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ANIMATIONWorld Magazine

Memories That Never Fade ANIMATIONWorld

‘Akira’ and ‘Battle of the Planets’: 2 Anime That Made Me

With the Katsuhiro Otomo classic 1988 film now playing in UK and Ireland cinemas, columnist Andrew Osmond reflects on the impact it had on him decades ago, and how it links to a TV cartoon from his childhood.

It’s Always About the Path Not the Destination ANIMATIONWorld

‘Spacetime Chronicles’ Unfolds a Fragile, Surreal Paper-Animated Tale

Webby Award-winning director Stefano Bertelli’s stop-motion film about a man’s dreamlike inner journey between reality and limbo used low poly 3D paper shapes with many smaller flat surfaces, folds and creases; tough to animate, lovely to watch.

A Very Curious Gorg ANIMATIONWorld

The Vintage Anime ‘Giant Gorg’: A Hero Robot’s Answer to King Kong

Columnist Andrew Osmond looks back at a decades’-old Japanese cartoon available on streaming, which presents itself as a fast and furious kids’ show – until the shock of the last episodes.

We Love Oddly Designed Merpeople ANIMATIONWorld

‘ChaO’: A Story of Boundless Love and Boundless Art

A strange, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt romance unfolds in a rule-breaking, futuristic world bursting with oddball details and creative chaos; from GKIDS, director Yasuhiro Aoki and Studio 4°C, the film hits North American theaters today, April 10.

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo ANIMATIONWorld

Directing a Feathered Superhero in ‘Rooster Fighter’

Columnist Andrew Osmond talks to Daisuke Suzuki, director of the new anime series on Adult Swim and Hulu, about the challenges of animating the unlikeliest of monster-slaying superheroes… Cock-a-doodle doo!

It’s Anime-zing! ANIMATIONWorld

Changing of the Anime Season: Endings and Beginnings

Columnist Andrew Osmond considers the endings to four ‘winter’ TV anime – ‘Journal With Witch,’ ‘Trigun Stargaze,’ ‘You And I Are Polar Opposites,’ and ‘Shiboyugi;’ and for an encore, he’s brought back some snaps from last weekend’s ‘AnimeJapan’ event in Tokyo!

Chasing Memories We Can Barely Recall ANIMATIONWorld

‘Telsche’: Exploring Memory and Loss Through Minimalist Art

Set on a stark salt-flat landscape and rendered in just three colors, Sophie Colfer and Ala Nunu’s 2D short follows a young girl’s search for a mother she can no longer fully remember, using stripped-down visuals without dialogue to explore how memory fades and returns.

The Wonderful Child in All of Us ANIMATIONWorld

Sylvain Chomet’s ‘A Magnificent Life’: Animation More Real Than Reality

The acclaimed, Oscar-nominated French director talks about his new film, his love of animation, and how if the acting, art, and editing are all good, your characters can feel more real than in live-action; in theaters March 27.

What a Hoot Not to be Missed Headline News

Titmouse Celebrates 20 years of ‘5 Second Day’s Chaos and Creativity

What started as a simple excuse to blow off steam has evolved into a long-running ritual — part inside joke, part creative release valve — where anything can happen, not everything works, and that’s exactly the point.

Remembering What is Barely Spoken About Headline News

Watch: ‘Remember Us’ Explores 3 Stories from the Tragic 1980s Salvadoran Civil War

Just released after its Oscar-qualifying festival run, director Pablo Leon and producer Jonathan Coria’s animated short follows a journalist documenting childhood loss, violence against women and the indigenous population, and regaining a sense of hope for the future.

A Super Debut Headline News

‘My Adventures with Superman’ Sets Season 3 Adult Swim Return

The hit animated series, a coming-of-age story that follows 20-somethings Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Kryptonian Kara Zor-El as they discover who they are, together, is back on June 13.

A New Generation of Filmmakers Headline News

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Announce 2026 Edition Shortlist

Filmmakers across 5 categories including animation get the opportunity to attend a 4-day program at Sony Pictures Studios from June 8-11, culminating in a June 11 ceremony when category winners will be revealed.

Call for Submissions Headline News

Submissions Now Open for ASIFA-Hollywood’s AEF 2026 Student Animation Showcase

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

The Animation Educators Forum’s 6th annual showcase is accepting entries through June 16; organization is seeking the best final student shorts of the year.

You Had Me at Mephisto Headline News

Korn, Blizzard Debut 'Reward the Scars' Music Video to Launch 'Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred'

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 3:33pm

The iconic heavy metal band’s first new music in 4 years blends live-action and stylized 2D animation from 72andSunny and Passion Pictures to depict Mephisto’s final battle in just-released 'Diablo IV' game.

More Opportunities to Get Vertical Headline News

LINE Digital Frontier, Redice Studio and Kadokawa Launch Studio White

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 1:45pm

The new webcomic production company will adapt Japanese franchises into vertical-scroll series; debut will include spin-off stories like 'Record of Lodoss War' formatted for WEBTOON’s vertical scroll.

AI in Animation Headline News

Nura Studios Launches Showcraft AI-Assisted Animation Platform

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:43am

Early Access begins May 19 on the company’s production system designed to help studios turn existing assets into episodic series and films while maintaining artistic control and IP integrity.

Pulse-Pounding Metalcore Infused Animation Headline News

‘Warframe’ Short Teases Sirius and Orion Clash in ‘Jade Shadows: Constellations’

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:44am

Digital Extremes collaborates with ERRA and THE LINE on an anime-inspired, highly stylized film introducing the game’s next narrative chapter, launching free in June.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

'Kagurabachi' TV Anime Set for April 2027 Release

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 12:57pm

Directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi and starring Taihi Kimura, the adaptation of Takeru Hokazono’s manga follows a young man out to avenge his father, a renowned swordsmith whose life is destroyed by a sorcerer organization; from CyberAgent and Shochiku, with animation by Cypic.

More Animated Laughs from Down Under Headline News

Adult Animated Comedy 'Dad’s House' from Michael Cusack Heading to Netflix

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:06am

New series showrun by and starring Dario Russo, David Ashby and the ‘Smiling Friends’ creator follows a 13-year-old and his well-meaning but chaotic father in suburban Australia.

AI Animation at Scale Headline News

Huace and Utopai Studios Partner on Long-Form AI-Driven Content Creation

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:09pm

One of China’s leading film and TV companies will deploy the PAI cinematic AI system across its production operations, marking a large-scale commitment to AI-assisted storytelling and global content development.

Hawkins Gets Animated Headline News

‘Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85’ Nabs Season 2 Renewal

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 5:30pm

After debuting in the Netflix Global Top 10, the new animated series that takes ‘Stranger Things’ fans to Hawkins during the winter of 1985 to face something terrifying beneath the ice gets picked up for another season.

On the road to Annecy Headline News

Disney to Share ‘Cars: Lightning Racers’ and Other First Looks at Annecy

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:43am

Disney+ and Disney Television Animation are headed to the famed festival by the lake to reveal details of new projects in the Work in Progress sessions, as well as screen in the official TV competition; event runs June 21-27.

Technology Headline News

Autodesk Announces AI Rigging and Neural Layer in Flow Studio

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:10am

New features designed to help creators quickly and efficiently move from model to motion, compressing key aspects of the complex, time-consuming animation production workflow into mere minutes.

Pages

Memories That Never Fade ANIMATIONWorld

‘Akira’ and ‘Battle of the Planets’: 2 Anime That Made Me

With the Katsuhiro Otomo classic 1988 film now playing in UK and Ireland cinemas, columnist Andrew Osmond reflects on the impact it had on him decades ago, and how it links to a TV cartoon from his childhood.

It’s Always About the Path Not the Destination ANIMATIONWorld

‘Spacetime Chronicles’ Unfolds a Fragile, Surreal Paper-Animated Tale

Webby Award-winning director Stefano Bertelli’s stop-motion film about a man’s dreamlike inner journey between reality and limbo used low poly 3D paper shapes with many smaller flat surfaces, folds and creases; tough to animate, lovely to watch.

A Very Curious Gorg ANIMATIONWorld

The Vintage Anime ‘Giant Gorg’: A Hero Robot’s Answer to King Kong

Columnist Andrew Osmond looks back at a decades’-old Japanese cartoon available on streaming, which presents itself as a fast and furious kids’ show – until the shock of the last episodes.

We Love Oddly Designed Merpeople ANIMATIONWorld

‘ChaO’: A Story of Boundless Love and Boundless Art

A strange, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt romance unfolds in a rule-breaking, futuristic world bursting with oddball details and creative chaos; from GKIDS, director Yasuhiro Aoki and Studio 4°C, the film hits North American theaters today, April 10.

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo ANIMATIONWorld

Directing a Feathered Superhero in ‘Rooster Fighter’

Columnist Andrew Osmond talks to Daisuke Suzuki, director of the new anime series on Adult Swim and Hulu, about the challenges of animating the unlikeliest of monster-slaying superheroes… Cock-a-doodle doo!

It’s Anime-zing! ANIMATIONWorld

Changing of the Anime Season: Endings and Beginnings

Columnist Andrew Osmond considers the endings to four ‘winter’ TV anime – ‘Journal With Witch,’ ‘Trigun Stargaze,’ ‘You And I Are Polar Opposites,’ and ‘Shiboyugi;’ and for an encore, he’s brought back some snaps from last weekend’s ‘AnimeJapan’ event in Tokyo!

Chasing Memories We Can Barely Recall ANIMATIONWorld

‘Telsche’: Exploring Memory and Loss Through Minimalist Art

Set on a stark salt-flat landscape and rendered in just three colors, Sophie Colfer and Ala Nunu’s 2D short follows a young girl’s search for a mother she can no longer fully remember, using stripped-down visuals without dialogue to explore how memory fades and returns.

The Wonderful Child in All of Us ANIMATIONWorld

Sylvain Chomet’s ‘A Magnificent Life’: Animation More Real Than Reality

The acclaimed, Oscar-nominated French director talks about his new film, his love of animation, and how if the acting, art, and editing are all good, your characters can feel more real than in live-action; in theaters March 27.

What a Hoot Not to be Missed Headline News

Titmouse Celebrates 20 years of ‘5 Second Day’s Chaos and Creativity

What started as a simple excuse to blow off steam has evolved into a long-running ritual — part inside joke, part creative release valve — where anything can happen, not everything works, and that’s exactly the point.

Remembering What is Barely Spoken About Headline News

Watch: ‘Remember Us’ Explores 3 Stories from the Tragic 1980s Salvadoran Civil War

Just released after its Oscar-qualifying festival run, director Pablo Leon and producer Jonathan Coria’s animated short follows a journalist documenting childhood loss, violence against women and the indigenous population, and regaining a sense of hope for the future.

A Super Debut Headline News

‘My Adventures with Superman’ Sets Season 3 Adult Swim Return

The hit animated series, a coming-of-age story that follows 20-somethings Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Kryptonian Kara Zor-El as they discover who they are, together, is back on June 13.

A New Generation of Filmmakers Headline News

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Announce 2026 Edition Shortlist

Filmmakers across 5 categories including animation get the opportunity to attend a 4-day program at Sony Pictures Studios from June 8-11, culminating in a June 11 ceremony when category winners will be revealed.

Call for Submissions Headline News

Submissions Now Open for ASIFA-Hollywood’s AEF 2026 Student Animation Showcase

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

The Animation Educators Forum’s 6th annual showcase is accepting entries through June 16; organization is seeking the best final student shorts of the year.

You Had Me at Mephisto Headline News

Korn, Blizzard Debut 'Reward the Scars' Music Video to Launch 'Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred'

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 3:33pm

The iconic heavy metal band’s first new music in 4 years blends live-action and stylized 2D animation from 72andSunny and Passion Pictures to depict Mephisto’s final battle in just-released 'Diablo IV' game.

More Opportunities to Get Vertical Headline News

LINE Digital Frontier, Redice Studio and Kadokawa Launch Studio White

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 1:45pm

The new webcomic production company will adapt Japanese franchises into vertical-scroll series; debut will include spin-off stories like 'Record of Lodoss War' formatted for WEBTOON’s vertical scroll.

AI in Animation Headline News

Nura Studios Launches Showcraft AI-Assisted Animation Platform

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:43am

Early Access begins May 19 on the company’s production system designed to help studios turn existing assets into episodic series and films while maintaining artistic control and IP integrity.

Pulse-Pounding Metalcore Infused Animation Headline News

‘Warframe’ Short Teases Sirius and Orion Clash in ‘Jade Shadows: Constellations’

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:44am

Digital Extremes collaborates with ERRA and THE LINE on an anime-inspired, highly stylized film introducing the game’s next narrative chapter, launching free in June.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

'Kagurabachi' TV Anime Set for April 2027 Release

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 12:57pm

Directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi and starring Taihi Kimura, the adaptation of Takeru Hokazono’s manga follows a young man out to avenge his father, a renowned swordsmith whose life is destroyed by a sorcerer organization; from CyberAgent and Shochiku, with animation by Cypic.

More Animated Laughs from Down Under Headline News

Adult Animated Comedy 'Dad’s House' from Michael Cusack Heading to Netflix

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:06am

New series showrun by and starring Dario Russo, David Ashby and the ‘Smiling Friends’ creator follows a 13-year-old and his well-meaning but chaotic father in suburban Australia.

AI Animation at Scale Headline News

Huace and Utopai Studios Partner on Long-Form AI-Driven Content Creation

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:09pm

One of China’s leading film and TV companies will deploy the PAI cinematic AI system across its production operations, marking a large-scale commitment to AI-assisted storytelling and global content development.

Hawkins Gets Animated Headline News

‘Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85’ Nabs Season 2 Renewal

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 5:30pm

After debuting in the Netflix Global Top 10, the new animated series that takes ‘Stranger Things’ fans to Hawkins during the winter of 1985 to face something terrifying beneath the ice gets picked up for another season.

On the road to Annecy Headline News

Disney to Share ‘Cars: Lightning Racers’ and Other First Looks at Annecy

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:43am

Disney+ and Disney Television Animation are headed to the famed festival by the lake to reveal details of new projects in the Work in Progress sessions, as well as screen in the official TV competition; event runs June 21-27.

Technology Headline News

Autodesk Announces AI Rigging and Neural Layer in Flow Studio

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:10am

New features designed to help creators quickly and efficiently move from model to motion, compressing key aspects of the complex, time-consuming animation production workflow into mere minutes.

Pages