re making a show that’s fun to watch but also meaningful for our viewers.
Dan: I have two children who love the show even though they have already aged out of the target demo. I just want the kids and parents who watch City Island to enjoy it as much as we enjoy making it, and for them to take joy from watching episodes over and over.
City Island
It’s hard to believe that the Augenblick Studios was founded 25 years ago! What would you say has been the secret to your longevity and success in this unpredictable, competitive business?
Aaron: For me, it has been by staying small and surrounding myself with incredibly talented people. I’ve always thought of my studio more like an artist’s collective than a big corporation. Most of my decision making is inspired by where I find the most artistic inspiration and creativity. For better or worse, I run my studio by instinct! When I started out making “adult animation,” I never thought that 25 years later one of my favorite shows I’ve ever made would be for kids! I try to pivot constantly and gravitate towards interesting projects. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but I love it.
Dan: I saw a clip recently where Conan O’Brien advised that heaven is getting to do the thing you love with people you love. I love making television (for all ages) and I love working with Aaron and his team, so City Island fits both criteria.
City Island, Season 2
Check out a new trailer below, featuring the full-length version of City Island‘s theme song created and, never-before-heard performed by Tunde Adebimpe; composer, actor and lead singer of Grammy-nominated Brooklyn band TV on the Radio. The preview also features brand-new clips from Season 2, including a first look at characters voiced by guest stars Rachel Bloom, Ali Stroker and Rosie Perez.
The series stars Kimia Behpoornia (Abbott Elementary) and Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black). Season 2 includes 20 new shorts with 585 new characters and over 400 locations. These stories will expand the show’s civics-centered stories to include timely topics like news media and fact-based reporting, advertising and the internet. The S2 premiere follows the recent launch of the new animated music video series City Island Sings, which premiered May 29 on PBS KIDS.
City Island Season 2 premieres on PBS Kids nationwide on July 5. For more info, visit pbs.org/show/city-island.
Video Player
Media error: Format(s) not supported or source(s) not found
Crunchyroll announced today that it has acquired North American and select international theatrical rights for the supernatural vampire film compilation Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- from Aniplex of America. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will bring the film to theaters for one-day-only in North America and Mexico on August 28 and in Australia on September 5.
The three-film anime adaptation comprises edited footage from the trilogy of Kizumonogatari films previously released in 2016 and 2017, featuring animation produced by Shaft (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, The Quintessential Quintuplets, Fireworks). The story follows a high school student who survives an encounter with a gorgeous yet helpless vampire.
Synopsis: It was one fateful evening when Koyomi Araragi encountered her — Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade: Legendary Vampire, Killer of Aberrations and King of Apparitions. Her legs and arms were cruelly torn apart, her extravagant dress soaked in red; she’s a monster who finds herself in a tragic state, lying in a pool of her own blood. However, Koyomi finds her to be beautiful this way.
Written by Nisioisin and animated by Shaft, Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- takes fans back to the origin of the Monogatari story. Originally released as three separate movies, the upcoming film installment summarizes the Kizumonogatari trilogy and can be seen exclusively in theaters.
Tatsuya Oishi (Hidamari Sketch x 365) wrote the screenplay and directed the films, based on the original light novel series Monogatari (which means “Story” in Japanese) written by Nisioisin and illustrated by Vofan, published by Kodansha from August 2005. The Monogatari anime series produced by Shaft debuted in 2009.
Crunchyroll also recently announced that Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season, a new season of the TV series, is set to stream on Crunchyroll on July 6.
Children’s content distributor Bejuba! Entertainment has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for Animixies, a new 52 x 11′ CG-animated comedy-action-adventure series, targeted at kids aged four to seven. The deal was struck at Annecy.
Animixies is created by industry veterans Mike Blum (Pipsqueak Animation, Disney Feature Animation) and Jeff Prezenkowski (Cartoon Network, Hasbro Studios, Warner Bros. Animation). Blum’s L.A.-based Pipsqueak Animation will produce the series. Blum and Prezenkowski will serve as executive producers alongside Tatiana Kober of Bejuba! Entertainment. Citris Ink Studios will serve as an animation partner.
The series follows the exciting adventures of Rohan and Mia, two intrepid young zoologists who explore the newly discovered Miximo Island. With the help of the “Animixies” — fantastical creatures formed by assembling simpler critters hidden throughout the island — they assist their fellow pint-sized explorers in solving problems.
“The concept for the show was so captivating, we were ready to commit based solely on a brief pitch,” said Kober, President of Bejuba! Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to unveil Animixies and its trailer to a global audience, and we look forward to collaborating with the talented Pipsqueak Animation team. We adore the show’s optimistic and resourceful heroes, the hilarious ‘villain’ who the heroes always befriend, and of course, the show’s core concept — adorable creatures that combine to form powerful companions for their human friends! We’re confident that this original and phenomenal idea will resonate with children and families worldwide.”
Kids’ entertainment companies CAKE, King Banana TV and Paper Owl Films have announced the voice cast for Nikhil & Jay, an upcoming 52 x 11′ animated family sitcom for CBeebies. Based on books by Chitra Soundar, the 2D show follows the adventures of two Indian/British dual heritage brothers and their loveable family.\
British-Tamil actor Charithra Chandran leads an authentic voice cast as Nikhil and Jay’s mum, Amma. Chandran is best known for her roles in Alex Rider, How to Date Billy Walsh, her stage debut in Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon and as debutante Edwina Sharma in the hit period drama Bridgerton. She is set to star in the upcoming series Dune: Prophecy.
Charithra Chandran [ph. provided by CAKE]“It’s really wonderful to see a show like this on the BBC and to see my culture specifically represented. I never had anything like this when I was growing up,” said Chandran.
Making their voiceover debuts in the title roles are seven-year olds Shiv Senthilkumar and Sai Ganesh Nadesan, who voice Nikhil and Jay, respectively, and are likewise proud of their Tamil heritage.
The cast is rounded out by a roster of both new talent and experienced actors, including Janine Duvitski (Old Jack’s Boat, One Foot in the Grave, Abigail’s Party, Benidorm) as Nana, Mark Benton (Early Doors, Waterloo Road, Christmas Lights, Catterick, Shakespeare and Hathaway, The Syndicate) as grandpa Jim and stand-up comedian and Sunday Times Bestselling author Tez Ilyas as friend and neighbor Mr. Awan. Ben Harris plays the boys’ dad, Appa; Janaki Sabesh voices their granny Ammamma, Ravi Swami voices their grandpa Thatha and Harriet Carmichael plays family cat Max.
Casting for the series was carried out by Michelle Jones at Brilliant Casting.
Synopsis: Nikhil & Jay follows the adventures of two young brothers whose mum is Indian by heritage and dad is English. With both Indian and English grandparents, their life is a rich blend of customs, traditions, festivals, foods and music.
Nikhil & Jay celebrates the similarities and differences with funny and relatable stories that authentically represent dual heritage British-Asian children and are full of warmth, heart and humor.
Produced by King Banana TV (Yakka Dee!, Meet the Experts), Paper Owl Films (Pablo, Happy The Hoglet), exec produced and distributed by CAKE (Angry Birds Summer Madness, Supa Team 4) and with funding from Northern Ireland Screen, Nikhil & Jay is based on the book series by award-winning author Chitra Soundar, who also exec produces and writes on the series, ensuring cultural authenticity at every level. A diverse team of writers, animators, composers and directors make up the project’s offscreen talent.
Nikhil & Jay will launch on CBeebies later this year.
Canada’s Mercury Filmworks (The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Hilda, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, The Lion Guard) and France and Canada’s Blue Spirit Studios (Blue Eye Samurai, Marvel’s What If…, Rocket & Groot), part of TF1 Group’s Newen Studios, announce the launch of Seraphim, a new and bespoke animation pipeline designed to produce high-end animation that seamlessly melds 2D and 3D techniques, blurring the line between concept art and production.
Seraphim brings together Mercury Filmworks’ celebrated 2D animation with Blue Spirit’s cutting-edge 3D production capabilities, offering a palette of artistic expressions and performances previously unattainable for most producers. Combined with both studios’ excellence in pre-production and storytelling, the partnership will deliver ground-breaking premium animated content that is visually breathtaking and narratively compelling.
Designed for high-budget projects for adult and family audiences, including films in the $30–$50 million range and series with premium plus episodic budgets, Seraphim offers comprehensive production services from visual development to post-production.
The new pipeline not only leverages the expertise of both companies, but also the extensive resources available across their creative and production hubs in Ottawa, Montreal, Paris and Angoulême. These locations provide access to top-tier talent and offer significant tax credits and financial incentives.
The pipeline is already onboarding its first client, with visual development set to begin this summer.
“Seraphim addresses the global shortage for reliable sophisticated animation capabilities for big-budget series and movies. It will operate as a bespoke production service for each project and be configured to meet specific creative and production needs,” commented Mercury Filmworks CEO Clint Eland. “Our clients are producers seeking a design and production pipeline solution for unique and artistically ambitious projects that push the boundaries of animation.”
“By combining our strengths, we can explore new creative horizons and deliver sophisticated animated content with compelling characters, intricate stories, and groundbreaking visuals,” added Olivier Lelardoux, CEO at Blue Spirit. “This unique approach ensures that each animation produced is not just a project, but a masterpiece.”
Seraphim represents a significant expansion beyond the core focus on animated television and film for children and families, venturing into projects that exceed the traditional budget norms of these markets. The pipeline will not be utilized for original content projects for Mercury Filmworks or Blue Spirit Productions, nor will Seraphim impact the partner companies’ service work development and productions.
HIDIVE, AMC Networks’ anime platform, has unveiled its schedule of events for Anime Expo 2024, taking place July 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Fans can enjoy World and North American premieres, anniversary screenings and panels dedicated to exciting new titles.
Attendees can also stop by the HIDIVE booth, located in South Hall, number SF13, throughout the exhibition.
THURSDAY, JULY 4
1:30 – 2:20 p.m. HIDIVE Presents I Parry Everything! North American Premiere (South Hall, 403AB)
Join HIDIVE for the North American premiere of I Parry Everything! ahead of its simulcast debut. Start your next adventure with this Summer 2024 fantasy adventure simulcast before anyone else!
9 – 9:40 p.m. HIDIVE Presents 2.5 Dimensional Seduction North American Premiere (South Hall, 403AB)
Join HIDIVE for the North American premiere of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, the upcoming Summer 2024 simulcast that celebrates the magical world of cosplay.
Join HIDIVE for the world premiere of Plus-Sized Elf, the upcoming Summer 2024 comedy simulcast. Bring French fries!
FRIDAY, JULY 5
2 – 2:50 p.m. HIDIVE Presents Loner Life in Another World North American Premiere (South Hall, 403AB)
Join HIDIVE for the North American premiere of Loner Life in Another World, the upcoming Fall 2024 isekai adventure simulcast — fun for lone wolves and social butterflies alike!
10 – 11:45 p.m. HIDIVE and AX Cinema Nights Present Ninja Scroll 30th Anniversary Screening (South Hall, 511ABC)
Join HIDIVE and AX Cinema Nights for a 30th anniversary screening of Ninja Scroll, the legendary film from director Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
SATURDAY, JULY 6
10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. HIDIVE Presents 【OSHI NO KO】 Season 1 Episode 1 Anniversary Screening (South Hall, 403AB)
Join HIDIVE for an anniversary screening of 【OSHI NO KO】 Season 1 Episode 1, the feature-length premiere hailed by critics as a “90-minute miracle.” Whether you’re a longtime 【OSHI NO KO】 fan or a curious new viewer, come see what the buzz is about with this very special screening.
3:15 – 4:35 p.m. HIDIVE Presents 【OSHI NO KO】 Season 2 Premiere Screening and Special Guest Panel (JW Marriott, Platinum Ballroom)
Join HIDIVE for 【OSHI NO KO】 Season 2 Episode 1 and the world premiere of Season 2 Episode 2 alongside a discussion with special guests Yurie Igoma, the voice of Ruby, and Shimpei Yamashita, Kadokawa series producer.
5:45 – 6:35 p.m. HIDIVE Presents Dungeon People North American Premiere (South Hall, 403AB)
Join HIDIVE for the North American premiere of Dungeon People, the upcoming Summer 2024 fantasy-comedy simulcast that puts a new spin on dungeon-delving adventure.
Video game major Capcom today announced that it has acquired two-thirds of the total issued shares of Minimum Studios, a 3D CG production company. The Taipei-based studio is now a subsidiary of Capcom, which reports the deal’s paid-in capital as 888,888 New Taiwan dollars (about $27,000 USD).
Per the announcement:
“Capcom decided to make the studio its subsidiary company to sustainably bolster its developmental and technological capabilities, aiming to achieve its long-term management goal of 100 million units in annual sales.
“Going forward, Capcom will continue to explore the acquisition of necessary technological capabilities in order to enhance its game development organization.”
Founded in 2018, Minimum Studios specializes in producing animation for video games, film and advertising. The studio has previously provided in-game and cut scene animation for the Capcom titles Dragon’s Dogma 2, the Resident Evil 4 remake and Resident Evil Village. Minimum expanded with a second office in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in December of last year.
Capcom is based in Osaka, with additional offices across Japan and international branches covering East Asia, North America and Europe. Its subsidiaries include the game development labels Blue Harvest and K2 and 3D/2D CG studio Swordcanes.
Moviegoers are about to go bananas this week when Despicable Me 4 makes its big screen debut. The Illumination-produced CG sequel opens Wednesday, July 3 through Universal Pictures, and is set to challenge reigning family audiences-fueled box office champ Inside Out 2.
Directed by franchise veteran Chris Renaud and co-directed by Patrick Delage from a screenplay by Mike White and Ken Daurio, the first Despicable Me title in seven years finds Gru (Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) settling in to family life with the girls and mischievous new addition, Gru Jr. But their suburban idyll is shattered by the arrival of a new nemesis, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), and his femme fatale girlfriend, Valentina (Sofia Vergara). DM4 also introduces characters voice by Joey King, Stephen Colbert and Chloe Fineman.
The latest entry is currently rating at 64% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 25 critics’ reviews), with a 58 point average on MetaCritic (six reviews). While some cinephiles enjoyed the usual madcap, family friendly ride, some couldn’t get past the array of subplots in place of a stronger, individualized story within the film series. However, most all agree that the Minions offer a delightfully silly distraction.
While this falls short of the first smash-hit movie released in 2010, which boasts an 80% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Despicable Me 2 (2013) at 75%, DM4 is tracking ahead of DM3 (2017), which has 58%, and the first Minions prequel (2015) at 56%. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) reached a 70% Fresh rating on the platform.
By global box office, The Rise of Gru leads the pack with $370 million, followed by Despicable Me 2 ($368M), Minions ($336M), Despicable Me 3 ($264.6M) and Despicable Me ($251.6M). The fourth installment in the franchise is expected to make over $100 million during the movie-friendly five-day July 4th holiday weekend timeframe in the U.S.
Here’s what some critics are saying about Despicable Me 4:
“A new setting, new villain and new characters … serve up enough fun and antics that will satisfy existing fans. The plot can sometimes feel like a chaotic mélange stretched too thin, but [Mike] White, who wrote the Illumination avian charmer Migration, elevates the overall narrative by injecting doses of his perennial interest in the social codes of the rich. The Minions get a zany B plot that becomes one of the film’s strongest threads, and a strong voice cast keeps the film engaging and nimble.”
— Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter
“[T]he film’s pure entertainment value should count for something — and it does. Where the other leading computer animation studios strive for an emotional reaction, Illumination satisfies itself with laughter, and there’s lots of it in Despicable Me 4.”
— Peter Debruge, Variety
“[W]hile Poppy [Joey King] starts out as a promisingly and entertainingly malicious character, the film loses interest in her once it has established that she’s not a credible threat to Gru and co. This throwaway approach to gags and characters is evident throughout the film … As always, the Minions deliver the biggest laughs … [a]nd Pierre Coffin’s Minion voice work remains one of the greatest pleasures of this reliably silly series.”
— Wendy Ide, Screen Daily
“Despicable Me 4 crams in so much story, along with so many different subplots and characters, you’d think you’re watching a 10-episode anthology series. Unsurprisingly, each and every one of these gets abandoned pretty quickly in favor of the next new thing. Whatever goodwill Migration may have earned Illumination as being capable of experimenting with strong visuals or story is squandered here.”
Taiki Matsuno, a Japanese actor known primarily for his many anime and video game voice-overs as well as being the local dub voice of SpongeBob in SpongeBob SquarePants, died last Wednesday, June 26 from a cerebral hemorrhage. The news of the 56-year-old performer’s passing was shared by his home studio, Aoni Productions.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to us [by Matsuno] during his lifetime,” the company wrote in a brief statement.
The Adventures of the Little Prince
Matsuno was born October 16, 1967 in Shinagawa, Tokyo. His earliest roles included the title role in Knack Productions’ The Adventures of the Little Prince (1978) and Yuichiro in Amazing Sarutobi (1982).
Through the 1990s, he played Arthur Jung in Mobile Suit Gundam F91, Pegasus/Helios in Sailor Moon SuperS, Miguel in The Vision of Escaflowne, roles in Akazukin Chacha, Rurouni Kenshin, Moomin, Sakura Wars, One Piece: The Movie and more, as well as originating the anime version of Hajime Kindaichi in The File of Young Kindaichi franchise.
The new millennium brought more memorable characters in Matsuno’s repertoire, such as Kouga in Inuyasha, Wisdom in Pretty Cure as well as Tarte in Fresh Pretty Cure, Gazai Gamma in Kamen Rider Ghost, Agumon in the Digimon franchise, Laffitte in One Piece and Ling Tong in the Dynasty Warriors video games.
According to Aoni, Matsuno will receive a private funeral for close relatives.
Laffitte in One Piece
[Sources: Aoni Prod. / Oricon via Anime News Network, IMDb]
Neopets, the classic virtual pet site that united a generation of online gamers, is celebrating 25 years of fandom at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Following two years at the supersized pop culture convention, the brand will be back with even more merchandise and activations for fans.
Neopets will be setting up shop from Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28 at booth #3839 where fans can meet The Neopets Team (TNT) and access exclusive PhatMojo plush, Neohoods with exclusive codes, Con bag, contests, rare photo opportunities, new plot sneak peeks and more. The brand’s appearance at SDCC will bring color to Neopets’ 25th Anniversary celebrations, and round-off a year of new updates, which kicked off with a leadership change this time last year.
“We can’t wait to celebrate with our dedicated players and fans,” said Dominic Law, CEO, Neopets. “We are so indebted to our wonderful community who have supported Neopets through the years and to showcase all our latest projects, we’ve taken out our biggest booth to date!”
Neopets Booth activities include:
EXCLUSIVE PhatMojo SDCC plush: Collect the limited edition Aisha and Shoyru plushes from PhatMojo, along with an exclusive in-game code! This very limited run of 500 Aisha plush can only be found at the Neopets booth, while the 500 Shoyru plush can be found at the UCC Distributing booth. Purchases at either of these booths will give you access to exclusive codes,
which will never be available again — a true SDCC exclusive!
Merch: Be sure to check out all of the other exciting merch Neopets have in store at booth #3839, including What’s Your Passion pins, lanyards, NeoHoods and some epic surprises! Every NeoHood and WYP Pin Set will come with an exclusive in-game code, redeemable in the Grundo Warehouse on Neopets.com.
Social Media Giveaways: Attendees are encouraged to share photos from the event on social media and tag our official account handle (see below) with the hashtag #NeopetsSDCC2024 to be entered for a chance to win a Neopets prize pack. Winners will be selected each day of the convention.
Meet Big Aisha: The Neopets mascot, Big Aisha, will be present every day throughout the show for photo opportunities. Check the brand’s socials for more information on exactly when and where you can meet their big pink pal.
Wheel of Excitement: Try your luck at Faerieland’s most famous attraction! Will you win it big? There’s only one way to find out!
In addition to all the booth activity, Dominic Law and Jason Masherah, President at Upper Deck, will be hosting an on-site panel titled “Neopia Reimagined!” Upper Deck and Neopets will chat on bringing virtual characters to life on Thursday, July 25 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at Room 28DE.
![Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken [DreamWorks Animation]](https://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/word-image-3254217-1.png)
![Puss in Boots: The Last Wish [DreamWorks Animation]](https://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/word-image-3254217-2.jpg)
![Despicable Me 4 [Illumination/Universal]](https://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Despicable-Me-4_2539_FP_01354A.jpg)
![Despicable Me 4 [Illumination/Universal]](https://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Despicable-Me-4_2539_FP_00771A.jpg)
