Search form

ANIMATIONWorld Magazine

Rinse Kill Repeat ANIMATIONWorld

Kenichiro Akimoto Talks Ominous Color in ‘All You Need Is Kill’

The director of the anime feature based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s sci-fi novel, previously adapted in the Tom Cruise thriller ‘Edge of Tomorrow,’ discusses unconventional, exaggerated character designs and beautiful, vibrant colors that depict some less than friendly plants; from GKIDS, hits U.S. theaters today, January 16.

The Universe Answers ANIMATIONWorld

‘Elio’: A Challenging Outer Space Tale Finds its Way Home

By Dan Sarto | Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:43pm

Directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi discuss the Pixar sci-fi adventure’s circuitous route to the screen - including creative leadership changes, an actors’ strike, key story shifts and a condensed production schedule - via a path that has led to multiple Annie, VES, PGA and Critics Choice Awards nominations.

Dare to be bad! ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Bad Guys 2’: It’s Still Hard to be Bad at Being Good

Director Pierre Perifel, co-director JP Sans, and VFX supervisor Matt Baer discuss their animated comedy sequel, recently nominated for 5 Annies and 3 VES Awards, about our favorite now reformed animal felons getting hijacked into a huge heist by a new team of criminals.

Rinse Kill Repeat ANIMATIONWorld

The Studio Behind ‘All You Need is Kill’: the Eiko Tanaka Interview

As Studio 4°C’s time-looping adventure hits U.S. cinemas, Andrew Osmond talks to the studio’s CEO about four decades of animation.

I Gig You Not Headline News

Prime Video Orders ‘Odd Jobs’ Animated Comedy

From the minds of ‘Solar Opposites’ EP duo Mike McMahan and Dominic Dierkes, the series, set in an extreme late-stage capitalist hellscape, follows a reluctant team of gig-workers.

Beary Funny Headline News

Peacock Drops ‘Ted’ Season 2 Trailer

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 9:25am

New 8-episode season, set in 1994, sees Ted and his best friend John as seniors in high school; the hybrid live-action / CG series from Seth MacFarlane streams March 5.

Head Back to The Silk Road Headline News

Milo Productions’ Animated ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road’ to Hit U.S. Theatres

Fathom sets February 7-8 release of feature film adaptation of the ‘Time Hoppers’ mobile game and upcoming animated series on Muslim Kids TV.

Re-Experience the Crazy Adventure ANIMATIONWorld

‘Madagascar’ at 20: A Q&A with Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:00am

To mark the 20th anniversary of the first film in DreamWorks Animation’s storied franchise, the writers / directors revisit the film’s long development journey, discussing its core comedic premise, evolving themes, improvisational performances, and collaborative storytelling that turned a fish-out-of-water comedy into something truly memorable.

Honoring Excellence in VFX Headline News

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Leads VES Awards Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:22am

James Cameron’s latest epic garnered 10 nominations, while ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Elio,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ each snagged 5, as nominees are announced in 25 categories across film, television, real-time, and special venue projects; ceremony set for February 25 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA.

We Love Whimsical Musical Comedies ANIMATIONWorld

‘Hey A.J.!’ Reignites the Imagination in All Of Us

Show creator and EP, former Super Bowl champion Martellus Bennett, and EP Jeff “Swampy” Marsh discuss their unique creative partnership on the whimsical and music filled series about an imaginative young girl and her stuffed bunny sidekick, based on the NFL star’s children’s books; kicks off January 13 on Disney Jr., next day on Disney+.

Authentic Asian Storytelling ANIMATIONWorld

‘Bé Hồng’ – ‘Little Persimmon’: A Unique Fellowship of Asian Animators

A team of recent Asians in Animation Immersive Lab participants spent 9 days crafting a 2-minute 2D short about a young girl on a quest to honor her late grandfather by tracking down his favorite fruit… with the aid of some unexpected visitors.

Protect Digital Humanity Headline News

Creators Coalition on AI Forms to Protect Human Creativity

Guided by 4 core pillars, the agnostic convening organization has reached broad alignment on a set of principles for responsibly implementing AI across the entertainment industry – growing list of signatories include Guillermo Del Toro, Domee Shi, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Awards Headline News

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Takes Home 2 Golden Globes Awards

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:50am

Netflix’s animated musical comedy about a girl group that balances pop stardom with battling supernatural demons won twice last night, for Best Motion Picture – Animated and Best Original Song – Motion Picture, at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s 83rd Annual awards.

Portrait in Courage ANIMATIONWorld

‘Butterfly:’ A Filmmaker’s Homage to Her Father and His Olympic Idol

Painter and animator Florence Miailhe’s hauntingly beautiful hand-painted short was inspired by her dad Jean’s fellow resistance fighter, Jewish French swimmer Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and 1948 London Olympics after surviving imprisonment in Auschwitz, where his wife and daughter were murdered.

Finding the Next Great Filmmakers Headline News

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Sets 2026 Jury

The jury includes director and producer Will Gluck; Rachel O’Connor, producer and President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures; animation co-director Adam Rosette; and director Justin Chadwick, who returns for the fourth consecutive year.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? ANIMATIONWorld

Arturo Hernandez and Andrew Gordon Talk ‘Out of the Nest’

The director and co-director of the Thai-Chinese 3DCG adventure discuss the challenges – and subsequent fun - of jumping onto a project with much of the animation completed but a story, and production pipeline, which needed significant reworking.

Awards Headline News

Art Directors Guild Unveils 30th Annual ADG Award Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:14pm

‘Elio,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The SpongeBob Move: Search for SquarePants,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ among the nominees for excellence in production design, covering film / animated film, TV, commercials, and music videos; ceremony set for February 28.

Time Keeps on Slippin Into the Future ANIMATIONWorld

Anime’s Time-Travel Classic: ‘Steins;Gate’

Columnist Andrew Osmond goes back in time to discuss one of the most acclaimed TV anime series, the time warping show about an eclectic group of individuals that can send text messages to the past.

Each Gesture Touched by Human Hand ANIMATIONWorld

‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’: How One Son’s Project Honors 3 Legacies

Daniel Kreizberg’s 2D short, a blend of modernist poetry and impressionistic illustrations, is inspired by E.E. Cummings’ poetry and paintings, narrated by Jane Goodall, and features a soundtrack by the filmmaker’s father, maestro Yakov Kreizberg.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? Headline News

Join Filmmakers at ‘Out of the Nest’ January 9 Screening and Pre-Reception

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:48am

Oscar winner and film EP Brandon Oldenburg to moderate Q&A at the AMC 16 in Burbank; Arturo Hernandez directs, and Andrew Gordon co-directs the 3DCG adventure from T&B Media Global, CCTV Animation, and Base FX.

More Aardman on the Horizon Headline News

GKIDS Acquires U.S. Rights to ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’

The upcoming stop-motion animated comedy from Aardman and STUDIOCANAL marks the feature directorial debut of Steve Cox and Matthew Walker; starring Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour, film slated for theatrical release by Halloween 2026.

Pages

Rinse Kill Repeat ANIMATIONWorld

Kenichiro Akimoto Talks Ominous Color in ‘All You Need Is Kill’

The director of the anime feature based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s sci-fi novel, previously adapted in the Tom Cruise thriller ‘Edge of Tomorrow,’ discusses unconventional, exaggerated character designs and beautiful, vibrant colors that depict some less than friendly plants; from GKIDS, hits U.S. theaters today, January 16.

The Universe Answers ANIMATIONWorld

‘Elio’: A Challenging Outer Space Tale Finds its Way Home

By Dan Sarto | Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:43pm

Directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi discuss the Pixar sci-fi adventure’s circuitous route to the screen - including creative leadership changes, an actors’ strike, key story shifts and a condensed production schedule - via a path that has led to multiple Annie, VES, PGA and Critics Choice Awards nominations.

Dare to be bad! ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Bad Guys 2’: It’s Still Hard to be Bad at Being Good

Director Pierre Perifel, co-director JP Sans, and VFX supervisor Matt Baer discuss their animated comedy sequel, recently nominated for 5 Annies and 3 VES Awards, about our favorite now reformed animal felons getting hijacked into a huge heist by a new team of criminals.

Rinse Kill Repeat ANIMATIONWorld

The Studio Behind ‘All You Need is Kill’: the Eiko Tanaka Interview

As Studio 4°C’s time-looping adventure hits U.S. cinemas, Andrew Osmond talks to the studio’s CEO about four decades of animation.

I Gig You Not Headline News

Prime Video Orders ‘Odd Jobs’ Animated Comedy

From the minds of ‘Solar Opposites’ EP duo Mike McMahan and Dominic Dierkes, the series, set in an extreme late-stage capitalist hellscape, follows a reluctant team of gig-workers.

Beary Funny Headline News

Peacock Drops ‘Ted’ Season 2 Trailer

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 9:25am

New 8-episode season, set in 1994, sees Ted and his best friend John as seniors in high school; the hybrid live-action / CG series from Seth MacFarlane streams March 5.

Head Back to The Silk Road Headline News

Milo Productions’ Animated ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road’ to Hit U.S. Theatres

Fathom sets February 7-8 release of feature film adaptation of the ‘Time Hoppers’ mobile game and upcoming animated series on Muslim Kids TV.

Re-Experience the Crazy Adventure ANIMATIONWorld

‘Madagascar’ at 20: A Q&A with Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:00am

To mark the 20th anniversary of the first film in DreamWorks Animation’s storied franchise, the writers / directors revisit the film’s long development journey, discussing its core comedic premise, evolving themes, improvisational performances, and collaborative storytelling that turned a fish-out-of-water comedy into something truly memorable.

Honoring Excellence in VFX Headline News

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Leads VES Awards Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:22am

James Cameron’s latest epic garnered 10 nominations, while ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Elio,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ each snagged 5, as nominees are announced in 25 categories across film, television, real-time, and special venue projects; ceremony set for February 25 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA.

We Love Whimsical Musical Comedies ANIMATIONWorld

‘Hey A.J.!’ Reignites the Imagination in All Of Us

Show creator and EP, former Super Bowl champion Martellus Bennett, and EP Jeff “Swampy” Marsh discuss their unique creative partnership on the whimsical and music filled series about an imaginative young girl and her stuffed bunny sidekick, based on the NFL star’s children’s books; kicks off January 13 on Disney Jr., next day on Disney+.

Authentic Asian Storytelling ANIMATIONWorld

‘Bé Hồng’ – ‘Little Persimmon’: A Unique Fellowship of Asian Animators

A team of recent Asians in Animation Immersive Lab participants spent 9 days crafting a 2-minute 2D short about a young girl on a quest to honor her late grandfather by tracking down his favorite fruit… with the aid of some unexpected visitors.

Protect Digital Humanity Headline News

Creators Coalition on AI Forms to Protect Human Creativity

Guided by 4 core pillars, the agnostic convening organization has reached broad alignment on a set of principles for responsibly implementing AI across the entertainment industry – growing list of signatories include Guillermo Del Toro, Domee Shi, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Awards Headline News

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Takes Home 2 Golden Globes Awards

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7:50am

Netflix’s animated musical comedy about a girl group that balances pop stardom with battling supernatural demons won twice last night, for Best Motion Picture – Animated and Best Original Song – Motion Picture, at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s 83rd Annual awards.

Portrait in Courage ANIMATIONWorld

‘Butterfly:’ A Filmmaker’s Homage to Her Father and His Olympic Idol

Painter and animator Florence Miailhe’s hauntingly beautiful hand-painted short was inspired by her dad Jean’s fellow resistance fighter, Jewish French swimmer Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and 1948 London Olympics after surviving imprisonment in Auschwitz, where his wife and daughter were murdered.

Finding the Next Great Filmmakers Headline News

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Sets 2026 Jury

The jury includes director and producer Will Gluck; Rachel O’Connor, producer and President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures; animation co-director Adam Rosette; and director Justin Chadwick, who returns for the fourth consecutive year.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? ANIMATIONWorld

Arturo Hernandez and Andrew Gordon Talk ‘Out of the Nest’

The director and co-director of the Thai-Chinese 3DCG adventure discuss the challenges – and subsequent fun - of jumping onto a project with much of the animation completed but a story, and production pipeline, which needed significant reworking.

Awards Headline News

Art Directors Guild Unveils 30th Annual ADG Award Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:14pm

‘Elio,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The SpongeBob Move: Search for SquarePants,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ among the nominees for excellence in production design, covering film / animated film, TV, commercials, and music videos; ceremony set for February 28.

Time Keeps on Slippin Into the Future ANIMATIONWorld

Anime’s Time-Travel Classic: ‘Steins;Gate’

Columnist Andrew Osmond goes back in time to discuss one of the most acclaimed TV anime series, the time warping show about an eclectic group of individuals that can send text messages to the past.

Each Gesture Touched by Human Hand ANIMATIONWorld

‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’: How One Son’s Project Honors 3 Legacies

Daniel Kreizberg’s 2D short, a blend of modernist poetry and impressionistic illustrations, is inspired by E.E. Cummings’ poetry and paintings, narrated by Jane Goodall, and features a soundtrack by the filmmaker’s father, maestro Yakov Kreizberg.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? Headline News

Join Filmmakers at ‘Out of the Nest’ January 9 Screening and Pre-Reception

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:48am

Oscar winner and film EP Brandon Oldenburg to moderate Q&A at the AMC 16 in Burbank; Arturo Hernandez directs, and Andrew Gordon co-directs the 3DCG adventure from T&B Media Global, CCTV Animation, and Base FX.

More Aardman on the Horizon Headline News

GKIDS Acquires U.S. Rights to ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’

The upcoming stop-motion animated comedy from Aardman and STUDIOCANAL marks the feature directorial debut of Steve Cox and Matthew Walker; starring Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour, film slated for theatrical release by Halloween 2026.

Pages