Animation
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The Super Mario Bros. cartoon is back, but looks really weird thanks to AI
The 1989 cartoon series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show is being re-aired on MeTV Toons, but with noticeable visual alterations due to AI upscaling. The process has smoothed over the animation and in some cases changed character appearances and even the title card to "The Suele Mario Bros. Super Show."
Dave Filoni suggests Maul – Shadow Lord will honor George Lucas' scrapped Star Wars ideas
Lucasfilm boss Dave Filoni stated that the new animated series Maul – Shadow Lord will honor George Lucas' original plans for the character. Filoni discussed his conversations with Lucas about Maul's future, aiming to bring some of those ideas to light. The series is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, featuring Maul rebuilding his criminal syndicate and forming an alliance with a Jedi Padawan.
New TV Series Set to Premiere and Shape the Year Ahead
2026 is set to be a significant year for television, featuring a broad range of new and returning series across various genres. Highlights include Yellowstone spinoff 'The Madison,' revivals of 'Scrubs' and 'Malcolm in the Middle,' final seasons for 'The Boys' and 'Outlander,' and new installments of 'Bridgerton,' 'Euphoria,' and 'Daredevil: Born Again.' The year will also see the premiere of 'Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord' and the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX.
Baobab Studios Acquires Rights to Top Roblox Titles
Baobab Studios, an animation company co-founded by Eric Darnell and Maureen Fan, has acquired the exclusive rights to popular Roblox titles including Natural Disaster Survival, Barry's Prison Run, and Deepwoken. The studio plans to expand these properties into feature-length films and television series, collaborating with the original creators.
If You See a Cat Brings Atsushi Wada’s Festival-Recognized VR Story to Steam on April 2
The VR story 'If You See a Cat' by animator Atsushi Wada is coming to Steam on April 2, 2026, for $19.99. Developed by Komodo, the experience allows players to view the world from the perspective of a cat observing a boy with mental distress, blending animation, film, and interactive storytelling. The project has previously received recognition at film festivals like Venice and Rotterdam.
Notable Series on Amazon Prime Video Shaping the Streaming Landscape
Amazon Prime Video offers a diverse range of notable series, excelling in thrillers, dramas, and inventive storytelling. The article highlights standout shows like Fallout, a successful video game adaptation, and The Wheel of Time, a grand fantasy epic, among other acclaimed titles across various genres.
Netflix Series Perfect for a Binge-Worthy Marathon
This article provides a curated list of 10 binge-worthy Netflix series across various genres, including animation, drama, and mystery, to help viewers navigate the streaming platform's extensive catalog. Featured shows include Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Pokémon Concierge, Supacell, The Snow Girl, Blood of Zeus, The Survivors, Love on the Spectrum, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Outlander, and Untamed.
Notable Movies Currently Streaming on Max
This article highlights ten notable movies currently available for streaming on Max, covering a range of genres from animation and drama to action and horror. Featured films include "The Boy and the Heron," "Barbie," "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," and "Parasite," among others, with mentions of their directors and key actors.
IF YOU SEE A CAT — ACCLAIMED VR STORY BY ATSUSHI WADA MAKES ITS STEAM DEBUT
The acclaimed VR story "IF YOU SEE A CAT" by animator Atsushi Wada is now available to wishlist on Steam, with a release date of April 2, 2026. Developed by KOMODO, the interactive experience allows players to embody a cat observing a boy's mental distress, blending animation, film, and interactive storytelling. The work has received international recognition, including a nomination at the Venice International Film Festival.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Recruited A Top Gun To Voice Fox McCloud
Glen Powell, known for "Top Gun: Maverick," has been cast as Fox McCloud in "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," the sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." This marks a rare crossover between Nintendo franchises, as Fox McCloud from the Star Fox series will appear alongside characters from the Mario and Pikmin universes. The film is scheduled for release on April 1, with Nintendo also planning a live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie.
Just in time for Bethesda's Terran Armada DLC and Free Lanes update, seamless Starfield custom animation mods are finally possible
New tools for Starfield, dubbed Starfield Animation IO, now allow for seamless custom animations, a significant breakthrough for the game's modding scene. Modder Neeher has created a first-person running animation, though animating custom weapon parts remains a future goal.
KPop Demon Hunters 2 may still be a way off yet, but at least we have this new short to quite literally whet our…
Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix have announced a sequel to the animated film KPop Demon Hunters, with co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans expressing excitement for the characters' next chapter. The announcement coincides with a promotional collaboration with McDonald's featuring combo meals inspired by the film's rival bands.
Animated Films Outside Disney That Transformed the Medium
This article highlights ten animated films outside of Disney and Pixar that have significantly transformed the medium through diverse styles and innovative storytelling. From the dialogue-free survival tale 'Flow' to the emotionally devastating 'Grave of the Fireflies,' these films demonstrate animation's broad potential.
Family Films Currently Streaming That Are Worth Watching
This article highlights the top 10 family films currently available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. It covers a range of animated and live-action titles, including "Flow," "Lilo & Stitch," "Minecraft: The Movie," and "Bluey," noting their appeal to both children and adults and their impact on the streaming landscape.
Powerful LGBTQ+ Stories in Anime and Animated Series
This article highlights numerous anime and animated series that feature significant LGBTQ+ representation, moving beyond subtle hints to openly celebrate diverse identities. Shows like Dead End: Paranormal Park, Steven Universe, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power are praised for their authentic integration of queer characters and themes, offering viewers meaningful recognition and empowerment.
Notable Amazon Prime Video Series Worth Streaming
Amazon Prime Video offers a diverse selection of series, including thrillers like "Steal" and "The Night Manager," dramas, and genre blends. Standout titles include the critically acclaimed video game adaptation "Fallout," the superhero satire "Gen V," the animated "Invincible," and the epic fantasy "The Wheel of Time."
Family Films Currently Available to Stream That Captivate All Ages
The streaming landscape in 2025 features a diverse range of family films available on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, captivating audiences of all ages. Titles such as the wordless animated film 'Flow,' the live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' remake, and the animated phenomenon 'Bluey' highlight the year's most impressive offerings. These films demonstrate the growing importance of family content in the streaming wars, providing both entertainment for children and engaging stories for parents.
Tencent's genAI animation tools don't seem to make games more fun
Tencent's new generative AI animation tools, demonstrated at GDC, aim to create more realistic character movements by dynamically generating in-between frames. While the technology can reduce animation imperfections like clipping and sliding, the article questions whether these improvements fundamentally enhance gameplay fun or are primarily for investor appeal. Concerns are also raised about the ethical implications of training data and fair compensation for performers whose movements are used.
New Devil May Cry Season 2 Trailer Wastes No Time Giving Fans What They Want
A new trailer for the second season of Netflix's animated Devil May Cry series has been released ahead of its May 12 launch, showcasing the return of Vergil and teasing Dante's evolution. Showrunner Adi Shankar hinted at Dante leveling up and embracing his devil-hunter persona. Capcom, the publisher and developer of the Devil May Cry video game franchise, has expressed interest in revisiting the series in the future.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie might actually be making a years-long fan theory about Rosalina and Princess Peach canon
A detail in the UK's age classification report for the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie suggests it may canonize a long-standing fan theory about a familial link between Princess Peach and Rosalina. The report mentions "infrequent very mild upsetting scenes include flashbacks to the separation of a girl and her younger sister." The film will also feature Wart, Mouser, and Birdo as antagonists, with Issa Rae voicing Honey Queen and Donald Glover voicing Yoshi.
